Shopping
Overview
Malaysia offers a premier shopping experience with futuristic malls, unique cultural shops and bustling street markets. Trading is allowed in the markets. Shops and department stores set prices but have special offers during seasonal sales from July to September and November to January. Electronics, cosmetics and perfumes are all available duty-free throughout Malaysia, and popular souvenirs include tie-dye fabrics and clothing, silver and pewter ware, brocade, handicrafts (especially wickerwork and wood carvings) and antiques. Kuala Lumpur is the most popular shopping destination, rivaling Singapore and Hong Kong for fashion and electronics. Suria KLCC Shopping Center (website: www.suriaklcc.com.my) at the foot of the Petronas Towers houses a wide range of leading international retail brands. Sleek Starhill Gallery and Lot 10 Mall offer more glamorous brands, while Berjaya Times Square, one of the largest malls in the world, features Asia’s largest indoor amusement park. In addition to fashion items, IT products such as software, DVDs and hardware can be found in the Sungei Wang shopping center. Jalan Petaling street market in the Chinatown sells cheap souvenirs, and Central Market (web: centralmarket.com.my) sells high-quality handicrafts.
- Top-engineering-schools: Provides detailed population data for major cities of Malaysia. Also covers geography information including rivers, mountains, lakes, and national borders.
Opening hours
Varies, most shops set their own opening hours, i. Generally 9.30 a.m. – 7.00 p.m. Supermarkets and department stores are usually open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Nightlife
Introduction
Kuala Lumpur has the liveliest nightlife in the country – there are numerous bars, nightclubs and discos, most of which are part of the large hotels. The most varied offer can be found in the area around Jalan Bukit Bintang, Asian Heritage Row, CapSquare, Starhill Gallery, Bangsar, Sri Hartamas and Curve Mall in Mutiara Damansara. Nightclubs are usually open until 5 or 6 am Wednesday to Sunday: most clubs charge a cover charge, which includes the first drink, instead of admission; sometimes two drinks for the price of one before 8pm. Outside of the big cities, nightlife takes place mainly in the night markets, where locals eat, drink and mingle late into the night. Most night markets open at 4pm every night. The most famous night markets include the markets in Kuala Lumpur and the night market in Penang’s Chinese Quarter. Most major cities have cinemas showing Malaysian, Chinese and Indian films. The films are often shown with English subtitles, sometimes English films are also offered, especially American blockbusters. The National Lottery and the only casino in Genting Highlands (website: www.rwgenting.com). are approved by the government, tourists should not gamble anywhere else. Evening wear is welcome in the casino and the minimum age is 21.
Culinary
Overview
Modern Malaysian cuisine is influenced by European, Chinese and Indian cuisine. While the traditional cuisine is similar to Thai and Indonesian cuisine, it also has its own unique specialties, notably exotic spices, chili peppers, ginger, lemongrass, coconut milk and peanuts. Mamak cuisine, brought to Malaysia by Tamil Muslims, is a must-try. Traditionally, Mamak dishes can be bought from street stalls located across the country. Western food is popular with young Malaysians, and Thai and Korean food is available in most major towns. Chinese restaurants offer a wide range of cuisines, including Beijing, Hakka, Szechuan and Cantonese. Indian cuisine with curry dishes is very popular. Indonesian cuisine combines the use of dried seafood and spicy vegetables with the Japanese method of steaming to achieve the best flavor possible. Japanese dishes like siakaiu beef (beef grilled at the table), tempura (batter-fried vegetables or seafood), and sashimi (paper-thin raw fish with salad) are particularly popular.
Regional specialities
Sambal (a paste made from ground chiles, onions and tamarind) is often offered as a side dish. Blachan (dried crab paste) is very common. Ikan bilis (dried anchovies) are served with drinks. A popular dish is satay (a selection of meats, especially chicken, roasted on skewers over a fire) with a spicy peanut sauce and salad. Gula malacca (a firm sago pudding with palm sugar sauce) is also served in the restaurants. Nasi lemak (steamed rice with coconut milk, dried anchovies, sambal, peanuts and eggs) is a national dish found almost everywhere. Char kway teow (fried rice noodles with meat or fish) is a quick and inexpensive meal. Nasi goreng (Malaysia-style fried rice) is a popular food at street stalls and night markets; it is often taken along as provisions for longer bus trips. Roti canai (fried flatbread with urry sauce) is a tasty and inexpensive snack that’s often washed down with a cup of teh tarik (literally “pulled tea”). Rendang daging (slowly cooked beef with lemongrass and coconut) is a rich and filling main course, mostly served on special occasions.
Useful information
In the restaurants, meals are usually served at the table. Indian and Malaysian dishes are traditionally eaten with the right hand.
Tip
10% service and 5% government tax will be added to most hotel bills. A 10% tip is appropriate in the restaurant. Taxi drivers do not expect tips.
Regional drinks
Although Malaysia is a predominantly Muslim country, beer, wine and spirits are also served in bars and restaurants in the larger cities. Local beers such as Tiger and Anchor are particularly recommended, while the famous Singapore Sling cocktail should be tried. On Borneo you should definitely try the traditional tuak (rice wine).
Minimum age for consumption of alcoholic beverages
There is no legal drinking age in Malaysia; However, alcohol may only be sold to persons over the age of 18. Buying and consuming alcohol is officially forbidden for Muslims.
Accommodation
Hotels
There are numerous luxury and tourist class hotels. Advance booking is required especially during school holidays and public holidays. The simpler hotels hardly have any modern washing facilities and often only a sink instead of a bath or shower. 6% government tax and 10% service will be added to the bill. In addition, there is an accommodation tax in hotels, which is calculated per room per night and amounts to 10 RM (approx. 2 €). Guests must pay the occupancy tax locally. Tips (only if the service is good) are expected from porters and for room service. Most hotels offer a laundry service. More information from Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH), C5-3 Wisma MAH, Jalan Ampang Utama 1/1,
Camping
Camping opportunities are available in the Taman Negara and in the national parks. In so-called Jungle Lodges you can rent tents, camp beds, cartridge lamps and mosquito nets for hikes through the rainforest.
Other accommodation options
Not very numerous, but inexpensive. Accommodation in dormitories, meals are available. The reception is usually open between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. There are youth hostels in Cameron Highlands, Kuala Lumpur, Kuantan, Malacca, Penang and Port Dickson. For more information, contact the Malaysian Youth Hostel Association, Kuala Lumpur International Youth Hostel, 21 Jalan Kampung Attap, 50460 Kuala Lumpur (Tel: (03) 22 73 68 70. Internet: http://www.myha.org.my/). Details also from the tourist office (see addresses).
Culture
Religion
Islam is the state religion; there are also Christians, Buddhists, Confucians and Hindus.
Social Rules of Conduct
General: Malaysia’s population is made up of a mixture of very different cultures that live together without much difficulty. Some mosques do not allow non-Muslims to visit, so always ask before entering. Manners: The usual forms of politeness should be observed. Malaysians greet with the Islamic “Peace be upon you,” men are addressed as Encik (Enshik), unmarried women as Cik (pronounced She) and wives as Puan. Chinese and Indians usually greet in European style. The left hand is considered unclean and is not used for eating or greeting. Hospitality is always warm, generous and informal. Visitors should follow the Malaysian example and above all show respect for religious customs, e.g. B. Take off your shoes at the door, wear appropriate clothing and do not stroke strange children’s heads. Kissing and the exchange of affection in public are frowned upon; Same-sex couples in particular should refrain from making public declarations of love. Clothing: Clothing can be casual, but not too skimpy. Shoulders and knees should be covered. It’s a good idea to pack a pair of long pants and a long-sleeved shirt, as air-conditioned rooms can get chilly at times. Swimwear belongs on the beach. Public nudity is prohibited by law, including sunbathing without a bikini top. Smoking: In the cities, the government has been trying to curb smoking for some time. There are heavy fines for smoking in public buildings such as cinemas, theatres, air-conditioned restaurants, petrol stations, shopping malls and libraries, and on public transport. Note: Any drugs should be avoided at all costs, since possession alone can be punished with the death penalty. Tipping: In restaurants and hotels, tipping is already included in the bill in the form of a service charge. For this reason, tips are not expected there, but are appreciated. In a taxi, the fare is rounded up.
Climate
Best travel time
Tropical, humid and hot with extremely high daytime temperatures. The nights can get relatively cool. The humidity is 95% and more. In the east of the peninsula as well as in Sabah and Sarawak the main rainy season lasts from November to February, on the west coast it rains in August and September. Pleasant water temperatures of 26°C. The best time to travel in Malaysia is in the summer. However, there are regional differences.
Country data
Phone prefix
+60
Area (sq km)
329847
Population
32,365,999 (Source: homosociety)
Population density (per square km)
93
Population statistics year
2020
Main emergency number
999
