Malaysia travel guide:

1. Preparation before traveling to Malaysia

1. Visa

(1) Traveling to Malaysia for sightseeing Generally, you can apply for a 30-day tourist visa at the Malaysian embassy or consular office in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Kunming. The process is very simple and can be completely DIY. When applying, you need to provide the following materials:

a. Passport. The remaining validity period is more than 6 months.

b. One 2-inch color ID photo of yourself.

c. RMB 80.

d. Completed form. You need to fill out two forms and get them for free at the visa section of the consulate.

After completing the visa procedures, the consulate/embassy will give you a receipt. You can collect your passport and visa according to the time on the receipt. Generally speaking, it takes three working days. The visa is valid for three months after obtaining the visa. After entry, an additional customs clearance stamp will be stamped, which usually gives a 30-day stay period. If you need to stay longer, you can mention it when applying for a visa.

(2) If you are joining a tour group organized by a travel agency, or if it is inconvenient to apply for a visa by yourself, you can also ask a travel agency to apply for a visa on your behalf, but a certain handling fee is generally required.

(3) You can also apply for a free transit visa. With the visa, you can stay in Malaysia for 5 days. When applying for the visa, you need to present a ticket to leave Malaysia within 5 days. The transit visa will be written on the passport. Departure flight number and date.

2. Luggage equipment: passport, cash, credit card, air ticket, short-sleeved clothes and pants, toiletries, conversion plug (Malaysia uses British three-plug, the voltage is the same as mainland China, so you need to bring A converter plug), camera, notepad, pen, water-resistant mosquitoes, commonly used medicines, slippers (Malaysia is hot all year round, and people on the streets often wear slippers), sunscreen, swimsuits, etc.

Green Man Reminder: It is recommended to bring a thin jacket and trousers. Firstly, it is convenient to wear in air-conditioned places. Secondly, some mosques in Malaysia have a dress code when entering. The clothes must cover the elbow trousers. Cover your knees.

3. Currency exchange

In Malaysia, you can easily exchange RMB (CNY) for Malaysian Ringgit (RM). There is no need to bring US dollars with you. It is recommended to redeem 50RM at the airport upon arrival, and then exchange it again when leaving the city. In Kuala Lumpur's Chinatown, the store opposite Backpackers Travelers Inn has a good exchange rate, which was once as high as 0.535. It is highly recommended. There are very convenient currency exchange places in other places in Malaysia, including Cameron Highlands and Langkawi, but there seems to be no currency exchange place in Taman Negara.

4. Communication

You can buy a DIGI SIM card at KL Central in Kuala Lumpur, priced at 8.5RM including 5RM in phone charges. DIGI is a relatively large communications company in Malaysia, and its rates are pretty good. Some people said before that they could not find this kind of 8.5RM DIGI card with 5RM phone credit. They only found 18.5RM DIGI card with 5RM credit. It is recommended that you look for more, because according to the MM who sells the card, the difference between the 18.5RM and 8.5RM cards is , the former number is prettier.

■Tariff

The tariff for DIGI calls to China: mobile phone is 0.36RM, landline is 0.18RM. Free mobile phone calls in Malaysia. The rate for China Mobile to send text messages to Malaysian mobile phones is 1 yuan per message. Domestic users use Shenzhouxing. After dialing 12593, it is very cheap to call Malaysia. It only costs 3.9 cents per minute.

■Internet access

Some guesthouses provide free Internet access (very few), while others can only find Internet cafes. Internet access is charged at Backpackers Travelers Inn in Kuala Lumpur, 1RM for 15 minutes (4RM/hour), while Internet cafes in Chinatown only cost 2.5RM/hour. There seems to be only one Internet cafe in Tanah Rata in Cameron (the base camp, the town where you stay in Cameron), which costs 3.5RM/hour. The computers are all new. There is no Internet cafe in Penang. Free Internet access is available at GUESTHOUSE. Langkawi Internet Cafe 3RM/hour. There are Internet cafes all over the streets of Malacca, and the prices are reasonable. Taman Negara is more expensive, probably around RM4/hour.

2. Things you must do on a self-guided tour in Malaysia

1. Walk on the creaking long suspension bridge in Taman Negara National Park - you have to work hard to master it balance.

2. Go diving in the clear water some distance away from the shore of the Perhentian Islands and let the colorful fish accompany you.

3. Drink a cup of fragrant and freshly brewed plateau tea in Cameron Highlands, and walk through the tea gardens to visit BOH, a garden tea with many years of history. There are shops inside where you can buy various black teas.

4. Bargaining with Malaysian vendors under the bright lights at the night market in Kuala Lumpur.

3. Go to Malacca to experience the past and try the famous satay hot pot at home and abroad.

4. Go diving in Langkawi to watch the sunset and enjoy a paradise-like life.

7. In Penang, see the modern world with its narrow streets, dilapidated business houses and dormitories, and taste Hainanese chicken rice.

3. Introduction to the main scenic spots in Malaysia for self-guided tours

1. Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur has both the luxurious style of a modern metropolis and the charm of ancient times. The customs and traditions are unique and the vitality of multiculturalism is endless, which comprehensively highlights the unique charm of Malaysia's multi-ethnic harmony, coexistence and pioneering progress. The beauty of Kuala Lumpur today makes it difficult to imagine the hardships it had in the past. Kuala Lumpur has experienced overflowing rivers and the difficult years of colonial rule. It has rapidly evolved from the ruins of disasters into an important modern metropolis in Southeast Asia. The rapid development rate is a miracle.

2. Malacca

Two hours’ drive south from Kuala Lumpur, you will arrive at a beautiful coastal city: the historical city of Melaka in Malaysia. There is also a touching legend about how Malacca got its name: In 581 AD, Prince Paramesura of Palembang, Sumatra, who was defeated by the Majapahit dynasty of Java and fled home, led his people to flee north and came to a piece of land in the Malay Peninsula. superior. After the prince landed, he saw a mouse deer fighting fiercely with a wild beast. The prince was worried about the weak mouse deer. However, to the prince's surprise, the mousedeer finally won under a tree. The prince felt relieved and gained strength from this. He decided to stay in this land and rebuild his dynasty. He asked his men what kind of tree that was. His subordinates said it was a Malacca tree, so the prince named the land "Malacca", which has been used ever since. Zheng He made seven voyages to the West and arrived in Malacca six times, and used it as a material transshipment center for his fleets. Today, at the foot of Sanbao Mountain, there is the Sanbao Temple to commemorate Zheng He, and the Sanbao Well dug by Zheng He to solve the drinking water problem of local residents.

3. Penang

Turning out the map, Penang lies quietly on an island in the northwest corner of Malaysia, with the Indian Ocean on one side and the Strait of Malacca on the other. Everything is in line with imagination. In earlier centuries, it had been the most important transit point on the maritime route between China and India. Since then, Penang has become a holiday destination, and its special history has created a variety of Eastern and Western traditions. A unique culture with a fusion of styles. Penang people love the old, and the city center of George Town is also included in the World Cultural Heritage. It is a small town even more nostalgic than Macau. Here, century-old houses can serve as B&Bs, and specialty foods that were thought to be extinct can be found in the busiest morning market. People here are also loyal to their city and have lived their lives for forty years.

4. Cameron Highlands

In the hot weather, Cameron Highlands is cool and fresh everywhere, especially for ordinary people in the plains and lowlands who are depressed and panicked by the heat. Infinitely envious. Only this difference between heaven and earth can make people understand. A hundred years ago, the British officers and gentlemen who were sent to Malaya, a country where summer lasts all year round, traveled all over the barren mountains and ridges in order to escape the entanglement of heat. It makes perfect sense to discover this cool and cool place where you can enjoy the cool air.

5. Genting Highlands

Genting Highlands is a newly developed tourism and summer resort in Malaysia. It is also called "Yanzhen Highlands". Because of the mist in the mountains, it is fascinating. Being in the mountains feels like being on the clouds, so it was changed to its current name.

6. Perhentian Island

Perhentian Island belongs to KUALA BESUT and consists of two islands: Pulau Besar and Pulau Kecil.

Like Redang Island, the tourist season here is from March to October, and the island may be closed during the rest of the time. Compared with Redang Island, the later developed Perhentian Island is more primitive and beautiful, and you can enjoy a long and peaceful vacation. This is a wonderful paradise with large white sand beaches, blue-green seawater and dense jungle inland. The seawater is pure and transparent, and colorful tropical fish seem to be floating in the air. Each of the two islands has its own merits. The small island is highly praised by backpackers for its self-service and low cost. The big island is quieter and has better conditions, but the cost is slightly higher. There are no banks or public phones in Perhentian Island, but there is mobile phone signal. Perhentian Island is a national marine park, and each person needs to pay an entrance fee of RM5 to enter here.

7. Redang Island

When talking about Redang Island, we have to mention "Summer Tea". With the popularity of the movie, this tropical island has become more romantic and has become one of the favorite vacation spots for couples. On Redang Island, what you can do is not only stroll on the long white sandy beach, or watch turtles swim in the water and count the waves, but you can also dive into the water to play with tropical fish and explore the secrets of the tropical rainforest.

8. Langkawi

Langkawi once left records when Zheng He passed through it, and it was known as Langya Jiaoyi in history. Although this is just a small island, its popularity eclipses the state of Kedah where it is located.

4. Malaysian Food

Malaysia has great food. Since Malaysia mainly has three major ethnic groups, the cuisine is mainly composed of Malay, Indian and Chinese cuisine. CHINA TOWN in Kuala Lumpur has great Chinese food, Cantonese food to be precise. The wonton noodles are very good, very authentic, even more authentic than many places in Guangzhou now, and the asking price is 3.5RM. Near the BACKPACKERS TRAVELERS INN in CHINA TOWM, there is an excellent claypot chicken rice for 7RM. It is very filling and delicious. There is an eating place on the second floor of PASAR SENI (Central Market) in Kuala Lumpur that is similar to the one on the top floor of a domestic super mall. It also has all kinds of dishes. In addition, at Tana Rata in Cameron Highlands, the Indian food is very cost-effective.

Highly recommended must-try food:

Indian food! Cheap and delicious. The Indians are very kind. For 5.5RM, they will give you a piece of chicken that is bigger than the original chicken, and they also have a variety of curries to choose from.

Bak Kut Teh noodles/noodles (Malaysian specialties)

Cooked Chicken Rice (KL Chinatown, look for it on your own, not difficult to find, they also seem to sell Portuguese grilled fish)

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Egg tart (I had an ugly but extremely delicious egg tart near the Kek Lok Si Temple in Penang, 1.2RM)

Hainan Chicken Rice (more common in Penang)

Corn cup (not to be missed! The one sold at Langkawi pier is the best.)

Roti+Eggs (Indian pancake with eggs, I love it! A great choice for breakfast!)< /p>

5. Things to note when traveling to Malaysia

1. Meeting ceremony

The traditional Malay meeting ceremony is very unique. When they meet, they will hold each other's hands with both hands and rub each other, and then put their right hands a little closer to their hearts. For unfamiliar women, you should not just reach out and ask for a handshake. Men should nod or bow slightly to the woman, and take the initiative to give a verbal greeting. But now the Western-style handshake is the most common greeting greeting in Malaysia, and it can be used by Malays, Chinese or Indians without any hindrance.

2. Dining

Malays avoid eating pork and drinking alcohol. When dining in a Malay restaurant, if you see a large kettle on the table, don't mistake it for a teapot filled with drinking water. In fact, the water inside is used for washing hands. Generally, Malays eat with their right hand, so washing hands before and after eating is the etiquette of the Malay table.

3. Visiting

In Malaysia, unless permitted by the host, whether you are visiting a Malay, Chinese or Indian home, you must take off your shoes before entering. When visiting a Malay home, if the host arranges to sit on a mat on the floor, men should sit cross-legged and women should sit with their legs to the left.

4. Clothing

The traditional attire of Malay men and women are: men wear collarless tops, trousers, short waist sarongs, "Songkok" hats on their heads, and feet Wear leather shoes. Women's dresses are also made of tops and sarongs, which are as wide as robes, and their heads are covered with brightly colored gauze scarves.

In Malaysia, except for members of the royal family, yellow clothing is generally not worn. At present, migrant workers generally wear light suits for the convenience of work. They only wear traditional clothes when they are at home after work, visiting relatives and friends, or during major festivals. In various formal occasions, men can wear long-sleeved badi shirts in addition to ethnic clothes or suits. The batik shirt is a long-sleeved top made of batik fabric with a thin and cool texture. It has gradually replaced the traditional Malay dress and become the "national dress" of Malaysia.

5. Other taboos or etiquette

Do not use your index finger to point at people. If you want to indicate the direction, you can only use your thumb. Do not use your left hand when greeting Malays, shaking hands, giving gifts or receiving things. If you use your left hand to receive things or say hello, it is disrespectful to them. Malays are taboo against others touching their heads. Except for teachers or during religious ceremonies, no one is allowed to touch others' heads at will. Don't show the soles of your feet in front of others. Pointing your soles at others is an insult to others.