Famous for its vibrant mix of people, culture, natural heritage and modern cities, Malaysia is one of Southeast Asia’s top travel destinations and is gradually growing in popularity among expatriates as a second home or retirement location.
There are two parts to the country consisting of Peninsula Malaysia and the two states of Sabah and Sarawak, on Borneo island separated by the South China Sea. Annual rainfall is heavy at 2,500 mm (100 in) with rain falling 200 days a year on average. Torrential downpours frequently occur in the late afternoons and evenings, but fortunately falls in short, strong bursts. Monsoon season occurs November to January. Light and sweat-absorbent material like cotton or linen is recommend for clothing to combat the humidity.
Bahasa Melayu is the national and official language, although English, Cantonese, Hokkien, Iban and Tamil are widely spoken. One of Malaysia’s key attractions is its extreme contracts, such as towering skyscrapers looking down upon wooden houses built on stilts and five-star hotels sitting several metres from ancient coral reefs.
While visiting Malaysia, there are several sights to see, including Mount Kinabalu, the caves of Gunung Mulu National Park and the rainforest of Taman Negara, to name a few. Other popular activities include day trips and excursions to shopping at various boutiques and department stores and enjoying thriving night scenes at cinemas, restaurants, markets and clubs.
