The past decade has seen Malaysia emerge from the shadows of Thailand and Indonesia as a markedly less expensive destination. The country contains some of the oldest rain forests in the world and dozens of pristine islands scattered across the Andaman and South China seas. Several popular orangutan preserves in the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak on the island of Borneo have helped instigate an ecotourism boom. Malaysia’s multicultural capital, Kuala Lumpur, has managed to avoid the fume-laden chaos of Bangkok. A lively confluence of Chinese, Indian and Malay cultures fuels this eclectic city, which offers superb pan-Asian cuisine. (Ask your concierge to direct you to his or her favorite kedai kopi, or outdoor food stall, for a true Malaysian dining experience.) City Centre is worth a stroll for the grand Moorish Sultan Abdul Samad Building and the pith-helmet colonial charm of the Royal Selangor Club. The buzzing Golden Triangle area recalls Tokyo’s Ginza or Singapore’s Orchard Road.
To phone hotels in Malaysia, dial 011 (international access) + 60 (Malaysia code) + city code and local numbers in listings.
Ringgit (MYR). Fluctuating rate valued at MYR4.19 = US$1.00 as of October 2016.
12 hours ahead of New York (EST). (Time listed is for DST in the West. Difference is one hour more November to mid-March.)
Kuala Lumpur, Tel. 3-2168-5000.
Passport (valid for six months beyond end of stay). Visit travel.state.gov, and for travelers’ health information, cdc.gov.
Andrew Harper members have access to full travel-planning services through Andrew Harper Travel.
1 (800) 375-4685
Open M-F 8:30AM-5:30PM CT
