FESTIVALS IN MALAYSIA

The festivals in Malaysia are interesting enough to come to Malaysia on your bicycle. Malaysia has several really interesting festivals and when you travel around, make sure you get the dates of some of the festivals so you can enjoy them to the fullest.

Although Malaysia is a Muslim country it is tolerant to other religions. While you are traveling in Malaysia it is very well possible you will join in one or another festival.

What are the most interesting festivals to experience?

THAIPUSAM

Thaipusam is the first Indian festival in the year in Malaysia. Although the festival is celebrated all over the country, the best places to enjoy the festival are the Batu Caves in Kuala Lumpur.

Thaipusam always take place in January, early February as the festival follows the Lunar calendar.

Kuala Lumpur, never a good city to cycle around will be even busier in the area of the Batu Caves. Best advise is to leave your bicycle in the HOTEL ANDeither walk to the sites or take some public transport.

CHINESE NEW YEAR (CNY)

Chinese New Year is the first Chinese festival in Malaysia in the year. It is one of the most important events for the Chinese people all around the world.

Chinese New Year falls on different dates each year, a date between January 21 and February 20, because the Chinese follow the Lunar Calendar.

Chinese will hang outside the house red lanterns usually a week before the the actual Chinese New Year is celebrated. The house will be cleaned and new clothes be bought. Some families and shops will have lion dances to clean the house from evil spirits.

INDEPENDENCE DAY

Malaysia's Independence day is celebrated on August 31. Every year, a free open air concert is held on the eve of Merdeka (independence) to jumpstart the celebrations.

The Merdeka starts off with a grand parade. These events will take place in Kuala Lumpur. In other cities there will be similar event take place.

RAMADAN AND HARI RAYA

Malaysia is a Muslim country. Every year the Muslims celebrate the Ramadan, the month of fasting. Muslims are not allowed to eat from sunrise to sunset.

For cyclists on the east coast this might be they have to organize their food in advance as the Muslim restaurant (and even some hotels) will be closed during the day.

The month of Ramadan is a great opportunity to sample a variety of food special made for the Ramadan. You will not be disappointed!

The last day of the Ramadan is called Hari Raya and it's a great day to celebrate this important day for the Muslim population with some Muslims. It's very easy to find a nice place to find out how they celebrate the end of the Ramadan and how the Chinese and Indian join them in the celebrations.

Chinese and Indians are a little more reserved with eating in public not to offend the Muslims. However, Chinese and Indian restaurant are normal open.  

MOON FESTIVAL

The Moon festival takes place in early October. It is also known as the "Mid-Autumn Festival". Except the Chinese New Year there is no more important festival for the Chinese population world wide.

DEEPAVALI

Deepavali is the festival of light though the most significant spiritual meaning is "the awareness of the inner light". It is a 5 days festival usually held between October 13 and November 14. It is a National Holiday in many countries including Malaysia.

As most of the Indians in Malaysia are Tamils from the south, the actual day of the festivities is the third day. Hindus wake up well before dawn, as early as two in the morning, have a fragrant oil bath and wear new clothes. They light small lamps all around the house and draw elaborate kolams / rangolis outside their homes.

It is believed that taking a bath before sunrise, when the stars are still visible in the sky is equivalent to taking a bath in the holy Ganges.

The best way to experience Deepavali is to be with some Indian friends. Many households will have extensive dishes prepared and will visit relatives.

Although Deepavali is not an extravert festival as Thaipusam, it is a great festival to get in touch with the local Indian culture. And as said, the best way to visit Indian families.

A TASTE OF MALAYSIA

FOOD IN MALAYSIA

If shopping is the national pastime in Malaysia, then food is the national obsession. It is not uncommon to be greeted by the phrase 'Sudah makan?' (Have you eaten already?). Everything in Malaysia revolves around great food. Pleasant social get-togethers are always combined with having a nice meal. In Malaysia, more people blog about food than about anything else. Locals usually never eat at home; unless it is with family. Everybody eats outdoors every night; Malaysia is all about food!

Nasi lemak

Nasi lemak is a fragrant rice dish cooked in coconut milk and "pandan" leaf commonly found in Malaysia, where it is considered the national dish.

Roti canai

Roti canai or roti cane is a type of Indian-influenced flatbread found in Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia. It is often sold in Mamak stalls in Malaysia; also in Malay, Minangkabau and Aceh restaurants in Indonesia.

Yong Tau Foo

Yong tau foo is a Hakka Chinese food consisting primarily of tofu that has been filled with either a ground meat mixture or fish paste. Variation of this food include vegetables and mushrooms stuff with ground meat or surimi.

Satay

Satay, modern Indonesian and Malay spelling sate, is a dish of seasoned, skewered and grilled meat, served with a sauce.

BEST ATTRACTIONS IN KUALA LUMPUR

WHAT TO SEE IN IN KUALA LUMPUR

An introduction to Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is Malaysia's capital city as well as the most populated urban area in the nation. Not only is it a bustling center of commerce and activity but Kuala Lumpur is also home to a range of world class attractions. KL (as it is fondly and popularly known) is an expanding metropolitan region thriving in terms of its population, but also in terms of its economy. In addition, the city is home to the main palace (Istana Negara) of the Malaysian King.

Petronas Twin Tower  at night

Location & History

Kuala Lumpur and its suburbs are located in the Klang valley and are geographically located at the centre of Selangorstate. KL was under the rule of Selangor until its appointment as a federal territory in 1974 wherein it came directly under the federal government of Malaysia. Being a part of Klang valley, KL is bordered by the Titiwangsa Mountains in the east and the Indonesian island of Sumatra in the west. The region also has a tropical rainforest climate.

Kuala Lumpur's origins can be traced back to the lucrative tin mining industry when in the year 1850 Chinese labourers were instructed by the local chief to step up production. Places like Ampang on the Klang River soon became the focal point for the burgeoning TRADE. The city on the banks of the Sungai Gombak River was called “Pengkalan Lumpur” literally translating to 'bundle of mud', which came to be known as the muddy confluence, Kuala Lumpur.

Kuala Lumpur skyline at night

This muddy confluence however showed rapid development and is today the seat of the parliament of Malaysia. Additionally, it was the seat of the federal government until it was relocated to Putrajaya for want of space. KL being on the west coast of Malaysia also enjoys wider flat lands as opposed to its counterparts on the east coast, adding to its rapid development and urbanisation.

Kuala Lumpur truly does offer a different experience altogether to other parts of Malaysia. While the city still heralds its age-old traditions – it is sophisticated and ultra modern buildings that dominate its landscape. It is the only city in Malaysia where one can see traditional Hawker stalls and pre-war shop houses competing equally alongside skyscrapers and mega shopping malls.

Sungai Tua waterfall in KL

The ‘KLites’ (the native population or the residents of KL) are a diverse group of people and represent a mix of different ethnic groups and races. This gives the city the distinction of being the only truly global city in Malaysia.

Over recent years, Kuala Lumpur has developed into a flourishing metropolis with its many architectural achievements like the world-renowned Petronas Towers – (the second tallest buildings in the world). Standing tall in the middle of the city, the towers are a major tourist attraction.

Things to see & do: Tours

The best way to see Kuala Lumpur is usually to sign up for a city tour. The city has many tours designed to fit tourist’s specifications. The adventurous at heart can have a bird’s eye view of expansive KL and its surroundings from their self manned aircraft part of the A-One-Day-Pilot tour. This and many other adventure sports tours like paragliding, windsurfing, light aircraft flying etc can be booked from within the city from the comfort of your HOTEL ROOM itself if you please.

Petaling street is in the heart of Chinatown and is home to one of Kuala Lumpur's most bustling marketplaces. Bartering on prices is part of the experience but be mindful that branded goods sold here may be counterfeit.

Located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, a few minutes away from Petaling Street, Central Market is a famous landmark for Malaysian culture and heritage. 

The building was built in 1888 and originally functioned as a wet market. It has since been classified as a Heritage Site. 

Tourists flock to Central Market for its variety of handicrafts, art, kebaya, songket, batik and authentic Malaysian souvenirs. A Batik Emporium houses well-known designer labels, with the best Malaysian-made batik items ranging from clothes, shoes, bags to home furnishing. 

The Central Market Outdoor Stage is where visitors can catch colourful arts and cultural events. During the country’s main festivals, the area will be lit up in theme, reflecting the multiracial diversity of Malaysians. 

For a more contemporary take on the local arts scene, The Annexe Gallery, located at the back of Central Market, is a popular venue for events such as film screenings, art exhibitions and public discourses.

The KL Bird Park is located in the serene and scenic Perdana Botanical Gardens, 10 minutes away from the Kuala Lumpur city centre. 

Home to more than 3,000 birds of 200 local and foreign bird species, the main feature that distinguishes KL Bird Park from other bird parks is the concept of free-flight. 

Stroll through the park, and take the opportunity to see Mandarin ducks, hawk eagles, hornbills, ostriches and other birds. 

Visit the Egg Incubation Room and Nursery and see how chicken eggs are artificially incubated using incubators. 

Don't forget to take photographs with the different species of birds, and catch the feeding programme and daily bird shows taking place at the semi-open air amphitheater at 12.30pm and 3.30pm daily.