A Complete Guide to Malaysia – Be prepared for your next holiday

With a range of ethnicities and religions, Malaysia is home to a multicultural community. While the capital is full of modern buildings, other parts of the country are packed with mountains, islands, caves, temples, and beaches. Borneo, for example, is a jungle rich with flora and fauna, and it is found just a short drive from Kuala Lumpur. Soft sandy beaches and coral reefs make Malaysia a top destination for scuba diving and snorkelling. Staying at a hotel near Pavilion KL will give you the chance to explore most of these attractions.

Malaysia's public transport system is reliable. It's inexpensive and can get you almost anywhere in the country. Most of your travelling will be done by minivan, bus, and long-distance taxi. Budget flights are the best option to hop around the region, especially because east Malaysia and Peninsular Malaysia are not connected in any other way. Malaysia also has a rail system, but it's mostly been replaced by faster buses and highways.

The country is a popular tourist destination, and it has all the provisions needed to accommodate its visitors. You don't need to spend a lot on accommodation; Malaysia has a plethora of options, including The Kuala Lumpur Journal Hotel. Start your accommodation search a little in advance to score good deals.

The best time to visit Malaysia depends on which part of the country you plan to visit. The west coast and the capital are hot all year round, and therefore, can be visited any time – although rainfall should be expected any time of the year. September to October is when the west coast experiences the highest amount of rain; during this time, the east coast is the best place to be. The period from March to October delivers the best weather conditions for diving.

No Malaysian tour is complete until Petronas Twin Towers are visited. With a height of almost 452 metres, Petronas Twin Towers are the tallest twin towers in all of the world. The towers comprise 88 levels and 76 elevators. These towers are built using glass, concrete and steel. The highlight is the sky bridge that connects the two towers.

This group of islands form part of a marine park loved by travellers. You can get to the islands by ferry or boat. Only the larger islands offer tourist-friendly amenities like accommodation and shops. One of the things to do here is to visit the beaches by water taxi, but what's even more rewarding is to follow the hiking trail through the forested tracts of the islands. Watersports like diving, snorkelling, and kayaking are popular tourist activities here. Tourists can also participate in turtle conservation programmes.

Home to a range of endangered marine species, Sipadan Island is one of the richest marine habitats in the world. The island provides a home for whale sharks, coral species, monitor lizards, and hawksbill turtles. Sipadan Island is among the best diving destinations. To dive here, you need a permit; only a small number of permits is issued per day. You can get here by speed boat, and the exploring can be done on foot.

Expanding over an area of 712 square metres, Cameron Highlands are a stunning hill station in Malaysia. The main highlight is the tea estates, a token of the British colonial era. This part of the country is popular for hiking. Locals come here to enjoy a milder climate. Other highlights of Cameron Highlands include lavender farms, forests, lakes, waterfalls, and villages.