Travellers Cheques & Cash
Malaysian banks are efficient and there are plenty of moneychangers. Banks usually charge a commission for cash and cheques (around RM10 per transaction, with a possible extra fee for each cheque), whereas moneychangers have no charges but more variable rates.
All major brands of travellers cheques are accepted. Cash in major currencies is also readily exchanged, though the US dollar has a slight edge.
Opening Hours
Banks 10am to 3pm Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 11.30am Saturday
Restaurants noon to 2.30pm and 6pm to 10.30pm
Shops 9.30am to 7pm Monday to Saturday, malls 10am to 10pm daily
Post
Pos Malaysia Berhad runs a fast and efficient postal system. Post offices are generally open from 8am to 5pm Monday to Saturday but closed on the first Saturday of the month and on public holidays.
Aerograms and postcards cost 50 sen to send to any destination. Letters weighing 20g or less cost RM1.20 to Asia, RM1.40 to Australia or New Zealand, and RM2 to all other countries. Parcel rates range from around RM20 to RM60 for a 1kg parcel, depending on the destination. Main post offices sell packaging materials and stationery.
For international postal services, go to the main post office, across the river from Central Market. Branch post offices are found all over KL, including:
Pos Malaysia Suria KLCC
Pos Malaysia Sungai Wang Plaza
Pos Malaysia Masjid India
Pos Malaysia Brickfields
Pos Malaysia Bangsar
DHL Bangsar
DHL Chinatown
PRACTICALITIES
AConnect to the reliable electricity supply (240V, 50Hz) with a UK-type three-square-pin plug.
AEnglish-language newspapers include the New Straits Times (www.nst.com.my), the Star (www.thestar.com.my) and the Malay Mail (www.themalaymailonline.com).
AListen to Traxx FM (90.3FM), HITZ FM (92.9FM) and MIX FM (94.5FM) for music, and BFM (89.9FM) or Fly FM (95.8FM) for news.
AWatch the two government TV channels, TV1 and TV2, and the four commercial stations, TV3, NTV7, 8TV and TV9, as well as a host of satellite channels.
AUse the metric system for weights and measures.
Public Holidays
As well as fixed secular holidays, various religious festivals (which change dates annually) are national holidays. These include Chinese New Year (in January/February), the Hindu festival of Deepavali (in October/November), the Buddhist festival of Wesak (April/May) and the Muslim festivals of Hari Raya Haji, Hari Raya Puasa, Mawlid al-Nabi and Awal Muharram (Muslim New Year).
Fixed annual holidays include the following.
New Year’s Day 1 January
Federal Territory Day 1 February (Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya only)
Sultan of Selangor’s Birthday Second Saturday in March (Selangor only)
Labour Day 1 May
Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s (King’s) Birthday First Saturday in June
National Day (Hari Kebangsaan) 31 August
Christmas Day 25 December
Safe Travel
KL is generally very safe, but watch for pickpockets on crowded public transport. One ongoing irritation is the state of the pavements. The covers thrown over drains can give way suddenly, so walk around them. Flooding can also be a problem – carry an umbrella against the rain and be prepared to roll up your trousers to wade through giant puddles.
Animal Hazards
Rabies occurs in Malaysia, so any bite from an animal should be treated very seriously. Be cautious around monkeys, dogs and cats. On jungle treks look out for centipedes, scorpions, spiders and snakes. Mosquitoes are likely to be the biggest menace. The risk of malaria is low and antimalarial tablets are rarely recommended, but dengue fever is a growing problem, so take precautions to avoid mosquito bites by covering up exposed skin or wearing a strong repellent containing DEET.
Scams
The most common scams involve seemingly friendly locals who invite you to join rigged card games, or shops that trick travellers into buying large amounts of gold jewellery or gems at elevated prices.
Theft & Violence
Theft and violence are not particularly common in Malaysia. However, muggings and bag snatches do happen and physical attacks have been known to occur, particularly after hours and in rundown areas of KL. Thieves on motorbikes target women for grab raids on their handbags; where possible walk against the direction of traffic and carry your bag over the arm that's furthest from the road.
Be wary of demonstrations, particularly over religious or ethnic issues, as these can turn violent.
Use credit cards only at established businesses and guard your credit-card numbers closely.
Carry a small, sturdy padlock you can use for cheap hotel-room doors and hostel lockers, and to keep prying fingers out of your bags in left-luggage rooms.
Telephone
Landline services are provided by the national monopoly Telekom Malaysia (www.tm.com.my).
International Calls
The easiest and cheapest way to make international calls is to buy a local SIM card for your mobile phone. Only certain payphones permit international calls. You can make operator-assisted international calls from local Telekom offices. To save money on landline calls, buy a prepaid international calling card (available from convenience stores).
Local Calls
Local calls cost eight sen for the first two minutes. Payphones take coins or prepaid cards, which are available from TM offices and convenience stores. Some also take international credit cards. You’ll also find a range of discount calling cards at convenience stores and mobile-phone counters.
Mobile Phones
If you have arranged global roaming with your home provider, your GSM digital phone will automatically tune in to one of the region’s digital networks. If not, buy a prepaid SIM card for one of the local networks on arrival. The rate for a local call is around 40 sen per minute. There are three mobile-phone companies, all with similar call rates and prepaid packages:
Celcom (www.celcom.com.my)
DiGi (www.digi.com.my)
Maxis (www.maxis.com.my)
AREA & TELEPHONE CODES
Country code for Malaysia 60
Kuala Lumpur 03
Melaka 06
Penang 04
Singapore 02
Time
Malaysia is eight hours ahead of GMT/UTC. Noon in KL:
A8pm in Los Angeles
A11pm in New York
A4am in London
A2pm in Sydney and Melbourne
Toilets
Western-style sit-down loos are now the norm, but there are still a few places with Asian squat toilets. Toilet paper is often not provided; instead, you will find a hose or a spout on the toilet seat, which you are supposed to use as a bidet, or a bucket of water and a tap. If you’re not comfortable with the ‘hand-and-water’ technique, carry packets of tissues or toilet paper wherever you go.
Tourist Information
Tourism Malaysia (www.tourismmalaysia.gov.my) has a network of domestic offices that are good for brochures and free maps but rather weak on hard factual information. Its overseas offices are useful for predeparture planning. There are regional offices in Kuala Lumpur.
Visit KL
Malaysia Tourism Centre
Travellers with Disabilities
For the mobility impaired, Kuala Lumpur can be a nightmare. There are often no footpaths, kerbs can be very high, construction sites are everywhere, and crossings are few and far between. On the upside, taxis are cheap and both Malaysia Airlines and KTM (the national rail service) offer 50% discounts for travellers with disabilities.
Before setting off, get in touch with your national support organisation (preferably with the travel officer, if there is one). Also try the following:
Accessible Journeys (www.disabilitytravel.com) In the US.
Mobility International USA (www.miusa.org) In the US.
Nican (www.nican.com.au) In Australia.
Tourism for All (www.tourismforall.org.uk) In the UK.
Download Lonely Planet's free Accessible Travel guide from http://lptravel.to/AccessibleTravel.
Visas
Visitors must have a passport valid for at least six months beyond the date of entry. You may also be asked to provide proof of a ticket for onward travel and sufficient funds to cover your stay.
Only under special circumstances can Israeli citizens enter Malaysia. Nationals of most other countries are given a 30-, 60- or 90-day visa on arrival. Full details of visa requirements are available at www.kln.gov.my.
Immigration Office ( GOOGLE MAP ; %03-6205 7400; 69 Jln Sri Hartamas 1, off Jln Duta; h7.30am-1pm & 2-5.30pm Mon-Fri) Handles visa extensions; offices are opposite Publika mall.
Visa Extensions
Depending on your nationality, it may be possible to extend your visa at an immigration office in KL for an additional one or two months. Extensions tend to be granted only for genuine emergencies. It’s normally easier to hop across the border to Thailand, Singapore or Indonesia and re-enter the country – this counts as a new visit, even if you re-enter the same day.
Women Travellers
Dressing modestly and being respectful, especially in areas of stronger Muslim religious sensibilities, will ensure you travel with minimum hassle. When visiting mosques, cover your head and limbs with a headscarf and sarong (many mosques lend these out at the entrance).
Be proactive about your own safety. Treat overly friendly strangers, both male and female, with a good deal of caution. After dark, take taxis and avoid walking alone in quiet or seedy parts of town.
Language
Behind the Scenes
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Our Readers
Many thanks to the travellers who used the last edition and wrote to us with helpful hints, useful advice and interesting anecdotes: Ane Richardsen, Anne Myles, Felicity Turner, Gene Demagalski, Helen Wood, Samuel Tan, Toni Linke.
Writer Thanks
Simon Richmond
As always a big thank you to Penang friends Narelle, Howard, Chris, Daphne, Alison and Allen Tan. In Melaka thanks to Bob Teng.
Isabel Albiston
Huge thanks to Simon Richmond for his help and advice and to Alex Yong for his cheerful assistance with so much of my research. Terima kasih, also, to Noraza Yusof, Jane Rai, Scott Dunn and Ana Abdullah. For their company on the road and research tips, thanks to Kevin Chong, Siddiq Sulaiman Zainal Azhar, Fazal Mahbob, Farrah Aqlima, Matt Hobbins and Helen Armstrong.
Acknowledgements
Cover photograph: Man painting lantern in Georgetown, Penang Island, Penang, Malaysia; Richard I’Anson/Getty ©
This Book
This 4th edition of Lonely Planet’s Kuala Lumpur, Melaka and Penang guidebook was researched and written by Simon Richmond. The previous edition was also researched and written by Simon Richmond. This guidebook was produced by the following:
Destination Editors Lauren Keith, Sarah Reid
Product Editor Jessica Ryan
Senior Cartographer Julie Sheridan
Book Designer Gwen Cotter
Assisting Editors Sarah Bailey, Carolyn Bain, Judith Bamber, Imogen Bannister, Melanie Dankel, Victoria Harrison and Sam Trafford.
Cover Researcher Naomi Parker
Thanks to Louise Bastock, Jennifer Carey, David Carroll, Daniel Corbett, Evan Godt, Jane Grisman, Andi Jones, Sandie Kestell, Indra Kilfoyle, Kate Mathews, Claire Naylor, Karyn Noble, Genna Patterson, Alison Ridgway, Dianne Schallmeiner, Ellie Simpson, Angela Tinson, and Dora Whitaker.
Ebook thanks to Andrew Bigger, Ruth Cosgrove, Julie Dodkins, Blazej Hadzik, Craig Kilburn, Chris Love, Wayne Murphy, Jacqui Saunders, John Taufa, Glenn van der Knijff, Yanxiang Wang, Juan Winata.
Kuala Lumpur, Melaka & Penang Maps
Map Index
Chinatown & Merdeka Square
KLCC
Bukit Bintang
Masjid India & Chow Kit
Kampung Baru & Titiwangsa
Lake Gardens & Brickfields
Bangsar Baru & Mid Valley
City Maps
Chinatown & Merdeka Square
1Top Sights
1Menara Kuala LumpurF2
2Merdeka SquareA4
3Sri Mahamariamman TempleB6
1Sights
4#tanahairku muralD4
5Central MarketB5
6Chan She Shu Yuen Clan Association TempleC8
7Chettiar HouseC3
8Chinatown Wet MarketC6
9Cockerel MuralC5
10Ernest Zacharevic MuralC3
11Goldsmith MuralC7
12Guan Yin TempleC8
13Guandi TempleC6
14KL City GalleryA4
15KL Forest Eco ParkG2
16Kuen Stephanie SculpturesC5
17Lat Cartoon SculpturesC3
18Lee Rubber BuildingB6
19Lostgens'C7
20Masjid JamekB4
21Medan PasarB4
22Muzium MusikA4
23National Textiles MuseumA4
24OCBC BuildingB5
25Royal Selangor ClubA3
26Sin Sze Si Ya TempleB5
27St Mary's Anglican CathedralA3
28Stadium MerdekaD8
29Stadium NegaraE7
30Sultan Abdul Samad BuildingA4
31Telekom MuseumD3
32Victorian FountainA4
5Eating
33Antara RestaurantF3
ARCH CafeA4
34Atmosphere 360F2
35Bunn ChoonC7
36Cafe Old Market SquareB4
Canteen By Chef AduA4
37Cha Bou KitchenC8
38Chee Cheong Fun StallC6
39Hon KeeC6
40Ikan PanggangC6
41KhukriC5
42Kim Lian KeeC6
43Lai FoongC5
LOKL Coffee CoC3
44Madras Lane HawkersC6
45Malaya HainanC7
46Merchant's LaneC7
47Moghul MahalF2
48Old China CaféC7
49Precious Old ChinaB5
Restoran SantaC3
50Restoran Yusoof dan ZakhirB5
51SangeethaC3
52Tang CityC6
53WINS BoulangerieC3
6Drinking & Nightlife
Aku Cafe & GalleryC7
BarlaiG6
54Chocha FoodstoreC7
55Koong Woh TongC6
56Luna BarG2
Moontree HouseC7
57Omakase + AppreciateC3
PS150C7
58Reggae BarC6
59VCRG6
3Entertainment
60FindarsC7
61MABA StadiumD6
62MudB3
63Panggung BandarayaB3
7Shopping
64Asli CraftB5
65Basket ShopC7
66Chop Sang KeeC4
Gahara GalleriaA4
67House of RinpoA4
68Junk BookstoreC4
69Kwong Yik SengC5
Petaling Street MarketC6
71Purple Cane Tea ArtsC7
72RhinoB5
Songket Sutera AsliB5
TanameraB5
73Wau TradisiB5
2Sports & Activities
74Chin Woo StadiumD7
75Going Places ToursC6
76KL By CycleA4
77Kuala Lumpur Heritage TrailA4
78Kuala Lumpur Night WalkB5
Sarang CookeryG6
79Travel HanB6
4Sleeping
805 Elements HotelC6
81AnCasa Hotel & Spa Kuala LumpurD5
82BackHomeC3
83Explorers GuesthouseC5
84Hotel 1000 MilesC3
85Lantern HotelC6
86Pacific Regency Hotel SuitesG2
87Paloma InnF6
88Paper Plane HostelF6
89Reggae MansionC4
90Sarang Vacation HomesG6
91Sekeping Sin Chew KeeG6
City Maps
KLCC
1Top Sights
1Petronas TowersC3
1Sights
2Aquaria KLCCC4
3Badan Warisan MalaysiaD5
4Dharma Realm Guan Yin Sagely MonasteryD2
5DiscoveriaC2
Galeri PetronasC3
6Goethe InstitutF5
Lonely Planet Kuala Lumpur, Melaka & Penang Page 40