Malaysia: holidays, events, national customs
Public holidays
Date | Holiday |
January 1 | New Year |
Beginning of February, no fixed date for 2 days | Chinese New Year |
Around February 10 | Muslim New Year, El am Hejir |
Around April 20 | Birthday of the prophet |
1st of May | Labor Day |
23. May | Vesak Buddha Purnima |
June 4 | His Majesty Yang Di-Pertuan Agong’s birthday |
August 31 | Merdeka, independence day, national holiday |
November 1 | Deepavali, Diwali, Hindu Festival of Lights |
Around November 3rd | End of Ramadan, month of fasting |
25 December | Christmas |
Source: Countryaah – Malaysia Holidays
There are also regional holidays.
If a public holiday falls on a Sunday in the calendar, it is moved to Monday.
Cultural events
Date | event |
Mid-August-mid-September | Merdeka Month CelebrationMalaysia’s independence is celebrated over a period of one month. The whole country is flagged and there are fireworks, exhibitions and other cultural activities. A parade is held early in the morning on August 31, Independence Day. |
September | Lantern and moon cake festivalThe festival is celebrated in the form of colorful lantern parades in the dark. The festival commemorates the occupation of China by the Mongols during the Yuan Dynasty. |
Early October – early November | Bazaar RamadhanThe fasting month of Ramadan is accompanied by bazaars throughout the country, where you can find special delicacies and goods that are otherwise not on offer. |
Sporting events
Mt. Kinabalu International Climathon
This climbing marathon in early October takes place on the highest mountain in Malaysia. The 21 km long climbing marathon leads up to 4,000 m altitude of Mount Kinabalu. The marathon is one of the most strenuous in the world.
National customs
Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival
Huge sale. The sale takes place in all cities and larger shops. It usually lasts from late July to early August.
Malaysia: climate
Travel times
Malaysia is humid and hot all year round with average temperatures of 21 – 32 degrees.
The climate is influenced by the monsoons that bring the rainy season.
Rainy seasons
On the east coast: October – February
On the west coast: September – December
The rain usually pours in violent short showers. An annual average of 2,000 – 2,500 mm of rain falls. In Germany it is around 750 mm for comparison.
Attractions
- Abbreviationfinder.org: Presents the way that MY stands for the nation of Malaysia as a two-letter acronym.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Kinabalu Park
The Kinabalu Park, Borneo’s rainforest, is probably the oldest on earth. A path leads tourists over suspension bridges through the forest at treetop height. The view is breathtaking. A highlight is the ascent of Mount Kinabalu. The mountain is 4,101 m high. The hiker will find unique plants here.
The Kinabalu Park was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2000.
Gunung Mulu National Park Gunung Mulu
is 2,377 m high and is located in the state of Sarawak on Borneo. The Gunung Mulu National Park is located on this mountain. It is a karst landscape in which there are numerous caves, all of which are interconnected. A river flows underground. Some of the corridors extend up to 355 m in depth. The locals believed that the mountain is the seat of mountain spirits.
The Gunung Mulu National Park was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2008
Melaka and George Town
The cities of Melaka and George Town on the Strait of Malaka were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2008. Both cities have acted as trading cities on one of the most important trade routes between East and West for more than 500 years. The cities are characterized by a unique mix of European and Asian lifestyles.
George Town stands for the British era at the end of the 18th century. – whereas Melaka was influenced by the sultanate as well as the Dutch and Portuguese at the end of the 15th century and the beginning of the 16th century.
Archaeological sites in the Lenggong Valley
Lenggong-Tall is in the state of Perak. The valley is of particular interest to archaeologists because excavations there have shown that people had already laid there in the early days. There are many indications in the caves that people already went hunting and set up their homes in the caves. Skeletons of “Perak people” have been estimated to be around 11,000 years old. Weapons, jewelry, stone tools, cave paintings, and pottery were found there. In 2008, stone hand axes, anvils and hammers were found during excavations, the age of which is stated to be more than 1.5 million years. The exact location of the Perak people found is in the Gua Gunung Runtuh Cave, which is located in Bukit Kepala Gajah in the Lenggong Valley of Hulu Perak. The Lenggong Valley almost looks like an open-air museum.
You can reach the valley via a trunk road. It is about three hours from Kuala Lumpur. The road leads through oil palm groves and jungle. The jungle has to be protected as it is often illegally cleared.
The archaeological sites in the Lenggong Valley were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2012
Archeological
Batu Caves near Kuala Lumpur
A really recommendable and by no means very time-consuming excursion leads to the Batu Caves, the Batu Caves, a series of large limestone grottoes that house various Hindu temples. The temples are located about 13 km north of Kuala Lumpur in a cave on a rather high hill, which can be climbed by countless stairs. Usually monkeys can be observed there in addition to the religious sights. Every year a festival (Thaipusam) is held here, where pious Hindus bring pictures and flagellate themselves with sharp rods. The caves can be reached in a one-hour bus ride from downtown Kuala Lumpur. On the other side of the Batu Caves there is a very good opportunity for passionate climbers.
Niah Rock Paintings
These rock paintings are around 1,200 years old and are located in caves that were abandoned in the 15th century.
Special places
Dataran Merdeka (“Independence Square”) in Kuala Lumpur
This square is the historic place where the English flag was brought down and the Malay was hoisted on August 31, 1957. A 100 meter high flagpole, one of the highest in the world, marks the spot.
The Red Square
The square is located in Melaka and is also known as Dutch Square. The buildings surrounding the square are painted bright red. The Dutch town house was built in 1650, the church in 1753 and the bell tower in 1886. Tan Beng Swee was the architect of the tower.
Special buildings or structures
Kuala Lumpur Railway Station in Kuala Lumpur
The old station in Jalan Hishamuddin was designed in the Victorian architectural style by AB Hubbock and built in 1911. In 1986 it underwent extensive renovations and additions such as air conditioning waiting rooms, souvenir shops and a restaurant. There is also a tourist information office here. Currently it only serves as a local station for local and shuttle traffic and was replaced by a new main station in 2001.
Istana Negara Royal Palace in Kuala Lumpur
This is the official residence of King Yang Di-Pertuan Agong. It is located on a hill in Jalan Istana. The palace is well worth seeing, especially since it is surrounded by green lawns, picturesque ponds and trees.
Parliament in Kuala Lumpur
The parliament building was built in 1962. Its three-story main building and the 18-story tower contain the Two Houses of Parliament as well as a banquet hall, a library and various offices. Visitors are allowed to attend parliamentary sessions, but only if they have applied for permission beforehand.
Perdana Putra in Putrajaya
The new seat of government and administration complex was built in Putrajaya, in the course of the relocation of government, in a mix of styles of traditional Islamic and Malaysian architecture. The seat of government is at the end of the magnificent Putrajaya avenue.
Petronas Twin Towers
The Petronas Towers, the symbol of Kuala Lumpur and the whole of Malaysia, rise a total of 452 m above the city.
They are considered the second tallest twin towers in the world and the seventh tallest free-standing building in the world.
(Until 2003 they were officially considered to be the world’s tallest building). It is 378 m to the top floor and 403 m to the roof.
The towers were designed by César Pelli & Associates Architects, completed in 1998 and both have 88 floors. They include several shopping centers, the “Petrosains” science museum, a symphony orchestra, an art gallery and many offices. 32,000 windows, 37,000 tons of steel, these are the sizes that define the towers. The 170 meter high steel bridge (“skybridge”) connecting the two towers is 58 meters long and was opened to the public in 2000. Since then, you have been able to enter them for free if you have got a ticket beforehand. This applies to the same day. The best view of the towers is from the Menara Kuala Lumpur Tower.
Menara Kuala Lumpur Tower (Menara KL/KL Tower)
This 421 m tallest television tower in Asia and fifth highest in the world offers the highest vantage point over Kuala Lumpur with its visitor terrace. It was built from 1992 to 1995 on a 90 meter high mountain and belongs to a subsidiary of Telekom Malaysia. It was officially opened in 1996. Four high-speed elevators take visitors up to the 335 m high tower cage, where a revolving restaurant was also housed; Alternatively, 2,058 steps lead upwards.
Kuala Lumpur Airport
The airport was built on an area of 10,000 hectares = 100 square kilometers. The Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa (born 1934) designed the building, which began operating in 1998. Its location in the forest earned it the name “Airport in the forest”. KLIA is the first airport in the world to use the Total Airport Management System (TAMS) and, at 130 m, has the tallest control tower in the world, even though Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok will dispute this position in the future. Furthermore, KLIA, which was designed by the Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa and is surrounded by forest, has everything that characterizes an ultra modern airport, for example a five-star hotel, 85,000 m2 of space for retail and an Aerotrain that connects the main terminal building with the side wing.
Mosques and temples
Masjid Jamek in Kuala Lumpur
This Moorish mosque is located in Jalan Tun Perak at the confluence of the Kelang and Gombak rivers. This is also the place where the first Kuala Lumpur settlers built their mud houses. The mosque is the oldest in the city and was built in 1908. Your architectural creator Arthur Benison Hubbock was inspired by the Mughal architecture of India.
Masjid Negara (National Mosque) in Kuala Lumpur
This postmodern national mosque was completed in 1965 and is the largest mosque in East Asia. It is located near the train station, along Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin, and has the tiled appearance of a partially open umbrella roof.
Putra Mosque in Putrajaya
The mosque can accommodate up to 15,000 people. The 116 m high minaret is modeled on the Sheikh Oman Mosque in Baghdad. It is a mix of styles from architectural elements from Morocco, Turkestan and Kazakhstan. It was recently built as part of the new building of the seat of government. The main dome is supported by 12 36 m high columns.
Sri Mahamariaman Temple in Kuala Lumpur
It was built in 1873 and is one of the most ornate and best-designed Hindu temples in the country. He is in Jalan Bandar. The detailed and decorative scheme of the temple includes gold decorations, hand-painted motifs and exquisite tiles from Italy and Spain. It also houses a gigantic chariot that is used to transport a deity during the annual Thaipusam festival (which is banned in India).
St. Mary’s Cathedral in Kuala Lumpur
This church was built in the Gothic style and is more than 100 years old. It is located near the historic Kuala Lumpur Square, Dataran Merdeka, and in close proximity to the National History Museum and Memorial Library.
Christian churches
About 9% of the people of Malaysia profess Christianity. Due to an increasingly aggressive Islam, Christians are exposed to more and more persecution, oppression and discrimination.
In early 2010, 11 churches were set on fire in Kuala Lumpur, some of which caused considerable damage.
St. Mary’s Cathedral in Kuala Lumpur
This church was built in the Gothic style and is more than 100 years old. It is located near the historic Kuala Lumpur Square, Dataran Merdeka, and in close proximity to the National History Museum and Memorial Library.
Metro Tabernacle Church
The church is located in a suburb of Kuala Lumpur and was the first church that was lit by people of different faiths.
Museums and library
National Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur
Located in Jalan Sultan Hishmuddin, across from the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station, it is housed in a building built in 1932 that is preserved by the National Heritage Trust and formerly known as the Majestic Hotel. The art exhibition shows works by artists who have not worked according to special styles. There is also a permanent collection of local and foreign works here.
National Library in Kuala Lumpur
The National Library is located in Jalan Tun Razak and is a modern institution. It opened in 1992 and contains a collection of Malay publications on Malaysia as well as old Malay manuscripts.
National Museum in Kuala Lumpur
It is located on the top of a hill in Jalan Travers and was built in the style of Malay palaces. Its impressive facade reflects the country’s colorful past. The museum houses various galleries, each dedicated to a special topic such as the historical, cultural, national or national history gallery.
Textile Museum in Kuala Lumpur
Located in the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, this museum shows an interesting range of clothing made in Malaysia from many countries. It was created to showcase the utility, creativity and foreign influence of local Malaysian clothing. His galleries offer visitors an insight into the art of batik printing.
Theater and opera
Universities
Natural beauties
Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM) near Kuala Lumpur
Formerly a mined area, today a scientifically wooded park extends over about 600 ha = 6 km². It is covered with experimental plants. The FRIM is located 16 km northwest of the Malaysian capital and offers a lot, for example jungle trails, waterfalls, a herbarium, a library and a museum. Unfortunately, it is not a public park, and so all visitors must send a written application to the following address:
Public Realtions Officer
Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM)
Locked Bag 2 10
Jalan FRI Kepong 52 109 Kepong
Gunung Mulu National Park
The park is on the Unesco list of world natural heritage. It is located in North Sawak, on the island of Borneo. The park is around 529 square kilometers and is characterized by an enormous biodiversity. There are also a large number of caves in the park. Among other things, the Sarawak Chamber, which is the largest of its kind in the world. It has a size of 600 mx 425 m and is 80 m high.
Kinabalu Park
The park is listed in the Unesco World Heritage List. It is located in Sabah in the north of Borneo. The highest mountain in Malaysia, the Kinabalu with a height of 4,095 m, is located in this park. The park is famous for its biodiversity. You will find plants here that are otherwise only found in Australia and the Himalayan region.
Niah National Park
The 31 square kilometer park is located in Sarawak. There are huge caves in the park, including the Great Cave, which is one of the largest caves in the world. The caves were inhabited until the 14th century. Skull finds, cave paintings and stone tools suggest that there was a settlement around 40,000 years ago. According to legend, when a grandmother was about to sacrifice her grandson to the gods, the residents of Nias were turned into stone and their houses turned into caves.
Lake Gardens (Taman Tasik Perdana) Dating
back to 1882, the Lake Gardens encompass 91.6 hectares of landscaped park near the Malaysian Parliament. In earlier times it belonged to a British colonial official. They were laid out around an artificial lake and, in addition to a children’s playground and jogging paths, also offer a good opportunity for rowing boats.
The park is divided into special areas:
This terraced garden measures 0.9 hectares and displays over 2,200 species of hibiscus.
1 hectare in size, it is home to more than 3,000 worldwide orchid species and 800 from Malaysia; You can also buy the orchids on weekends.
The Mousedeers, the world’s smallest hoofed animals and popular figures of local folklore, are particularly worth seeing here.
Butterfly Park
It is home to around 6,000 butterflies from 120 species. The park is an imitation of the animals’ natural habitat; more than 15,000 plants from 100 species were used to create an atmosphere of the Malay rainforest.
This is the largest bird park in Southeast Asia; over 5,000 birds from 100 species are at home here.
Taman Negara Rainforest
The rainforest with a size of 4,343 square kilometers is the oldest rainforest in the world, which was created 130 million years ago. It is a three-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur. In the town of Kuala Tahan you can spend the night in the middle of the rainforest. Another record is the longest treetop path in the world, with a length of approx. 430 m at a height of 50 m.
The endangered Sumatran rhinoceros, elephants, poisonous snakes, tapirs and the honey bear live in the rainforest itself.
Tasek Dayang Buting
The lake is on Langkawi island. The pregnant maiden lake is named after a legend. A woman who had not become pregnant for 19 years bathed in the lake and subsequently became pregnant.
National Zoo and Aquarium in Kuala Lumpur
13 km northeast of Kuala Lumpur is this national zoological garden. It consists of 200 different animal species, birds and reptiles. The aquarium has an extensive collection (around 80) of salt and fresh water species. Both the zoo and the aquarium are open daily.