Tag: Ipoh Railway Station

48 hours in Ipoh by ETS

First Day
8am
KL Sentral – Ipoh Railway Station

Photo Credit: Muhd Imran Ismail (Shutterstock)

Taking the KTM train to Ipoh in the state of Perak, Malaysia, is the best way to travel to this interesting town, as the Ipoh railway station is located in the “old town,” an easy 10 to 15 minutes‘ walk to hotels and budget accommodation close to the main tourist sights of the city.

Upon arrival, we took some photos at this historical building at Ipoh railway station. It is a beautiful example of colonial architecture in Ipoh of a bygone era. The railways station was built in 1935 and designed by Arthur Benison Hubback and it is widely known as the ‘Taj Mahal of Ipoh’ thanks to its amazing Mughal design features.

The tourist information office is on the right-hand side of the railway station and it offers a variety of leaflets, maps and information on Ipoh.

The government has planned to carry out an integrated development project at the Ipoh railway station and its surround areas, which will take between 10 and 15 years to be fully completed. The project includes the development of housing areas, hotels, educational institutions, commercial buildings, as well as green lungs.

11.30am
Brunch at Durbar at FMS (Pork-free)

The refurbished Durbar At FMS, which is run by a trained architect, Seow Wee Liam, brings back the good old memory of Ipoh during the British colonial era, reflecting the image of this historical old town. The place is adorned with antique timber furniture, classic hanging lights and vintage ceiling fans, with artwork and old photos also used to decorate the walls of the restaurant.

FMS stands for Federated Malay States and “durbar” is a Persian-derived term meaning a great ceremonial hall receiving visitors in audience, holding formal informal reception and gatherings by high society.

FMS Bar and Restaurant was first founded in 1906 on Market Street by a Hainanese immigrant and it was the archetypal European miners and planters bar. It has occupied the present premise, which is located opposite the Ipoh Padang here, since 1923 and has served thousands of patrons for over a century.

Highly recommended dishes include traditional Hainanese fried mee, classic chicken mornay, Hainanese chicken chop, banana fritters and kuay teow.

Photo Credit: https://www.rebeccasaw.com/

**Pork-free dining but alcohol is served.

Address:
2, Jalan Sultan Idris Shah, 30000 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
Tel: +605-210 5115
Opening hours: 11am-10pm daily (Closed on Wednesday)

1pm
Mirror Lake (Tasik Cermin) tour

The still water perfectly reflects everything above it, as illustrated in its name Mirror Lake.

Famously known as Tasik Cermin or Mirror Lake in English, this mystical hidden lake in Ipoh is a not to be missed destination for your travel adventure to this city.

You can ask for directions at Da Seng Ngan Temple nearby the lake. Even though it takes a little bit of time to locate this lake, but it was well worth the hassle.

You will definitely need to go through dusty and muddy road ahead of reaching this picturesque lake. Please don’t give up in your search for this lake as it is like a hideout with the existence windows 10 activator of a tunnel surrounded the lake. It is such a serene quiet lake and it becomes a Instagram worthy destination for all people especially the youngsters to check in here.

Highly recommended activities here include having a picnic with friends and family, whereby all visitors are surrounded by limestones and trees while hearing the sounds of birds chirping and singing. To bring a boardgame along is recommended if it is good weather.

It is a precious moment for having a great time enjoying the beauty of the natural world. Admission is free. It is a perfect moment by immersing yourself in this oasis.

4pm
Explore Lost World of Tambun
*Check in Hotel

It is an amazing theme park! It might not of the same standard as other international theme parks but it is well-maintained with affordable entry price.

Surrounded by limestone hills, this theme park has the best backdrop as illustrated by its name “Lost World of Tambun”. Some key attractions for the theme parks are the water park, amusement rides, hot springs, tin valley and petting zoo. Even though we find it a bit rush with about two hours, however, we have lots of fun to here. The kids could not get enough of it for playing inside the big wave pool.

Visitors can choose to satisfy their taste buds here with fabulous Malaysian dishes found at the hawker centre as well as the “Ipoh Street”. It is totally an enjoyable experience to have ice balls here during hot afternoon.

It is easy to access to this theme parks from city area in Ipoh. We love this place so much and will definitely recommend it to your travel list in the Ipoh state for your next visit.

As it is a two-day one-night short trip for us, we straight away check in at the Lost World of Tambun Hotel here.

The hot springs are open for evening sessions from 6pm onwards and visitors can appreciate the hot springs at night to release stress.

Open: 11.00 am – 6.00 pm (Closed on Tuesday)
Address: 1 Persiaran Lagun Sunway, Sunway City, 31150, Ipoh
Website: https://sunwaylostworldoftambun.com/

Photo Credit: https://www.rojakdaily.com/

7.00pm
Dinner at Warteg Ipoh

Have you ever tried lobster inspired with Javanese flavours? Restaurant Warteg, located at one of the oldest buildings in Ipoh, is definitely a top pick food heaven for every travellers as it offers a mixed of traditional Indonesian food and western cuisines. Signature seafood dishes include Java Lobster, King Crab and Java Seabass.

Apart from fresh seafood, you can also satisfy your taste buds with Big Platter Chicken/Fish/Lamb, pasta as well as chicken chop. This cozy restaurant also serves simple dishes such as fried rice, Nasi Liwet, Nasi Uduk, to name a few.

Address: 73, Jalan Raja Musa Aziz, Kampung Jawa, 30300 Ipoh.
Business hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 3pm-12am (closed on Mondays)
Website: https://www.facebook.com/wartegipoh/
Phone: +605-241 1644

Photo Credit: Facebook Warteg Ipoh Facebook

8.30pm
A night market tour

If you stop in Ipoh, it’s not too late for you to visit one of the most popular and interesting places – the Night Gate (Gerbang Malam), operating daily from 8pm till 3am.

For anyone looking for a Night Gate position, it is located right on the Dato’ Tahwil Azhar Road. You can use Google Map or Waze software to get the exact location you want to get from your location.

It makes for a nice and interesting stroll at night. Look out for some local snacks, clothes, shoes, bags, makeup, toys, jewellery and more here! The price is highly affordable and you can bargain with sellers for the best price.

10.00pm
A night walk at Bulatan Amanjaya

Surrounded by a roundabout, Bulatan Amanjaya has been transformed into a recreational park with jogging track, water fountains, playgrounds, mini water theme park, skateboard and rock-climbing area with spacious fields and concourse areas for outdoor activities.

Managed by the Perak State Development Corporation (PNKP), the park is open 24/7, except for the water theme park with free admission. For those who prefer to do jogging or play recreational activities after dark, this place is also well-lit up and accessible for them.

Recreational equipment such as scooters, baby cars, ninebots, kick scooters, quadracycles and tricycles, to name a few, are also available to rent for a fee.

Photo Credit: https://twitter.com/MohKeIpoh

Second Day
8am
Breakfast at Hotel

9am
A morning tour to Memory Lane

Memory Lane or Pasar karat is the name of a renowned flea market in Ipoh, which occupies Jalan Horley and Jalan Lim Bo Seng. It is definitely a great location for anyone visiting Ipoh. Some roads will be closed to facilitate the operation of this market.

This market pops up every Sunday and starts in the morning until around 1pm. There are a variety of local antiques as well as souvenir and gifts can be purchased for personal collections. Here is a haven for collectors of old goods, whereby buyers can look for preloved items, including vintage bags and old model cameras, just to name a few.

It is also a favorite place for street photographers to capture the beautiful and bustling atmosphere of traders and visitors from all over the world.

Don’t be afraid to bargain and this is a wonderful tourist attraction for those who want a momento of their trip to Ipoh.

10am
Gunung Lang Recreational Park Adventure

If you love being surrounded by nature, this is the perfect place to take a visit as it is just about 15 to 20 minutes’ drive by car from Ipoh.

It was opened in October 2000, covering an area of 30.35 hectares out of which 14.16 hectares consists of the lake.

Admission to the recreational park is free. You have to take a 10-minute boat ride to reach the park which affords you the best views of the area.

But, it is chargeable for the boat ride. The park itself you will find an observation tower, gardens and a small animal farm that’s home to deer, monkeys and ostriches.

As we are just take a short trip here for sight-seeing, for those who wish to spend a longer time here, you can choose to have a picnic at the campsite here.

The main attractions of Gunung Lang are the man-made cascading waterfall atop a limestone hill, a 2km broadwalk over the swamp and lookout towers. The uniqueness of the limestone formation also attracts visitors as it is situated close to the Ipoh city centre.

Location: Jalan Damai, 30100 Ipoh, Perak Malaysia.

Photo Credit: http://shahrcphotos.blogspot.com/

1pm
Lunch at Nasi Kandar Ayam Merah Ipoh

Dubbed ‘Nasi Ganja’ or Opium Rice, Nasi Kandar Ayam Merah Ipoh is operated out of a Chinese coffee shop called Yong Suan.

Whenever nasi ganja is mentioned, everyone understands you are referring it as nasi kandar. It’s a catchy name but rest assured there’s nothing illegal substance used in the cooking.

It is always long queue in this shop. Simply seat yourself at any free table and the staff will come and take your order. Service is efficient and the price is reasonable.

Top pick is ayam goreng merah – after all it is its signature dish. You can also satisfy your taste buds with fish curry, squid curry, salted egg, okra and homemade mint chutney. You can add more curries on the side and it is free of charge.

Address: Yong Suan Coffee Shop, 2, Jalan Yang Kalsom, 30250 Ipoh
Tel: +605-254 4314
Business hours: 9.30am – 6pm

2.30pm
Old Town Heritage Tour

Ahead of my trip to Ipoh, I was informed by my friends that Concubine Lane is comparable with Petaling Street in the capital city of Malaysia as well as Jonker Walk in Malacca.

Located at the heart of Old Town Ipoh, Concubine Lane sees many hipster cafe popping up in recent years. It is the most vibrant street on weekends and holidays where visitors can shop for their souvenirs or hunt for local street food here. During my trip here, I can see the lane is crowded and full of people, both locals and tourists as it was a weekend tour. Apart from the main Concubine Lane, you can proceed to Second Concubine Lane. Several 3D murals, created by Ernest Zacharevic, can be traced here. The redevelopment of this back lanes has not diminished the charm of the old town.

Located just a stone’s throw away from Concubine Lane is Kong Heng Square. Here, you also can it go through remarkable transformation. Anchoring the square is Plan B cafe, one of its earliest tenants that has become synonymous with the square. It is a relax moment where visitors can take a rest here by sipping a hot coffee either in the morning or afternoon. Kong Heng Square today is a major attraction for both locals and tourists who come to admire and enjoy its unique and atmospheric environment. It has become a new landmark that the Ipoh Mali is rightfully proud of.

Photo Credit: By Low Yen Yeing (EdgeProp.my)

6pm
Ipoh Railway Station to KL Sentral
Home sweet Home

Itinerary:

First Day

8am – KL Sentral – Ipoh Railway Station
11.30am – Brunch at Durbar at FMS, a historical restaurant
1.00pm – Mirror Lake (Tasik Cermin)
4.00pm – Lost World of Tambun (*Check in Hotel)
7.00pm Dinner at Warteg Ipoh
8.30pm – Night Market (Gerbang Malam)
10.00pm – Bulatan Amanjaya

Second Day

8.00am – Breakfast at Hotel (*Check out Hotel)
9am – Pasar Karat (Sundays only)
10am – Gunung Lang Recreational Park
1pm – Lunch at Nasi Kandar
2.30pm – Discover Concubine lane Be amazed by Street Arts
6pm – Ipoh Railway Station to KL Sentral

Tourism Malaysia

Discovering Ipoh: Old Meets New

Post author By melakatour
Post date June 23, 2016
No Comments on Discovering Ipoh: Old Meets New

By Lloyd Green

There’s a sense of East meets West in Malaysia. A lot of old versus new as well. Ipoh is no different with a unique blend characterised perfectly by its people; a community moulded from the tin mining boom of the 19th century and its position as Malaya’s second greatest city. There’s remnants of that era littered everywhere as well as evidence of a concerted effort to place Ipoh back in the limelight. For a writer and observer, it’s actually quite difficult to articulate this character into words. I see it and I feel it, but it’s like I’m witnessing Ipoh’s transformation as it happens. In the words of a local, “We’re trying to copy Malacca in portraying Ipoh as a popular historical destination, but we’re doing it in our own unique way.”

As such, tourism exists in Ipoh, but not quite in the sense there’s a dedicated industry to cater for it (not yet anyway). For years Ipoh was seen as a ‘passer-by’ town; the post-independence economic decline in the 1960s after the British left rendering Ipoh a shadow of its former self, only frequented by visitors on their way to and from Penang and the Cameron Highlands. It sort of still feels like that — a stopover town — with backpackers staying a maximum of two nights en route to somewhere else. But now locals are open to utilising that rich history to give it a much needed facelift and enticing people to explore Ipoh’s hidden gems.

Ipoh 4

There’s a bevy of museums highlighting the migration of the Hakka-Chinese to Malaysia in the 19th century and their extravagant behaviours at clubs gambling, smoking opium and entertaining girls. There’s also the emergence of urban street art to depict this period through the preservation of historical buildings plus the city’s famous Old Town White Coffee and delicious food, all of which are easy to find. I guess what makes it feel ‘un-tourist-like’ is a lack of designated tourist area and tourists themselves — which for me is a good thing as there’s no threat to its natural appeal.

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Sure, there’s Old Town, home to archaic colonial buildings and snippets of cultural treasures — grand British buildings such as Ipoh Railway Station and Ipoh Town Hall remind you of Ipoh’s once iconic standing as Malaya’s second administrative capital — but rather than the city’s famous eateries targeting foreign tourists (think Jalan Alor in KL), they are frequented by proud locals enjoying the cuisine.

There’s no real sense of Old Town as a touristy area; more an enjoyable place to explore. There’s no heckling from the streets, instead a nod of the head and pleasant smile and when you do venture into the circus of the night market in search of food, groceries, toys, clothes and household items, there’s a less forceful form of heckling and bargaining. What’s better is there’s that same personal connection with the locals in the suburbs than in the city.

Ipoh 2

Ernest Zacharevic, the Lithuanian artist who made a name for himself in Penang and Singapore has offered his artistic genius to Old Town’s history-steeped walls. Recruited by Old Town White Coffee company to showcase the heritage and history of the city, the eight unique murals give great insight into life here. There’s s also Mural Lane, a series of paintings by renowned local artist Eric Lai, highlighting the many cultures of Malaysia: lion dance, kuda kepang dance, Indian dance, plus a pinch of cheekiness with popular childhood games such as hide-and-seek and mother hen as well as a beautiful waterfall scenery amongst others.This has also transcended into the cafe and juice bar scene with many new venues combining the city’s affinity with coffee and modern artistic influences. Places such as Bougainvillea City Cafe and Happy 8 Retreat Cafe head this list with murals depicting Ipoh’s strong Chinese flavours. Photo source from ernestzacharevic.com.

Ipoh 1

Ipoh is famous for its food and in particular Ngah Choi Kay or chicken and bean sprout. The best places for this are Lou Wong and OnnKee near the main Chinese market and on Cowan Street. Old Town White Coffee is a must and there’s plenty of family owned Chinese shops specialising in this including Nam Heong which is the original exponent of Old Town White Coffee (and its egg tarts) located on the corner of Jalan Bandar Timah and Persiaran Bijeh Timah. If you’re keen for an adventure, head out of town five minutes to Buntong for Ipoh’s famed Kacang Putih (Indian snacks). This area is famous for the manufacturing and retail of Kacang Putih and makes millions each year selling these savoury treats to England, New Zealand and Australia.

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Photo by Abd. Halim Hadi / Shutterstock.com

For accommodation, I chose a conceptualised ‘self-sustaining’ hostel called Bed Bike Backpackers Studio. It is what it says it is; a studio apartment with modern stylings and is supervised by fellow travellers on their way through Malaysia. There is no reliance on permanent staff with the owner popping in once a week. Information about the city is passed on via a traveller’s journal and the building itself is located within minutes of both Old Town and Ipoh Railway Station. Also check out 27 @ Concubine Lane — a themed residence showcasing life as it was for the Hakka people during the 19th century.

Tourism Malaysia

A budget guide to travelling Malaysia

Post author By melakatour
Post date June 23, 2016
No Comments on A budget guide to travelling Malaysia

By Lloyd Green

Okay, if you’re coming to Malaysia to spend two weeks in Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi and the Perhentian Islands, you’re probably not going to do it on the cheap. But there’s also plenty of people who pass through Malaysia on their way north from Singapore en route to Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.

For these people, every dime is important and in a city like KL where extravagance is flashed in your face on every corner, finding things suited to your budget can be difficult. This also applies to travelling across Malaysia, with knowledge of how and when to travel, important to your attempts at saving money.

So let’s start with your arrival.

If, like most people, you arrive in Malaysia by air at either KLIA or KLIA2 terminals and have booked accommodation in Kuala Lumpur, you will have a few options of varying cost and duration to reach your destination. Often backpackers fly blind during this process and can waste money without even knowing it. The KLIA Express train is the fastest way to and from the KLIA airports from KL Sentral, but it is not the cheapest.

shutterstock_209459323 (Picture by Sorbis / Shutterstock.com)

The cheapest route to Kuala Lumpur is by bus with a one-way ticket for adults from KLIA or KLIA2 terminals to KL Sentral priced at 10 Ringgit. Peak hour traffic in Kuala Lumpur can cause lengthy delays, so if you are on a tight schedule and want to get to the city as soon as possible, KLIA Express train is the best option. It takes 28 minutes and is RM55. If you want to save five Ringgit make sure you pay with your credit card at the kiosk and not at the counter. It will be RM50.

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(Picture by Sean Pavone / Shutterstock.com)

In terms of accommodation, there are two main places to stay for backpackers; Changkat in Bukit Bintang and Chinatown not far from Pasar Seni LRT station. There’s a host of backpacker accommodation in both areas with single rooms as cheap as RM40-50 and dorms beds priced at around 20 Ringgit. Of course, the quality of your hostel will vary with price. Changkat is closer to KL’s nightlife, KLCC and the Petronas Twin Towers, but Chinatown is more conveniently located near the city’s main transportation hub — KL Sentral. Many coaches to Malacca, Johor Bahru, Penang and Ipoh now leave from TBS bus station, which is approximately 20 minutes from KL Sentral.

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Jalan Alor off Changkat is foodie-central with Chinese seafood restaurants and hawker stalls selling an array of local delicacies and international cuisines until the wee hours of the morning. Petaling Street in Chinatown is also famous for food with its night market chock-full of shops and stalls selling goods and street food. Be aware, both of these areas are aimed at tourists and as such prices can be inflated.

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(Picture by Calvin Chan / Shutterstock.com)

Most of KL’s main attractions are aimed at families, couples and those who are dazzled by the bright lights, so if you prefer a bit of adventure but want to stay within in the perimeters of the city I suggest you check out Petaling Jaya and in particular areas such as Subang where an urban youth culture has evolved. If you are able to make friends with locals, that’s even better and ask them to take you out of KL City. The food in areas such as Klang, Petaling Jaya, Ampang and Cheras is just as good (and cheaper) and is where most of the locals eat. Also keep an eye out for local night markets known as Pasar Malam. They offer amazing delicacies and fresh produce and are more authentic than the ones in the city. If you want a quiet night at the cinema, Wednesday is the cheapest evening with tickets as cheap as 10 to 12 Ringgit.

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Just a stones throw away from KL are a places such as Chilling Falls and Broga Hill. These are quite popular amongst locals and provide a nice respite from the concrete jungle of the city. They are free and relatively easy to get to by car. Check out the best places for hiking, camping and waterfalls in and around Kuala Lumpur here.

Budget guide 3 (Picture by Travelblog.com)

The bus and train are the cheapest options for making your way around Peninsular Malaysia. For Ipoh, catch the rain as Ipoh Railway Station is located in the centre of town, whereas the coach terminal is some 15 minutes away. You will only save five Ringgit if you catch the bus. The bus from KL to Penang is the best option as it takes you directly to the island and within five minutes of George Town. If you want relax on Malaysia’s famed beaches like Langkawi and the Perhentian Islands, the bus and ferry is the way to go.

shutterstock_115589299 For those interested in checking out Borneo’s wildlife, make sure you book your flights to Kuching and Kota Kinabalu in advance as flights to East Malaysia can be expensive.

Strangely, food prices also vary between Sarawak, Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia with Indian food slightly more pricier in Borneo. Popular music festivals such the Rainforest World Music Festival in Sarawak and the Penang Jazz Festival on the mainland are relatively cheap compared to other international events, but again book in advance to save yourself some cash.

A great, inexpensive way to see Malaysia is to volunteer. Malaysia offers volunteering opportunities for every taste and interest: from wildlife projects in the untamed jungle of Borneo to teaching English to children in urban and rural environments. Most places provide free accommodation and sometimes food and you’ll have access to remote communities you probably never knew existed. Read more here.

When exiting Malaysia, consider the bus trip north to Hat Yai in Thailand. It is less than 60 Ringgit and you can split the journey up by stopping over in Penang for the night. Cheap flights from KL to popular tourist destinations in Asia such as Vietnam, Indonesia and Philippines can be found via Air Asia, but any additional items such as luggage over 20 kilograms can increase the price.

In summary, Malaysia is a wonderful place to explore and the more adventurous you are, the better your experience will be. Doing it on the cheap is possible but having a friend to show you around or give you advice definitely helps with your budget.

Tourism Malaysia

Why you should move to Malaysia in 2016

Post author By melakatour
Post date June 20, 2016
No Comments on Why you should move to Malaysia in 2016

By Lloyd Green

Good news! If you’re thinking of relocating to Malaysia — maybe to volunteer, work at an NGO, study, join a big company, intern or simply enjoy your gap year — now is the best time. According to the 2016 global Cost of Living Index report collated by Numbeo, Malaysia is the 29th cheapest country to live.

Despite boasting one of Southeast Asia’s most vibrant economies, Malaysia is an incredibly affordable place to live, retaining a Consumer Price Index of just 37.47. Remarkably, this is lower than neighbouring Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia.

So, if you’ve just graduated, have the time to do something life changing, or are looking for that extra zest in life, why NOT come to Malaysia? We’ll tell where you get cheap food, eat out for less and rent a house for next to nothing?

What’s Cheap In Malaysia?

Johor Bahru is Malaysia’s cheapest city on the Cost of Living Index table with a CPI of 40.61. A one bedroom apartment here averages MYR1,325.00, while out of the city it drops to MYR833.33. JB also has the third least expensive McDonald’s combo meal in the world at MYR10, which is equal to $US2.50. In fact, Malaysia is one of the cheapest places in the world for eating out with Johor Bahru, Kota Kinabalu and Kuala Lumpur all polling in the Top 50 on the Restaurant Price Index list.

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On average you can get a meal at an inexpensive restaurant for MYR8 or $US2. Coffee is also cheap averaging $US1 in most places. Do expect to pay more at fancy shopping malls and outlets like Starbucks.

Is KL Really That Expensive?

shutterstock_150586619 Kjersti Joergensen / Shutterstock.com

The cost of living in Kuala Lumpur is slightly higher compared to other Malaysia cities, but with a CPI of 44.48, it’s still 54 per cent cheaper than Singapore and has roughly the same CPI as neighbouring Asian capitals like Jakarta, Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City.

You will likely need at least $US400 to $US500 per month to cover all of your expenses in KL, with a room to rent as low as MYR800 ($US200) per month. This price can vary drastically depending on your location, with a one bedroom apartment in the city averaging MYR2400 per month, while out of the city the median drops to MYR1200.

Kota Kinabalu is the cheapest city in Malaysia for accommodation according to Numbeo, with its Rent Index at 7.63 (37th in the world), compared to JB at 12.24 and KL at 18.55.

The cost of transport in Kuala Lumpur is very competitive with a one-way ticket using the LRT or KTM less than $US1. If you commute every day, count on $25 per month for transportation.

Get Me Out Of The City

Transport between urban cities in Malaysia is also affordable, ranging between $5 and $15 for a bus ride, depending on the destination. A bus or train ride can take you to the green mountains of Cameron Highlands or the heritage listed cities of Georgetown, Malacca and Ipoh.

For Ipoh, catch the train as Ipoh Railway Station is located in the centre of town, whereas the coach terminal is some 15 minutes away. The tickets are MYR25 to MYR30 and you’ll only save five ringgit if you catch the bus.

The bus from KL to Penang is the best option as it takes you directly to the island and within five minutes of George Town. Tickets at MYR37 to MYR42.

Flying to Sabah and Sarawak can be expensive, but Air Asia offers deals all year round. Right now you can fly from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan for $US16 with the airline.

Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Staying Long Term

Most people can enter Malaysia on a Short Term Social Visit Pass, which can be obtained upon arrival at the airport. Normally, this visa is valid for three months, but the visa conditions vary depending on your nationality.

If you plan to volunteer in Malaysia for longer than three-months, you might wish to apply for a Professional Visit Pass (PVP). This must be requested by the NGO you intend to work for while you are still in your home country

If granted, this visa is valid for up to 12 months and can be renewed for another 12 months, but only after a three-month break in between.

Contacting Home

Internet and mobile packages are also relatively inexpensive in Malaysia, with a minute of prepaid mobile averaging RM0.26 and 10 Mbps Internet with unlimited data priced at RM160.

So, whatever it is you decide to do in Malaysia, your time here be an exciting time in your life, and a great chance to stretch your own limits and discover your potential!

Check out the Top 30 Cheapest Countries to Live in 2016.

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