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Malaysia |
 Malaysia Bars and Nightlife.
Malaysia in a sentence: Multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multilingual, with a rich mixture of Malay, Chinese, and Indian cultures, plus Portuguese, Dutch, and British influences.
Malaysia is separated into two regions divided by the South China Sea- Malaysian Borneo and Peninsular Malaysia. Malaysian Borneo is the northern third of the island of Borneo (East Malaysia), and Peninsular Malaya the bulbous end of the Malay peninsula (West Malaysia). East Malaysia is primarily a destination for adventure travelers who want to experience the rain forest; West Malaysia is more suited to a relaxed holiday. The island resorts off the Peninsula's west coast, Penang and Langkawi, boast some of the loveliest beaches in Asia. The nation's capital, Kuala Lumpur, sits in the west 25 miles inland from the Strait of Malacca, while the seat of federal government is now 30 km south in the newly built city of Putrajaya. |
In a country so rich in culture and diversity, home to some of the most superb beaches, mountains, and national parks, and with fewer crowds than Bali or Thailand, it's difficult to know where to start.
Kuala Lumpur: Well if it's retail therapy you need before enjoying the nightlife, look no further. Kuala Lumpur alone has 66 shopping malls and it is the retail and fashion hub for Malaysia. So, carefully leaving your bags safe, head towards The Golden Triangle; the commercial hub of the city which contains the Petronas Twin Towers and has a distinctive nightlife. The three main areas you need to explore are Jalan P. Ramlee, Jalan Sultan Ismail and Jalan Ampang. Trendy nightclubs, bars and lounges, such as Hard Rock Cafe, Zouk (sister bar of Zouk in Singapore, and styled in a similar way), Thai Club, Beach Club (voted Best Bar in Asia), Luna Bar, Rum Jungle, Nuovo, Espanda and many others are located around here. You will find there's a total mix of locals, expats and tourists and it's an area hard to beat. And when you're done you can walk out and find there's a 50 acre tropical landscape, the KLCC park (Kuala Lumpur City Centre park) a public park providing sanctuary and a chill out area for all. |
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Like all major cities, Kual Lumpur now has a traffic system that can be a logistical nightmare for congested rush hour commuters, but it is increasingly handy for tourists and travelers with a number of rail and monorail options in the city center that make navigating the sprawling city much easier. The real pleasure, though, is walking around, and a much better way of finding those smaller bars and old pubs always untouched by travel guides. The heart of Kuala Lumpur is around Datran Merdeka (Independence Square) and this open space makes a good starting point for a city tour. If you are so inclined to see the city in a hurry, head for either the observation level of the Petronas Towers or the viewing platform at the Menara Observation Tower. The latter is a better option as it gives 360-degree views that include the Petronas Towers from its hilltop position. Menara also has a restaurant and cafe. |
Affectionately known as the Pearl Of The Orient, George Town is known as Tanjung in Malay and �-�治市 (Qiáozhì Shì) in Chinese. It was voted as one of the best cities in Asia by Asia week, ranked 6th in 1998 and 9th in 2000. More recently in 2007, it was ranked as the 10th most livable city in Asia, according to an international survey involving 254 cities worldwide - so do we like George Town and its island home Penang - oh yes we do.
Penang is a paradise for food lovers who come from all over Malaysia and even Singapore to sample the island's unique cuisine, earning the island the nickname of the food capital of Malaysia. Penang's cuisine reflects the Chinese, Nyonya, Malay and Indian ethnic mix of Malaysia, but is also strongly influenced by the cuisine of Thailand to the north. Its especially famous "hawker food", which is sold and eaten by the street, strongly features noodles and fresh seafood. The best way to capture Penang’s mixed heritage is to stroll around town. There is a real sense of being back in time as you wander through streets of old houses and shelters of worship, coupled with the smell of incense that drifts in the air among the settings of Burmese, Thai and Chinese temples.
The best of the best, as always, are detailed. But Pitt Street Corner for the saloon style swing door bar, Soho Free House, for the largest selection of beers, Slippery Senoiritas if you want to dress up, R&B Club for lively live music and Rock World - one of the oldest, and now actually looking it. |
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