Maybe Asia has been centerfold of your curiosity for a while now. You wonder what mysteries and adventures you can unlock in the wilds of this world unchartered by yourself. Or maybe Asia hasn’t really been on your radar for travel. Maybe it’s not your thing, you haven’t really thought about it before, or you’re just a tinge scared of being that far out of your comfort zone. That’s okay. For those who would give their left arm to see Asia all the way down to those who don’t really want to risk it, we have the country for you! Malaysia. Located in Southeast Asian, Malaysia is a great “break in” country to visit before you begin your travels throughout other Asian countries.
Not only is it rich in cultural diversity, but you can take your pick of big cities like its capital Kuala Lumpur or drop yourself into the jungles of Borneo depending on what kind of experience you’re after. Malaysia has long been a paradise for tourists with its tropical islands and beaches, but it’s also home to wonderfully unique animals like the pigmy elephant. Those highlights aren’t what make Malaysia such an easy “this is my first trip to Asia” destinations, though. What makes the country so endearing is just how foreigner-friendly it really is. The people are welcoming, English is very commonly spoken, and getting around is a breeze if you download the Grab app (their version of Lyft or Uber). Not to mention it’s relatively cheap peninsula side, and even more inexpensive on the Borneo side!
Keep reading. We’ll explain just why Malaysia is a great break in country below.
Malaysia is Foreigner-Friendly, Easy to Break in to – English is Widely Spoken!
On top of being both funky and beautiful, Malaysia is incredibly foreigner-friendly mostly because English is a commonly spoken language. On occasion you’ll encounter someone who descends from one of the indigenous Malay tribes and won’t speak a lick of English, but otherwise you shouldn’t worry. Their signs, maps, and informational points are in English, as are most other things.
Here’s the deal – Malaysia is comprised of many ethnic and foreign groups. While many are the indigenous peoples, there’s a broad collection of Indians, Chinese, and others. The country is super unique because of these fusions, but the thing to remember is that they too need a unifying language sometimes. If it’s not Malaysian, English should come in handy. Not to mention the number of expats living there is fairly high.
So while Malaysian is the official language of the country, English is technically an “officially recognized” language also.
Funny enough, we once asked a Malaysian friend of ours how to say different phrases in her native tongue. However, when we got to simple greetings like “hello,” she just laughed and said, “Yeah, actually, we just say ‘hello.'” That’s just how much English is a part of the common vernacular there.
Malaysia’s Culture and Cultural Diversity are Amazing
Malaysia is a great break in country for traveling Asia, because of the culture itself. Malaysians are incredibly friendly; on the whole seem curious about other countries; and are very willing to share their culture if you’ll put yourself out there. Of course, and as with any country, you’ll encounter a bad apple or two. Overall, though, Malaysia is top notch when it comes to hospitality!
Time slows down in Malaysia, and even more so if you venture to Borneo. The people are VERY laid back, and willing to take life slowly. It’s hard not to latch onto the vibes of their more slowly-paced lifestyles. However, because there’s no rush, you feel like you can also take a deep breath, slow yourself down, and really enjoy the Malaysian culture around you.
Now, as we mentioned, Malaysia is also quite diverse. Nearly 70% of its people are Bumiputera – the Malay and Orang Asli people. About 23% are Chinese and around 7% are Indians, with other smaller ethnic groups following. But the thing to understand is that a lot of these other groups have lived there for generations. They are genuine Malaysians, but their origins stem from other countries and many of them still cling to their former traditions, which is wonderful.
Malaysia is sort of a mixing pot of cultures, which is why it’s so splendidly unique! If you’re wanting to experience a blend of cultures all under one roof Malaysia is the place to go. You can try traditional cuisine one day, and then get Chinese or Indian food the next. Check out Kuala Lumpur’s “Little Arabia” for some middle eastern food and flare, or if you’re really timid just go to city’s center where all the western bars and restaurants are.
Of course each one of those broader groups of Chinese and Indian branch out into their own ethnic subgroups. People from all regions of those two huge countries have immigrated to Malaysia and brought their many traditions with them.
However, if you’re looking to really experience true Malaysian culture, our suggestion is to leave the Peninsula side and hop on the next cheap flight to Borneo (and yes they are cheap!). If you’re okay with a massive blend of cultures stick to Kuala Lumpur. Regardless, both sides of Malaysia are pretty cool in their own special ways.
Yes, There are Still Modern Comforts in Malaysia…
Malaysia is a great break in country for a reason. It has incredibly touristy places to go (although we do recommend you divert from them from time to time!) and it has every modern comfort you could hope for.
For those of you who, as we said, aren’t quite ready to tackle Asian countries because they’re a little too far out from your norm, give Malaysia a try. In bigger cities you can stay in any nice western hotel that you want and there’s tons of shopping malls, western restaurants, and modern conveniences right at your fingertips. You’re free to soak up as much of the surrounding culture that you want to at your own pace.
Luckily, most restaurants have pictures to accompany their dishes, which makes deciding what to eat a lot easier!
Which brings up another point, if you’re really that uncomfortable with eating new things, either stick to the big city of Kuala Lumpur or pick another touristy destination within the country. There’s always western foods and comforts from home there. Especially if you’re skittish about consuming odd, new cuisines.
However, if you’re more like us and you’re looking to really experience Malaysia then our suggestion is to definitely see the capital city of KL – it’s pretty funky and fun – but make time to put yourself in the local neighborhoods, check out its street markets, and search out its unique attractions. After that, step off the beaten path and go to Borneo! Don’t worry about its many “resorts,” but give its actual unique cities, national parks, and vast states some attention. It’s well-worth it!
To those who are still unsure, if you’re brave enough, Borneo is also foreigner-friendly. While it might be lacking in more modern conveniences, you can still find nice hotels to stay in and English is still widely spoken. But be warned, you’re odds of encountering people who don’t speak English are much higher, so be prepared to mime your way around at times. Here’s a pro tip, a smile will go a long way even when you can’t communicate! However, if you do stick to the highly touristed areas in Borneo, those places most certainly cater to a more westernized clientele.
Malaysia is Worth the Visit
A lot of countries in Asia are becoming more and more friendly to outsiders, as more and more tourists have discovered just how special and beautiful these places are. They’ve discovered just how cheap Asia and Southeast Asia can be, and these countries in turn have begun to capitalize on their own resources having recognized them as prized “vacation destinations.” The downside for average travelers – or those who only take a vacation or two a year – is that some of these countries are still a bit tricky to navigate and there’s a language barrier. Both of which can be daunting.
This is why Malaysia is your country! It’s gorgeous, culturally diverse, unique, and comes with the perk of being English-speaker friendly. Public transportation in the cities is convenient, but the Grab app is even simpler and dirt cheap – plus it’s used peninsula side and in Borneo! You’ll also have your pick places to stay and food to eat.
More importantly, you’re absolutely free to immerse yourself into as much of Malaysia as you want to, we cannot emphasize this enough. After living in China for a year, we almost didn’t feel like we were in Southeast Asia at times – that’s how chilled out Malaysia is. It’s the perfect gateway to seeing more of Asia, because you can slowly acclimate to several cultures all at once without fully leaving the western world – unless you want to! While an experienced traveler would also find great joy and lots to get into, Malaysia is still a great “break in” country to take on as a first-time traveler to Asia. After that, the world is your oyster, see where you’re willing to go next.
** If Malaysia’s a little too tame for you, check out one of our favorite cities in China!
