Customs and traditions of Malaysia. Traditions of Malaysia Which part of the body is sacred in Malaysia

About half the country's population is of Malay origin, 33% of the population is Chinese, 9% are emigrants from South Asia and the indigenous population of the Malaysian islands.

Accepted in Malaysia official religion- Islam of the Sunni variety. Other faiths include Taoism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Confucianism and Christianity.

Language

Official language- Malay. Part of the population speaks English, Thai, Punjabi, Chinese dialects and other languages. The natives speak languages of the Austronesian group of languages.

Rules of conduct for tourists

Most of the rules are related to Muslim traditions.

Behavior in public places

Muslims and non-Muslim people of the opposite sex do not have the right to be in the same company.
According to Muslim traditions drinking alcohol and pork in the country forbidden, however, in some hotels it is possible for those who do not practice Islam.
During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims are not allowed to eat food. It is considered extremely defiant behavior to eat or drink in their presence during this period.
Refusing drinks at a party is considered impolite behavior.
When invited to dinner It is not customary to finish the meal first; it is better to wait until the inviter has finished eating.
A littering tourist may be fined.
You should know that the use and distribution of narcotic substances in the country is punishable by death.
Chinatowns are not the best place for walking alone, especially for women.

Gestures and facial expressions

Pointing to an object or on a person, you need to use not the index finger, but the thumb, while the other fingers are bent. Pointing at something with your foot is indecent behavior.
Traditional greeting It is considered not a very strong handshake with both hands.
Female representatives are usually greeted with a nod and a smile. You can shake a woman’s hand only if she herself extended it to greet her.
Tourists should remember that in Malaysia they should not take food or pass anything with their left hand. Traditionally, this hand is considered “unclean” and is used for hygienic purposes, so passing something to a person with the left hand can cause a mortal insult.
The head is considered sacred among the Malays, so touching it in any way is not recommended.

Behavior in temples

To the mosque You should arrive in modest clothing with your arms and legs covered.
When entering a mosque, you should take off your shoes; your shoes remain at the threshold. This is also what you should do when entering any home in Malaysia.
There is a ban on photographing Buddha images in the country.

Topics of conversation

Not recommended topics: religious issues, discussion of government officials, the problem of the population in Malaysia is a taboo topic for guests of the country.

Cloth

When visiting a Muslim country, you should respect the traditions of its inhabitants, including in clothing. Women are advised to wear clothing that covers their knees, shoulders, wrists and head. Lightweight items made from natural fabrics are suitable. You should not sunbathe topless on the beach; there are no private beaches in the country.

National holidays in Malaysia

Malaysia is a multinational country, so there are many traditional holidays: Muslim, Buddhist, Indian and Christian.

Late December - early February (2 days) - Hari Raya Kurban, Hari Raya Haji (Muslim holiday)

October-February - Awal Mukharam (Maal Hijri), New Year according to the lunar Hijri calendar

February - Thaipusam

Date in spring or summer - Mawlid ur-Rasul, birthday of the Prophet Muhammad

April-June - Vesak, Gautama Buddha Day

October - early November - Hari Raya Pussa (Eid al-Adha), end of the month of Ramadan, Islamic holiday of breaking the fast

October-November (5 days) - Deepavali, the festival of lights, the victory of light over darkness

Peculiarities

It is desirable for both men and women to have light comfortable clothes, since in Malaysia the informal style predominates all year round. Local batik shirts and dresses are sold everywhere and are suitable for any occasion. You will feel quite comfortable in open shoes or sandals. Only some formal events require a suit and tie, although casual wear is sports shirts, which are considered decent in any setting. In mosques or in remote Malay villages, you should appear in more modest clothing. It is better not to appear here in shorts, short T-shirts and miniskirts.

Severe penalties are imposed in Malaysia for the import, purchase, sale and use of drugs.

It is not customary to tip in Malaysia.. This is not done in hotels and restaurants, since the bill already includes a 10% service charge. You can give a tip if you are satisfied with the speed and quality of service.

When checking into the hotel, you will be charged a deposit of approximately 100-300 USD.(depending on the hotel) in cash or will freeze this amount on your credit card. This deposit is returned to you upon check-out from the hotel in full, if you did not have expenses for telephone calls from the hotel, dry cleaning, mini-bar, etc., or it is returned.

Guests in Malaysia are usually offered drinks; it is very impolite to refuse them.

Women here are most often greeted with a nod and a smile. A handshake is only possible if the woman herself extends her hand. The traditional greeting or salam resembles a handshake with both hands, however, the palm should not be squeezed. The man extends both hands, lightly touches the outstretched hands and then presses his hands to his chest, which means “I greet you with all my heart.” Salam should be answered in the same way.

Never point at an object or person with your index finger.. To do this, use the thumb, the remaining fingers are bent.

Never pick up food or pass anything with your left hand. Traditionally it has been used for hygienic purposes in this country, and to pass something to someone with your left hand is to mortally insult them.

The human head is considered sacred in Malaysia and should not be touched.. Therefore, do not try to pat a Malaysian child on the head according to our tradition.

To avoid unknowingly hurting the feelings of local residents, It is recommended to remove your shoes before visiting houses and temples.

If you get up early and arrive at Petronas Tower at 8.45, you can go there free: the first 800 visitors here do not pay for entry. However, do not choose Monday to visit - the towers are closed on this day.

National symbol of Malaysia

Almost every country in the world and every city has its own symbol, its own favorite “thing.” For example, the French have such a symbol as a Gallic rooster, Madrid adores its bear along with its strawberry tree, and the symbol of Thailand is a white elephant. And here The national symbol of Malaysia is the Hibiscus flower..

Its five petals symbolize five commandments of Islam. The flower is revered not only by the Muslim Malays, but also by the pagan Dayaks, the Chinese, the Indians, and even amateur gardeners.

This flower has an interesting history. No one knows when the flower was brought to Malaysia, but, without a doubt, it was brought by traders from its homeland: China, Japan, and the Pacific Islands.

Since ancient times, Hibiscus has been widely used in various fields of life, especially in medicine. Its petals were commonly used to tint and shape women's eyebrows. Some used the roots of the flower for fever and other illnesses. Skin rashes and inflammation of the glands are cured by the juice obtained from the leaves and roots, and a poultice prepared from the leaves is often used as a cure for headaches.

Hibiscus grows everywhere in Malaysia. It comes in a variety of colors (a red flower with five petals is chosen as the national flower of Malaysia).

Shamanism in Malaysia

Shamanism in Malaysia is a fairly common phenomenon; it flourishes among all peoples, from the most primitive to the most developed. The shaman does not learn from anyone and in childhood may not even suspect that he is a shaman. This person is chosen by the spirit, manifesting itself through dreams. From communication with spirits, knowledge comes or strange objects appear that the spirit asks to find: either a crystal, or a piece of wood or a stone of an unusual shape, or a strange object found, for example, on a broken tree, struck by lightning. Each of these items is endowed with its own power and can be used for certain situations, illnesses or for predictions.

Healing often occurs almost instantly or very quickly. The shaman has a crystal through which he can look and determine whether the patient has a chance or is doing very badly. Entering a trance, the shaman uses a special blanket on which two families of crocodiles, two people, a man and a woman, two eagles and two snakes are drawn in a stylized form.

At first, the arrival of a spirit to a shaman is perceived by him as something extremely unusual or even scary. He realizes that he no longer has control over himself. Then the shaman gets used to the presence of the spirit, and becomes, as it were, a representative of the spirit. People turn to a shaman not only in case of illness, but also for advice, often when searching for a bride or groom or during family quarrels.

All major world religions have their adherents in Malaysia. Despite the recognition of Islam as the state religion, the country's constitution guarantees freedom of religion. According to the 2000 census, Muslims make up 60.4% of Malaysia's population, Buddhists - 19.2%, Christians - 9.1%, Hindus - 6.3%, about 2.6% practice Confucianism, Taoism and other traditional Chinese religions . The rest of the population professes animism, Sikhism, and other faiths.

Islam in Malaysia Sunni sense. Penetrated into Malaysia in the 13th century along with Indian traders. In subsequent centuries, it began to occupy a dominant position in the country. According to Article 160 of the Malaysian Constitution, all ethnic Malays are Muslims. Islam plays a dominant role in Malay culture and is practiced in all spheres of life of the population. Eid al-Fitr, known here as Hari Raya, is the most important holiday of Malay Muslims.

Women here have equal rights to men, drive a car, study at universities, etc. You quickly become convinced that the horror that European people are accustomed to associate with the word “Islam” is nothing more than a set of cliches. When tourists ask me if Malaysia is safe, I answer: “tens of times safer than in Russia.” It is enough to compare the statistics of crimes “against the person” - rape and murder - of our countries, and it will become clear that in Russia everything is much more neglected. In Malaysia, this type of crime is extremely rare. The deep religiosity of local residents and, as a result, strict adherence to moral standards is the main guarantor of security.
By the way, there are an order of magnitude more girls at universities than boys.
Many women make good careers, while their husbands raise children.

Wearing/not wearing a headscarf (hijab) for a Muslim woman in Malaysia is largely a personal and voluntary matter. The absence of a headscarf is not condemned or punished in any way. There are a number of institutions where wearing a headscarf is still mandatory, for example, at the International Islamic University. By the way, the Koran also says nothing about the mandatory wearing of a headscarf. This tradition came from the wives of the prophet, who dressed in closed clothes and covered their heads. In general, Muslim women in Malaysia can dress quite secularly, the main thing is modest, non-provocative clothing, all parts of the body are covered.

In Malaysia, a Muslim man can only marry a Muslim woman.(According to the Koran, a Muslim can marry both a Christian and a Jewish woman (since the religions are relatives). That is, if a Russian girl marries an Iranian in Iran, or an Arab in Central Asia, she does not even have to accept Islam. But in Malaysia the law is harsh, because the pluralism of religions that has developed here implies, at the same time, a clear self-identification, especially “Muslim or non-Muslim.”

Halal products. Malaysia is the largest producer of Halal products in the world, and a lot is exported. From cookies to toothpaste, from chocolate to face cream - everything is marked with the “halal” symbol. 90% of restaurants here, including McDonald's, are halal. Those products (and restaurants) that are “non-halal” (=haram) - containing pork, alcohol, etc., must be marked with a bright red “non-halal” sticker. Let me remind you that “halal meat” is a special way of killing an animal. The Malays go to ridiculous lengths in their passion for halal products. There is also a “halal” symbol on the cat food here (halal mice, probably).

If you try to treat your Malay friends, for example, with chocolate from Russia, they will first of all start looking for the treasured sign on the label, and not finding it, I’m afraid not many will dare to try... The Malays don’t really like to travel, and if they have to, then They prefer, of course, Muslim countries. The husband says that on a business trip to Europe, his Malay colleagues take with them suitcases with canned food and other local halal food. They probably don’t realize that there are quite a few vegetarian restaurants in Europe, and vegetarian food is automatically halal. However, my experience shows that in 90% of cases the Malays do not understand what “vegetarianism” is, because... in restaurants, when I declare that “I don’t eat meat,” they always offer me chicken (which, apparently, is not only “not a bird,” but is generally a vegetable or fruit in their minds))))

Polygamy is practically non-existent in Malaysia.. Officially, according to the law, the first wife must sign a document that she is not against her husband having a second one. But what woman in her right mind would sign something like that?! And a husband, if he wants more than one wife, must be very financially secure, since each wife, according to Islam, must necessarily live in a separate house. Gifts, attention - everything should be exactly equal, so that one does not have the idea that her husband loves the other more. Surely, on even days - one, on odd days - another. In practice, in all 4 years of living here, I met only one Malay bigamist. The reason why he had to marry a second wife was very compelling - the first wife turned out to be sick and unable to have children, and in Islam children are the meaning of life, and divorces are not very welcome.
But in KL I came across an amazing case. A Russian girl (let's call her Masha), with whom I became friends here, one fine day introduced me to another Russian girl, Dasha, and to my question - is this your sister? - Masha answered - no, Dasha is another wife of my husband! OPS!!! Their husband is Pakistani with an American passport. Both Dasha and Masha are native Muscovites, converted to Islam (my husband inspired them), wear headscarves, pray, fast, and live in the same house, communicating like girlfriends. I was embarrassed to ask for intimate details... My Malay husband says that even tame Malay women would hardly agree to this)))

There is a religious police(a sort of “morality police” in civilian clothes; in fact, they exist in almost all Muslim countries). Volunteers make sure, for example, that there is no adultery. There are known cases of police raids on hotels, during which unmarried couples are caught. The punishment can be different - public censure: disgrace for the family, a fine, prison, blows with rods (a measure borrowed from the British, by the way), and, quite possibly, they will be forced to marry the one with whom they were caught.
Also, during the holy month of Ramadan, if you are a Muslim Malay in appearance and decide to have a snack or drink in broad daylight, you will probably get into trouble. Most likely, they won’t sell you any food. My Peruvian acquaintance is also “café au lait” in skin color, so that he can easily be confused with a Malay. During Ramadan, McDonald's didn't want to sell him a burger during the daytime. When he bought it with difficulty (explaining that he was a Catholic from Peru) and began to devour it, the religious police in the person of several citizens began to circle around his table, amazed at the “blatant impudence and appetite.” This continued until the Peruvian took out his passport and slammed it on the table. Another time, the same Peruvian again received the attention of the police (this time not even the religious one, but the most ordinary one) when he violently showed feelings for his Russian girlfriend (he hugged and kissed her right on the street). Seeing this “disgrace,” a uniformed policeman approached him, took him aside, and began to make suggestions in Malay...)))

Dislike of dogs. At first I thought it was generally a Muslim trait to not like dogs. It turned out that the same Arabs respect dogs very much, and many keep them, and not even one at a time. It turned out that this is a trait of Malaysian Muslims, who for some reason believe that a dog is a “dirty animal”, well, something like a pig. “And if you have dog hair on you, then your prayers will not count,” etc. In KL you can see many signs with crossed out dogs in transport and in institutions. Judging by the information from the hadiths, the prophet said that it was necessary to limit the contact of children with stray street dogs, which carry a lot of infection, which children then get sick with (i.e., he spoke exclusively about street dogs). Let me remind you that a dog is a very smart and useful animal - a faithful friend, a rescuer, a guide for the blind, a hunting assistant, a policeman, etc.

Greater degree of formality in the practice of Islam- this is a trait noted by my Malay friends who practice Islam. For example, it is often important how many times one has prayed (quantity), not quality. Or else, some individuals, out of a desire to be considered extremely devout and religious, artificially rub a “callus” on their forehead (Muslims pray by touching the ground with their foreheads). With such a “callus” on your forehead, your status among Muslim brothers and sisters increases.

Death penalty for drugs. For example, for 15 grams of heroin, or 2 kg of marijuana. Harsh, of course. But the comment.

Very high prices for alcohol and tobacco. More expensive than in Europe. I am for it!

In general, despite everything, It’s hard for me to even imagine a better version of Islam than what we have in Malaysia.

I love this country very much, and in many ways because of Islam.
I would be glad to hear your additions, what else is special about Malaysian Islam?

Each people of the world has its own characteristics, which are absolutely normal and ordinary for them, but if a person of another nationality falls into their midst, he may be very surprised by the habits and traditions of the inhabitants of this country, because they will not coincide with his own ideas about life. We invite you to find out 10 national habits and characteristics of Malaysians who can call a woman a gorilla without wanting to offend her, and Malaysians also love to watch self-torture and do not distinguish between seasons.

They call each other "boss"

“Boss, check please. Boss, can I park here? Thanks boss." This treatment is informal and applies to service sector workers. In this way, Malaysians show respect for people who do not occupy the highest positions in the social hierarchy. The right hand raised up performs the same task. The gesture is actively used by motorists to greet security guards at parking lots and residential complexes.

They might call a woman a gorilla

“Me and my gorilla are having lunch at a restaurant,” an Indian man tells a friend on the phone. “What kind of gorilla do you think I am?!” - the foreigner sitting next to her is indignant. The girl does not understand that the residents of Malaysia communicate with each other in English, spoiled by local dialects - Manglish. This language includes many words from Malay, Chinese and Indian languages, the sound of which can be misleading. Thus, "gori" in Hindi means "white woman", and "la" is a universal ending for phrases, widely used not only in Malaysia, but also in Singapore.

They turn on the hazard lights in the rain

When caught in thick fog or downpour, Malaysian motorists unanimously turn on their hazard lights. In this way, drivers try to protect themselves from collisions and help others navigate the space. Finding themselves on the road alone, Malaysians break through the gray darkness blindly, relying on God and the accuracy of the navigator. Slowing down or waiting out the storm on the side of the road, as is done in more rational Western countries, is not accepted here, nor is walking.

They don't know the seasons

When communicating with locals, be prepared to be asked to explain the difference between spring and autumn. Stuck in an endless summer, Malaysians confuse the seasons we are accustomed to and navigate time not according to the natural calendar, but according to the holiday calendar. Thus, they associate the Indian Deepavali (Diwali) with autumn, the Chinese New Year with spring, the Islamic Ramadan with summer, and the international New Year and Catholic Christmas, which is fashionable in Asia, with winter.

They love to watch self-torture

Thaipusam is an Indian day of thanksgiving and punishment dedicated to the god Murugan, celebrated with special pomp in the capital of Malaysia. Roads in Kuala Lumpur are closed for three days to allow believers to walk the “path of martyrs” from the Sri Mariamman Temple in the city center to the sacred Batu Caves on its outskirts. As the Hindus themselves explain, trials are necessary in order to thank God for a fulfilled desire. Torture includes shaving the head, wearing heavy structures, and piercing the body with sharp objects. Despite the drama of what is happening, a huge crowd comes to watch the festival: the participants in the procession fall into a trance, do not feel pain and do not lose blood.

They stand in traffic jams for food

If you're stuck in a traffic jam on a Sunday morning in Kuala Lumpur, it means there's a food festival going on somewhere nearby. Gluttony is the main hobby of Malaysians and the only reason that can get them out of the house on a day off. The passion for delicious food did not arise out of nowhere among the residents of Malaysia: the Chinese and Indians who “came in large numbers” brought with them the best recipes. Currently, Malaysia is considered the culinary Mecca of Asia and a paradise for vegetarians: meat and fish made from soy here are both tastier and cheaper than the originals.

They start conversations by talking about food.

They don't leave tips

In Malaysia, the service charge is 10% and is always included in the price of the restaurant bill, so no one leaves a tip here except for inattentive tourists. Tip boxes are found in coffee shops like Starbucks, but this is more a tribute to Western fashion, and not an attempt by waiters to earn extra money.

They are proud of the baba-nyons

The word "baba" in Malay means "man" and "nyonya" means "woman". “Men and women” in Malaysia are the descendants of the first Chinese settlers who found themselves on the peninsula back in the 10th century, before the arrival of Islam in the country. Chinese merchants then mixed with the locals and spread their customs. The result is a unique culture whose members dress like Chinese, practice Buddhism, speak Malay, and eat with five fingers instead of chopsticks. There are only 5,000 - 10,000 modern baba-nyons left. Most of them live in Melaka and are the main attraction of the south of the Malay Peninsula.

It is important for them to know what nationality you are

In Malaysia, when filling out official papers (say, a medical certificate), you must indicate your nationality and religion. It would seem, what difference does it make to a doctor what color your skin is and what church you go to? It turns out it's big. The Malaysian constitution gives many economic and social privileges to the “indigenous” ethnic groups - Muslim Malays and the small Negritos living in remote corners of the country. The racist amendment was originally passed in Malaysia for only 15 years in order to help the predominantly rural Malays get an education and a higher position in society. But 15 years have passed, 30, 50, Malays have occupied key government positions, and the discriminatory law has not yet been repealed. The Chinese and Indians are complaining, but who will hear them now?

About half the country's population is of Malay origin, 33% of the population is Chinese, 9% are emigrants from South Asia and the indigenous population of the Malaysian islands.

Accepted in Malaysia official religion- Islam of the Sunni variety. Other faiths include Taoism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Confucianism and Christianity.

Language

Official language- Malay. Part of the population speaks English, Thai, Punjabi, Chinese dialects and other languages. The natives speak languages of the Austronesian group of languages.

Rules of conduct for tourists

Most of the rules are related to Muslim traditions.

Behavior in public places

Muslims and non-Muslim people of the opposite sex do not have the right to be in the same company.
According to Muslim traditions drinking alcohol and pork in the country forbidden, however, in some hotels it is possible for those who do not practice Islam.
During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims are not allowed to eat food. It is considered extremely defiant behavior to eat or drink in their presence during this period.
Refusing drinks at a party is considered impolite behavior.
When invited to dinner It is not customary to finish the meal first; it is better to wait until the inviter has finished eating.
A littering tourist may be fined.
You should know that the use and distribution of narcotic substances in the country is punishable by death.
Chinatowns are not the best place for walking alone, especially for women.

Gestures and facial expressions

Pointing to an object or on a person, you need to use not the index finger, but the thumb, while the other fingers are bent. Pointing at something with your foot is indecent behavior.
Traditional greeting It is considered not a very strong handshake with both hands.
Female representatives are usually greeted with a nod and a smile. You can shake a woman’s hand only if she herself extended it to greet her.
Tourists should remember that in Malaysia they should not take food or pass anything with their left hand. Traditionally, this hand is considered “unclean” and is used for hygienic purposes, so passing something to a person with the left hand can cause a mortal insult.
The head is considered sacred among the Malays, so touching it in any way is not recommended.

Behavior in temples

To the mosque You should arrive in modest clothing with your arms and legs covered.
When entering a mosque, you should take off your shoes; your shoes remain at the threshold. You should do the same when entering any home in Malaysia.
There is a ban on photographing Buddha images in the country.

Topics of conversation

Not recommended topics: religious issues, discussion of government officials, the problem of the population in Malaysia is a taboo topic for guests of the country.

Cloth

National holidays in Malaysia

Malaysia is a multinational country, so there are many traditional holidays: Muslim, Buddhist, Indian and Christian.

Late December - early February (2 days) - Hari Raya Kurban, Hari Raya Haji (Muslim holiday)

October-February - Awal Mukharam (Maal Hijri), New Year according to the lunar Hijri calendar

February - Thaipusam

Date in spring or summer - Mawlid ur-Rasul, birthday of the Prophet Muhammad

April-June - Vesak, Gautama Buddha Day

October - early November - Hari Raya Pussa (Eid al-Adha), end of the month of Ramadan, Islamic holiday of breaking the fast

October-November (5 days) - Deepavali, the festival of lights, the victory of light over darkness

Malaysia is a country that tourists know little about. Meanwhile, here you can make amazing discoveries.

The combination of jungle, modern technology and cultural diversity make the country a unique point on the globe. We will tell you about the highlights of your holiday in Malaysia, which should be part of your trip.
See the capital from all sides

It’s definitely not possible to hide from the main “postcard” view of Kuala Lumpur – the towers of the Petronas skyscraper: 88 floors are visible from everywhere. The new business center is generally built with the latest technology and design. At the same time, real Asia is very close, in Chinatown. Not only the Chinese live in this area, but also people from many countries, especially many Indians. So a vibrant Asian mixture of street food, vendors, bars and a colorful crowd is constantly in full swing here.
Party all night in the clubs of Kuala Lumpur

Of course, the nightlife of Kuala Lumpur does not compare with what happens in Thai hotspots - after all, Malaysia is still a Muslim country, even if it does not have the strictest morals. But lovers of night parties are unlikely to get lost: all the discos and clubs are located on two streets - Ramlee and Chongkat Bukit.
Find out how to gracefully solve the problem of “non-rubbery”

The Malaysian authorities decided to deal with city overpopulation and traffic jams in perhaps the most reasonable, albeit unusual, way. All administrative offices and government enterprises were moved 25 km from Kuala Lumpur to a purpose-built new city. Government institutions are not necessarily boring, so many people go to Putrajaya to look at the latest high-tech architectural solutions, and, most importantly, at the extraordinary illumination of the city at night.
Visit a shocking holiday

The Hindu festival of Thaipusam is celebrated every year in late February-early January. A particularly colorful performance is staged in Kuala Lumpur, where a large Tamil diaspora lives. The holiday is associated with the god of war, so many elements of the show are bloody and cruel in an Asian way. For example, the gifts that people bring to the sacred Batu Cave are attached directly to the body with iron hooks.
See a lot of interesting things in one place

The number of attractions on the 104 islands of the Langkawi archipelago is off the scale even on the scale of exotic Malaysia. Waterfalls, thermal lakes, colorful sands on the beaches, a reserve with wild animals - this is only part of the natural heritage of the islands. And thanks to people, a mountain cable car with an incredibly picturesque route and the largest aquarium in Asia appeared here.
Walk through the wild jungle

Many towns and villages in Malaysia offer jungle trekking tours. You can choose an easy walk, combine walking and river rafting, or spend several days in harsh hiking conditions, sleeping in the forest.
Relax on the island of Borneo

The coast of Borneo is considered one of the best places for a beach holiday in Malaysia. By the way, the island is famous not only for its snow-white sand and warm, calm water. Many tourists go to turtle island or the orangutan nursery. You can spend a few days in the jungle or climb Mount Kinabalu, whose height is 4093 m.
See the underwater world of Sipadan Island

The tiny island of Sipadan is actually the tip of a huge extinct volcano. Together with several neighboring islands, this area is recognized by the Jacques-Yves Cousteau Society as one of the best diving and snorkeling areas in the world. All conditions are truly met: clear warm water, giant coral gardens and an incredible number of large and small marine inhabitants.
Get to know the history

The city of Malacca, or Melaka as it is often called, has perhaps the richest history of any Malaysian city and, of course, the richest architectural heritage. This settlement managed to try on the role of both the ceremonial capital of the Malayan-Chinese state, and a busy trading port, even before the advent of Singapore, and an outpost of Portuguese colonization in Asia, and then came under the rule of the Dutch and the British.
Get a dose of excitement, fun and adrenaline

Malaysia has a giant entertainment city with concert halls, casinos and, most importantly, two themed areas with more than 50 attractions. The highlight of this place called Genting Highlands is its location at high altitude among mountain peaks and clouds: there is fresh air and comfortable, cool weather all year round.

Before leaving for the airport, check that you have the following documents:
- international passport;
– air tickets;
– insurance policy;
– tourist package (voucher);
– a certificate from the bank for the export of currency (if the equivalent of more than 10,000 US dollars per person is exported);
– driver’s license (if you plan to rent a car);
- credit card;
– power of attorney from both parents (for children traveling with one of the parents);

You must arrive at the airport 2.5 - 4 hours before departure. Check in for your flight at the check-in counter and receive your boarding pass. The check-in number is located on the central display opposite your flight number. Go through border control. and wait for the boarding announcement.

ATTENTION! Registration ends 40 minutes before departure!

Capital of Malaysia

The capital, Georgetown, is named after the English king. In general, Malaysia has a lot of interesting things. There are rickshaws driving around the streets, and the streets are decorated with colonial mansions and luxurious villas. Modern skyscrapers, like Atlas, prop up the bright blue sky. The ancient temple of Wat Chaimangkalaram is decorated with the third largest figure of a reclining Buddha in Asia. In the Temple of the Snakes, snakes lie right in the altar, and in the Temple of Ten Thousand Buddhas, the altars are guarded by giant figures of gods and heroes of China.

Government of Malaysia

Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy. The form of government is a federation of 13 states: 9 sultanates and 4 governorates. The head of state is the supreme ruler, elected for 5 years by the Council of Rulers. The highest legislative body in Malaysia is the parliament.

Population of Malaysia

Malaysia is believed to be given its special charm by the motley mixture of nations inhabiting it. The Malays are very friendly and reluctant to get involved in conflicts.

The total population of Malaysia is about 20 million people. The balance between the main nations is distributed as follows - 59% Malays, 32% Chinese, 9% Indians.

Religion

Islam is the official religion, but the Constitution allows free religion, so in a small area you can simultaneously find mosques, Christian, Buddhist and Hindu temples.

Habits and customs

Malaysia is a surprisingly peaceful and stable country. This amazing harmony is primarily due to the mutual respect and tolerance with which all nationalities treat each other's religion, culture, customs and way of life.

To avoid unknowingly hurting the feelings of local residents, it is recommended to remove your shoes before visiting houses and temples. When visiting religious temples, you must wear modest clothing that covers your arms and legs; pass food only with your right hand.

Never pick up food or pass anything with your left hand - passing something to someone with your left hand is a mortal insult. The human head is considered sacred in Malaysia and should not be touched. Therefore, do not try to pat a Malaysian child on the head according to our tradition.

You should not point at people or objects with your index finger. On this day, the thumb is usually used, with the other fingers bent under it. You should not sunbathe topless on local beaches, much less engage in naturism or nudism.

Guests are usually offered drinks; it is considered impolite to refuse them.

Language of Malaysia

The official language of Malaysia is Malay; English, Chinese dialects, Mandarin, Hakka, Cantonese, Tamil and other dialects are also widely spoken. Since English is taught at a fairly serious level in high school, the language barrier is easily overcome.

Time

Time in winter is 5 hours ahead of Moscow, in summer - 4 hours.

Climate

Malaysia is a country of eternal summer with a warm and humid tropical climate. There are only minor seasonal variations in temperature, which usually stays at 32C during the day and 22C at night.

Visa

A visa to enter Malaysia is not required if your stay in the country does not exceed 1 month. To enter, it is enough to fill out an immigration card at the point of arrival (must be kept until leaving the country), which indicates: full name, date and place of birth, citizenship, profession, address of permanent residence, passport number and by whom it was issued, number visa, who issued it and the date of its issuance, if any, point of departure.

Customs regulations

They provide for duty-free import of 200 cigarettes, 60 cigars, or 225 grams of tobacco, as well as 1 liter of alcohol into Malaysia. The import of drugs in Malaysia is prohibited: for the import of drugs into the country and their use, Malaysian legislation provides for the death penalty, regardless of nationality, skin color and religion; and toxic substances, goods, Israeli coins or banknotes, pornographic publications, radios, meat, mushrooms, seeds, primates, gold over 100 grams, weapons of any kind, including toy ones, resembling combat weapons. Knives with a flip-out blade are considered bladed weapons. When entering the country, you must pay a $10 entry tax. Personal items are exempt from duty.

Currency

The currency of Malaysia is the Malaysian ringgit. It is equal to 100 sen. Banknotes in circulation are in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 ringgit. Coins - 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 sen and 1 ringgit.

Tipping in Malaysia

Tipping is not generally accepted in Malaysia. This is not done in hotels and restaurants, since the bill already includes a 10% service charge. You can give a tip if you are satisfied with the speed and quality of service.

Shopping

People usually bring pewter and silver items, batik, wicker and carved wood items from the island of Borneo, and gold jewelry with spectacular designs from Malaysia.

To buy a 100% Malaysian souvenir, you need to go to Chinatown on Petaling Street, where the so-called “trading center” is located. When buying stuffed animals and dried insects, it is quite possible to “run into” species that are under state protection. When purchasing gold products, you should definitely ask for a receipt indicating the gold content and weight of the product. In Malaysia you can buy the latest models of electronics, computers and video equipment relatively cheaply.
Major sales are held in the middle and end of the year, and the annual "carnival of trade" is held in October. The country has many bazaars and night markets selling everything from clothes to fruit. You can and should bargain in the markets.

Kuala Lumpur will not disappoint those who love shopping. Its main shopping complexes are concentrated in the area bounded by Jalan Bukit Bintang, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Jalan Ampang and Jalan Tun Razak. Most shops in Kuala Lumpur are open from 10 am to 10 pm. All major credit cards are accepted here, as well as traveler's checks. In addition, all large stores have numerous cafes where you can have a quick and tasty snack, entertainment centers with game rooms and cinemas. Particularly attractive are the duty-free shops located in all cities with airports. In addition, two islands, Langkawi and Labuan, are declared duty-free zones.

Kitchen

Malay cuisine is one of the most popular in the world. The mixture of different cultures has given rise to an absolutely amazing diversity of cuisine in Malaysia.

The most popular dishes in Malaysia are satay (pieces of marinated meat grilled over charcoal, with nut sauce and curry), Chinese rice with chicken and Chinese vermicelli with various additives.

Try the "shaggy" rambutan, a yellow or red fruit about the size of a kiwi, covered in soft, bristle-like growths. Under the skin you will find very tasty translucent slices.

Safety

Malaysia is one of the most developed countries in Southeast Asia.
You can drink water straight from the tap, but it is better to drink boiled or bottled water. Bottled mineral drinking water is, however, sold in all stores.

You can buy food from street vendors with almost no worries about its freshness and quality.

Crime in the country is low, but tourists should keep an eye on their belongings in crowded places. You should watch your bags especially carefully when you are walking along the sidewalk along the road or standing at an intersection, as there have been cases when motorcyclists snatched bags. After all, God protects the best!

Medicines without a prescription can be purchased at pharmacies, as well as grocery stores, hotels and shopping centers. There is no need to be vaccinated against cholera and smallpox before arriving in the country. When going on a tour to Malaysia, we recommend taking mosquito repellent with you.

Transport

More than 40 airlines around the world fly to Malaysia. From Thailand and Singapore you can get to Malaysia by rail. The main cities of Malaysia are also connected by international traffic. International comfortable express trains run. All island resorts in Malaysia can be reached not only by plane, but also by ferry. Malaysia's roads are considered to be the best in the region. The North-South Expressway runs along the entire peninsula, connecting Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. If you have an international driver's license, you can rent a car. The buses are owned by various private companies, but the activities of these companies are coordinated by the municipal authorities. In Malaysia, driving is on the right. Many hotels in Malaysia have free shuttle buses to and from the city center. Comfortable buses run regularly between major cities. Travel there is relatively inexpensive.

Phones in Malaysia

Death penalty for drugs. For example, for 15 grams of heroin, or 2 kg of marijuana. Harsh, of course. But the comment.

Very high prices for alcohol and tobacco. More expensive than in Europe. I am for it!

In general, despite everything, It’s hard for me to even imagine a better version of Islam than what we have in Malaysia.

I love this country very much, and in many ways because of Islam.
I would be glad to hear your additions, what else is special about Malaysian Islam?

Thean Hou Temple is a Kuala Lumpur landmark that should be included in all Malaysia travel guides' "must see" list. Impressive Chinese-style roofs with dragons and phoenix birds, rich carvings and imposing columns, bright colors and traditional paper lanterns - there is a lot to see and photograph at Tian Hou Temple.

1 | Rules of conduct at Tian Hou Temple:

Tian Hou Temple was opened in 1989 and since then has been an important temple for the Chinese of Kuala Lumpur (who make up 43% of the city's population). Here, at Thean Hou Temple, local residents come to pray to their most revered goddesses and protectors.

There are no special requirements for clothing (everything is within the bounds of decency). Before entering the prayer hall (on the 3rd floor), you must take off your shoes. In church you need to speak as quietly as possible so as not to disturb those praying. You cannot take pictures with your back to the statues or copying their pose and gestures - this is a sign of disrespect.

Prayer hall at Tian Hou Temple in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)

2 | What and where is in the Tian Hou Temple:

Tian Hou temple is one of the largest Chinese temples in Malaysia and includes 6 levels:

at ground level you can have a snack and buy Chinese-style souvenirs - there are cafes, shops and souvenir shops,
hall for special events (mainly weddings),
office and educational center of the Chinese community of Kuala Lumpur,
the temple itself or prayer hall,
and 6. levels are Chinese-style turrets with bells on the ceiling and beautiful views of the city of Kuala Lumpur.

The temple's ornate turrets offer beautiful views of Kuala Lumpur

3 | Goddesses - Bodhisattvas in the Tian Hou Temple:

The prayer hall is easy to find by following the signs (go through the main entrance of the temple, turn left and go up the stairs). Inside the temple there are three altars with Chinese goddesses - Bodhisattvas:

Guan Yin- the goddess of mercy, who is revered everywhere and her statue can be found in many Chinese and Buddhist temples around the world.
Shui Wei Sheng Niang- goddess of the coastline and patroness of the coastal regions of China.
Thean Hou- The Queen and Empress of Heaven is in the center of the temple, surrounded by smaller Buddhist and Taoist statues. Goddess Tian Hou is the patroness and protector of sailors and fishermen. The temple is dedicated to this goddess.

Statue of Goddess Shui Wei Sheng Niang

Statue of the Goddess of Mercy Guanyin

Altar and statue of the main goddess of the temple - Bothisattva Tian Hou

4 | Interesting details inside Thean Hou Temple:

On the entrance doors to the prayer hall, two assistants of the goddess Tian Hou are depicted - the gods of the sea and the guards of the entrance to the temple Qianli Yan and Shun Feng Er. If you are observant, you will see their figurines on the altar in front of the statue of the goddess Tian Hou.
The richly decorated ceiling of the temple and the formidable Chinese dragons entwining the columns are incredibly beautiful.
Oracles or divination sticks are found near the altars of the goddesses. Focusing on your question, you need to shake the glass with the chopsticks until one of the sticks is higher than all of them (or falls out of the glass). Then you need to get the divination from the box with the number corresponding to the number on the dropped stick. The prophecies are written in Chinese and English.

God of the sea and guardian of doors

Fortune telling sticks and numbered boxes

5 | Walk around Thean Hou Temple:

After passing through the round arch to the right of the prayer hall, you can stroll through a small shady courtyard and see another statue of the goddess Guanyin.
To the left of the temple is a corner with free books and CDs in English and Chinese.
Steps down to the left of the prayer hall lead to a turtle pond.
Closer to the temple gates there are statues of the 12 animals of the Chinese horoscope.
A smiling old man with a staff Yue Lao is the god of marriage and love in Chinese mythology. He holds in his hands a book where it is written down who is destined to marry and with whom. This old man appears in the light of the moon and binds the future husband and wife with silk ribbons so that nothing and nothing can interfere with their marriage.
Just before leaving the temple grounds, surrounded by fish ponds and a waterfall, there is a statue of the goddess of mercy Guanyin (in total there are three statues of this goddess in the Tian Hou Temple).

Statue of the God of Marriage and Love Yue Lao

6 | How to get to Tian Hou Temple:

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The most beautiful Chinese temple in Kuala Lumpur is open from 8 am to 10 pm. It is located far from tourist routes and is not accessible by any type of public transport.

The best option to get to the temple is a taxi. From KL Sentral station, an Uber taxi will cost approximately 6 MYR (Malaysian ringgit).

You can save money and walk from the metro: 2.4 km across the bridge over the Jalan Syed Putra highway and further downhill up the hill through residential areas. Considering that there is nothing interesting along the road and the area is almost deserted, I would not recommend walking.

The most convenient way to see the Tian Hou Temple and other attractions is with a Russian-speaking guide.

7 | Resources that save time and money:

Find chip flights(including low-cost airlines) to Kuala Lumpur and other cities in Malaysia, the Aviasales service will help.
Save money on a hotel- RoomGuru helps you compare prices and choose the best option.
Tickets on trains, buses and ferries throughout Malaysia - .
Reliable medical insurance while traveling in Asia -