Located in southeast Asia, Malaysia is made up of two separate land masses: peninsula Malaysia, which borders southern Thailand, and the states of Sabah and Sarawak in the northern territory of the island of Borneo.
The first stop for most people is the East-meets-West city of Kuala Lumpur, home of the famous Petronas Towers. Beaches and islands dominate peninsular Malaysia's East-coast, where there are a number of world-class diving spots. Trekking through the Taman Negara jungle is a must for keen adventurers and for a taste of Malaysia's cultural heritage visit the historic town of Melaka.
Malaysia is a Muslim country and while Western dress is common in the cities, it is respectful to dress more conservatively when visiting the more remote and rural regions and in places of worship. For example, to gain entrance to some temples, tourists are required to have their shoulders and legs covered. Also, as Malaysia is a tropical country, you may also need a number of vaccinations before you travel, specifically Typhoid, Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B.
