The heritage city of George Town, Penang will once again celebrate its admiration towards traditions, cultures and art. Penang, the peaceful island state is all set to welcome travellers from across the world for an extravaganza.

The George Town Festival will yet again transform the city into a lively celebration spot and stake its claim as one of Asia’s most popular festivals.
Get Ready for It

The best time to visit Penang is here. The Penang Island State is about to host its month-long celebration, George Town Festival. Incorporated in the year 2010 in honour of UNESCO World Heritage Site – George Town, it offers a world of entertainment.

Now in its seventh year of celebration, the festival will be held from 29th July to 28th August, 2016. The festival focuses on culture, art, community and heritage of Penang. One will enjoy discovering unique trends and practices during the festival.

Explore Penang

Don’t miss out on performances by renowned performers and artists. From theatre, dance, music, and puppetry to art, crafts, and performances, the festival offers a variety of entertainment. Visitors will definitely get an intimate insight into George Town’s heritage, history and present developments.

The renowned performing artists and performers include Smashed, Lim Yu-Beng, and Tan Kheng Hua along with A+SEAN showcase, Svara Bhumi (Songs of the Earth) and Choreographer Aida Redza. This year, the festival will feature new international performances whilst 58 percent of the acts will be from the state of Penang itself.

Also,  the A+SEAN showcase will include concerts by Indonesian band Nidji, Bittersweet, Dasha Logan, OAG, Sheila Majid, and more. It will also include Snuff Puppets – the puppetry show. Besides, there will be a fashion show and a market of as many as 30 stalls that would be put up by the members of ASEAN countries.

The Lively Acts

Travellers can enjoy a marvellous theatre performance by Lim Yu-Beng and Tan Kheng Hua in the ‘Pearl of the Eastern & Oriental’ play which will be premiered on the opening weekend. The A+SEAN Showcase will focus on talent from Australia and Southeast Asian nations.

The vibrant festival will leave every traveller awe-inspired with a dash of passionate performances like ‘Moved by Padi’ by Penang-born choreographer and dancer Aida Redza, musical theatre ‘Missing’, and musical comedy ‘Chekara’. Interestingly, ‘Moved by Padi’ will be performed in real paddy fields.

All in all, travellers will surely cherish the trip to the majestic city of George Town as the festival paints the streets in stimulating sensations.

Tickets

Tickets for the festival are pretty affordable and one may easily buy the same from GTF headquarters or from the online portal; RedTix.

The Sabah International Folklore Festival (SIFF) will be held at the Sabah Cultural Complex in Penampang from 24th – 30th July.

It will include cultural dance performances by diverse ethnic groups from across the world. As many as 10 international cultural dance troupes will come together.

About the Festival

Based on the theme, ‘Peace through Culture’, the festival is in its 11th year and is aimed at promoting and celebrating the cultural ties between countries that transcend physical barriers. This event also serves as an opportunity to promote Sabah as an attractive tourist destination, rich in natural beauty and culture. The participating countries in the Sabah International Folklore Festival, Malaysia are Malaysia, South Korea, Estonia, Australia, Ireland, Indonesia, India, The Philippines, Russia, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

A Sabah Traditional Food and Handicraft Exhibition will also be a part of the festival. It will delight visitors with authentic delicacies and showcase local handicrafts made by the locals.

An international Folklore Parade will also be held across three venues on 26th July from 12.00 pm to 5.00 pm. The parade will be held at Wisma Budaya, Lintasan Seasoka, Gaya Street and Kota Kinabalu City Hall.

The Sabah Art Gallery will organize a Sabah Folk Art exhibition to commemorate the festival, much to the pleasure of art connoisseurs. Beautiful and intriguing pieces of art will be on display from 25th to 30th July. One can have an intimate affair with the artistic exhibits without paying any entry fee.

Concurrently, a Sabah Photography Contest will also be held and the winners will be rewarded with cash prizes. One can present his/ her collection pertaining to a theme that has already been specified. The contest is open to everyone for participation.

Tickets

Tickets for the dance competitions will be sold on per day basis. For other programs like the SIFF Folklore Parade, Folk Art Festival and exhibitions, entry is completely free.

The host city- Kota Kinabalu

The city of Kota Kinabalu will enchant you with beautiful sights. Sandy beaches, coral reefs, tropical forests, the imposing Mount Kinabalu, sprawling golf courses and beautiful resorts here simply mesmerise visitors. You should also definitely take out some time and visit some of the famous landmarks and attractions of the city such as Mari Mari Cultural Village, night markets, Sabah Museum, Lok Kawi Wildlife Park and much more.

How to reach

The city of Kota Kinabalu is home to the second busiest airport in Malaysia and operates direct flights to and from many countries. Minibus services as well as taxis are available by way of transport.

The friendly and warm country of Malaysia is well known for its colourful culture and festivals. Once here, you will see Malaysians celebrating and socialising together in a unique way.

Best known for its beaches and scenic beauty, it is a perfect holidaying spot. Visit Malaysia and experience its exclusive festivals. Learn about some celebrations that we have jotted down for you.

Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year is celebrated mainly by the Chinese community. It is a 15 day-long festival that includes lion and dragon dance and fireworks celebrations. During the festival, Malaysia is decorated with traditional red decorations and lights in order to ward off evil spirits. People get together to cook various dishes and eat, drink and dance together.

Thaipusam

Thaipusam is celebrated by the Tamil community in Malaysia. The festival is celebrated in January and February when the stars are at their peak. It starts with a trip to the Sri Mahamariamman Temple and proceeds to the Batu Caves. Million of devotees from across the globe attend this festival. The highlight of the carnival is to see some devotees pierce their bodies, offer sacrifices and plead for the blessings of the almighty.

Wesak

Wesak is celebrated by the followers of Lord Buddha to pay tribute to Lord Buddha and show the importance of heaven. The festivities begin in the morning when people get together at Buddhist temples to pray and offer food and other gifts to the poor. A grand float procession is taken out during Wesak, with a giant statue of Buddha. It is a sight to watch this procession.

Lantern Festival

Lantern or Moon Cake Festival is also known as Mid-autumn Festival. It is celebrated on 15th August in Malaysia. Shops start selling a variety of traditional moon cakes almost a month before the festival. There are numerous exhibition counters in malls, where you can enjoy the festive feast.

Sabah International Folklore Festival

The state government of Sabah organises Sabah International Folklore Festival in June. The festival aims to enhance the local cultural inheritance. The highlights of the festival are international cultural group, international folk song and music, folk dance and traditional exhibition. The performance is organised by various ethnic groups from Sabah and overseas.

Jonker Street, nestled in the heart of Chinatown, allures tourists with its flamboyance and charm. Once famous for antique shops, the street has gone on to become one of the most popular attractions in Malaysia.

This street is full of shops, temples, restaurants and various attractions. Some attractions are worth mentioning here.

Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum

This impeccably arranged structure resembles the conventional 19th century residence of Baba Nyonya. One of the landmark destinations among tourists, the museum highlights the traditions and culture of Baba Nnyonya as well as the Chinese- Palladian style townhouses.

Cheng Hoon Teng Temple

The world famous and oldest shrine in Malaysia, Cheng Hoon Teng Temple upholds the ideologies of three religions; Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. Delineated as Merciful Cloud Temple, it was built in the year 1646. People come here to worship the Goddess of Mercy, Kuan Yin. Also, the shrine is located close to Sri Pogyatha Vinoyagar, the famous Hindu Temple.

Jonker Walk Night Market

An unexpected side of Jonker Street can be witnessed at Jonker Walk Night Market. Spreading its charm every Friday and Saturday night, the market is an organised gamut of stalls owned by polite hawkers. Live music and performances add to the party-like charm while shoppers can indulge in some amazing retail-therapy.

Geographer Cafe – Jalan Hang Jebat

A blend of history and the present, Geographer Cafe is set in a pre-war shop house at the corner of the street in Malacca. Loved for its vibrancy and welcoming ambiance, it enjoys a good volume of tourist footfalls. One of the best places for food lovers, this cafe  offers lip-smacking delicacies and drinks, without being too heavy on the pocket.

Xiang Lin Si Temple

Built adjacent to the famous Cheng Hoon Teng Temple, this traditional yet newly constructed shrine practices the principles of Buddhism. Xiang Lin Si Temple is also characterised as Fragrant Forest Temple. A sophisticated shrine with minimal decoration, it is admired as a peaceful place for meditation and worship.

With so much on offer, Jonker Street in Malaysia leaves every tourist with lots of fond memories. One simply can’t resist buying the colourful affordable stuff sold here. Numerous attractions close to the famous street makes it all the more popular.

Malaysia is a fabulous holiday destination and among the most famous ones in Southeast Asia. The country is best known for its spectacular amalgamation of cultural splendour and modern marvels as well as its natural exquisiteness. Needless to say, a large number of travellers visit this beautiful country every year and hope to explore the myriad treasures owned by it. But before actually going ahead with your plans to discover the Malaysian charms, you are advised to learn as much as possible about this splendid nation which interestingly straddles both the Asian mainland and the Malay Archipelago. Malaysia is among the busiest holiday destinations in Asia. Kuala Lumpur International Airport is the country’s leading airport, in terms of passenger and flight traffic, with most of the flights originating from UK for Malaysia landing here.  Kota Kinabalu International Airport, Penang International Airport and Langkawi International Airport are three other airports that witness steady stream of international tourists. Malaysia’s flag carrier, Malaysia Airlines remains the most preferred carrier for flying into the country from various parts of the globe. The full-service carrier has regular, non-stop services from London Heathrow. When it comes to top selling tourist destinations in Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur sits proudly at the top welcoming holiday makers from all corners of the globe. Penang, Langkawi, Malacca and Malaysian Borneo are other popular places in Malaysia that tourists love to visit. When it comes to specific tourist sites that are the most visited, names such as [sg_popup id="35"]Petronas Twin Towers[/sg_popup], [sg_popup id="49"]Cameron Highlands[/sg_popup], [sg_popup id="46"]Batu Caves[/sg_popup] and [sg_popup id="39"]Georgetown[/sg_popup] come to the mind. [sg_popup id="45"]Mulu Caves[/sg_popup], [sg_popup id="36"]Perhentian Islands[/sg_popup], Pulau Tioman, [sg_popup id="47"]Mount Kinabalu[/sg_popup], [sg_popup id="43"]Taman Negara[/sg_popup], and [sg_popup id="48"]Sepilok Rehabilition Centre[/sg_popup] are some of the other attractions in the country that enjoy excellent tourist footfall. Of course, sightseeing is not much of a pleasure if weather conditions outside are not so favourable! Most experts agree that Malaysia is best visited in the period of May to September, when the temperatures are lower and the overall climatic conditions are pleasant. It usually rains a lot around October-November and not many tourists are inspired to travel during this period. For some travellers, especially the ones who are intrigued by foreign cultures, local festivals play an important role in determining the time of travel. The country celebrates many festivals throughout the year. Ramadan, Hari Merdeka, Malaysia Day, Chinese New Year and Deepavali are some of them. Surely, all this travelling and sightseeing is going to make you tired and hungry. Recharge you batteries by having some of Malaysia’s most loved culinary delights. Ikan Bakar, Nasi Lemak, Marmite Chicken and Sateh are few of the toothsome delicacies that certainly must be tried out by foreigners visiting Malaysia. Last but not the least, tourists visiting Malaysia must pay heed to certain tips and guidelines to have a safe and healthy holiday. Avoid tap water in the country and stick to mineral water bottles that are available easily and are pretty cheap. Apply a strong sunscreen while roaming around in the sun and consume lots of fluids to keep yourself hydrated. Malaysia treats drug related offences very severely. It can even lead to death penalties.

If you’re heading to Malaysia and looking for a relaxed retreat amidst the lush wilderness, Kuala Tahan National Park is definitely the place for you. The largest park in Malaysia is blessed with a variety of natural marvels, and is an absolute pleasure to be in, especially for nature buffs and adventure freaks.

Enjoy unspoiled natural vistas, spot an array of flora and fauna, or try some hearth-throbbing adventures in the lush wilderness – you’re simply in for a treat here.

Take a look at what this wonderful park is famous for.

Lata Berkoh & Waterfall Cascades

Take a boat ride to reach this marvellous waterfall, situated amidst tropical jungles. Here, you can relax and unwind by the fall or swim in its clear and cool waters. The entire region is an epitome of tranquillity and promises a fascinating jungle experience. Beware of strong currents and don’t go too far from the bank. While returning from the fall, you can also visit the Kelah Sanctuary to see and feed the playful Kelah fish.

Canopy Walk: Kuala Tahan National Park is home to a 530m long Malaysian suspension bridge, which is probably the largest in the world. Walk across the canopy to enjoy spectacular views of the forests. You may also spot many enchanting animals, birds and reptiles here.

Jungle Trekking: Trekking is one of the best and most preferred ways to explore Kuala Tahan National Park. Hire a local guide to learn about the jungle and explore its fascinating features including stunning waterfalls, rivers, green hills and interesting rock formations. Although the excursion may be a bit too challenging, the overall experience would be so enthralling that you would easily forget all your exhaustion. Don’t forget to carry drinking water, as the same may not be

available in the forests.

Night Safaris: This Malaysian nature reserve is quite popular for night safaris. You can opt for a walking tour or hire a 4WD to explore the region’s intriguing nocturnal wildlife. Inside the park, you may spot flowers that bloom only at night, water dragons, snakes, stick insects, and other wonderful creatures.

How to Get There?

The park is about a 3.5 hours’ drive from Kuala Lumpur through the East Coast Expressway. You can hire a taxi from the Malaysian capital or use public transport to get to the entry gate. There are plenty of hotels near the park, and many of them arrange safari tours and other excursions.

Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia, is often associated with splendid nightlife and world class shopping. If you visit this metropolis in November 2015, you will also get the opportunity to explore another side of the city at Murfest, the Malaysian Urban Retreat Festival.

Be a part of this festival to celebrate the best of yoga, wellness, dance and music. The Hotel Pullman Kuala Lumpur Bangsar is going to host this lively festival from 13th to 15th November. Into its second year, Murfest 2015 is sure to attract locals as well as international travellers with its musical acts, yoga sessions, exhibitions and much more.  Let’s check out major highlights of this Malaysian festival.

Forrest Yoga

Murfest 2015 will kick off with this session. Attend this session to decompress your lower back while creating space in the spine. Sounds crazy? Well, it won’t when Cindy Lee will teach various asanas and exercises at Forrest Yoga on 13th November at 10 am.

Thinking with Ink

This session will be held on 13th and 14th November at 10 am and 8am. At this art therapy class hosted by Melanie Bayoud, you can unleash your inner creativity while building confidence and learning some stress relief techniques.

Hula Hoop Dance

Hula hoop dance is not everybody’s cup of tea but you can learn the basics of this fun exercise at the Hula Hoop Dance sessions of Michelle Hoops. Be a part of this occasion to learn about a range of hula hoop tricks. This event is scheduled on 14th and 15th November at 4pm and 10:30am. Hula Hoop Dance sessions are open for people of all ages.

Urbanite Concert

Urbanite Concert is a must for the fans of world music. Grand Ballroom Hotel Pullman Bangsar will host this concert on 13th November. Buy tickets for the concert and reach the hotel by 6pm to enjoy performances by renowned artists and bands such as Flame of the Forest, Aseana Percussion Unit, Nading Rhapsody and DEBU.

Masala Bhangra Dance Workout

This lifestyle program is based on Bollywood styles and the Indian dance form of Bhangra. Attend this high energy session hosted by Shalini Bhargava to learn a few dance steps and stay physically active. Masala Bhangra Dance Workout will be held on 13th, 14th and 15th November at 1:30pm, 4:00pm and 10:30am.

If you are visiting Malaysia during 11th to 13th September and have a fondness for fishing or sporting events, be sure to visit Pahang. The spectacular Royal Pahang Billfish International Challenge will be held here during this period.

This annual off-shore fishing competition is jointly organised by the Pahang office of Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia, and Tioman Development Authority, in collaboration with the Malaysian Angling Association.

Thousands of people come here to participate in or to simply witness this gala event. In fact, fishing and angling enthusiasts from all around the world, book tickets in advance to arrive well in time for this event.

The competition has certain rules for contestants based on international standards set by the International Game Fish Association and the Billfish Foundation.  A couple of rules are:

• Only marlins and sailfish can be caught.
• The catch has to be photographed and released before it comes to any harm.

The competition aims at attracting tourists from all over the world and to make people aware of the area’s significance as the Billfish Capital of Asia.

The billfish found in Kuala Rompin are not too big, but they sure make up for what they lack in size by their sheer beauty, power, and a fierce survival spirit. Moreover, their magnificent tail dances, high-speed arching, somersaults and high-leaps keep anglers on their toes.

The events’ list of Malaysia for April 2015 is packed with numerous celebrations that include an international music festival, a water festival, and a lot more. Also, April is the best time to visit Malaysia as the weather is perfect for enjoying the outdoors.

Penang World Music Festival

Music buffs can look forward to the Penang World Music Festival which will be staged at the Esplanade in George Town on 11th and 12th April, 2015. The carnival features an incredible amalgamation of lively performances that range from traditional to fusion. Some mind-blowing performances are expected from international artists of Germany, India, Spain, South Africa and more. Besides the musical extravaganza, visitors may well look forward to scrumptious culinary preparations.

Labuan National Water Festival

The Labuan Water Festival will be held from 24th to 26th April, 2015. It is one of the most popular festivals of Malaysia. With some exciting fun activities such as the Cross Channel Swimming Challenge, Labuan International Deep Sea Fishing Tournament, Round Island Kayak, and Kayak Sprint, the festival is a true haven for sports buffs. You may even participate in adrenalin-fuelled beach tug-of-war competitions or test your strength and endurance by trying to climb slippery poles.

Regatta Lepa

Regatta Lepa by Tom Rungitom/ CC BY

The Regatta Lepa is an annual boat race of Malaysia, which pays homage to the Lepa, the single-mast traditional boat of the Bajau people of Semporna, Sabah. To be held from 24th to 26th April, 2015, the festival will feature a fleet of multi-coloured Lepas anchored on the coast of Semporna. Unique cultural performances are among the key highlights of this three-day carnival. Make sure you don’t miss the Lepa Beauty Pageant and the colourful fireworks!