During my recent trip to several Southeast Asian countries, I had the opportunity to backpack Malaysia for about 6 days. Have the opportunity to visit the capital Kuala Lumpur, the famous island of Penang and the oldest city in Malaysia, Melaka. In this article, I would like to share my itinerary with a few experiences I have gained through the trip. Hope it will help you guys in the future.
1. Introducing Malaysia
Malaysia is a country in Southeast Asia, following a federal constitutional monarchy, consisting of 13 states and 3 federal territories. Geographically, the area of Malaysia is divided into two parts, a peninsula and a part of the island of Borneo. Malaysia is a multicultural and ethnic country, with Islam as the state religion.
Currently, Malaysia is one of the countries with the most developed economies in Asia in general and Southeast Asia in particular. If you want to learn more about Malaysia, go to Wiki , here it has everything.
2. How to get to Malaysia?
Usually I see people go most often to fly directly from their city to Kuala Lumpur or Penang . This is the easiest, simplest and cheapest way as far as I know. However, there is another way is to go by road from Singapore to . This way is for those who go to Singapore to play and are ready to go to Malaysia. And this is also the way I went before.
2.2. By road from Singapore to
If traveling by road from Singapore to Malaysia, first take the MRT to go to Woodland MRT station (NS9 station on the map, red line). At this station, you go down to the ground, go to the bus stop right there. Find bus number 950 or ask the staff here, they will enthusiastically show you. You get on this bus to Woodland Checkpoint to complete exit procedures out of Singapore.
Detailed map of MRT and CRT lines in Singapore. Latest original image here
After completing exit procedures, you continue to board the bus across the bridge connecting Singapore and Malaysia to arrive at the entry border into Malaysia. The bus drops you off at Johor Bahru Checkpoint so you can walk in and do immigration procedures on your own.
After completing immigration procedures to Malaysia in the large lobby, you continue to go to the left and then go straight down the small stairs. Remember not to follow the crowd in the direction of the JB Sentral mall. After going down the stairs, there is a small bus stop below, you take a bus to Larkin Sentral Terminal in Johor Bahru. Ticket price is about 1.8RM/person.
After arriving at Larkin Sentral Terminal, continue to buy an intercity bus ticket to Kuala Lumpur, Penang or Melaka depending on the schedule. Usually I see that people go to Kuala Lumpur first. However, our group went to Penang first, then went from Penang -> Kuala Lumpur -> Melaka -> Kuala Lumpur.
3. About moving
Moving in Malaysia, we all go by train for far places and walk for near places. Only in Penang I ride a bicycle around the old town of Georgetown to visit and take pictures of places with pictures on the walls.
After taking the bus from Johor Bahru to Penang for 2 days, I continued to go from Penang to Kuala Lumpur. I have an article to share my Penang backpacking experience , if you want to go to Penang, please check it out! Buses go from Penang to KL Sentral station in Kuala Lumpur about 5-6 hours.
After going from Penang to Kuala Lumpur, it was also around 9am, 10pm, we took the MRT to Bukit Bingtang station near where the hotel was booked. Then walk to the hotel, which is only about 500m – 600m away.
4. About hotels, motels
The hotel in Penang that we stayed at is Chulia Heritage Hotel , address: No. 380, Chulia Street, 10200 George Town, Penang, Malaysia. Room rates are around RM 170 for a double room and RM 250 for a triple room, excluding breakfast.
The hotel in Kuala Lumpur that I stay is Alor Boutique Hotel , address: No. 79, Changkat Bukit Bintang, Bukit Bintang, 50200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This place is quite easy to find and is only a few hundred meters from Bukit Bingtang train station, so it is very convenient to travel by train. The hotel is also located at the beginning of Jalan Alor street, a very busy and crowded food street at night. Standing from the top of the hotel, looking down, you can see its bustling street
The top of Jalan Alor street, looking down from the hotel window, is very busy.
The hotel in Melaka that I stay is Ola Lavanderia Cafe – Address 25 Jalan Tukang Besi, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia – Phone: +60 12 612 6665, price 72RM. This hotel follows the dorm room model , the bed is also quite spacious, clean, comfortable and quiet.
5. Detailed itinerary for backpacking Malaysia
Day 1: Singapore – Penang
The first day I moved by road from Singapore to Johor Bahru and then to Penang . In the morning, I still have enough time to go around a few places in Singapore before going. Start going around 10am – 11am and check in hotel in Penang is around 1am – 2am the next day. Ended up almost a full day to move.
Day 2: Penang
This day I spend to explore the spots in the old town of George Town and Penang Hill . I chose to ride a bicycle for convenience because these attractions are also close to each other. Because the hotel has free bicycle rental, it also saves 1 car rental fee. However, the car at the hotel is not very good, the car is damaged, the tires are flat and there is no pump available. If you rent a car or borrow a car, remember to pay attention to this. If the car has a flat tire, pedaling is a bit tired and weak. I introduced the LinkBike service in the article Sharing Penang backpacking experiences , by accident on the way. If you go later, remember to learn more about this!
A few places to visit in Penang that I visited, mainly in the old town of George Town. These places are quite close to each other, so anyone can rent a bicycle to go.
Chocolate and Coffee Museum
In my opinion, this is actually a shop selling and displaying Chocolate confectionery. Maybe they call it a museum for it to be more valuable :)). Inside, I see them displaying pictures simulating Chocolate making processes, and also selling cakes, Chocolate candies or chocolate products.
The 10-step process of making chocolate is beautifully drawn on the wall.
The drawing shows the annual output of chocolate consumption per capita of countries.
After visiting this Chocolate museum for a while, I cycled through the nearby Camera Museum. But because I went early, no one came in, I don’t know if they have opened the door yet, I just stood outside and saw it was dark and nothing special. So everyone decided not to enter. Then I cycled to the famous Kapitan Keling Mosque , which is not far away.
The Kapitan Keling Mosque seen from the outside. That day when I went, they didn’t open the door to visit, so I just stood outside to take pictures.
The Clock Tower and Fort Cornwallis
After taking pictures and resting here for a while, we cycled to the embankment next to the sea to play. Also go to the Clock Tower and the nearby Fort Cornwallis .
A part of the coastal embankment, I don’t remember which part. This section is located near Fort Cornwallis too
I went to the clock tower to visit, took pictures for a while and then stopped at Fort Cornwallis nearby.
The Clock Tower, next to it is a rather large roundabout
Fort Cornwallis . Fort
This fortress is also not very wide, it takes about 30 minutes on foot to visit.
Fort Cornwallis is the oldest and largest fort in Malaysia today. It was built in the early 18th century, when Malaysia was still in the British colonial period. Francis Light is in charge of overseeing this construction. The fortress was built to protect an important trade route from pirates and the French. Currently, the fortress is still quite intact because it has never been attacked.
Penang Street Art
After visiting Fort Cornwallis, I cycled around to find Street Art places to take pictures. If you have a lot of time or work hard to go around, there are many such drawings in the small streets of old town Georgetown. Below are a few pictures on the wall that I had the opportunity to take.
Penang Hill
After walking around for a while, it was noon, we went back to the hotel to park our car and walk for lunch on Lebuh Chulia street. Then take a short rest and then take Grab to Penang Hill (Penang Hill) to visit.
The station is at the foothills of Penang, buy an entrance ticket here. In the distance is a railroad track going up the hill.
When the train was moving slowly up the hill. Because I was standing right at the top of the machine, I could see its tracks very clearly.
On Penang Hill, there are many attractions and panoramic views of Penang below. It is quite large so to go all the way you can spend a whole day up here. However, it is necessary to walk and climb quite a lot, so if you have more time, go all the way, or rent a car they take you around to play.
Some spots on Penang Hill that I had the opportunity to visit
The bridge of love with countless locks hanging up is quite beautiful.
A column of road signs, I see the direction of Ho Chi Minh, 2021 km
Masjid Bukit Bendera Mosque has a pretty yellow spire on top of Penang hill
Next to the mosque a few dozen meters is the Hindu temple Temple Penang Hill with many very fancy idols.
Panoramic view of Penang standing from Penang hill looking down
After visiting for a while, it was already afternoon. We took the train down to the bottom of the hill and then took Grab to have dinner at Sungai Pinang Food Court street food . After dinner, everyone continued to go to Gurney Plaza shopping area located on Gurney Dr road by the sea to play.
After walking for a while, it was also dark, so everyone went back to the hotel to rest. End of day 2 in Penang.
Day 3: Penang – Kuala Lumpur
Georgetown Old Town
Today, I spent all morning walking in the old town of Georgetown , because the day before, I had cycled to many places. Stop for breakfast at a restaurant on the street, the restaurant is located at the corner of Lebuh Cintra street and a small alley, a few dozen meters from the intersection of Lebuh Cintra and Lebuh Campbell streets. This Chinese restaurant is called Tai Tong Restaurant and sells very good breakfast food.
Moving back to Kuala Lumpur
After walking around all morning, I returned to the hotel and found a place to have lunch. Then stop at a cafe to rest and then walk to Terminal Komtar bus station about 1km away. Around 3 o’clock, you get on the bus, it takes about 5.6 hours and arrives at KL Sentral in Kuala Lumpur at about 8 am, 9 pm.
From KL Sentral, walk through the nearby NU Sentral for a bit to get to MR1 station ( KL Monorail Line ) green line towards Titiwangsa, about 6th station is MR6 Bukit Bintang then get off. Then walk back to the hotel just a few hundred meters away.
Go to the hotel to check in, my hotel is Alor Boutique Hotel , address: No. 79, Changkat Bukit Bintang, Bukit Bintang, 50200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This place is located at the beginning of the famous busy eating street, Jalan Alor. So after checking in, storing luggage, we all pulled down this street to have dinner and go for a walk.
The road is very crowded, crowded with shops selling on both sides of the road. Even though it’s around 12 at night, it’s still so busy
After eating and drinking, I went back to the hotel to rest. End of day 3 in Kuala Lumpur
Day 4: Kuala Lumpur
I woke up early in the morning and walked around the area looking for a place to have breakfast. Accidentally found a place that sells cakes made from flour that are quite delicious, the shop is located in an alley so I don’t remember why I came here :))
Cake made from rice flour or wheat flour, dipped with milk is quite delicious. Please make a cake to pose for a photo :))
Sultan Abdul Samad Building, Merdeka . Square
After breakfast, I went to the Sultan Abdul Samad Building to visit and take pictures. From the hotel, walk to MR6 Bukit Bingtang station, board the tram towards MR4 Hang Tuah station. Then change to orange line ST3, go towards ST5 Masjid Jamek station and get off at this station.
From the train, I can see the beautiful white Masjid Jamek mosque just below.
After visiting for a while, everyone walked through the nearby Sultan Abdul Samad large building to visit and take pictures. Opposite this building is a large square Merdeka with flags of different countries. Especially here is known for the 96m high flagpole marking the construction of the first Malayan flag.
The large building of Sultan Abdul Samad is located opposite the very beautiful square
Chinatown and Petaling Street Market
After visiting and taking pictures of this place, I continued to walk to the nearby Petaling Street Market . Because it was early in the morning, this place was quite empty and there were few restaurants selling food.
Chinatown and Petaling Street Market
Petronas Twin Towers
Because there is not much entertainment here, we took a walk around and then took the tram to continue to the famous Petronas Twin Towers – Twin Towers . From Chinatown, walk a few minutes to Pasar Seni station (KJ14), from this station take the red line towards Gombak station. Then stop at KLCC station (KJ10) to reach the twin towers.
An art painting on the wall in the alleys that I passed.
Petronas Twin Towers symbol of Malaysia
From the Alor Street Food Night Market , you can also walk to the twin towers . The walk takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
After going to the Petronas Twin Towers to visit and take pictures for a while, it was noon, we went around and had lunch in this area. In the afternoon continue to go to Batu Caves (Batu Caves) .
Batu Caves
From KLCC station (KJ10) take the train back to KL Sentral, then choose line 2 red orange and go straight to the last station is Batu Caves (On Google map I see it is blue). From the last metro station, walk a little more to the Batu . cave
The blue god statue is near the entrance after getting off the tram.
A large square at the foot of the stairs going up. This place has a huge yellow statue. Everyone who comes here takes pictures and checks in with this statue.
After taking pictures at this square, continue to go up a series of other steps to reach the main cave. On the way up these steps you will meet quite a few monkeys jumping out begging for food. The law is that they forbid monkeys to eat but I still see people feeding.
This man is secretly feeding monkeys. The monkeys are all around grabbing the food
At the top is the largest of the Batu caves.
The main Batu Caves. From the outside, it looks quite small and not majestic, very majestic.
After visiting and taking pictures of Batu caves, it was already afternoon, so we returned. On the way, it was raining and the passengers were very crowded, so the group had to split into 2 different phases. By the time we got back to the hotel, it was already dark. Fortunately, the street food court is right at the foot of the hotel, so I just need to step out and there are many restaurants. No worries about walking long distances to have dinner. End of day 4
Day 5: Kuala Lumpur – Malacca
In the morning of the 5th, we got up early to go around the hotel to find a restaurant. Because it is quite early, most of the shops are not open yet. After going around and then going back to the food court near the hotel, some restaurants were already open, so we stopped in for breakfast.
The street in the early morning is quite beautiful and less traffic
An apartment complex that I passed by. Very similar to the apartments in Vietnam.
This plate can be eaten by 1 person, the price is also relatively not cheap, not expensive. Includes delicious roasted duck noodles and 1 iced cocoa
Transferred Kuala Lumpur – Melaka
After breakfast, we went for another walk around the nearby areas. Then take the train back to KL Sentral so that some of you in the group will go to the airport to return to Vietnam first. Lunch at KL Sentral always. After a few friends left, we continued to take the train to Bandar Tasik Selatan station, then went to Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) bus stop to buy tickets to Melaka.
Travel time from Kuala Lumpur to Melaka takes about 2-3 hours. I have written a separate article Sharing Melaka backpacking experience , you can check it out!
The bus to Melaka stops at Melaka Sentral station , from here we take a Grab car to go to the hotel to checkin and check in. If you go alone, take a Grabbike, and if you go in a crowd, call a Grab car, otherwise take the bus, don’t take a taxi because it’s quite expensive.
Jonker Walk Night Market
After checking in, we walked to the famous night market Jonker Walk to find snacks and dinner. This street food court is especially bustling on weekend nights. When thousands of people come to this road to have fun and eat. Hundreds of shops are sold along the two sides of the road, from restaurants, water stalls to jewelry, handicrafts, etc.
Jonker Walk night market is very crowded and bustling on weekend evenings. People walking close to each other.
A lot of stalls selling grilled food look very attractive. Looking at it makes me want to eat it right away :))
Dutch Square, A Famosa and St. Paul’s Church
Then I walked around the famous areas located near each other such as the Church and Dutch Square (Christ Church & Dutch Square, The Stadthuys), A Famosa ruins and St. Paul’s church
Christ Church Melaka. I took this picture the next morning and came back here
Going a bit further is A Famosa ruins and St. Paul’s church . In this square area at night, there are special cyclos decorated with colorful cartoon characters, Doraemon, Kitty, superhero, etc. Along with a large open sound system playing and walking. music.
Pictures of colorfully decorated cyclos accompanied by loud music. The picture I cut from the clip is a bit blurry.
The view I took from the small bridge at the beginning of Jonker Walk street
After walking around this area, we went back to the hotel to rest. End of day 5
Day 6: Malacca – Kuala Lumpur
Today I will go from Melaka back to Kuala Lumpur to KLIA2 airport to return to Vietnam. Early in the morning, we got up early to walk along the two banks of the river. Here they decorate the houses with many strange and beautiful patterns and shapes
The decorative drawings on the houses on both sides of the river are very beautiful
A river can be seen on both sides with rows of colorfully decorated houses
The whole building is decorated with beautiful boats
One street corner is decorated with gorilla monkeys, but below are some trash cans that look quite messy from the outside
1 wall is decorated with colorful colors, I think this is the place where the most people take pictures
After walking around, it was almost noon, we found a place to have lunch, then took Grab back to Melaka Sentral bus station, bought tickets to Kuala Lumpur. The bus arrived at Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) bus station in KL, it was already afternoon, so everyone took Grab to continue to the airport.
6. Conclusion
Currently, fares to Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur, Penang) are quite cheap. Mainly from AirAsia, the world’s largest low-cost airline. So backpacking Malaysia is quite simple for many people. If you plan to go, you should book tickets a few months in advance, the price will be even cheaper. Hotel booking is also very simple with many international booking sites such as Booking , Hotels , TripAdvisor , AirBnB , etc.
Wish you have a happy Malaysia backpacking trip!