Known for its humid climate all year round, Malaysia is not your typical scene for a White Christmas. Albeit that, tourists can still celebrate the jolly festival and welcome the new year with a bang! If you are unsure where to spend the last few days of 2017 in Malaysia, here are a few suggestions that you would surely love.
1. Soak up the sun at Langkawi
Tired of the city life? Wrap up the year with a short beach vacation to Langkawi. The island offers a variety of unique activities such as island hopping on a jetski. Simply explore the archipelago of Langkawi from its bizarre rock formations to the sandy white beaches. You may even get to feed the eagles roaming around the islands! After that, you can simply end the day chilling on the beach while watching the gorgeous sunset.
If you’re not a fan of the beach, you can also take a ride on the longest free span mono-cable car at 919.5 meters in Malaysia to Mount Mat Cincang. Enjoy breath-taking views of mountains, valleys, islands, and the Andaman Sea. On clearer days, some parts of Indonesia and Thailand are also visible. For the astrophiles, you can head up the Skydome which features a high-tech 11-meter full dome theatre that offers spectacular 360-degree 3D projections of the galaxy with the use of 12 projectors.
2. Hit the biggest shopping malls and go on a shopping spree with the best X’mas promos
The best places to do your Christmas shopping would be at major shopping malls such as MidValley, Sunway Pyramid, One Utama, and KLCC. Many of these malls feature big retailers that are well-known worldwide. Brands such as H&M, Mango, Uniqlo, and ZARA are tenants of these shopping malls. Not only that, the major departmental stores, namely ISETAN, Robinsons, and Parkson are transformed into whimsical, spirited portals that will put you in the mood for Christmas.
If you want to avoid the crowds during the year end shopping spree, you can always opt to shop online! There are many benefits of shopping online, because not only you get big discounts through the use of coupon codes, you can also shop through the comforts of your own home. Get exclusive promotions with Malaysia’s top e-commerce sites like Lazada, 11thstreet, Zalora, Qoo10 and many more!
3. Let your hair down at the best Night Clubs
Calling all party animals! The iconic Zouk Night Club always have a few tricks up their sleeves to ensure every party-goer have a time of their lives. Dance the night away to a line-up of international and local DJs. There is a total of 11 venues within the majestic confines of this RM 39-million night club which makes it the quintessential playground and home of music luminaries in Asia and the rest of the world.
Another favourite among club-goers is Club Kyo, which is Mandarin Oriental’s on-site nightclub. It houses a roomy dance space with a minimalist industrial setting. Groove to a range of music from house and techno to disco and hip-hop.
4. Indulge in a Christmas Feast at various hotels
Well-known for their 360-concept dining outlet, you can savour only the finest culinary delights at Grand Hyatt’s THIRTY8. Gastronomes will surely enjoy their large selection of food featuring Western, Chinese as well as local cuisines. For tourists seeking a more authentic Malaysian experience, they can head over to JP teres that features delicacies from the three major ethnic groups (Malay, Chinese, and Indian) in Malaysia. The restaurants also offer an array of Christmas desserts and goodies that would tickle the taste buds of any sweet tooth out there!
If you’re looking for a more budget friendly feast, you can opt for Best Western Hotel’s Kembali Kitchen or Hotel Armada Christmas buffet. You do not have to brave the KL traffic to celebrate Christmas as the hotels are right in the heart of Petaling Jaya. Enjoy Christmas delicacies such as roasted turkey, Christmas pudding, and other goodies at Best Western Hotel. For a more traditional Christmas affair, head to Hotel Armada and be enchanted with a live performance by the hotel’s resident singer Roy Chan.
5. Support a Christmas Charity Bazaar
What better way to celebrate the season of giving by donating to charity. Save the date for Christmas Bazaars specially brought to you by organisations formed by American, British, and French expats living in Malaysia. Be spoilt for choices with more than 50 vendors offering clothing, handcrafted goods, baked goods, and other paraphernalia. There will be also a raffles giveaway, Christmas music, and decoration to set the mood. The proceeds will go to local charities and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Do take note that some of these events require tickets, so do keep tabs on their social media accounts and get it ahead of the actual event as the number of guests is limited!
For a list of ongoing Christmas bazaars, check out 8 Christmas Bazaars to Get You in the Christmas Spirit.
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This article was written by Jillian Cheong from iprice.my, a shopping aggregator based in Kuala Lumpur.
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