Skip to main content

Best Souvenirs From Malaysia

Rich in culture and history, as well both architectural and natural beauty, even the shortest of visits to Malaysia is a once in a lifetime experience not easily forgotten.  Even so, if you do want to take a souvenir with you when you leave, you’ll want it to be as authentic and unique to the country as possible.  Whether it’s a memento for you or a gift for a loved one, it should be something to be treasured. These are 4 of the best souvenirs to look out for on your Malaysian travels with a tiny bit of advice about the types of souvenirs to steer clear of. 

 

Kuala Lumpur

 

1. Traditional Malaysian Dress

 

If color is your thing, you won’t be able to resist picking up an item of Malaysian attire.  Malaysia is a multicultural country with influences from several of its surrounding countries, so you’ll have a wide variety of souvenirs to choose from including the Indian saree and kurta, the Chinese cheongsam and samfu or the Malay Baju Kurung and Baju Melayu.

 

2. Pewter Vases & Kitchenware

 

Pewter is one of Malaysia’s most famous contributions to world industry, and there are some stunning designs on offer.  You can pick up full kitchenware sets or a simple vase. If you have the time, it’s well worth a visit to the Royal Selangor Visitor Centre which houses impressive exhibits on the history of pewter in Malaysia as well as live demonstrations of pewter crafting and interactive workshops.

 

3. Hand-woven Bags & Baskets

 

Some of the best souvenirs around the world are handmade by local people, and Malaysia is no exception.  Hand-woven souvenir items like baskets, bags, and purses are hugely popular and make the perfect keepsake for you or a gift for someone back home. Malaysian souvenir items of this kind are often made of bamboo, rattan, Mengkuang, coconut shells and pandan leaves and feature a wide range of colors and designs.  

 

4. Adopt an Endangered Animal

 

There’s a widely upheld philosophy amongst travelers that we should ‘Leave No Trace’ of ourselves on our journey, i.e., take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints.  In most cases that is true, but adopting an endangered animal is one instance where you can leave a little of yourself behind.

The Zoo Negara is 5km from Kuala Lumpur and runs an Adopt an Animal scheme so you can contribute to the ongoing care and conservation of their animals. You can choose from butterflies, birds, and reptiles right up to the Malaysian elephants, Malayan tigers and Giant pandas. In terms of a physical souvenir, you’ll only be coming home with a certificate of adoption, but it symbolizes a lot more than that.

 

Malaysia Souvenirs to Avoid

 

Kuala Lumpur

 


Even removing a rock from a place believed to be sacred or a historical site could land you in trouble, so it’s best to leave the place exactly as you found it.  In addition, if you’re searched at the airport and the authorities believe you to have taken something of value you could face serious legal consequences.

Trade-in wild animals and their body parts are regulated by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. This is an international agreement designed to species which are endangered because of international trade. If you suspect that your chosen souvenir may be made using animal skin such as crocodile, turtle, tortoiseshell or coral jewelry or ivory or rhino horn, then avoid this at all costs. Aside from the legal consequences, it’s likely that less than humane methods were used to obtain it.

READ MORE

 

‣ Get to Kuala Lumpur from Singapore
‣ Where to Stay in Kuala Lumpur
‣ Malaysia Itinerary

 

BEFORE YOU GO

 

☑ Book your flight: If your flight isn’t booked yet – check out the flights on Skyscanner or via Google Flights. My top saving tip is flexibility. If you’re flexible, you should be able to find a cheaper flight.

☑ Book your accommodation: I always use Airbnb and Booking.com. If you’d rather stay in a hostel, you should take a look at the options on Hostelworld. If you click on the Airbnb link and you don’t have an account yet – you’ll get a $30 discount on your first booking.

☑ Protect your cute face: Oh, you may want to protect your cute face with a travel medical insurance. I would suggest SafetyWing as they offer the best rates, especially for long-term travelers. Otherwise, you can also take a look at World Nomads.

☑ Pack the essentials: You can consult this list when it’s time to pack your bag! Do not leave without a universal charger, a power bank and your passport!

☑  Do you need a visa? If you aren’t sure if you need a visa, it would be a smart idea to take a quick look before you go. You can use iVisa – it’s super useful and easy to use.

 

SUPPORT US

 

Get your monthly (and funny) dose of adventures! Subscribe now! You may also want to follow us on Facebook.

Disclaimer: This post may include affiliate links. If you click one of them, we may receive a cute commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Amazing Punta Banda Peninsula in Ensenada

If you visit the port city of Ensenada, chances are you are going to be offered a tour to La Bufadora, a famous blowhole located on the Punta Banda Peninsula. For many, La Bufadora has become one of Ensenada’s top attractions.  As a consequence, it is a bit difficult to take off the entire area out of the “tourist trap” list. However, I believe Punta Banda is worth well a visit due to its natural, rugged beauty.  You can find cliff vistas, sea stacks, and small coves.  On a sunny day, the place is just gorgeous. On this article, I want to cover the area from the touristic and non-touristic perspectives.  I’ll let you choose how you want to visit. About Punta Banda Ensenada is located in the Todos Santos (All Saints) Bay.  The southern portion of the bay is delineated by the Punta Banda Peninsula, a finger-like strip of land. Almost at the tip of the peninsula (at the end of the paved road), you are going to find La Bufadora, a feature described as a marine geyser or tidewater bl...
Post a Comment
Read more

30 Things to do in Nuremberg, Germany: The Ultimate List!

Looking for things to do in Nuremberg, Germany? This list has you covered with everything from the touristy musts to quirkier offbeat finds. Enjoy! I’ll be real: Nuremberg is a place that’s   easy to fall for. This world-famous city, located in the north of Bavaria, is every bit the fairytale dream so often linked to  Deutschland : candy cane half-timbered facades, an epic castle on a hill, dangerously munchable gingerbread, and a glittering Christmas market to boot. But as with most amazing cities, the true magic of Nuremberg comes from its dynamic layers. Lurking beneath those photogenic facades is a dark past intertwined with war, genocide, and centuries of tumultuous history. It is precisely this duality that makes Nuremberg one of the most fascinating cities to visit in Germany, and one that you can keep visiting again and again. So, what is there to do in Nuremberg? It turns out, plenty of things. Below you’ll find a roundup of my favourite things to do in ...
Post a Comment
Read more

How to do the Kjerag hike, Norway

Planning to do the Kjerag hike and take one of the most incredible pics of your life? You’re on the right page.  Kjerag (the mountain) and Kjeragbolten (the boulder) has became very popular over recent years, especially because of social media, and nowadays thousands of Instagrammers from all over the world come to do the Kjerag hike and get the daredevil no-photoshopped picture. On the top of Kjeragbolten, Norway. After spending one and half day in Olso in the beginning of August of 2015, I took a flight to Stavanger. There are plenty of flights from Oslo to Stavanger, and prices can be as low as 25.00 euros. As I was by myself and not planing to rent a car, I opted for this city as a start point to my hikes in Norway because during the high season there is a bus from Stavanger to Kjerag (Øygardstøl). After a 50min flight, a bus from the airport to Stavanger’s terminal, and a 15min walk I arrived at the hotel. I just checked-in, drooped off my stuff and went to explore ...
Post a Comment
Read more