What is a Transit Visa? Where can you play in Malaysia during your transit?

In repeated travels, airfare always accounts for a large portion of the expenses, and in order to reduce your budget, budget airfares have become hot commodities. AirAsia, known for its budget airfares, has gained the favor of many travel enthusiasts with its ultra-low prices and frequent big promotions throughout the year. AirAsia has become the largest low-cost airline in Asia. So far, AirAsia has more than 400 domestic and international scheduled flight destinations, covering 25 countries.

However, when you get a great deal on an AirAsia ticket, you will find that most of AirAsia’s tickets require a stopover in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia. However, for you who love traveling, this is actually a good thing, because after you meet a series of conditions, you can get a free transit visa to Malaysia. With this visa, you can go to one more country, why not?

Question 1: What is a transit visa?

A transit visa is a special type of visa in Malaysia that allows tourists to stay for 120 hours (5 days) while transiting through Kuala Lumpur to a third country. There is no limit to the number of times you can apply, for example: during a trip (China – Malaysia – Indonesia – Malaysia – China), the tourist can apply for a transit visa twice.

Question 2: What conditions must be met to apply for a transit visa?

Chinese citizens need to meet the following conditions to apply for a transit visa, which is free of charge. 1. The connecting flight (the flight you take to leave Malaysia) cannot exceed 120 hours. 2. You can only apply at the two airports in Kuala Lumpur (KLIA and KLIA2) by plane, not through land entry from Thailand or Singapore. 3. You must have a confirmed connecting flight to the third/next country. (Tips: The destination of the connecting flight cannot be the country you flew to Kuala Lumpur from, for example, the itinerary is: Thailand → Kuala Lumpur → Thailand, in this case, you cannot apply for a Malaysian transit visa.)

4. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months. 5. You must present a printed copy of your ticket/itinerary, you may be denied entry if you cannot provide one. 6. Hold a valid single entry visa/multiple entry visa for your destination (if your destination is a visa-free country, present your itinerary.)

Question 3: What is the specific procedure for applying for a transit visa?

Applying for a transit visa is very easy, you just need to follow these four steps:

1. After getting off the plane, follow the crowd and take the elevator to the immigration hall on the second floor.                        

2. Find the VISA ON ARRIVAL counter. (The counter on the far left)

3. Have your pre-printed ticket order (ticket to leave Malaysia) and passport ready to give to customs,

4. Wait for the staff’s instructions to fingerprint and wait for the staff to stamp before retrieving your passport.

1. In principle, you are only allowed to stay in Kuala Lumpur, but because there is no border inspection in West Malaysia, you can go to various places in West Malaysia during the transit visa period. However, there is a risk of being denied entry to East Malaysia while holding a transit visa from West Malaysia to East Malaysia. If you wish to enter East Malaysia from West Malaysia, it is recommended that you apply for a Malaysian visa.

2. If you already have an unused Malaysian visa, you are at risk of being rejected when applying for a transit visa, and the customs will use your Malaysian visa directly. If you enter Malaysia for a short transit for the first time, and need to enter Malaysia again for more than 120 hours, it is recommended that you apply for a multiple entry Malaysian visa instead of applying for a transit visa with a Malaysian visa.

After obtaining your transit visa, you will officially step into Kuala Lumpur. Today’s Kuala Lumpur is no longer the “muddy river mouth” (the literal translation of Kuala Lumpur). It is the capital of Malaysia and also the largest city in the country. Here, the sun is hot all year round, and the scorching equatorial sunlight and the frequent unexpected rainfalls add a charming touch to this vibrant and colorful city. If you were to describe Kuala Lumpur with one word, it would be Rojak. Rojak originally refers to a Malay food, a hodgepodge salad made of fruits, vegetables, and flatbreads mixed with peanut chili sauce. Later, the word was extended to mean “hodgepodge, fusion.” The history of Kuala Lumpur’s development and prosperity is a process of integrating the characteristics and essences of the three major ethnic groups of Chinese, Malays, and Indians.

Some students will ask, how can you play around Kuala Lumpur in these short 120 hours? Don’t worry, today, Teacher Yifei will recommend some of Kuala Lumpur’s top attractions and activities for you.

Petronas Twin Towers

The Petronas Twin Towers are one of Kuala Lumpur’s iconic cityscapes. Located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, the towers stand 452 meters high and have 88 floors. The two identical towers stand side by side, connected by a sky bridge, and the design is inspired by Islamic teachings.

Currently, one of the towers is used for the office of the Malaysian National Petroleum Corporation, and the other is a leased office building. There is a sky bridge between the 40th and 41st floors to facilitate movement between the buildings. It is easy to see this building from various places in Kuala Lumpur. The building is very spectacular, like two tall spires piercing the sky.

Travel Guide:

Take the LRT yellow line to KLCC station, which connects to the Suria KLCC, a 6-floor mall with a wide range of products, from budget brands to luxury brands. There is also a dedicated food court for tourists to rest and enjoy delicious food. The upper floors of KLCC are office buildings, and tourists can take the elevator to the Sky Bridge on the 41st floor and the Petronas Towers Exhibition Hall on the 86th floor to enjoy a panoramic view of Kuala Lumpur. Ascend the Petronas Twin Towers, and the beautiful scenery of the entire Kuala Lumpur City will be at your fingertips. Especially at night, when the lights are shining brightly, the scenery is particularly magnificent, and the feeling of connecting with the starry sky is somewhat dreamy.

The Petronas Towers restrict the flow of visitors at different times of the day, so it is recommended that you book your tickets online in advance. Or, arrive early at 8 am before opening time and purchase tickets at the information counter in the center of the underground mall. If you book online, simply pay with a credit card and print out the confirmation slip. You can exchange the ticket at the counter directly, which is very convenient. If you buy tickets directly, there may be many people. In addition, tourists who have enough time can also enjoy delicious food while overlooking the beautiful scenery of the city at the Food Court or Chili’s Western Restaurant on the upper floors of KLCC.

In addition to viewing the scenery and shopping at the Petronas Towers, there is also a Petronas exhibition hall inside the towers, a science exploration hall full of knowledge and games. Petronas Exhibition Hall Ticket Prices: Adults (18-55 years old) RM25, Youth (13-17 years old) RM20, Children (3-12 years old) RM15, Seniors (56 years old and above) RM18, Family Ticket (2 adults with 2 children) RM50, Children under 2 years old free admission. Tickets can be booked through the Petronas Towers website. In addition, there is a KLCC park and water park at the bottom of the tower, which is perfect for family and children. Children can wear swimsuits or T-shirts and shorts to go in the water and play for free.

After visiting the Petronas Towers, you can also visit the park in front of the towers. The musical fountain in the artificial lake in the park will spray water every few minutes. In addition, there are six official best photo spots in front of the Petronas Towers and behind the park. There are signs with maps and photos indicating the spots. Those who like photography can try them out. It is also the filming location of the Hollywood film “Entrapment,” so it attracts many movie fans to visit.

Sri Mahamariamman Temple

It is the oldest Hindu temple in Malaysia, built in 1873 by Indian workers who had migrated from Tamil Nadu, South India. The entrance to the temple is crowded with vendors selling garlands. The biggest highlight of the temple is the temple tower above, covered with colorful Hindu deities.

Locals offer flowers, incense, coconuts, and limes to Mariamman, the embodiment of the South Indian goddess Durga. During the Thaipusam festival, a statue in the temple is placed on a silver chariot and carried from here in a procession to Batu Caves.

Non-Hindus are welcome to visit the temple, but remember to take off your shoes before entering and leave them outside the gate.

1. When visiting Hindu temples, women cannot wear revealing clothing and are not allowed to enter during their menstrual period.

2. Remember to place your shoes neatly, or ask your companions who are not going in to keep them, because someone may wear your shoes and walk away.

Hop on Hop off Sightseeing Bus

Kuala Lumpur’s Hop on Hop off sightseeing bus is a popular way to travel among Western tourists. You can buy tickets at any stop or buy them online in advance, for only RM45, you can get on and off Kuala Lumpur’s double-decker sightseeing bus at will within 24 hours. The bus route includes all attractions, shopping malls, and leisure areas in Kuala Lumpur. Passengers can take a drive around the city with the open roof of the bus, or they can enjoy the beautiful scenery of Kuala Lumpur in the air-conditioned carriage.

National Mosque

The National Mosque is located next to the old Kuala Lumpur railway station. It is the largest mosque in Malaysia, and many major religious ceremonies are held here. This mosque is different from the usual “onion-shaped” domes of other mosques, with a unique star-shaped roof, highlighting the characteristics of Islam.

The 73-meter-high minaret resembles a rocket in shape, and it shines brightly with the prayer hall next to it, forming a unique contrast. The 18 small spires around it represent the 13 states of Malaysia and the 5 tenets of Islam.

To enter the mosque, you must take off your shoes and dress formally. Women must wear long sleeves and trousers to cover their hands and feet, and must wear a headscarf to cover their hair, only the face can be exposed. The mosque has prepared purple or blue solid color robes for tourists who are not wearing formal attire. You can use them for free after registering at the entrance. In addition, the mosque is open from 9 am to 6:30 pm every day, with two periods of closure. On Fridays, it is usually open at 3 pm. Be sure to check the opening hours before visiting.

The mosque is a good place to escape the heat. Although there is no air conditioning inside, it is much cooler than outside. Before entering the prayer hall, you must pass through a spacious hall. The hall has wide corridors on both sides. It is very comfortable to walk barefoot on the floor, which is cool. You can also sit by the fountain next to the corridor to cool off and meditate quietly for a while. If you have borrowed a robe, it is also a good choice to take photos here.

The next step is to enter the wide and tall prayer hall, which can accommodate 8,000 people praying at the same time. The roof of the hall is composed of 49 arches of different sizes, the largest arch has a diameter of 45 meters, forming 18 radiating stars. This means it represents the 13 states of Malaysia and the 5 tenets of Islam. However, although the decoration is so magnificent, non-Muslims are not allowed to enter, so many tourists can only take pictures from the outside.

Next to the prayer hall is the large minaret, the shape of the minaret is like a rocket, 73 meters high, with an elevator and stairs leading to the top. However, whether it is open or whether you can go up to visit depends on the staff at the scene.

Behind the National Mosque is a beautifully designed mausoleum, connected to the mosque by a long corridor. There is a sunshade dome on the mausoleum, and there are only six or seven tombs inside, because only the “national heroes” of Islam are buried here, which means that only those who have served as prime minister can be buried here.

In addition, the National Mosque also has a VIP room, a library, and a chanting hall that can accommodate thousands of people. Students from local schools often come here to take music lessons and chant various scriptures.

In the center of this vast and magnificent architectural complex, there are also a pool and fountain, with flowers, trees and plants embellishing the area. The exterior walls of the mosque are decorated with various Islamic carvings. The entire design of the mosque is solemn and grand, giving people a sense of beauty. Although it is not as grand as some of the buildings in China, the most important thing to do when you come here is to feel its strong religious atmosphere.

1. Men can wear short sleeves, but their bottoms must be long pants. Once you have dressed properly and entered the temple, even if it is very hot, do not take off your headscarf or roll up your sleeves to expose your arms. This is a sign of respect for the temple and their beliefs. In addition, children under 5 years old are not allowed to enter the temple.

2. You should remain quiet and solemn while visiting the temple, and do not disturb the locals who are praying. Do not litter and keep the place clean.

Bukit Bintang City Walk

The skywalk connects Bukit Bintang’s bustling commercial district to the Petronas Twin Towers, passing by Pavilion KL, Aquaria KLCC, and the Petronas Twin Towers. The entire walk is 1.17 kilometers long and takes about 40 minutes on foot. What sets it apart is that it is an indoor corridor, with air conditioning all the way, so it is also a good choice to walk the skywalk in hot Malaysia.

Walking Guide:

1. The entrance to the skywalk is on the left side of Pavilion KL. Walk for about 20 minutes, then go down the stairs. Aquaria KLCC is on the left. Go through the entire building and you will reach the park below the Petronas Towers.

2. If you are coming from the Petronas Towers, walk to the side with the park. You will see the Kuala Lumpur Convention Center opposite. Keep walking forward and enter the building. Find Aquaria KLCC. Exit the building from the entrance to Aquaria KLCC, and the entrance to the skywalk will be on your right.

Skywalk Opening Hours: 6 am to 11 pm, the latest time to enter the skywalk is 10:55 pm.

In addition to Kuala Lumpur, there are many surrounding cities waiting for you to explore. Now, Teacher Yifei will recommend some surrounding attractions worth visiting.

Melaka is a state in Malaysia, whose capital is Malacca City. Also known as Malacca, it is located in the southern part of the Malay Peninsula, bordering the Straits of Malacca. It was once the location of the Malacca Sultanate, where Zheng He’s voyages to the Western Seas stopped six times. It is now the throat of the Straits of Malacca, a maritime lifeline. In 2008, the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO announced that Malacca City was officially listed as a World Heritage Site. Until now, Malacca still retains many relics of Zheng He, such as Mount Three Jewels, which is the location where Zheng He’s fleet camped in Malacca. At the foot of the mountain, there is still a Three Jewels Temple and a Three Jewels Well, which is said to have been excavated by Zheng He’s order. There is an Anti-Japanese Memorial on the left side of the Three Jewels Temple, with an inscription on it written by Chiang Kai-shek: “Loyal and True to the End.” One of the more modern sights is the famous Chinese Kangzhou Guild Hall.

Dutch Square

The most famous place in Malacca is Dutch Square. Dutch buildings are mainly red, so the entire area of the square is mainly red and orange-red buildings. The most famous is the Dutch Red House, said to have been built in 1650, the oldest surviving building in the Far East built by the Dutch. It was once a residence and office building for the Dutch, and now it has been converted into the Malacca Museum.

There is a historic Dutch-style Christian church in the square, built in 1753. It was built by the Dutch to celebrate the 100th anniversary of their rule over Malacca, and it is also the oldest church still in use in Malaysia. In the center of the square is the Queen’s Fountain, which was built to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Queen Victoria’s reign. In addition, there is the famous Dutch clock tower, the Zheng He relic memorial hall, all the way to the A Famosa St. Paul’s Old City Gate. This area is collectively known as Dutch Square.

Melaka River Cruise

The Melaka River is a small and narrow strait. The Malay Peninsula and Sumatra are opposite each other. This long and narrow maritime passage carries the necessary passage for the exchange between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. It also carries more than 80% of China’s imports and exports, and about 90% of China’s energy imports and exports. This is a globalized throat, and also the destiny channel of China’s rise. In fact, if your heart does not have wind and clouds but only sunshine, Malacca is a charming seaside town, clean, fresh, colorful and charming.

Here, there are boat trips on the Melaka River every day. The registration office is behind the pier in the Tourism Center. All the way along the city, you will see old warehouses and fish markets, etc. On the way back, you will pass by the various piers along the river. The Melaka River is indeed a small and narrow strait. The Malay Peninsula and Sumatra are opposite each other. But it is this long and narrow maritime passage that carries the necessary passage for the exchange between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. It also carries more than 80% of China’s imports and exports, and about 90% of China’s energy imports and exports. This is a globalized throat, and also the destiny channel of China’s rise. In fact, if your heart does not have wind and clouds but only sunshine, Malacca is a charming seaside town, clean, fresh, colorful and charming.

Here, there are boat trips on the Melaka River every day. The registration office is behind the pier in the Tourism Center. This tour takes 45 minutes. All the way along the city, you will see old warehouses and fish markets, etc. You will also pass by Kampung Morten, where there is a typical Malay village house called Villa Sentosa. On the way back, you will pass by the various piers along the river. There are also yachts here, carrying tourists to the islands in the open sea of the Straits of Malacca to play.

1. The walls of the buildings along the river are covered with murals, colorful at a glance, very worth seeing.

2. There is a mailbox by the river where you can send postcards.

 Masjid Selat 

The Straits Mosque is located on an artificial island in the Straits of Malacca. If the water level is high, it looks like a floating building. The Straits Mosque is very beautiful in the sunset. The recitation of scriptures from the loudspeaker interweaves with the sound of the waves. The sunset shines on the golden dome. It is very pleasant to sit on the embankment by the sea and enjoy this beautiful scenery. After dark, the mosque will be lit up, and the whole building will turn into a different color, which is unique.

Jonker Street

Jonker Street is Malacca’s Chinatown. It is the center of Malacca and the most worth visiting place. Jonker Street is a colorful and worthwhile place to visit. It is about 400 meters long and only wide enough for two cars to pass. There are mostly two-story buildings on both sides of the street, with high beams and arcades, all of which have a history of over 100 years. The door lintels facing the street are all embedded with words such as “Tongfa”, “Fengshun”, and “Fengjie”. These are the shop names left behind by ancestors. From this, people can imagine the prosperity of the commercial street in the past. The central street, Jln Hang Jebat, was once known for its antique shops, but now it is home to many shops selling clothing, handicrafts, and restaurants. Well-known restaurants here include China Tea Room, Jonker 88, Ancient City Chicken Rice Balls, Geographer Café, etc. Every Friday and Saturday, this street becomes the lively Jonker Walker night market, full of stalls selling food and trinkets. Jln Tokong, to the north, has many reliable Chinese shops selling red and gold lanterns.

Transportation Information:

Jonker Street is located in the city center, opposite the Dutch Red House. The bus will stop in front of the Red House, just cross the road to get there.

You can come here for a walk at night. The bars and cafes with different styles are lively but not noisy. They combine the styles of Nanyang and the West, and they are more atmospheric at night. If you come on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, you can also catch the night market. You can find many local snacks at the night market.

Kuala Selangor, about 70 kilometers from Kuala Lumpur, is a small city that has not been overly developed, but it has the world’s largest mangrove forest. Even more appealing is the large number of magical fireflies that inhabit the mangrove forest. Here, you can take a trip back to nature, you can experience the dreamlike scene of fireflies all over the sky, you can also feed eagles at the estuary, and at the same time, you can also visit the famous Selangor Royal Mountain.

Kuala Selangor Nature Park

Kuala Selangor Nature Park is located at the mouth of the Selangor River and covers approximately 800 acres of wetland scrub forest, including tidal mudflats and mangrove swamps. It is a world-renowned bird sanctuary, with about 600 recorded bird species, most of which are migratory seasonal birds. It is also home to various monkeys, otters, mud monkeys, and crabs. Although the polluted environment may cause these fireflies, which are like street lamps, to be ephemeral, they are still willing to use their lives to shine, and it is definitely a rare experience in your life to take a boat trip on the river at this time. This park is fully managed by the Malaysian Nature Society. There are bird watching hideaways, walkways, observation decks, teaching wooden paths and holiday houses for visitors.

The best time to watch fireflies is to avoid the full moon (the 15th of each lunar month), because the moon is too bright to see the fireflies. Also avoid rainy days. You need to take precautions against mosquitoes, and you cannot use flashlights when watching fireflies.

Malaysia Sky Mirror

Sasaran Sky Mirror is a sandbar in the Straits of Malacca in Selangor, Malaysia. It was accidentally discovered by local fishermen a few years ago. Like the Sky Mirror in Bolivia and the Chaka Salt Lake in Qinghai Province, China, there is a beautiful scenery of sea and sky, but the difference is that the Sasaran Sky Mirror is only exposed to the world for a few days each month (around the first and fifteenth days of the lunar calendar). Normally, it is quietly lying on the seabed tens of meters below, so if you want to go, you must plan your trip in advance. After arriving at Saharan Beach, take a speedboat for about 30 minutes to reach the Sasaran Sky Mirror.

The sea in the middle of the sun is very sunny, so be sure to take sun protection measures before going. In addition, put on your most beautiful clothes and take photos to your heart’s content.

In this emerging international metropolis where old and new blend together, where Eastern colors and Western civilization merge organically, various elements will bring you new inspiration, and you will always find your favorite element here. From towering skyscrapers to inconspicuous old stalls on the street corner, around every corner, you may have an unexpected encounter.

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