5. Believe it or not, Kuala Lumpur is not just a concrete jungle
Kuala Lumpur offers a few days worth of city comforts, bar crawling and shopping galore. Fewer know that the capital city is also a good starting point to experience Malaysia's rainforest. Straight in the city centre, KL Eco Park's canopies teem with monkeys, while the nearby Lake Gardens offer attractive botanical gardens and the KL Bird Park, the city's top-notch tropical aviary.
In the northern fringes of Kuala Lumpur at Kepong, the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM), established in 1929, is an accessible jungle research centre covering 600 hectares. At last, the Titiwangsa Lake Gardens are perfect for jogging, a quiet jungle stroll, and views of Kuala Lumpur's skyline.
For more information on how to spend your time in Malaysia's capital city, read our guide to the best things to do in Kuala Lumpur.
6. Malaysia is predominantly Islamic but has a rich ethnic mix
With the way Muslims are portrayed in the media these days, knowing that Malaysia is a predominantly Islamic nation may discourage many travellers from visiting. Truth be told, Malay Muslims are just a majority among a rich ethnic mix, and even so, they are very hospitable people.
Even without venturing into Malay hinterland – Kelantan, Terengganu, Johor states and the islands along the east coast – meeting liberal Malays in the cities will change ideas built on stereotypes.