Malaysia is a land of fascinating sights and attractions. Rich in color and contrasts, its multi-faceted charm provides intriguing images that leave visitors to the country in awe.

Wherever one goes, the friendliness and hospitality of the Malaysian people proves to be a very special experience. Malaysia is paradise. Its sun-drenched beaches, enchanting islands, diverse flora and fauna, forest retreats and magnificent mountains are among the best in this region. Many visitors have discovered Malaysia's other attractions: a shopping haven, an adventure land, and much more.

Malaysia is a tropical paradise situated 7 degrees north of the Equator in the heart of Southeast Asia. The climate is warm throughout the year with cooler temperatures in the hills. Temperatures in June range from 29C to 32C.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia, where more than a million work and reside, and functions as the center of Malaysia's political, commercial and social life. It is a city of delightful contrasts. The favorable climate accounts for the lush greenery and profusion of tropical blooms in a riot of colors. The end result is a unique blend of age-old customs and traditions; colorful festivals, songs and dances and a rich variety of foods to tempt the palate.

Vaccinations

All participants for the INET 97 that are from the countries listed below must produce at the Malaysian Immigration a letter stating they have received vaccination (the date on this document must be valid) for Yellow Fever.

Tours

An exciting line-up of excursions has been arranged for the INET'97 Annual Conference: Tours.

Currency

The unit of currency is the Malaysian Ringgit indicated as (RM) which is equivalent to 100 sen. Coins are issued in denominations of 1 sen, 5 sen, 10 sen, 20 sen, 50 sen and RM1.00. Currency notes are in RM1, RM2, RM5, RM10, RM20, RM50, RM100, RM500 and RM1,000. The Ringgit is freely convertible. Foreign currency and travelers cheques can be converted to Malaysian Ringgit at banks or authorized money changers throughout the country. As of January 1997, the rate of exchange was approximately US $1.00 = RM $2.50.

What to Wear

The suggested dress code for the INET 97 conference is casual or business casual. Light, cool and casual clothing is recommended all year round. For more formal occasions, jacket and tie or long sleeved batik for men and dresses for women.

Dining Out

Dining in Kuala Lumpur is a gastronomic adventure - a treat for your tastebuds. Owing to the composition of its populace and their individual cultures, Kuala Lumpur has evolved into a gourmet's paradise with its varied offerings of Malay, Chinese and Indian food - each characterized by a distinctly unique aroma and flavor.

Shopping

Kuala Lumpur is a bargain hunter's paradise offering a wide variety of goods, ranging from oriental art objects and curios to local handicraft items, designer fashions, shoes and handbags, leather goods, cameras and photographic equipment, electrical and electronic goods. From the air-conditioned comfort of modern shopping complexes to the quaint shops and bustling night markets, Kuala Lumpur offers a unique shopping experience.

Credit cards and travelers cheques are accepted at larger establishments. Most banks readily accept foreign currencies like the US Dollar, Pound Sterling, Yen, Deustchmark and Franc for exchange into Ringgit Malaysia. Although prices at larger establishments are generally fixed, do not hesitate to ask for discounts. The real fun of shopping in Kuala Lumpur is at the smaller shops and roadside stalls where bargaining is still very much in vogue and where verbal skills and a poker face may help to bring prices down dramatically.

For More Information

For information about Malaysia, go to Malaysia's Homepage. From there, you can find links about tourism, their culture, their Internet technologies and their laws.