Top 3 Festival in Malaysia

Malaysia being a melting pot of various cultures, have brought itself up to be a colorful and amazing hub of festival for travelers from all over the world to experience. Below are three examples of festive occasion in Malaysia that we believe represent our multi-cultural background.

1.Deepavali

Deepavali, or also known as the festival of lights is a 5 days festival celebrated by the Indians in Malaysia, as an ode to the historical victory of light over darkness. It is during this festive season that we can see the wonderful art called ‘kolams’ or ‘rangolis’ made with colored rice grain into various forms of traditional and even modern shapes and symbols.

2.Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year is one of the important traditional Chinese holiday celebrated at the turn of the Chinese calendar, often referred to as the ‘Lunar New Year’. The source of the festive itself is centuries old, and is tied to several myths and traditions, but it is traditionally a festival to honor deities as well as ancestors. Many forms of cultural reference can be seen during this period ranging from foods, arts, performance, and many more. It is also a custom during the occasion that families and relatives, would gather for a reunion dinner to celebrate the coming of the new year.

3.Hari Raya

Also known as Eid al-Fitr, Hari Raya is celebrated by muslims of Malaysia that marks the end of Ramadhan, the holy month of fasting, and welcoming the month of Shawwal in accordance to the islamic calendar. It is during this time that families gathered together to celebrate the occasion with many variety of traditional foods, and dressed up in their traditional Malay attire such as the ‘Baju Melayu’ and Baju Kurung’.

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Loh Sang – The History

It is a common sight during Chinese New Year whether it be in restaurants or houses to see a group of people, usually families tossing a mixture of ingredients collected in one big plate. The dish in particular, is known as Loh Sang, Yusheng, Yee Sang, or in English, the Prosperity Toss. The tradition’s origin goes way back to the land of Guangzhou, where the fishermen would celebrate the seventh day of Chinese New Year by feasting on thier catches, also as a thankful gesture for the prosperity.

While the dish itself is not true to the versions of the olden days, the modern version usually consist of white radish, red pepper, turnips, pickled ginger, dried oranges, chinese parsley, chilli, jellyfish, peanuts, sesame seed, and shrimp crackers. The dish would then be topped of with plum sauce, rice vinegar, kumquat paste, and sesame oil before being tossed.

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Visit our website at http://www.the5elementshotel.com.my for special promotions and offers during the festive seasons and many holiday celebrations.

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Malaysia’s Iconic Food - The Nasi Lemak

Nasi Lemak is one of the most common dish to be associated with Malaysians to date. This is also contributed to the fact that, Malaysians have now considered the rice dish called Nasi Lemak is the official delicacy of Malaysia. What makes this dish unique is the method of cooking, whereby the rice is cooked with coconut milk infused with Pandan Leaf, which results in a very rich and fragrant rice. Side dishes served consist of crispy fried Anchovies, ground peanuts, hard boil egg, cucumber slices and of course the creme-de-la-creme, sambal!

Nasi Lemak literally means Oily or Fatty Rice. It is widely eaten in Malaysia not only as a breakfast dish, but also for lunch, dinner, brunch, supper, basically any other time of the day! This is one of the contributing factor to why the Nasi Lemak is available at almost every corner of this country, throughout the day.

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Top 3 Truly Malaysian Experience in Kuala Lumpur

Malaysia is home to many exciting and wonderful attractions, a result that originates from the melting pot of culture that co-exist in the land. These inspiring scenes are even more so highlighted in the capital city of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur where modernization meets culture to brought fourth an amazing tourism experience. We at The 5 Elements Hotel would like our guests to immerse themselves with the experience as much as they can, and to help them with that we’ve prepared some of the activities recommended throughout your Kuala Lumpur trip.

1. View the Kuala Lumpur Skyline

There is no better place to get a bird’s eye view of Kuala Lumpur than at the Petronas Twin Towers. Sitting at an amazing 451.9 meters above ground level, the establishment is currently the world tallest twin structure, and the fifth tallest skyscraper. The building is specifically designed to reflect the modernization of Malaysian culture with it’s futuristic facade and a traditional inspired interior. The 88-storey building houses a viewing deck on the 86th floor, providing a wonderful platform for the public to feast their eyes on the magnificent view of Kuala Lumpur’s skyline.

2. The Gastronomic Adventure

Being a culturally diverse country, Malaysia is now one of the top destinations when it comes to food. The historical impact that made Malaysia today has shown itself in the wide array of culinary offerings throughout the country. What makes it even more special, is the marriage of these different cultures that creates an exciting new mix of flavors which is truly awe inspiring. The type of offerings involved are not restricted to those of side stalls either. These days, it is easy to find an establishment providing a more refined service inspired from the historical cultures.

3. Shopper’s Heaven

Malaysia, or more specifically Kuala Lumpur have been labeled as the 4th top shopping destination in the world. This achievement is largely contributed by establishments such as Pavillion, Starhill, and many more, due to their international influence in terms of products and labels offered in such a compact place, providing convenience in luxury. Although these might not reflect the rich culture of Malaysia, it is the small, quaint institutions that truly brings the culture impact forward by offering historical based products, souvenirs, to those with interest.

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Top 5 Foods of Malaysia

Malaysia is one of the most culturally diverse country in the world, with the three main cultures being Malay, Chinese, and Indian. Housing such culturally diverse population with a complicated and enriching history have had its wondrous effect on the overall development of the country. Food is one category of which Malaysia thrives in, and these are some top examples of food that defines Malaysia’s rich culture.

1. Asam Pedas

Originated from the Minangkabau kitchen as a sour and spicy stew dish, Asam Pedas is usually prepared with fish but other seafood have also been used in its preparation style. The asam in its name is derived from the word sour, which reflects the used of tamarind the dish.

2. Char Kuey Teow

Known for it’s Chinese origins, the Char Kuey Teow is one of Southeast Asia’s most popular noodle dish. What it basically is, flat noodles wok fried with soy sauce, chili, bean sprouts, chives, and either prawns, clams, or even chicken. What makes it unique is the texture of the flat noodles itself that carries the flavor well within each bite.

3. Pisang Goreng

A popular tea time snack, this dish is just a simple banana coated in a batter and then deep fried. There are a few variations to the banana fritters with some being big, small, with puffy batter, most of them are equally delicious due to the caramelization of the banana during the frying process.

4. Roti Canai

This is an Indian-inspired dish, being similar to that of a flatbread. The difference between the two is that the Roti Canai is richer, due to the generous amount of ghee involved in preparing and cooking. The result is a crispy skin, with layers upon layers of soft and decadent middle. The dish is commonly eaten with curry, and some even prefers to eat it with condensed milk for an even richer taste.

5. Nasi Lemak

Last but not least, the famous Nasi Lemak. It is considered the national dish of Malaysia by many due to it’s relevance in the daily life of Malaysians. Widely eaten as a breakfast dish, the work ‘Lemak’ in its name literally means fat, which highlights the use of coconut milk in the cooking process of the rice. This creates a savory and rich flavor that goes well with the spicy sambal and various side dishes that comes along with a plate of Nasi Lemak.

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Top 5 Things To Do Near Chinatown Kuala Lumpur

We at The 5 Elements Hotel would like our guests, travelers across the globe to maximize their Kuala Lumpur experience throughout their stay with us. These are just some examples of activities we think is essential in order to get to know Chinatown and its surroundings better.

1. Shop till you drop!

Chinatown, Kuala Lumpur houses a wide variety of products, some you might not even know exist! Food, accessories, clothing, souvenirs, and more food are available from the many stalls set up in the area. Do note that counterfeit items are common in the market, so the rule of thumb here is to double, triple, and quadruple check on quality before finalizing your purchase! Opens around lunch time till late midnight.

2. Eat like the locals

What better way to get to know a place than through their food. Chinatown is a food heaven for many, due to its wide range of offerings. Take your time in sampling the numerous amount of flavours offered from various cultures including Malay, Indian, Chinese, and many others. You can even try to eat like the locals do! Eat your Chee Chong Fun with a pair of chopsticks, eat your Nasi Kandar with your bare hands, and eat the delicious Nasi Lemak… in the middle of the night, just like us Malaysians!

3. Absorb some local arts and culture

Malaysia is known for it’s arts and cultures that have been developed through a long and often colorful experience and influence from many different countries. This melting pot of culture brings forth a unique experience, unlike any other. Central Market, located just a few minutes walk from Chinatown, is the perfect place for those looking to absorb some of the local culture through it’s many offerings of arts and crafts. The place is also famous for holding cultural based events.

4. Get to know us

Us Malaysians are a bunch of nice and friendly people. Having a hard time to believe? Just go and approach the uncle by the road side and ask for directions, most likely you’ll be spending more time chatting than getting off to where you wanted to initially.

5. Snap some pictures

After a long, and wonderful trip getting to know Malaysia, there is no better way to cherish the adventure than some pictures. By some, we mean ALOT! Don’t limit yourself to taking selfies in the shopping mall, get a picture at the local restaurant, the street side, the little stalls in Chinatown, and even with the local policeman, we’re sure they wont mind. You can also capture the moments at many of Malaysia’s top tourist destinations such as the Merdeka Square, Kuala Lumpur Tower, and many more!

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Top 3 Shopping Spots in Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur have been labeled as the 4th Top Shopping Destination by CNN Travel for two years straight. That in itself is an achievement to be proud of, and we at The 5 Elements Hotel are excited to share with the travelers of Malaysia on some of the best shopping destinations around the Kuala Lumpur area.

1. Pavillion Kuala Lumpur

Located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur’s chic and trendy spot, Bukit Bintang, what once was site for Bukit Bintang Girl’s School is now developed into a modern and fashion forward establishment known as Pavillion Mall. Opened on 20th September 2007, Pavillion Kuala Lumpur consist of many eclectic segments of offerings, from luxury fashion boutiques to street casual labels. Pavillion Kuala Lumpur’s offering does not restricts itself towards clothing and accessories, as it also houses some of the most delectable restaurants, coffeehouse chains, and even a cinema complex!

2. Lot 10

Situated within the famous entertainment district of Bukit Bintang, Lot 10 has also made its own impact in the world of retail. While the mall itself is not as grand and luxurious as the previously mentioned shopping complex, Lot 10 have it’s own merit in a sense that it is much more relaxed and casual while keeping the sense of luxury through selective retail offerings. Lot 10 houses Malaysia’s first ever Uniqlo store, which was widely received as one of the most popular retail brand to have been brought in to cater to the middle class market. Lot 10 also provides a variety of unique eateries for those looking for a bite to eat.

3. Berjaya Time Square

Opened on October 2003, Berjaya Times Square have been an experienced player in the world of shopping. Within it’s giant exterior lies a multitude of international label stores, retail chains, and many other widely known brands in the fashion industry. What sets itself apart is that inside the enclosed space, is a fully functional recreational facility known as Berjaya Times Square Theme Park which includes a roller coaster in its list of rides. This makes the building complex the go to spot for those looking for a shopping experience more suited to families with the integration of indoor recreation hub.

For the latest updates on The 5 Eements Hotel, like us on our Facebook page at http://goo.gl/S2OERg

Visit our website at www.the5elementshotel.com.my for more information on our rooms, rates, facilities, and many more.