China Fund News reporter Chenxi
What is it like to celebrate the Chinese New Year in Malaysia?
On the eve of the Spring Festival, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and other places launched visa-free policies, and a series of benefits such as the convenience of leaving the country and the increase in international flights during the super long Spring Festival holiday continued to be hot.
According to Ctrip data, on the first day of the Spring Festival holiday, Chinese tourists' outbound travel orders in Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand increased by more than 30% compared with the same period in 2019, and the most popular outbound travel destinations were Thailand, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, South Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates.
During this Spring Festival holiday, Fund Jun also traveled to Malaysia with his family to experience a different Spring Festival atmosphere in a foreign country. Let's take a look~
Malaysia's new visa-free policy tests "silky entry"
Why did you choose to travel to Malaysia for the Chinese New Year holiday? This is of course related to Malaysia's newly introduced visa-free policy.
Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said on November 26, 2023, that Malaysia will implement visa-free measures for Chinese citizens within 30 days of entry from December 1, starting from December 1. Anwar said the move was to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China in 2024. At the same time, he thanked the Chinese side for announcing the trial implementation of a unilateral visa-free policy for Malaysian ordinary passport holders.
Seeing this news, Jin Jun quickly began to do his homework and finalized a series of schedules. Since it was the first time to visit Malaysia and the time was limited, I only chose Kuala Lumpur and Penang to check in.
Although there is a convenient policy of visa-free, there are not a lot of materials that need to be prepared in the early stage, including: a passport valid for more than 6 months (Ji Jun's passport is only valid for 1 month and needs to be renewed), Malaysia Electronic Arrival Card Confirmation Letter (it is best to print it out in advance, and the customs will check it), itinerary (hotel booking arrangements during the period in Malaysia), return ticket information (Ji Jun showed a screenshot of the air trip, but it is best to print it out), local cash (although the customs may not verify it, but it can be used), ......
After preparing a series of materials, on the afternoon of February 7, Fund Jun officially landed at Kuala Lumpur International Airport and started his journey to celebrate the Chinese New Year in Malaysia.
After the plane landed safely, Fund Jun followed the flow of people and signs, and arrived at the immigration hall in the airport very smoothly. There are about 10 counters on site that can handle immigration procedures, and it only takes a few minutes from submitting documents to completing the verification and confirmation. The person who reviewed my materials was a relatively young immigration officer, who took the initiative to switch to Chinese communication when he found that Jijun was not proficient in English, and liked it manually!
However, in the past few days of travel, it was also found that Malaysia is not as "stress-free in Chinese" as previously claimed in some tourism promotions. The official language of Malaysia is Malay, and the population is dominated by Malays, Chinese, and Indians. Even if it is a Chinese face, the first language of communication chosen by the locals is Malay, followed by English, and Chinese communication depends on luck. Especially during the Chinese New Year, many Chinese shops are closed for holidays, and Malays and Indians mainly provide services, so it is still necessary to master basic social English (accurate gestures may also be used) in order to achieve barrier-free communication.
It should also be reminded that for tropical countries, there are no four distinct seasons of high temperature throughout the year, but are divided into dry and rainy seasons. Although he chose February, the relatively low temperature time in the northern hemisphere, it is not useful for Malaysia, which is located near the equator, and it is a sauna day of more than 30 degrees every day, and occasionally there will be sudden heavy rain, so you need to pay attention to sun protection and prepare rain gear.
(Remember that durian, mangosteen and other fruits are not allowed to be brought back to the hotel room to eat, and the hotel where you stay has this regulation, and the offender will be fined a lot of money.) ）
Chinese New Year in Kuala Lumpur
Visit the local stock exchange
When you come to the first stop in Kuala Lumpur, you need to check in the Petronas Twin Towers.
The Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur were once the world's tallest skyscrapers with 88 floors above ground and were designed by American architect Cesar Perry. The surface of the Petronas Twin Towers is made of stainless steel and glass, and the building is like two silver swords reaching straight into the clouds, especially the lighting effects at night, attracting countless tourists to take pictures.
Surprisingly, the Petronas Twin Towers are also dressed in red during the Chinese New Year, adding more "New Year's flavor" to Kuala Lumpur.
The Pavilion is one of Kuala Lumpur's largest shopping malls near the Petronas Twin Towers, and is decorated early with Chinese New Year decorations, including golden dragons, lion dances, lanterns, flowers and more.
In the streets and alleys, the atmosphere of the Spring Festival can also be seen everywhere.
Another important check-in place for fund owners is Bursa Malaysia.
According to official information, Bursa Malaysia is one of the largest exchanges in ASEAN countries, dating back to 1930 by the Singapore Stockbrokers Association. In 2004, the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange was renamed as today's "Bursa Malaysia" and became a diversified international exchange.
At the west gate of the exchange, there is a statue of a bull and a bear, and the "coexistence of bulls and bears" shows the rational attitude of the market.
Traveling in Kuala Lumpur, he deeply felt the multicultural nature of this international city. City Walk in the city center is home to towering skyscrapers, quaint temples (including but not limited to mosques, Hindu temples, etc.), and well-preserved historical imprints (colonial sites). Modern high-rise buildings and historic local residences complement each other to form the beautiful scenery of Kuala Lumpur.
Check out Penang for a two-day tour around the island
Feel the "Nanyang Style"
After three days in Kuala Lumpur, he came to Penang, an important city in Malaysia.
Unlike Kuala Lumpur, Penang has a large Chinese population. Even during the Spring Festival, there are many Chinese faces running businesses, and Chinese communication can basically be achieved without barriers. He rented a small pedal from a Chinese uncle who was "from Fujian" (you need to bring a translation of your domestic motorcycle driver's license) and started a trip around the island of Penang.
Along the way, he once again encountered a number of beautiful religious buildings, which reflect the harmonious development of Penang's multiculturalism.
Penang is not only known for its multicultural harmony, but also known as the "Electronics Manufacturing Base", known as the "Emerald of the Indian Ocean" and the "Silicon Valley of the East". Along the way around the island, Fund Jun also saw a number of factories of internationally renowned electronic and electrical brands.
Penang has close ties to modern Chinese history and was an important base for Dr Sun Yat-sen's revolutionary activities, and it was in Penang that the Wong Wah Kong Uprising was instigated. Sun Yat-sen visited Penang five times to propagate revolutionary ideas and raise revolutionary funds, and founded the Reading Book Newspaper and the Guanghua Daily here, which received enthusiastic response and strong support from the local overseas Chinese. Ji Jun also came to the Penang Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall to check in.
In addition, the TVB drama "Unrequited Love in Two Cities" was also filmed in Penang, which is also one of the birthplaces of "Peranakan" culture.
In December 2023, the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution by consensus to designate the Chinese New Year (Lunar New Year) as a United Nations holiday. However, before that, in multicultural Malaysia, the tradition of celebrating the Chinese New Year and various New Year's greetings had been prevalent for many years.
For example, during a tour of the former residence of Teo Pil Shi in Penang, the Indian guy at the restaurant saw the reporter resting and handed out two golden citrus fruits as soon as possible. I didn't know why, and after thanking me, I quickly found out that "sending oranges" and "changing oranges" for New Year's greetings are the Spring Festival traditions in the Chaoshan area. The reason is that tangerines have the meaning of "auspicious", and the words "orange" and "gold" in Cantonese are the same sound, and the two citrus symbolize multiple meanings such as "good fortune", "two grains of gold" and "good things come in pairs".
In addition, the reporter also encountered the lion dance team many times during the tour around the island, and performed at various scenic spots. The Guanyin Temple is also crowded with people, and a large number of believers go to express their good wishes.
It is understood that there are many Chinese immigrants from Fujian, Guangzhou, and Hainan in Kuala Lumpur and Penang. From the first day of the first lunar month to the Lantern Festival, the streets and alleys are full of New Year's flavor, and a series of activities such as Tiangong Festival (worshipping Tiangong), rushing to the temple fair, and worshipping ancestors in the ancestral hall will be opened one after another.
The balance of the holiday is insufficient, and the fund's trip to Malaysia for the Spring Festival has also come to an end. Finally, post a Spring Festival safety reminder from the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia for the reference of those who are planning to travel to Malaysia in the future.
Chinese New Year Safety Reminder from the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia
In order to ensure the safe and smooth travel of Chinese citizens in Malaysia, the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia warmly reminds everyone to pay attention to the following matters:
1. Prepare entry materials
Malaysia currently implements a visa-free entry policy for Chinese citizens, according to the latest entry requirements of Malaysia, please prepare the following entry documents in advance before departure:
(1) Passports that are valid for more than 6 months and are not damaged
(2) Paper Malaysia Electronic Arrival Card Confirmation Letter (MDAC)
(3) Bookings made for hotels in Malaysia that match the duration of the trip and have been paid
(4) Paid return tickets
(5) Sufficient cash (more than US$1,000 or equivalent in other currencies) or proof of funds (including checks, bank cards, e-wallets, etc.).
When entering and exiting the country, please cooperate with the immigration officials, take the initiative to show relevant materials, communicate and explain patiently, and if you encounter communication barriers, you can ask the accompanying passengers or the staff of the airline to assist.
In addition, when arriving in or leaving Sabah and Sarawak in East Malaysia, please carefully check whether the entry and exit stamps of your state are stamped, and contact the immigration officer in time to replace them if they are not stamped.
2. Carry your original passport with you and keep your personal belongings properly
According to the Malaysian Immigration Act, you are required to carry your original passport with you for inspection while you are in Malaysia. During the festival, public places are crowded, please take care of your luggage and belongings, try to walk in a group, and avoid motorcycles in time when walking. In case of danger or accident, stay calm and report to the nearest police station as soon as possible. If you lose your passport, you can go to the embassy or consulate to reapply for a travel document, and go through the formalities such as getting an entry stamp at the immigration office of Malaysia and return to your home country.
3. Pay attention to traffic safety
The local road conditions in Malaysia are complicated, the speed is fast, and the vehicle is on the right and left, contrary to the domestic traffic habits, please strictly follow the local traffic rules. Always wear your seatbelt when riding in the car. When crossing the street, try to take the crosswalk, overpass or underpass, look right first and then look left when taking the crosswalk, pay attention to the moving vehicles, and then pass quickly when it is safe to do so. Before traveling by car, choose a travel agency with good qualifications and law-abiding operation and a regular company to operate the vehicle to ensure the safety of travel.
4. Pay attention to water safety
Malaysia has stunning beaches and an underwater world, but there is a lot of rainfall and sometimes rough seas. Before going to sea, pay attention to check the condition of the vessel, check the necessary life-saving equipment on board, understand and abide by the passenger restrictions on the vessel, wear life jackets and use relevant facilities according to the regulations. When participating in swimming, snorkeling and other wading activities, pay attention to the relevant water safety signs, pay attention to the location of life-saving equipment and lifeguards, and it is recommended that more than two people go into the water together. Carefully understand the precautions, do not go to remote sea areas, and do not risk forcing the sea when the body, weather or environment is not suitable.
5. Comply with local laws and regulations
During your visit, please abide by the local laws and regulations of Malaysia and respect the local religious habits and customs. Do not make noise in mosques and other religious places, avoid impolite words and deeds and uncivilized behavior, do not engage in activities that are inconsistent with the reason for entry, and beware of telecommunication fraud.
6. Pay attention to your own health
During the holidays, the flow of people increases, and the risk of disease transmission increases, so please take personal protection, and if you have fever, cough and other related symptoms, it is recommended to postpone travel. Pay attention to local weather changes, pay attention to the temperature difference between indoor and outdoor, and pay attention to food hygiene.
I wish the compatriots in Malaysia a safe, happy and comfortable Spring Festival!
The Global Consular Protection and Emergency Call Center of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China can be reached at 0086-10-12308 or 010-65612308
Consular Protection and Assistance Hotline of the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia: 0060-321645301
Consular Protection and Assistance of the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Kuching Tel: 0060-82414818
Consular Protection and Assistance Hotline of the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Penang: 0060-1110592308
Consular Protection and Assistance of the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Kota Kinabalu Tel: 0060-149857312
Editor: Captain
Review: Xu Wen
Fund Jun "Spring Festival Experience"