What is Malaysia like during Chinese New Year? Are sites, store or restaurants closed? I assume its more crowded? We'll likely visit Penang & Kuala Lumpur for a week around the Chinese New Year.

It is a great time to visit. Lots of decorations in places like Petaling Street, in KL and old town Penang. More than a few fireworks too.

Over the first couple of days some of the smaller Chinese Shops and restaurants may close but not enough to make it inconvenient. I don’t recall anything else like museums or attractions being closed.

I would book any planes, trains or buses you need, sooner than later.

I am Malaysian. I am not suggest to travel Malaysia especially at the first day and second day of Chinese new year. It is because most of the shop was closed and the price will increase higher for the restaurant which was opened during Chinese new year period. But you still can visit some place such as Cameron highland or Balik Pulau and batu ferringhi in Penang and visit to the city after third day of Chinese new year. Hope you have a nice holiday at Malaysia.

I'd prefer to call it the 'Lunar New Year'. The chinese upsurp all they can, even holidays on the calendar.