Johor
Malacca
Negeri Sembilan
Selangor
Perak
Kedah
Perlis
Pahang
Terengganu
Kelantan
Penang
Sabah
Sarawak
Kuala Lumpur
Situated in the northwestern corner of Peninsular Malaysia, the state of Kedah covers an area of approximately 9,425 sq. km and with a population of 1.5 million. Kedah, together with the neighbouring state of Perlis in the north, is traditionally known as the "Rice Bowl of Malaysia'', being the major producer of rice in the country. A visit to Kedah will reveal a land of serene natural beauty, surrounded by the greenery of padi during the planting season and golden hues at harvest time.
Padi Fields in Kedah-The Land Full Of
Archaeological Mystery...
Kedah is one of the fastest growing states in the Peninsular with many industrial, commercial, tourism and housing projects at various stages of development. Alor Setar, the state capital, is the seat of Government and the business centre of the state. In the town, many old buildings still stand in their original form together with other historical relics. The border town of Bukit Kayu Hitam in northern Kedah is the main gateway to Thailand. The main attraction here is the duty-free complex that is open from 7.00am to 10.00pm daily.
Another famous historic site in the south-west of Kedah, is Kota Kuala Kedah where a fort was built to ward off attacks by Kedah's enemies from the sea. Further south, the towns of Sungai Petani and Kulim are rapidly joining the mainstream of development with the establishment of industrial and high-tech parks. Off the coast of Kedah, the captivating beauty of the Langkawi Islands, beckons an ever growing number of visitors to its shores.
Places of Interest
Gunung Jerai (1,206 metres) is the highest spot in the northern region of Peninsular Malaysia. Myths and legends abound around this peak, including that of a 'king with fangs' (Raja Bersiong) who resided at the foothills of the mountain.
The Sungai Teroi Forest Recreation Park situated here, offers jungle trails, waterfalls and camping spots.
Located in Padang Terap, 25 km from Alor Setar the capital of Kedah. A waterfall and unspoilt mountain scenery beckons.
Pedu Lake & Golf Resort comprises an expanse of lake framed by undulating hills. Located near the border of Thailand, it is 90 km from Alor Setar. The lake teems with fresh water fish while the jungles nearby offer birdwatching and jungle-trekking. Golf, of course is the prime sporting activity. The 18-hole course, built near the lake's edge, has several holes extending into the jungle.
Menara Alor Setar is Kedah's most recent landmark and the tallest communication tower in the northern region. Situated prominently in the heart of Alor Setar town, it has two viewing decks and a revolving restaurant. From the top of the tower, one can enjoy a breathtaking view of the town by day or night.
Balai Nobat belongs to the old Sultanate of Kedah. The Hall features the nobat, the orchestra of royalty. It comprises drums, gongs and a traditional flute. These instruments are played on special ceremonial occasions only. The skill of playing these instruments is generally passed on from father to son.
Situated near Balai Nobat and facing Masjid Zahir, Balai Besar is an impressive wooden edifice built in 1898 embodying certain aspects of Thai architecture. This 'great hall' is used frequently for royal and state functions.
Officially opened in 1912, this mosque is an architectural landmark. With black domes set off against slender minarets, its numerous arches and columns are an architectural wonder. The state's Quran reading competition is held annually within the premises of the mosque.
The Royal Museum (Muzium Di Raja) is another fine example of local architecture hinting strongly of Thai influence in its majestic design. Built in 1936, it houses a veritable collection of Kedah's royal and cultural heritage.
Pekan Rabu, translated means 'Wednesday Market' but its popularity with locals and visitors has made its business hours to be extended throughout the entire week, from morning till midnight. Stalls sell handicrafts as well as food. Located near the Government offices in Alor Setar.
This is the birth place of Malaysia's Prime Minister, Dato' Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad. A tour of the house offers an insight into the Prime Minister's youth-from his school days to his success as a doctor. Photographs, furniture, household items and even his favourite bicycle make for an interesting visit.
Pulau Payar to the south of Langkawi is another alluring island getaway, especially for diving enthusiasts. Gazetted as a Marine Park in 1985, it encompasses the neighbouring islands of Pulau Segantang, Pulau Kaca and Pulau Lembu.
Reputed to support the largest number of coral species in the country, Pulau Payar's crystal clear waters make it suitable for swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving and underwater photography.
At the rocky southwest end of the island, not too far offshore, is a breathtakingly beautiful dive spot called 'Coral Garden'. The rocky slopes here are almost completely covered with brightly-hued soft coral. Deeper waters offer the dark green dendroid, or tree-like hard corals and a multitude of sea fans and cone shell. The waters are also home to a prolific variety of sea squirts, sea slugs, hermit crabs, feather starfish, sea anemone, lion fish, barracudas, rainbow runners, rock fish and ghost fish.
Visitors wishing to enjoy a quiet picnic on Pulau Payar's sandy white beaches will find picnic tables and bathroorn facilities thoughtfully provided. No hotels are available on the island, although camping is permitted with prior approval from the Department of Fisheries.
Situated at the crossroads of the Thai-Malaysian border, within the Straits of Malacca and the Andaman Sea, Pulau Langkawi is the largest island in a cluster of 99 islands, renowned for their legends. Its limestone hills and caves, rustic villages and scenic padi fields, abundant flora and fauna, as well as its enthralling legends make the island a truly idyllic tropical paradise.
An enchanting holiday destination to all who explore its many attractions, Pulau Langkawi provides vacationers a variety of activities for relaxation and recreation. There are water sports around crystal clear waters, jungle treks through rich tropical forests, quiet strolls through quaint fishing villages, rounds of golf on an 18-hole course and duty-free shopping opportunities. The entire island is most fascinating and treasures beg to be explored.
Travellers arriving by ferry to Pulau Langkawi disembark at the jetty in Kuah, the main town located on the southeastern side of the island. Formerly a rustic town with only a few streets, it is now a thriving centre with modern hotels and shopping-cum-business complexes. The shops along the waterfront offer a wide variety of merchandise, including handicrafts made from shells and local marble.
A trip to the island is not complete without a visit to Makam Mahsuri (Mahsuri's Mausoleum). About 12 km from Kuah, the shrine honours a maiden who lived on the island more than two hundred years ago. Unjustly accused of committing adultery, the legend holds that Mahsuri's innocence became apparent at her execution when white blood flowed from her body. In her dying breath, she laid a curse on the island that it would henceforth cease to prosper for seven generations.
Fact or fiction, the curse began to unfold shortly after Mahsuri's death. Siamese soldiers invaded the island and the villagers were forced to burn their rice fields. Until today, traces of burnt rice can be seen in the sands at Padang Matsirat, especially after a heavy rain. According to another legend the hot springs at Kampong Air Hangat (Air Hangat Village), 14 km north of Kuah, originated after two families quarrelled over a rejected marriage proposal. During the commotion a jug full of hot water was flung to the ground, whereupon it broke and hot water seeped into the ground.
Another famous attraction is Telaga Tujuh (Seven Wells), 23 km northwest of Kuah. A fresh water stream cascading some 90 metres through a series of seven pools, visitors can enjoy swimming or picnicking amidst a lush green forest. About 20 km north of Kuah is the gentle coastline of Pantai Tanjung Rhu (Casuarina Beach). A peaceful beach on Pulau Langkawi, it offers picnickers cool respite in the shade of tall casuarina trees. If time permits, one can take a boat trip to explore the nearby islands of Pulau Pasir, Pulau Gasing, Pulau Dangli and Pulau Langgun, off the northeastern coast.
To the west of Pantal Tanjung Rhu is Pantai Pasir Hitam, a unique beach with glittering black sand, which is thought to be tin or an oxide of tin that may have come from the seabed or the earth's crust. Souvenir shops and fishing spots can be found along its unusual shoreline. Equally fascinating is Pantai Batu Kerikil, a remarkable beach that owes its name to the millions of pebbles that lie strewn along its shoreline.
On the western coastline of Pulau Langkawi lie the idyllic beaches of Datai, Pantai Kok, Burau Bay and Pantai Tengah. These beach resorts offer first-class accommodation in modern hotels and captivating wooden chalets, as well as facilities for parasailing, water skiing, windsurfing and catamaran sailing, even cruising in larger yachts. For a truly breathtaking view of Pulau Langkawi, you can hire a boat for a cruise around the neighbouring islands. A round trip to Pulau Dayang Bunting, Pulau Beras Basah and Pulau Singa Besar takes about four hours. Special itineraries with a barbecue, snorkelling or trips to other islands can also be arranged upon request.
Further down the coast is Pantai Cenang, where many prominent resorts are found. The ideal spot for beach and sea sport activities, it also boasts of one South East Asia's largest aquariums. Off shore from Pantai Cenang lies Pulau Rebak Besar, a resort with a marina. Pulau Beras Basah (Isle of Wet Rice), futher to the south, is a harbour to fishermen. Approximately 17 km from the Kuah jetty, the latter is also an excellent spot for scuba diving, snorkelling and fishhing. Chalets are available on this hilly island. The neighbouring island of Pulau Singa Besar is about 16 km south of Kuah and is easily accessible by boat. The island has tropical forests, mangrove swamps, sandy and rocky coastlines which have been left undisturbed. Common mammals such as wild boar, mousedeer, porcupines, scaly anteaters, civets, bats and many species of birds roam freely on this island, which is a Wildlife Sanctuary. The waters around the island also teem with a variety of fish, marine life and coral. There are no hotels on the island but camping is permitted.
Pulau Langkawi
is the foremost of a group of 104 islands lying off the coast of
Kedah, in northwestern Malaysia. Clustered together in a
confusing, labyrinthine mass and situated along a major trade
route, the Langkawi islands have--like the Islands of the
Bahamas--a long history as a refuge of pirates. Also like the
Bahamas, the Langkawi islands have in recent times become an
internationally-known resort destination, since the same
attributes that made the islands so advantageous for piracy makes
them ideal for tranquil, romantic holiday escape. With a wealth
of soft, powder-sand beaches, limestone hills wreathed in mist,
and cool emerald green jungle forest, the natural beauty of these
Malaysian islands is irresistible.
In addition to
their natural beauty and checkered past, the Langkawi islands are
notable for the wealth of legends with which they are associated.
The most well-known of these tales is that of Mahsuri, a lovely
maiden executed after having been falsely accused of adultery. As
the blood flowed out of her dying body, Mahsuri laid a curse on
the island--that Langkawi would be barren for seven generations.
Soon after, the Siamese attacked the island and ravaged it.
Evidently seven generations have passed, as the island today
possesses an abundance of enchanting flora and fauna in addition
to a wealth of world-class holiday accommodations.
Among the many leisure activities available on the islands are snorkeling, scuba diving, boating, water skiing, wind surfing and parasailing. There are many scenic beaches on Pulau Langkawi, among them Pantai Cenang, Pantai Rhu, Pantai Kok, Pantai Tengah and the black sand Pantai Pasir Hitam. The seas around the island teem with fish, and fishing trips can be arranged through your hotel. Car rental is readily available for visitors interested in exploring Langkawi's interior; the roads are good, the scenery beautiful. Rustic Malay kampongs, rubber estates, scenic padi fields, and placid water buffaloes all mark the landscape. Migratory birds favor Langkawi, and the islands are also home to a number of species of butterflies not found anywhere else in the world.
The main town of Pulau Langkawi, it has a population of about 11,000. Located on the southeast of the island, the town offers handicrafts of shell and local marble as well as duty-free shopping. Its single main street runs along the waterfront.
Located about twelve kilometers from the main town of Kuah on Pulau Langkawi. Mahsuri is the island's most famous legendary figure.
Formerly a popular hot spring known as Telaga Air Hangat, Air Hangat Village is now a combination spa and cultural experience park. Located on an extensive site about sixteen kilometers north of Kuah, the village presents performances of Malaysian and Southeast Asian dances and traditional games as well as cultural shows and activities such as trained elephant performances and padi planting. The hot springs have been converted into an impressive three-tiered fountain that is accompanied by a hand-carved stone mural of their origins. Air Hangat Village also offers duty-free shopping, as well as fine Malaysian, Thai, and Indonesian cuisine served in its on-site theatre restaurant. Air Hangat is open from 10 am to 10pm daily.
The crocodile farm is situated at Teluk Datai, about thirty kilometers from Kuah Town. The farm has more crocodiles than one can easily imagine--over 1000 in all, including several rare species, as well as some alligators. Although there is an exhibition centre with displays on the life cycle of the crocodile and many specimens and photographs of every conceivable aspect of crocodiles, the real draw here are the lurking thousands of live animals. The farm has conveniently divided its ponds so as to satisfy a whole range of common fascinations. The ponds include:
Located about forty minutes by boat to the south of the main island of Langkawi. Because of its diverse ecological environment, this small, undeveloped island has been designated as a Bird and Animal Sanctuary. While there isn't much to do here other than to observe nature, the nature of Pulau Singa Besar rewards such attention.
Located about fourteen kilometers from Kuah Town, the attraction of this modest village is that it offers visitors a chance to participate in a number of traditional Malaysian cultural activities. Kampung Tanamas is open daily from 8.30am-6.00pm. Entrance Fee: RM1.00 per person. (You can enter free of charge if you have the receipt to enter Mahsuri's Tomb.)
This aquarium is located in famous Pantal Cenang and is the largest in Asia featuring more than 5,000 marine and fresh-water fish including numerous species of live corals.
Kampung Buku Malaysia is the first and only book village in South-east Asia. It is located just 10 minutes from the Langkawi International Airport and 15 minutes from the Ferry Terminal. Situated amidst a lush green forest at the foot of Gunung Raya, the highest peak on the island, the book village provides book lovers a tranquil setting to indulge in their hobby. The various houses in the village are stocked with a great variety of new books on numerous topics and languages as well as second-hand, rare and antiquarian books. Visiting hours : 9.00a.m.- 6.00p.m. daily
The Craft Cultural Complex is located on the northern coastline of Langkawi Island in the vicinity of Teluk Yu, about 30 minutes drive from the airport or 45 minutes from Kuah town. Nestled on a hillside overlooking the sea, the magnificent complex offers a wide range of Malaysian handicraft such as delicate hand drawn batik and intricately carved silverware. Visiting hours: 9.00a.m.-6.00p.m. daily
Dataran Lang (Eagle Square) is Langkawi's most prominent landmark for visitors arriving by sea. Situated near the Kuah jetty, the main attraction of the square is the magnificent statue of the reddish brown eagle majestically poised for flight. The square is beautifully landscaped and features scenic ponds, bridges, covered terraces, restaurants and barrel vaults made of bricks. Its close proximity to the sea and the soft breezes make it an ideal spot for leisurely walks and a tranquil setting for dining in the cool evenings.
The Galeria Perdana at Kilim, about 10 km from Kuah, houses an impressive collection of over 2,500 state gifts and awards presented to the Prime Minister of Malaysia, YAB Dato' Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad and his wife, YBhg. Darin Seri Dr. Siti Hasmah bt. Mohd. Ali. The exhibits include fine crystal ware and gifts fashioned out of wood, leather, silver, copper, pewter, ceramics and glass. There are also musical instruments, Islamic art and craft, textiles and weapons. A part of the display includes various cars and four-wheel drive vehicles.
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