Towns and Villages
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An excellent way to see all of Kedah is to travel by road,
stop by the many towns along the highway and divert to some of the
villages located in the hilly terrain or coastal areas. Hop on a ferry
or a boat to the many islands off the western coast of Kedah to
enjoy the best beaches in Asia . (Caution: If you
drive through the countryside, be extra careful as there are
villagers, children and often animals that may suddenly move on to the
road. More
safety tips here) |
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Towns from north to south.
There are many
small towns and quaint villages in Kedah. Travel by road or rail to
visit some of the towns and villages in Kedah.
Kuah
- the largest town on Langkawi island. As the island of Langkawi has a
tax-free status, this is the place to shop for tax-free items. Read
about Langkawi
island here
Kodiang
- located at the Kedah-Perlis border. This quiet, small town is
bustles with activity on Saturday market days, where a wide range of
local and Thai products are sold. Nearby is Gua Kerbau (Buffalo Cave),
an archaeological site where there is evidence of a prehistoric
(Neolithic) settlement.
Kuala Nerang
- the town nearest to the
Tasik Pudu resort (a holiday resort trapped
in the heart of the virgin forest of eastern highlands of Kedah).
Alor Star
(formerly Alor Setar) -
the capital of Kedah, is about 90 km from Butterworth (Penang). This
old capital is a mixed of old and new architecture with many
historical sights. Places to visit here includes Pekan Rabu, Balai
Besar, State Museum, Royal Museum and Anak Bukit.
Kuala Kedah - located at the mouth of
the Kedah River. A historical trading post, it was a transit centre
along the India-China route. Today it is a fishing village known for
her seafood. A jetty to
Langkawi island
is located in Kedah.
Tanjung Dawai
- a charming fishing village located at the mouth of the Sungai Merbok,
facing the Straits of Malacca. The village is located about 20km from
Sungai Petani and less than 5 km the rich archaeological site of
Bujang Valley. Its a place to visit if you want to buy local
foodstuff such as keropok (Malaysian chips), dried salted fish or
belacan. Travel from here by boat to Pantai Merdeka (boats take locals
across for RM1.50 per person)
Merbok
and the
Bujang Valley Merbok is a small quite town with just two row of shops. The
surrounding areas are small fruit farms and some rubber plantations.
However, Merbok is at th centre of the largest archeological finds in
Malaysia. Located nearby is the famed
Bujang Valley, centre of a Hindu
Kingdom that dates back to the 4th century AD/CE.
Sungai Petani is
a striving industrial town located in central Kedah, the second
largest town in Kedah. In many
ways this town is more alive than the capital Alor Star because of
the many industries located here and the proximity of the town to the
port at Perai and George Town, in Penang. The well-known Bujang Valley
archaeological site is only 15km from here.
Baling - located in the hilly
south-western part of Kedah. Baling is famed for fruits
especially durians (king of fruits).
Historically
Baling is known as the place where the peace talks between the
communist party leader Chin Peng and the then Prime Minister of
Malaysia, Tunku Abdul Rahman held talks. Nearby are some beautiful
forest recreation parks.
Read about the legends of Baling and about other interesting
towns in our forthcoming publication. Look out for it at our
bookstore
Islands of Kedah Over a hundred
island with beautiful secluded beaches and lush tropical forest lies
off the coast of Kedah.
- Off the coast of Yan, central Kedah: Bunting, Pulau
Songsong, Pulau Bidan, Pulau Bunting, Pulau Telor
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Bujang Valley Archaeological Site
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Historians will know of this ancient settlement. The Bujang Valley or
Lembab Bujang, sometimes referred to as the Ancient Wonder of
Kedah, is a rich historical site covering an area of about 400sq. km
in the Merbok basin, bounded by Bukit Coras (Choras Hill) and Gunung
Jerai. To the west is the Malacca (Melaka) Strait and south Sungai
Muda (Muda River).
This archaeological area was the site of an ancient
Hindu-Buddhist kingdom that ruled the region from the 4th century AD.
Over 50 Hindu and Buddhist temples or chandis (or candi) have been
excavated from various sites in the valley. Artefacts and relics found
at various sites, dating back to the 4th century, includes pottery
shards, stone statues of Hindu icons, inscribed stone tablets, metal
tools, Song and Ming Dynasties ceramic wares, ornaments, beads and semi
precious stones. The artefacts and relics are on display at the
archaeological museum located here. Details at our special page on
More at
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Fort at Kuala Kedah
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Kuala Kedah Fort
(Kota Kuala Kedah or Kota Kuala Bahang)
is sited at the mouth of Sungai Kedah facing Malacca Strait. The fort,
surrounded by a moat, is the site of numerous battles that marked Kedah’s struggle against foreign
domination and control.
Kuala Kedah was entrenched
in numerous attacks on Kedah during the 17th
and 18th century.
It was attacked by the Portuguese in 1611 and by the Acehnese in
1619. The fort was occupied by the Dutch around 1710 and again
attacked by the Bugis a few years later. In 1821, a Siamese armada
from Ligor attacked Kota Kuala Kedah and Kedah fell to Siam. (See
section on History Of Kedah).
Kota Kuala Kedah (the fort) stands as a reminder of the town’s
eventful past.
To reach Kuala
Kedah, exit the PLUS expressway at Alor Setar and travel by the
trunk road westwards.
Today Kuala Kedah is a quiet town where the ferry
terminal to Langkawi island is located. There
are also special boats to Pulau Payar for Kual Kedah
How to get there: To reach the
site, travel to Kuala Kedah and turn right at the first traffic
junction upon reaching the town, then left, across the bridge over the
Kedah River. Look out for a white lighthouse on the left.
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There
are over 10 recreation forest or forest parks in Kedah.
Visitors can visit the designated park areas but to go into the forest
reserves, permission is required from the Forestry department of Kedah. It
is advisable to get a local tourist guide if you want to travel to forest
parks or venture into the forest.
 Check these out
these sites
The Bukit Hijau waterfall is familiar to many in
Kedah but less known to
tourists from outside the state. Though located away from the toll
expressway, the park is linked by roads to the towns of Baling, Kulim and
Sungai Petani. This park, located in the Gunong Inas Forest Reserve,
boasts some beautiful waterfalls along Sungai Mempelam (Mempelam River).
The recreational park
spreads over 2,100 hectares, with seven waterfalls and natural pools at
each fall. It is an ideal for a cool dip or swim but be careful when
swimming here as some pools are very dangerous (advisable to ask the
locals where to swim)
Pedu Lake
(or Tasik Pedu) is located in the midst of a dense rainforest,
approximately 5 km from the Malaysian-Thai border. The journey to the area
takes you through many small towns, Malay kampongs and through tropical
rainforests.
Locked in the heart of
nature, this secluded area in Kedah offers you a peace and serenity that is beyond
words. The magnificent Tasik Pedu (Pedu Lake) is flanked by low undulating
hills and offers a breathtaking view and mountain fresh air. The lake is
an ideal place for fishing and a great venue for water sports such as
canoeing and boating. The natural surroundings offer nature lovers a
multitude of adventure opportunities - hiking, bird watching and jungle
trekking. (Please note: The two hotels located here may be temporarily closed.) Check
with the forestry department before travelling here.
 Sungai Sedim Forest Recreation park is a popular destination for the adventurous,
white-water enthusiasts and nature lovers. The river is one of the best
white-water destinations in the Asia. The
area has the world’s longest canopy walk (of reinforced steel) that spans
950 meter above the lush green rainforest trees and Sedim River.
Ulu Muda Forest Reserve
is
a area covering over 100,000 hectares around Ulu Muda forest. The forest
reserve is rich in wildlife, one of the richest in Malaysia, with over 100
species of mammals and over 50 reptilian species. A visit here is only
for the rugged intrepid adventurer. Hire an experienced guide and a permit
is required from the Kedah State Forestry Department to go in. The
forestry department can help arrange boats and an authorised guide for
you.
Other forest parks:
Lata Bayu Forest Park
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a waterfall located 30 km from Baling, south-eastern Kedah.
Bukit
Wang Recreation Forest -
12 km from Jitra, 40 km from Alor Star, northern Kedah.
Puncak
Janing Recreation Forest
-
14 km from Kuala Nerang, 50 km from Alor Star, northern Kedah.
Ulu Legong Hot Spring Recreation Park -
 Baling, southern Kedah is
a popular spot for those who what to enjoy the hot mineral waters of
this hot spring. Many visitors go the place at night. The hot spring is
accessible by well paved road, about 6km from the town of Ulu Legong
which is more than 10km from Baling.
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Gunung Jerai (Kedah Peak)
at 1,217 m above sea level, is the highest peak in Kedah and is accessible
by road. It is advisable to take the official jeep up the very narrow,
steep road leading to the peak. If you choose to drive, official
permission is required from the ground station. Gunung Jerai is very
popular with the local hikers, trekkers and school kids. Titi Hayun
Recreation Forest, Seri Perigi Recreation Forest and Sungai Teroi
Recreation Forest are located in the area.
Gunung Keriang
is located in Anak Bukit about 5km from Alor Star, this is the largest
limestone hill in Kedah. This huge outcrop, comprising of two hills,
provides a panoramic view of the surrounding paddy fields and kampongs.
Kedah
Padi Museum,
opened in 2004, is a place to visit in Kedah to learn about rice and paddy
production. It is located near Gunong Keriang, Anak Bukit.
Agro-tourism. Besides the padi museum, visitors
can visit fruit farms to see how plant propagation and sample local
fruits. Check out the
Kedah Agro-tourism link
Lye
Huat Garden is
a small Chinese-styled garden, located just besides the toll expressway,
after Jitra. It is very popular with locals.
Merbok River - embark on a
mangrove forest tour on the Merbok river from Semeling, 10 minutes drive
from Sungai Petani. Boats can be hired at the Semeling jetty or Tanjung
Dawai Jetty.
Homestay programmes - Tourists (in groups) can enjoy a
stay in a kampong and participate in kampong activities at these places:
1.
Kampung Relau, Persatuan Homestay Relau, Lot 1064 Sri Impian Relau, Kedah;
Tel: 04-585 5858, 04-5824122; http://www.homestayrelau.cjb.net
2. Kampung Raga,
06900 Yan, Kedah; Tel : 04-465 6391
3. Lembaga Kemajuan
Ikan Malaysia (LKIM); Lot 552 Jalan Kuala Kedah, Kuala Kedah; Tel: 04-762
3566/ 67
4. Kampung Yan, Yan,
Kedah; Tel : 04-4655439
5. Persatuan Nelayan Kawasan Langkawi (Langkawi Fisherman Association),
Kuah, Langkawi; Tel: 04-966 6102
6. Pengerusi
Homestay, Pejabat KEDA Langkawi, Kuah, Langkawi; Tel: 04-966 6334,
012-4242144
(For
information, contact Tourism Malaysia at tel. 04-7312322 / 04-7301322)
Check for other accommodation in Kedah and compare hotel rates:
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Kedah Peak as seen from Pantai Merdeka
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Gunung Keriang, Kedah
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padi museum, kedah
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Semeling, Kedah
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Free brochures on Kedah
Free Maps for download
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Shopping Sungai Petani
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Main Office: Kompleks Pelancongan Negeri Kedah, Seksyen 20,
Jalan Raja, Alor Setar, Kedah; Tel: 04-731 2322Fax: 04-734 0322
- Langkawi International Airport, Langkawi; Tel: 04-955 7155
- Langkawi Tourist Information Centre, Jalan Persiaran Putra, Kuah, Langkawi; Tel: 04-966
7789 / 9416
- Bukit Kayu Hitam Tourist Information Centre, Bukit Kayu
Hitam; Tel: 04-922 2078
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kueh Kedah |
asam pedas (sour curry)
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Nasi ulam, nasi lemak, ulam, sambal belacan are some of the
unique dishes of Kedah, Malaysia.
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Learn about
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