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Destinations
Kedah Hotels
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Travel Agencies |
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Places of Interest |
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Alor Setar. The capital of Kedah, Alor Setar is a town that is historically rich. With a collection of magnificent historical buildings, it is a place to see marvels of local and regional architecture. |
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Kuala Kedah. Built to ward off Kedah’s enemies from Siam, Kuala Kedah is a fort at the mouth of the Kedah River. Another attraction here is the two floating seafood restaurants that were once fishing vessels. |
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Paddy Museum. Located in Gunung Keriang, the museum showcase the development of paddy cultivation methods, traditional paddy planting equipment and different aspects of paddy cultivation. |
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Marinas. Sailing enthusiasts will love Langkawi as it has excellent sailing infrastructure at marinas as the Royal Langkawi Yacht Club, Rebak Marina Resort, Telaga Harbour Park and Awana Porto Malai Langkawi. |
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Water World |
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Langkawi Cable Car. Take a cable car ride up to the summit of Gunung Mat Cincang and enjoy the magnificent vie of the island and the Datai Peninsula. Adjacent to the base station is Oriental Village, a themed shopping centre. |
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Pantai Merdeka (Merdeka Beach). Located 60 km south of Alor Setar, this 1 km-long beach is a popular day spot for bathing and makes for a refreshing stop after a day of touring around the Bujang Valley area. Water skiing and sailing are the popular water sports here. Visitors can get to nearby islands like Pulau Bidan, Pulau Telur and Pulau Song by boat from this place. Pantai Merdeka also offers both diving and sport fishing off its coast. A day-trip fishing for mackerel and sailfish runs about RM40 per person, as does a day of diving. Qualified diving guides are available. |
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Tasik Pedu (Pedu Lake). This eco-tourist destination is located 80km from Alor Setar, offering comfortable village-style accommodations of good standards. Popular activities here are water skiing, canoeing, wind surfing, fishing, bird watching as well as bear, elephant, deer and wild boar-spotting. With an 18-hole course, it is also a favourite with avid golfers. Read more.. |
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Pulau Langkawi (Langkawi Island). Pulau Langkawi is an internationally famous resort destination and an island of exceptional natural beauty. The country’s premier island destination is made up of the main island and 99 smaller islands, each with its own beauty and attractions. This island with virgin jungles and white sandy beaches is indeed a perfect getaway for those seeking the sun, sea and sand without the hustle and bustle of crowded beaches and teeming resorts.
This duty-free paradise also offers holidaymakers majestic views of mountains, lush greenery and unexplored swamps and caves. Others fall in love with its intriguing heritage of fabulous myths and legends. Langkawi has a host of attractions of its own. Read more..
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Kuah Town. The largest town, Kuah is also where the port for ferries from Kuala Kedah, Kuala perils and Georgetown is located. Major shopping complexes and chic hotels are concentrated in the modern part of Kuah while Malaysian-style coffee shops, duty-free shops and budget lodges in colonial-style shop houses are located in the older part of this town. Bazaars are seen everywhere and locals operate small restaurants that serves tasty seafood.
Langkawi Crystal. A world-renowned brand in the crystal industry, Langkawi Crystal is located along jalan Kisap, about 5km north of Kuah and 20km from the airport. Made using 2,000-year old flaring techniques combined with the traditionally inborn creative and artistic value of fine local craftsmanship from this legendary island make beautiful gifts and souvenirs. Visitors can watch skillful craftsmen using traditional glass blowing techniques to form special designs. |
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Makam Mahsuri (Mahsuri’s Mausoleum). Located 12km northeast of Kuah, this mausoleum was built in honour of Mahsuri, a fair island maiden who was accused of adultery and unjustly executed. A house of Kedahan architecture, artefacts and furniture from her era can be viewed near her tomb. |
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Padang Nasi Terkukur (Field of Burnt Rice). This was once a storage place for rice. According to the local legend, villagers were adamant to burn their yield rather than surrender to invaders during an attack. Today traces of burnt rice are still found in this site. |
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Dataran Lang (Eagle Square). Situated near the Kuah Jetty, its main attraction is the massive reddish brown eagle statue which is the symbol of Langkawi. It features scenic ponds, bridges, covered terraces, an amphitheatre, two restaurants and two jetties. The cool, soft breeze at this place makes it an ideal spot for leisure walks and evening dining. |
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Taman Lagenda (Legend Park). This park features sculptures and monuments that reflect the legendary Langkawi Island. Covering 20 hectares of land, its garden is a display of colourful local blooms, plants and fruit trees. Some fine examples of traditional Malay handicrafts and cultural objects are found here. |
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Kampung Buku Malaysia (Malaysia’s Book Village). This is the first and only book village in Southeast Asia and is part of the International Book Villages and The Book Town Movement. Situated amidst lush forest at the foot of Gunung Raya, which is 10 minutes from the Langkawi International airport and 15 minutes from the ferry terminal, the houses in the village are stocked with a variety of books on numerous topics and languages as well as rare antique books. |
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Langkawi Underwater World. With 100 tanks of more than 5,000 fishes and marine creatures, it is located at Pantai Cenang. The highlight is a giant tank with large species such as sharks, stingrays, groupers and green turtles. |
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Kampung Air Hangat (Air Hangat Village). Located 14km northeast of Kuah on four acres of land around Telaga Air Hangat (Hot Springs), this is a modern complex with a three-tier hot spring fountain, 18-metre long hand-carved river stone mural and daily demonstrations of local craft making like batik-painting and wood-carving. Visitors also get to see the baking of traditional kuih (cakes and desserts) and enjoy traditional games and cultural dances.
Taman Budaya Langkawi (Langkawi Cultural Park). Spanning eight hectares and home to more than 1,000 crocodiles of various species, this is a crocodile farm at Kubang Badak. The main attraction here is at the Snow Pond where a man wrestles with the crocodiles daily. |
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Laman Padi Langkawi (Langkawi Rice Garden). Situated at Pantai Cenang, it showcases the history, heritage and development of the nation’s rice growing industry. There is a rice museum displaying artifacts, charts and photographs showing the significance of paddy cultivation in the country. Visitors can try their hands at traditional or modern paddy planting. |
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Galeria Perdana (Premier Gallery). Two double-storey buildings stand proudly within a beautifully landscaped garden. Located in Kulim, this gallery house a impressive collection of over 10,000 gifts and awards presented to Malaysia’s former premier, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali. The exhibits include plaques, crystal ware, musical instruments and Islamic arts and crafts. Various cars and vehicles are displayed on the outside of the gallery. |
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Snake Sanctuary. Home to thousands of species of venomous and non-venomous snakes from all over the country, the parkland is situated about 12km from town in Kampung Tok Senik Resort in the island’s Ulu Melaka district. Here is an amphitheatre that houses the snakes where live performances are staged regularly. |
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Telaga Tujuh (Seven Wells). This waterfall is believed to be the place where fairies come out to bathe and play. At the top of this waterfall, there are seven interconnected wells through which the water flows. |
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Durian Perangin Waterfall. A great place for picnics, this is a 14-tier waterfall with unique rock formations that is located 16km fro Kuah. |
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Tasik Dayang Bunting (Lake of the Pregnant Maiden). The largest in Langkawi, this lake carries many legendary tales. Splendid for picnics and swimming, this freshwater lake is also believed to grant hopeful barren women if they drink its magical waters. |
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Pulau Singa Besar. A sanctuary for wildlife such as monkeys, deers, iguana and peacocks, visitors can move around this island on ready-made walkways and clearly marked jungle trails. As to protect the natural habitat, there are no hotels or motels on this island. Visitors are, however, allowed to camp as camping equipment, basic showers and toilets are available. |
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Pulau Payar Marine Park. Located 19 nautical miles south of Langkawi, it comprises four islands, namely Pulau Payar, Pulau Lembu, Pulau Segantang and Pulau Kaca. These islands are cordoned off as Marine Park in 1985 and are sanctuaries for marine life. One of the best diving sites in Peninsular Malaysia, Pulau Payar is a paradise for scuba divers as the waters here are teeming with colourful corals and fish. Coral Garden is another spot here that makes an excellent dive spot. It is a underwater wonderland with a dazzling array of coral forms and marine life like sea squirts, hermit crabs, rockfish, lionfish, sea anemones, sea slugs and barracudas. There are also artificial reefs at Pulau Kaca and Pulau Lembu. |
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Pantai Cenang. Pantai Cenang is the liveliest beach here. A great spot to escape and unwind, visitors can choose to swim, jet ski, water ski, wind surf or go catamaran sailing and boating. Separated by a small cape from Pantai Cenang, Pantai Tengah is another popular beach.
Two other beautiful beaches that offer clean beaches and tranquil waters are Pantai Kok and Burau Bay. They are located next to each other. Burau Bay also has a cable car station that visitors can take rides up to Mount Mat Chincang.
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Tanjung Rhu is another magnificent beach for sun, sea and sand lovers. Located at the cape in the northern most tip of the island, it is a scenic and unspoiled enclave. |
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There are also many interesting grottos on this island that cave explorers can look forward to for some interesting explorations. |
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Gua Cerita (Cave of Stories). Accessible by boat from Tanjung Rhu, this is Langkawi’s most famous cave. On its walls are some ancient inscriptions, said to be verses from the Quran.
Gua Pinang (Betel Nut Cave). Located off a tributary at Kuala Kubang Badak, this cave is situated in an area that was once under the sea for thousands of years. The cave walls have ancient seashells embedded in them.
Gua Tok Sabong. Located in the Teluk Yu area, this cave has the most impressive stalagmites and stalactites that gleam like marble.
Gua Siam. This cave is in the mangrove swamp in the northeastern corner of the island at Sungai Batu Gajah. Primitive tools and skeletal remains have been unearthed here.
Gua Buaya. Literally means Crocodile Cave, its name was such because it was once home to crocodiles. Today thousands of bats occupy this cave.
Gua Kelawar. Named after its inhabitants, the Malaysian fruit bat, visitors can walk along the wooden platform through the mangrove to get to this cave.
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| Click here to find out more about Water World at other destinations |
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Nature's Trail |
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Gunung Jerai (Mount Jerai). Gunung Jerai (1,200 metres above sea level) is the highest spot in the northern region of Peninsular Malaysia, and as such it has for millennia served as a landmark for seafaring traders. Myths and legends concerning this peak abound. One is them is of a 'king with fangs' who resided at the foothills of the mountain in the Bujang Valley, now known to be the site of Kedah's ancient kingdom. The peak of Gunung Jerai offers a breathtaking vista, and can be reached via the nature trail or by road. |
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Waterfalls. Amidst greenery and clear, crisp mountain air, Kedah’s waterfalls make lovely picnic spots. Among the well-known waterfalls are Batu Hampar in Yan (32km south of Alor Setar), uncak Janing (25km northeast of Alor Setar in the Padang Terap district), Junjung Waterfalls in Kulim and Lata Mengkuang (Mengkuang Rapids) in Sik, approximately 72km north of Alor Setar.
Taman Rekreasi Gunung Keriang (Mount Keriang Recreational Park). A natural habitat for hundreds of tree and pant species, it offers a fantastic panoramic view and activities such as jungle trekking, camping, jungle jogs and caving.
Hutan Rekreasi Bukit Hijau (Bukit Hijau Recreational Forest). With a wide variety of flora and fauna, this park is home to tigers, elephants, tapirs, grey long-tailed monkeys, squirrels, birds, wild fowls and many other animals. It is also famed for its seven-tier crystal waterfall. The forest won an award in a landscaping competition under the category of agriculture and forestry in 1997. Classified as an educational and Research Forest, there is also a Virgin Jungle Reserve nearby.
Bukit Kayu Hitam (Black Forest Hill). The duty-free shopping complex is the main attraction. Housed in a modern three-storey building, the complex is over 5,000 sq metres in retail space and has ample car parks. Visitors can try their hands at golfing at the Black Forest Free Resort. |
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| Click here to find out more about Nature's Trail at other destinations |
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Historical & Heritage |
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Lembah Bujang (Bujang Valley). The Bujang Valley is a sprawling historical site located in the foothills of Gunung Jerai. It is the richest archaeological area in Malaysia. Archaeological research indicates that the ancient Langkasuka Kingdom, a Hindu-Buddhist kingdom ruled here as early as the 5th century AD. Relics of the kingdom found at the site that are now on display at the Archaeological Museum include inscribed stone caskets and tablets, metal tools and ornaments, ceramics, pottery, and Hindu icons. More than fifty ancient tomb temples, called candi, have also been unearthed, many of which were built during the Bujang Valley civilization's heyday. Near the most impressive and well preserved of these, in Pengkalan Bayang Merbok, is the Bujang Valley Archaeological Museum. It is open from 9.30am-5pm daily. |
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Balai Nobat (Hall of Drums). Balai Nobat belongs to the old Sultanate of Kedah. The Hall features the nobat, the instruments of the royal orchestra - drums, gongs and a traditional flute. These instruments are only played on special ceremonial occasions. The musical skills of the nobat are generally passed on from father to son. |
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Balai Besar (Great Hall). Situated near Balai Nobat and facing Masjid Zahir, Balai Besar is an impressive wooden pavilion, built in 1898, which embodies certain aspects of Thai architecture. This hall is used frequently for royal and state functions. |
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Muzium Diraja (Royal Museum). Opposite of the Balai Besar, the Royal Museum was at one time used for royal weddings and ceremonies and to house royal guests. Today it is museum of royal regalia and cultural heritage.
Royal Boat House. Situated near the banks of Sungai Anak Bukit, the Royal Boat House contains several boats used by former rulers of Kedah with description of origin and usage. |
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Masjid Zahir (Zahir Mosque). Officially opened in 1912, this mosque is an architectural landmark. With black domes set off against slender minarets, Masjid Zahir is one of the most elegant and aesthetically pleasing mosques in Malaysia. The state's Quran reading competition is held annually within the premises of this mosque. |
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Balai Seni Negeri (State Art Gallery). Closely located to Masjid Zahir, the gallery houses paintings, antiques and relics. |
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State Museum. Although it is only about fifty years old, the State Museum (Muzium Di Raja) is another fine example of local architectural integration of Thai design characteristics. It houses an interesting collection of objects and artifacts of Kedah's royal and cultural heritage. |
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Menara Alor Setar (Alor Setar Tower). Proudly standing at 165.5 metres high, this telecommunications tower is the second tallest in Malaysia and the 19th tallest in the world. This major landmark is a tourist attraction and a recreational center for arts and cultural activities. It has a revolving restaurant, an amphitheatre, a conference room, a viewing gallery and a cafeteria. Binoculars are available at the viewing gallery located on the 88-metre level where viewers can enjoy a panoramic view of the scenery of Kedah’s countryside. |
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Nikradharam Buddhist Temple. Inspired by Siamese architecture, this temple is decorated with statues, paintings and colourful mosaics. A golden Garuda is suspended over the entrance while the outer walls contain inscriptions of Buddha’s teachings in three languages. |
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Birth House of Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad. Malaysia’s former premier, Tun Dr mahathir Mohamad was born in this house located at 18, Lorong Kilang Ais, Off Jalan Pegawai. The National archives restored and gazetted this house as a historical building in 1992. Photographs, furniture, household items and even his favourite bicycle are displayed here. |
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