KEDAH

Kedah, also known by its Arabic honorific, Darul Aman (Abode of Peace) is situated in the North-Western part of Peninsular Malaysia. Kedah shares boundaries with Perlis to the North, Perak to the South, and Penang to the SouthWest. It also shares international boundaries with Thailand. The capital and royal seat of Kedah is Alor Setar. It is also the government administration and commercial centre.

Interested to find out the most fascinating Kedah Attractions? Ready to be fascinated by the natural beauty and serenity of the paddy fields and scenic mountains in Kedah? If so, then let me have the pleasure to be your humble travel guide to Kedah, "The Rice Bowl of Malaysia".


 Bujang Valley 
 
Kedah is home to the Bujang Valley (Lembah Bujang), which is said to be the oldest civilization in Peninsular Malaysia. Lembah Bujang is a sprawling historical complex and is situated near Merbok, Kedah, between Gunung Jerai (Mount Jerai) in the North and Sungai Muda (Muda River) in the South. This place is also the richest archaeological area in Malaysia.

Archaeological research indicates that there was an old Hindu-Buddhist empire built here. The ruins found here are said to be more than 1,500 years old. Up till now, more than fifty ancient tomb temples, called Candi have also been unearthed and many of these Candis were built during the peak of the Bujang Valley civilization. 

The most impressive and well-preserved Candi is located in Pengkalan Bayang Merbok. Incidentally, the Bujang Valley Archaeological Museum is also located here. This museum houses a collection of a thousand pieces of valuable historical artifacts that have been unearthed since 1948. Exhibits displayed here include photographs, store pillars, pottery and jewels dug out from the Bujang Valley.

One of the most interesting Kedah attractions that can be found here is the Paddy Museum. The Paddy Museum is located at Gunung Keriang (Mount Keriang), about 8 km from Alor Setar. This museum features the different aspects of paddy cultivation through the ages, including samplings of paddy plants from around the world. When you're here, you can even witness traditional methods of planting paddy, ancient paddy planting equipment and the development of paddy cultivation technologies from the olden days until recent times. This is indeed a very unique and interesting museum!



                    Alor Setar Tower

One of the major Kedah attractions that you should not miss when you're in Kedah is the tallest building in Alor Setar, the Alor Setar Tower. This tower stands at 165.5 metres high and is the 19th tallest communication tower in the world. The Alor Setar Tower is divided into three sections, namely the main tower, the amphitheater and the cafeteria. The tower offers its visitors a panoramic view of the state capital. Binoculars are even available at the observatory deck for visitors who want to take a closer view of the many interesting travel spots in Alor Setar.




                           Langkawi Island

Kedah is also home to one of the most famous and beautiful Islands in Malaysia, the Legendary and Mythical Langkawi Island. Langkawi Island comprises a group of 99 tropical islands lying off the North-Western coast of Peninsular Malaysia in the Straits of Melaka. This Island is known for its idyllic setting, intriguing legends and mystical myths. The beautiful, soft, sandy beaches and the colourful underwater world here is simply amazing. Among the more prominent islands in Langkawi are Pulau Dayang Bunting (Isle of the Pregnant Maiden), Pulau Singa Besar, a wildlife santuary, Pulau Payar,a marine park and Pulau Beras Basah (Isle of Wet Rice), a popular spot for swimming. Besides that, Langkawi is also a free port which means you can shop, shop and shop until you drop. It's truly a shopping heaven here!




 
There are over 10 recreation forests 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.
 

                                                    Pedu Lake

Pedu Lake is located about 90 km from Alor Setar and is a peaceful holiday retreat for city folks who want a break from their routine, hectic city life.When you're here, you'd be surrounded by one of the world's oldest tropical rain forests and you would get to experience a "back to nature" vacation. The Pedu lake is ideal for jet skiing, canoing, windsurfing and lake swimming. Besides that, you could also go jungle trekking, mountain hiking, fishing or just relax and enjoy a session of bird watching. If you are keen to explore the vast lake, you could take a boat ride out to the lake and enjoy the warm sunshine by the waters.

           Bukit Hijau Forest Recreation Park

 
 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).

Sungai Sedim Forest Recreation Park

 
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.

 
 The dense forests can often consist up to 100 species of trees, shrubs, herbs and climbers in an acre. The upper or emergent storey is usually about 100 – 150 feet (30.5 – 45.7 m) tall, there are those above 200 feet (61m).

‘Bridge in the jungle’ – this canopy walkway spans 925 m in a loop through the trees and crossing the Sedim River twice. It stands at heights ranging between 26 – 50 m above ground level and is made of galvanised steel, one of the very few of its kind in the world.

 Rushing waters across rapids in a continuous stretch of 15 km distance make the river a good venue for adventurous white water rafting. The shrub level of the jungle are often thick and dense, here they are opened by the river.