Attracting Places in Kedah

1) Langkawi Island

Langkawi island is an archipelago of 104 islands lying in the north western coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The exact location of these tropical islands is at the site where the Straits of Malacca meets the waters of the Andaman Seas.The largest of these islands is called Langkawi Island and is bigger than the Penang Island.The other islands in this group are Island of Pregnant Maiden (Pulau Dayang Bunting), Lion Island (Pulau Singa Besar) and Beras Basah Island.The smallest of these islands are atolls roughly the size of an ordinary house.

 Langkawi is coined from the Malay words Lang and Kawi. Lang is a brown eagle and Kawi is a local manganese stone.The ancient fishermen must have seen eagles flying clutching the manganese stones! A giant monument of a brown eagle clutching the manganese stone greets all visitors to Langkawi near the Kuah Jetty.The main tourist attractions of Langkawi Island is its virgin white sandy beaches.The beaches have very gentle continental slope and the water is crystal clear.

 This island is unique in the sense that it has so many legendsand myths associated with it.Langkawi Island is therefore also called Pulau Lagenda or Legendary Island. The most talked about legend is that of Mahsuri who is said to have laid a curse on this island for seven generations.Luckily the period of this curse is over now and Langkawi Island is fast becoming an internationally recognised tourist destination. 

The government of Malaysia has declared the entire Langkawi Island as a duty free zone. Hence this island is also termed Duty Free Island.All goods sold in this island are exempted from government tax.Therefore this Legendary Island is a haven for the shoppers.You only need to stay in Langkawi for a minimum of 48 hours to take back home a reasonable amount of tax free goods.

2) Lembah Bujang

Lembah Buiang, lying between Gunung Jerai in the north and Sungai Muda in the south, is regarded as Malaysia's richest archaeological area.

The Bujang Valley Archaeological Museum in Pengkalan Bujang, Merbok houses numerous artificial stone caskets, gem stones, beads, etc. Fifty (50) candis or temples were found along Sungai Bujang and to date eight (8) of them have been restored to their original form using the same original materials, visitors interested in history and archaeology should not miss out on this area in Kedah.

3)Gunung Jerai

Formerly known as Kedah Peak, Gunung Jerai is a massive limestone outcrop rising 1200 m above sea level, south of Alor Setar in Kedah. The cool, fresh mountain air is matched by the quiet serenity of its natural surroundings. On clear days, different vantage points on the mountain offer spectacular views of the rolling rice fields of Kedah stretching up to Perlis in the North; the emerald seas surround Penang in the South-West and the legendary islands of Langkawi in the North-West. 

This magnificent mountain is has its own share of history and fascinating legends.The discovery of the ruins of Hindu and Buddhist temples at the foot of the hills established its importance as an ancient centre of Hindu civilisation within the region. Varied tales also abound about the famous 'Raja Bersiong' ( the king with fangs ) who once held sway over an ancient kingdom within the Bujang Valley at the foot of the mountains. Recent archeological findings reveal the existence of the Temple on the Ninth Water pool ( Chandi Telaga Sembilan ) - many believe this pool to be the private pool of Raja Bersiong. Indeed , amidst such majestic surrounding, its would be difficult to separate fact from fiction.

4)Pekan Rabu

"Pekan Rabu" which literally means Wednesday Market which is located in the middle of Alor Setar is well known among the local population and tourists from outside Kedah. The business complex is not only the pride of Malay entreprenuers in Kedah but also the pride of all Malay's in Kedah. Moreover the fourth Malaysian Prime Minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir, once was a trader in Pekan Rabu. Most tourists visiting Alor Setar make it a point to shop around at the Pekan Rabu Complex.


The complex costing RM 3.2 millions and was built in 1975 and renovated in 1995 with cost RM 6.5 millions. Phase 2 complex was built in 1990 with cost RM 2 millions. Pekan Rabu complex has 347 stalls with a variety of business and it has become one of the important landmarks of Alor Setar.


This shopping Complex which is situated in Jalan Tunku Ibrahim was officially opened on 25th. February 1978. Prior to the construction of this complex, the traders did their business in on open building with no walls 
and trading stalls were not properly arranged and scattered.

5) Lata Mengkuang

There is a wide variety of flora and fauna of lowland dipterocarp forest. A 5 km track that leads to Lata Lembu Recreational Forest which was once used for logs transportation.There is rock cliff ideal for those who enjoy challenging activities and absailing.The main recreational activities in this area are family picnics, swimming and summer camps.This recreational forest is also suitable for educational and research purposes.

The main plants species found here are meranti melantai, meranti langgong, meranti tembaga and palms.Lata Mengkuang is located 11 km from Sik town or 95 km from Alor Setar. Situated nearby to this recreational area is an attractive 20 m waterfall.


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