KEDAH

Map Of Kedah in Malaysia

Map of Kedah Darul Aman

Kedah is one of the oldest statesnin Malaysia and has wonderful history behind it. Kedah is also known as the "Rice Bowl of Malaysia", the Kedah rice plains produce more than half of the country's home grown rice supply. Furthermore, there is also interesting story behind the rice itself. It is a place unique of natural beauty surrounded by much greeny like other states of Malaysia. Kedah rely solely on industrialization and tourism development. Kedah, it's a place never to be missed when one visits Malaysia. Kedah is located on the Northwest of Peninsular Malaysia, approximately 400 kilometers from Kuala Lumpur.

Kedah Paddy Museum

 Kedah Paddy Museum is locally and globally recognized.The paddy museum is the fourth paddy museum to be opened in the world after Japan, Germany and Philippines. The museum receives huge responses from both the local and international tourist since its official opening in October, 2004. The meseum would indulge anyone to explore the paddy and history of Kedah whether it is from the production to manufacturing the paddy.


The historical museum consists of three levels, displays the history nd production items related to paddy. The showcases of the meseum is suitable development of paddy in the country. The museum is a place that must be visited by anyone. Visitors may find themselves some natural excavated crystal as souvenirs at Gunung Keriang Recreation Park at the same location. Hotels are available and could be easily found at the district. Varieties of election are based on personal preferences as offer.

Gunung Keriang

 Gunung Keriang (Mount Keriang) is a 250 million year old lump of mainly limestone rock which is said to be in the shape of an elephant and reaches a height of 218 meters.
It is located about 8km northh-west of Alor Setar close to the Kedah Paddy Museum.
It is geologically unique and ten different rocks are found here including attractive calcite crystals which are much sought after by collectors and fung-shui believers.
Like most of Malaysia's limestone formations, the hill is riddled with caves including a larger one known as Gua Keriang.
On the south eastern adge of the hill is the Gunung Keriang Recreational Park which has walking trails with concrete rilings and viewing gazebos. It is possible to hike up to the summit to obtain good views of the surrounding rice plains.

Black Forest Golf Club

Black Forest Golf & Country Club

Black forest Golf & Country Club : Black forest enjoys a reputation as a gppd quality course to play in the north of Malaysian. It is actually located close to the Malaysia-Thailand border, about as far north as you can go in the country. Its wide fairways make it a favourite with golfersof all levels, its popularity also based on the fact that it is a public, non-membership course. Formerly a sugar cane and rubber plantation, the layout occupies lightly tree-lined, flattish terrai. The undulating greens are generally well-protected by large bunkers.

Mount Jerai

View of Mount Jerai from Yan, Kedah

Gunung Jerai (Mount Jerai) rises above the surrounding plains at 1380metres/4140 feet above sea level and is visible for miles around. 11km of winding road lead up to this mountain resort which can be reached by car. The vegetation begins to change gradually as you ascend the mountain - through the lower and upper dipterocarp forests that we commonly encounter in parks and reserves down in valleys and low lying areas that give way to the low montane forest where conifers thrive. At the top of the mount the trees are much shorter in  height, twisted and gnarled from the base to the branches. It certainly is a delight to step off the cemented trails and onto the soft forest floor - nature's best carpeting, thickly covered with layers of acid humus soil and peat.

View from Mount Jerai to North Kedah

pitcher plants line the pathway 

The forest is saturated with delicious scents. A wonderful mixture of balsamic fragrances from various types of coniferous and oak trees gives the forest a rather alien feel. It's like walking into a curio shop in a little seaside town everything seems so strangely out of place. 

Lembah Bujang

Bujang Valley

Lembah Bujang (Bujang Valley) is the richest archaeological area in Malaysia. I explored it on the same day a group of AsiaExplorers members and I visited Gunung Jerai. Located between Gunung Jerai and Sungai Muda in south Kedah, near the town of Gurun. Lembah Bujang is the oldest entrepôt in Malaysia, preceeding the port of Malacca. Lembah Bujang developed between the 4th and 14th century, when traders from many countries, but primarily Indians, settled here, bringing with them their culture and religion.

A broken piece of the
elephant-headed deity Ganesh

Artefacts on display at the museum

Archaeological excavation had been carried out in Lembah Bujang since 1845. Thousands of artefacts have been discovered here, of which some 1000 pieces are on display at the Lembah Bujang Archaeological Museum. The first temple ruin in Lembah Bujang was discovered in the 1840's. It is called a candi, pronounced "chan-dee", a name that came from "chandika", after the wife of the Hindu deity Shiva (also written Siva). 
The candi has two funtions: as a sacred place to pay respect for deceased members of the royal family, and as a place to conduct religious activities.

Langkawi

Off the coat of Kedah is a cluster of 99 islands offering the best of many worlds: beautiful beaches, world-class infrastructure, mangroves rich in flora and fauna, ultra-cheap duty free shopping and fascinating legends.
Langkawi has a lingering legend woven into its history.Ask anyone on the island about the tragic story of a beautiful young lady named Mahsuri, and you'll hear a tale of love, jealousy and a curse that was placed upon the island by her for seven generations.

Gunung Mat Cincang is open to the public and its peak can be reached via a Cable Car ride all the way up from its base at the Oriental Village. The rides are available from 10.00am till 8.00pm and the fare is RM15 for adults; RM5 for children. From the cable car, visitors have a fine view of Langkawi island and beyond. 

Today, Gunung Raya is accessible by road - all the way to the top. Perched on top like the eagle's nest, is an impressive fortress-like building, which is strictly for government officials only and is out of bounds to public. However, the view from the peak is great for sunset photos. There is also a resort located at the peak for those seeking retreat. Gunung Raya itself is home to the white-bellied sea eagle - circling high round the mountaintop. The hornbills also make their home in the forested area of Gunung Raya.

Pulau Payar Marine Park Island

 Pulau Pyar Marine Park consists of a group of various island with the names os Pulau Payar (the largest island), Pulau Kaca, Pulau Lembu and Pulau Segantang. All these islands are located right between the Pearl of Orient-Penang and Langkawi's Geopark. Before we procees to the description of the scenery and activities offered there, it is important to know that there are quite a few don'ts we have to follow as it is a Marine Park. We are forbidden to collect anything on the islands such as seashells and marine organisms. Of course, finishing is not allowed too.
There are many activities affered by the Marine Park including snorkeling, scuba diving, swimming, jungle trekking and even baby shark feeding. You cal also organize a barbecue feast and enjoy yout lunch there as the park provides barbecue pits, picnic table and also public restrooms. This amazing trip to the Pulau Payar Marine Park can be booked at the Langkawi Coral's office at the Kuah Ferry Terminal. The respective company will pick up guests to and back to repective hotels. Food will be handled by the company too. Be sure to check for more company as prices offered for this trip may be different.

Kuala Kedah

The fort of Kuala Kedah

    Kuala Kedah is a town and parliamentary constituency in Kedah, Malaysia. It is a fishing port, located at the mouth of the Kedah River, and serves as a terminus for ferries to the tourist island of Langkawi. It is home to a fort, Kota Kuala Kedah, Built in 1770. Kuala Kedah is accessible by bus or taxi fom Alor Setar.

Ulu Legong Hot Spring

The Ulu Legong Hot Spring is more to a recreational park. Do note

there is actually entrances fees needed to access the park. There are a total of 5 pools in the park. Three of them are main pools where people packed around. The other two is a baby pool and a private pool for them ladies respectively. the temperatures of the main three pools are all different. From a warm water pool. to a hot water pool and the hottest are all up for you pick. The third pool is normally empty as the water is too hot to stand. There are steams around the place due to the hot water pool. The Ulu Legong Hot Spring is a place for relaxation and therapeutic purpose for all people with ailments. However, to cautions if your skin is sensitive and thinks twice before dipping yourself in the pool. Apart from the relaxation time, one can go for jungle trekking and visit the waterfalls in the Ulu Muda Forest Reserve nearby.

Food in Kedah

The laksa is another popular dish among the people of Kedah as well as other states in Malaysia. The dish consists of thick rice noodles or rice vermicelli and is eaten with fish curry, cucumber slices and onions. It exudes the rich fish broth with spices and is slightly spicy and sweet.

Kedah’s taste buds are more inclined to the sweet side hence desserts and sweet dishes are popular here. These sweet indulgences include Bahulu and Dodol. These sweet cakes are made from flour, coconut and sugar.

Kuih Karas is also a popular dessert here. The crispy, sweet kuih that resembles fried vermicelli can be widely found at stall and markets around Kedah. Another sweet delicacy here is Serabai, a rice flour pancake laced with thin syrup made of coconut milk and sweetened with palm sugar.

Kedah is also famous for its seafood. Grilled fish is one of the many local favourites. Fish choices include ikan terubuk, kembung, pari and keli. They are usually marinated in spices before grilled. You can try its chilli crabs, grilled squids or prawns. Salted fish and fish crackers are quite a delicacy here too.