7. Kedah
Kedah is a state in Peninsular Malaysia and together with Perlis, Perak and Kelantan, they all share a common border with their neighbouring country, Thailand. Kedah is known as the “Rice Bowl of Malaysia” where its rice plains produce more than half of the country’s homegrown supply. Kedah’s early history can be traced from the prehistoric period to the archaeological site of Bujang Valley, the early Maritime trade of India, Persia, Arabs to the written works of the early Chinese pilgrims and early Chinese records, the Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa or known as the Kedah Annals to the Al-Tarikh Salasilah Negeri Kedah. Kedah was also known as Karam, Kidaram, Kalagam and Kataha by the Tamils and Kalah or Kalaha by the Persians.
Kedah was originally a vassal state of the Sumatran Kingdom Srivijaya. After Srivijaya's downfall, Kedah went under the protection of the Siamese before being conquered by the Malacca Sultanate in the 15th century. Kedah was later fiercely attacked by the Portuguese and Acheh in the 17th century.
In 1821, Kedah fell to the Thais. In 1907, the Thais handed Kedah over to the British and it would only be in 1957 that Kedah would become independent as part of Malaysia.
Attractions in Kedah
1. Mount Jerai
Mount Jerai is a mountain in Kedah, Malaysia with a height of 3,854 feet (1,175 m). Within Kedah itself, the mountain stands at the border of Kuala Muda and Yan districts. The mountain is a massive limestone outcrop and is a lone feature from the surrounding geography of the area. There is an information board on top of the mountain stating that it used to be an island called Pulai Serai before the sea levels receded letting it form a mountain. This is probably supported by I Ching's record of Pu Lou Shi (Pulau Sri), a country located west of Sribogha.
Mount Jerai is home to several historical sites, among which are Padang Tok Sheikh and Telaga Tok Sheikh. Tok Sheikh was the person responsible to convert Maharaja Debar Raja 1, later called as Sultan Muzaffar Shah to Islam in 1136. The height of Mount Jerai relative to its surroundings allowed Indian traders and seafarers to use the mountain as a navigational point more than 1500 years ago.
2. Bujang Valley
The Bujang Valley (Malay: Lembah Bujang) is a sprawling historical complex and has an area of approximately 224 square kilometres (86 sq mi) situated near Merbok, Kedah, between Gunung Jerai in the north and Muda River in the south. It is the richest archaeological area in Malaysia.
These archaeological remains show that there was a Hindu-Buddhist polity here. In Sanskrit the term Bhujanga refers to the serpent, thus the name itself is roughly translated into "Serpent Valley".The area consists of ruins that may date more than 2,535 years old. More than fifty ancient tomb temples, called Candi (pronounced as "Chandi"), have also been unearthed. The most impressive and well-preserved of these is located in Pengkalan Bujang, Merbok. The Bujang Valley Archaeological Museum is also located here. In the area of Bujang Valley known as Sungai Batu, excavations have revealed jetty remains, iron-smelting sites, and a clay brick monument dating back to AD 110, making it the oldest man-made structure to be recorded in Southeast Asia.
In 1864, Colonel James Low started digging around in this area. Subsequent research during the period 1936-1939 by H.G.Quaritch Wales and his wife Dorothy documented 30 Candi sites here. The word Candi (pronounced Chandi) refers to Hindu and Buddhist architecture dating from before the coming of Islam. The word is derived from Chandika, the wife of Lord Siva.
The museum was built in 1978. Various artefacts are displayed inside the museum including pottery, stone caskets, tablets, metal tools, ornaments, ceramics, statues, jewellery and iron nails. The grounds surrounding the museum building are where the Candi is found. Some have always been here while others, such as Candi Pengkalan Bujang were found nearby and relocated here in the 1970s.
After the 1970s, local archaeologists were trained to continue the research there. With the strong support of the Malaysian Government, excavations and reconstructions of sites were done in Bujang Valley by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and the University of Malaysia in collaboration with The Department of Museums and Antiquity. The most prominent local archaeologist who did research in the Bujang Valley was Nik Hassan Shuhaimi Nik Abdul Rahman (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia) who wrote and published countless books and articles on this topic. He introduced a periodisation of the history of Bujang Valley as well as a theory which explains the process of indigenisation of the Indian Culture which formed the socio-economic makeup of the polity.
3. Kuala Kedah Fort
Kuala Kedah Fort has witnessed many bloody battles in Kedah's turbulent history as competing powers have competed for influence in this strategic corner of the Malay Peninsula.
The fort has been destroyed, rebuilt and strengthened numerous times since it was first built in the 17th century by Kedah's Sultan Sulaiman Syah. The original fort was made from clay, timber and bamboo and was used by the Portuguese as a trading depot. The Portuguese had a bitter rivalry with the Acehnese who sent over a fleet in 1619 to destroy the fort and oust the Portuguese there is also a disused lighthouse in the grounds.
The fort occupies a commanding position on the northern bank of the Kedah River estuary facing Kuala Kedah town on the opposite bank. There is an attractive old white timber house in the centre of the fort, which comprises the main part of the museum, surrounded by thick brick walls studded with a number of cannons. There are two gates. The more attractive white arched gate is known as the Kacapuri Archway while the other brick gateway is known as the British Archway.
- Langkawi
The island of Langkawi (Langkawi, Pulau Langkawi) is in the North of Malaysia in the namesake archipelago of 99 Islands in the Andaman sea. Both the island and the archipelago are located near the Maritime border of Malaysia and Thailand. The island is part of Kedah state and located at a distance of 30 kilometres from the mainland. The maximum length of the island is 30 kilometres. The capital and largest city on the island are Kuah (Kuah). Of the 99 Islands are inhabited only 4 the largest.
Langkawi's main symbol is a reddish-brown eagle because the word Langkawi has been derived out of two local words. 'Lang' which comes from the word 'helang' meaning Eagle, and the word 'Kawi' stands for 'reddish-brown'. You can see plenty of reddish-brown eagles in the island, particularly if you take a river cruise through the mangroves and limestone rocks, where you can even feed the eagles that swoop in as you throw small dead fish into the water. There is a huge majestic structure of reddish-brown eagle that stands at the Eagle Square in Kuah town facing the waters, symbolizing Langkawi's deep connection with the birds.
The main island Pulau Langkawi is only 25 km (15.5 miles) from North to South by road, and a little more from East to West. So it does not take more than 40 minutes of drive to reach one end of the island from the other. The total covered area of all Langkawi islands together is about 478.5 square km out of which the main island covers an area of 320 square km. About 70% of the main island comprises of mountains, forests and natural vegetation. The capital of Langkawi is Kuah Town which is located at the south eastern part of the main island. Langkawi is a duty-free island and a district of the state of Kedah in Malaysia.
Attractions in Langkawi
1. Cenang Beach
Cenang Beach is one of the longest and most beautiful beaches in the island beach is fringed with coconut trees and overlooks the turquoise blue waters with several tiny islands and reefs visible in the ocean a few hundred meters offshore. During the day time, the beach is always bustling with activities like volleyball, swimming, parasailing, banana boating, jet skiing and more. And at night, there are several beach bars that spring into action and offer great food, drinks and some even live music, and the show goes on until the wee hours.
2. Eagle Square (Dataran Lang)
Dataran Lang, or Eagle Square in English, is a square on Langkawi near the port where ferries sail in and out. It is the first sight visitors to this Malaysian island will see when they arrive by boat. In the square is a giant statue of an eagle poised to take flight. The eagle is almost 40 feet tall. The reddish-brown eagle was built as a symbol of the island since, according to folklore, Langkawi’s name came from two Malay words, Helang which means “eagle” and Kawi which means “reddish-brown.” It is one of Langkawi's most recognizable sights. Eagle Square is about 19 acres large and has covered terraces, small ponds, fountains, footbridges, shops, and cafes.
1. Cenang Beach
Cenang Beach is one of the longest and most beautiful beaches in the island beach is fringed with coconut trees and overlooks the turquoise blue waters with several tiny islands and reefs visible in the ocean a few hundred meters offshore. During the day time, the beach is always bustling with activities like volleyball, swimming, parasailing, banana boating, jet skiing and more. And at night, there are several beach bars that spring into action and offer great food, drinks and some even live music, and the show goes on until the wee hours.
2. Eagle Square (Dataran Lang)
Dataran Lang, or Eagle Square in English, is a square on Langkawi near the port where ferries sail in and out. It is the first sight visitors to this Malaysian island will see when they arrive by boat. In the square is a giant statue of an eagle poised to take flight. The eagle is almost 40 feet tall. The reddish-brown eagle was built as a symbol of the island since, according to folklore, Langkawi’s name came from two Malay words, Helang which means “eagle” and Kawi which means “reddish-brown.” It is one of Langkawi's most recognizable sights. Eagle Square is about 19 acres large and has covered terraces, small ponds, fountains, footbridges, shops, and cafes.
The square also has covered pavilions where events are held. Nearby you'll also find several duty-free shops. The square offers gorgeous views of Kuah Bay that leads into the sea and the surrounding mountains. From the square, you can also watch the ferries crossing the bay. After dark, the square and the eagle are illuminated with lights.
3. Langkawi Cable Car
The Langkawi Cable Car, also known as Langkawi SkyCab, is one of the major attractions in Langkawi Island, Kedah, Malaysia. It provides an aerial link from the Oriental Village at Teluk Burau to the peak of Gunung Machinchang, which is also the location of the Langkawi Sky Bridge. The total length is 2.2 km (1.4 mi), his ride to the top of mount Mat Cincang takes you to a height of 708 meters in about 15 minutes through the steepest cable car gradient in the world and offering breathtaking views of the mountains, valleys, islands and the Andaman Sea. It was officially opened in 2003.
The Langkawi cable car project was first mooted in 1999 by the then Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad when he flew over Gunung Machinchang in a helicopter during his visit to Langkawi. The project was a joint venture by Doppelmayr of Austria and a local company after a survey of the mountain conducted in May 2000, the construction of Langkawi Cable Car began in April 2001. The gondola cable car system was selected as it permitted a long span of over 900 metres. There are three stations for the cable car; the Top Station is located at the peak of Gunung Machinchang which is the second-highest peak of Langkawi. In the middle is an "angle station" where the gondolas make a 45-degree turn to reach the Top Station.
4. 3D Art in Paradise Langkawi
Langkawi Art in Paradise 3D Museum hailed as the largest 3D art museum in Malaysia and second largest in the world, features more than 200 impressive artworks that appear almost lifelike when photographed.
A three-storey building with an exhibition space that covers 2,000 square metres, Langkawi Art in Paradise 3D Museum is divided into nine interactive zones including optical illusion, aquatic, safari, fantasy, classic, castles, landscapes, Egyptian, and Malaysian zones. There are more than 200 beautiful and meticulous artworks, all of which are hand-painted by 23 leading Korean artists in collaboration with talented local artists.
5. Crocodile Adventureland Langkawi
Crocodile Adventureland (Taman Buaya) is located in Teluk Datai Bay area at the northwestern end of the island. The entire farm area is spread across some 20 acres of land area out of which about half the area is accessible to tourists and visitors. Remaining is where croc farming takes place.
The farm is nestled in lush greenery with mountains at the backdrop. You will see one of the largest collections of Malaysian saltwater crocodiles in the farm of different species and sizes numbering over 1000 and comprising of both crocodiles and alligators.
While many crocs have been imported, lots are bred & reproduced on the farm. The entire farm is divided into several sections or concretized ponds. There are placards at each section giving information about the crocodiles in that section. Some of the ponds are quite small and looking at the number of crocs kept there, you may feel a bit sad and wish larger space was given.
The Langkawi cable car project was first mooted in 1999 by the then Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad when he flew over Gunung Machinchang in a helicopter during his visit to Langkawi. The project was a joint venture by Doppelmayr of Austria and a local company after a survey of the mountain conducted in May 2000, the construction of Langkawi Cable Car began in April 2001. The gondola cable car system was selected as it permitted a long span of over 900 metres. There are three stations for the cable car; the Top Station is located at the peak of Gunung Machinchang which is the second-highest peak of Langkawi. In the middle is an "angle station" where the gondolas make a 45-degree turn to reach the Top Station.
4. 3D Art in Paradise Langkawi
Langkawi Art in Paradise 3D Museum hailed as the largest 3D art museum in Malaysia and second largest in the world, features more than 200 impressive artworks that appear almost lifelike when photographed.
A three-storey building with an exhibition space that covers 2,000 square metres, Langkawi Art in Paradise 3D Museum is divided into nine interactive zones including optical illusion, aquatic, safari, fantasy, classic, castles, landscapes, Egyptian, and Malaysian zones. There are more than 200 beautiful and meticulous artworks, all of which are hand-painted by 23 leading Korean artists in collaboration with talented local artists.
5. Crocodile Adventureland Langkawi
Crocodile Adventureland (Taman Buaya) is located in Teluk Datai Bay area at the northwestern end of the island. The entire farm area is spread across some 20 acres of land area out of which about half the area is accessible to tourists and visitors. Remaining is where croc farming takes place.
The farm is nestled in lush greenery with mountains at the backdrop. You will see one of the largest collections of Malaysian saltwater crocodiles in the farm of different species and sizes numbering over 1000 and comprising of both crocodiles and alligators.
While many crocs have been imported, lots are bred & reproduced on the farm. The entire farm is divided into several sections or concretized ponds. There are placards at each section giving information about the crocodiles in that section. Some of the ponds are quite small and looking at the number of crocs kept there, you may feel a bit sad and wish larger space was given.
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