Malaysia States & Federal Territories (Perlis)

8. Perlis

    Perlis is the smallest state in Malaysia. It lies at the northern part of the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and has the Satun and Songkhla Provinces of Thailand on its northern border. It is bordered by the state of Kedah to the south. It was called Palit (Thai: ปะลิส) by the Siamese when it was under their influence. Perlis had a population of 227,025 as of 2010.

The capital of Perlis is Kangar, and the royal capital is Arau. Another important town is Padang Besar, at the Malaysia–Thailand border and Kuala Perlis, the ferry town to Langkawi. The main port and ferry terminal is at the small village of Kuala Perlis, linking mostly to Langkawi Island. Another important lately developed area is Pauh Putra within subdistrict of Kurong Anai which houses the main campus of the Malaysia University of Perlis and Politeknik Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin. Perlis has a famous snake farm and research centre at Sungai Batu Pahat. Among the main tourist attractions are Perlis State Park and Gua Kelam.

Perlis was originally part of Kedah, although it occasionally came under rule by Siam or Aceh. Perlis was historically an important realm within the Kingdom of Kedah. Sultan Muhyiddin of Kedah made his capital in Kota Sena, while Sultan Dhiauddin II made Kota Indera Kayangan his capital. Sultan Dhiauddin II of Kedah was honorifically titled as Raja Muda of Perlis and Kedah, akin to the title Prince of Wales in the United Kingdom. During his reign as the Sultan of Kedah, he oversaw a treaty with George Leith to cede Province Wellesley to Penang. He was titled as Raja Muda of Perlis and Kedah. This fact depicted Perlis was a special realm within the Kedah sultanate.

                                               Attractions in Perlis


1. Gua Kelam

Gua Kelam is the most popular cave in Perlis and is located at about 25 minutes' drive from Kangar. The interior of the limestone cave is well lit and there is a proper pathway for you to navigate through the cave. As we entered the cave we were greeted by the odour of Gua-no (bat poop). We also saw a couple of crystallized rock formations and some spiders lurking around.

2. Gua Sami or Gua Cenderawasih

     Gua Sami or Gua Cenderawasih is a limestone cave hill located in Kangar. It is a popular hiking spot for locals as the view on the top is absolutely stunning. According to locals, there used to be monks meditating in this cave and hence, its name – Gua Sami.

You can park your car by the roadside and walk towards the arch. Then, walk past the little water lily pond which should be on your left until you see the entrance.

 3. Kuala Perlis ferry terminal gateway to Langkawi

      Kuala Perlis is located at the West of Perlis and is the ferry terminal gateway to Langkawi. It takes about 45 minutes to reach Langkawi from Kuala Perlis Ferry Terminal. You can drive to Lover’s Bridge 情人桥 (Jambatan Tuanku Syed Putra) and get a bird’s eye view of the fishing village here.



4. Tasik Melati Park

         

    Tasik Melati is a natural wetland within the development area. The park is famous for its lakes and its recreational facilities. Melati Lake derives its name from the fragrant Jasmine flower. It could probably adapt Melati from the adjacent housing estate called Taman Melati

In its original form, Tasik Melati is a wetland with its wild plant locally known as “kercit”. Its water never dries up as it is used as irrigation by local farmers. The wetland is developed by Jabatan Pengairan dan Saliran in 1977. He increased the water capacity by building an embankment on the lake for the use of its water for 350 acres of paddy land. In 2001, the Perlis State government officially handed over the lake to Jabatan Pengairan dan Saliran to develop the infrastructure, maintenance, and service of the whole 80 acres of the lake. Now the area is widely known as a recreational park.



5. Padang Besar

    Padang Besar is a border town in the north of Perlis, the northern-most state in Malaysia. The Padang Besar border crossing is the only direct rail link between Malaysia and Thailand and a quieter and less direct road crossing than Bukit Kayu Hitam in Kedah.

The town on the Thai side of the border, in Songkhla province, is also called Padang Besar - however, Malaysians differentiate between the two by calling the Thai town "Pekan Siam" or "Siamese Town". Much more tame and sanitized than its Thai counterpart, Malaysia's Padang Besar still attracts many Malaysians who come to shop for items imported from Thailand which are available in abundance at lower prices.

Padang Besar is a popular shopping paradise since 1960, this town is frequently visited by citizens from both Malaysia and Thailand for travel and business purpose. Nowadays, this town still attracts several thousands of visitors from Peninsular Malaysia and Southern Thailand every weekend and during public holidays. Majority of Malaysians frequent Kompleks Aked Niaga Padang Besar, Pasar Padang Besar and Gapura Square. Jalan Besar (town centre) is also one of the famous shopping areas for Thai and Malaysian visitor.