The Rich Bowl of Malaysia
Kedah has been the thriving trading centre since anicent times. The early history of Kedah can be traced from various sources such as the Chinese pilgrims to India. Today, Kedah is known as the Rich Bowl of Malaysia as it is Malaysia main rice producer. The state is home to Asia’s first GeoPark, and the popular island resort of Langkawi where you can enjoy carefree days by the beach, snorkelling at the marine park or eagle feeding at the mangrove swamp. Mainland offerings include the world’s longest tree top walk at Sedim and the ancient Bujang Valley archaeological site. The state capital is Alor Setar, which is dotted with many historical buildings.
Places of Interest in Kedah:
Tun Dr Mahathir’s Home, Alor Setar
Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed was the fourth and longest serving Prime Minister of Malaysia and attributed to the rapid development of Malaysia. His family house was restored and designated as an historical building by the National Archives in 1992. You can read about his life as well as achievements in this traditional 1 room wooden house build in 1925. Items on display include furniture, documents on family genealogy and school photographs. This house is situated at Lorong Kilang Ais, off Jalan Pegawai, Alor Setar. Admission is free.
Paddy Museum
The Paddy Museum is situated at the foothills of Gunung Keriang. The only one of its kind in the country, it resembles bushels of harvested rice stalks and has an interesting collection of paddy-related exhibits -from the tools that are used, to information on cultivation and harvesting, as well as legends and taboos. A must visit here is the observatory on the first floor, where a huge three-dimensional mural depicts amazingly life-like images of an agrarian community. The rotating platform here gives a breathtaking 360 degree view. This Paddy Museum is the fourth of its kind in the world after Japan, Germany and the Philippines. Admission fee for adult is RM3 and RM1 for child. RM2 for camera
Bujang Valley Archaeology Museum, Merbok
The richest archaeological site in Malaysia. Bujang Valley was thriving Hindu-Buddhist civilization and Southeast Asian trading centre from the 3rd to 12th century AD. Nearly 1,000 artefacts have been recovered from this buried civilization and exhibited in the Bujang Valley Archaeology Museum. They include earthen ware, beads, ceramics and photographs. More than 50 Candis or Ancient temples have been unearthed since 1997, the most prominent being the 1,000 years old Candi Bukit Batu Pahat. Admission is free.
