4. Kedah's history is long, with archaeological evidence suggesting it was the first
place on Peninsular Malaysia to see civilised settlers. A Hindu-Buddhist
kingdom is believed to have been established in the Bujang Valley as far back
as the 4th century. The kingdom became a focus of trade between India and
China, and remained a place of considerable significance until the 7th century.
In the 7th and 8th centuries, the region was dominated by Sri Vijaya. Later Sri
Vijaya was succeeded by the Siamese, the latter remaining in control until the
15th century, when the Malay sultanate of Melaka came to power. During this
period, dominant aspects of Kedah's ancient civilisation began to wane and
Melakan influences were introduced, including Islam as the state religion.
The Portuguese, who had already conquered other parts of Malaysia, attacked
Kedah in the 17th century. The British later maintained a significant presence
in the region. The locals thought they would keep the Siamese from regaining
control in Kedah,however, in 1821 the state fell to Siam and remained under
Siamese control until the British took over following the signing of the Anglo-
Siamese Treaty in 1909
Kedah established independence along with the rest of Malaysia in 1957, but
only after experiencing occupation at the hands of the Japanese during WWII.
5.
6. Kedah Hotel List and Address
Berjaya Langkawi Beach Resort
Karong Berkunci, 200 Burau Bay, 07000 Langkawi.
Tel: 604 959 1888 Fax: 604 959 1886
Andaman Datai Bay Langkawi
PO BOX 94, Jalan Teluk Datai, 07000 Langka
Tel: 604 959 1088 Fax: 604 959 1168
7. Datai Langkawi
Jalan Teluk Datai, 07000 Langkawi.
Tel: 604 959 2500 Fax: 604 959 2600
City Bay View Hotel
Jalan Pandak Mayah, 1 Pusat Bandar Kuah, 07000 Langkaw
Tel: 604 966 1818 Fax: 604 966 3888
8. Novotel Sungei Petani
E - 1, Jalan Indah Dua, Taman Sejati Indah, 08000 Sungei
Petani.
Tel: 604 431 7777 Fax: 604 431 8777
Sungai Petani Inn
427 Jalan Kolam Air, 08000 Sungai Petani.
Tel: 604 421 3411 Fax: 604 421 2423
9. TOURIST PLACES IN KEDAH
Langkawi, officially known as Langkawi, the Jewel of Kedah (Malay:
Langkawi Permata Kedah) is an archipelago of 104 islands in the
Andaman Sea, some 30 km off the mainland coast of northwestern
Malaysia.
The islands are a part of the state of Kedah, which is adjacent to the
Thai border.
On July 15, 2008, Sultan Abdul Halim of Kedah had consented to the
change of name to Langkawi Permata Kedah in conjunction with his
Golden Jubilee Celebration.
By far the largest of the islands is the eponymous Pulau Langkawi with
a population of some 64,792, the only other inhabited island being
nearby Pulau Tuba.
Langkawi is also an administrative district with the town of Kuah as
largest town.
Langkawi is a duty-free island.
Langkawi was traditionally thought to be cursed.
However, in 1986 then Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad decided to
transform it into a tourist resort, helping to plan many of the islands
buildings himself.
10. At 709 metres above sea level, the cable car ride up to Langkawi's
second highest peak is truly an experience not to be missed.
Throughout the 20-minute ride, you will pass over jungle waterfalls
and a thick carpet of virgin rainforest.
On a clear day, you can see parts of Thailand towards the north and
Indonesia towards the south-west.
Travelling at a steep incline of 42 degrees, over a distance of 2.2
kilometres from the base station to the two mountain-top
stations, even the gentlest breeze is enough to send one’s stomach
churning.
11. The island, which is about 20 kilometres from Kuah town, is modestly
populated on one side and virtually uninhabited on the other where the lake
is situated.
The legend of Tasik Dayang Bunting goes like this: The favourite bathing
pool of a celestial princess named Mambang Sari was said to be Tasik
Dayang Bunting (Lake of the Pregnant Maiden).
A prince, Mat Teja, fell madly in love with her and tricked her into marrying
him.
Sadly, their child died from a mysterious illness at the age of seven days.
Distraught, the grieving Mambang Sari left the child's body in the lake and
returned to her heavenly abode.
Today, some believe that barren women who bathe in this lake will be
endowed with a child.
12. Located in the heart of Alor Setar, this 165.5-metre.
Tower is one of the tallest telecommunications tower in the world.
It is a prominent and modern landmark that signifies the rapid
development in the state of Kedah.
At its tip is the Seri Angkasa Revolving Restaurant which specialises
in a variety of sumptious local as well as international cuisine.
Besides landmark-spotting, the tower also serves as an observatory
tower from which to look for the crescent moon to mark the beginning
of Muslim months.
The observation deck stands at a height of 88 metres from the base
of the structure.
13. His Royal Highness, the Sultan of Kedah officiated
the Archeology Museum Bujang Valley on 23rd
January 1980 at Batu Pahat Hill.
It was the first archaeology museum built in
Malaysia.
Bujang Valley served as an old centre of international
and entreport trade for Malaysia in ancient times.
There are numerous artefacts that were found in the
valley.
These include
celadon, porcelain, stoneware, clay, pottery, fragment
s of glass, beads and Persian ceramics.
14. The Kilim Nature Park spreads over an area of 100sq. km that features a mixture of
protected green mangrove forests, isolated white beaches and blue lagoons.
Through this river cruise, you will be able to witness the wonders of the park’s
marine ecosystem, flora and fauna and its natural habitats.
You’ll get to see eagles here, in a great number too.
The eagles include white-bellied fish eagle, brahminy kite and the gigantic sea
eagles.
You might even get the chance to feed them.
Birdwatchers would love this place as it is a great place to do so during the
migratory seasons in September and March.
The cruise will come to the Andaman Sea, located in the northern coast as it exits
the Kilim River through The Hole in the Wall.
It is named after a narrow opening between walls of limestone cliffs that connect
the river to the open sea.
It is at this narrow gap which provides a sheltered area for a fish farm.
Visitors could hand feed the various marine life – groupers, bat fish, blue spotted
stingrays, lobsters, mantis prawns and snappers.
It also has a floating restaurant where visitors could choose their seafood selection
from the fish farm and have the restaurant cooked the way they desired.
15.
16. As Kedah is known as the ‘Rice Bowl of Malaysia’ and rice being the staple
food in Malaysia, it has several distinctive rice delights that whets up any
appetite.
One of the local’s favourite is Nasi Ulam.
It is actually rice mixed with various fresh raw vegetables and rare spices.
Ingredients include ginger flower, dried shrimp, bird’s eye chilli, and cucumber
and fruit julienne.
It also has kerisik or known as toasted grated coconut.
This is a very vital ingredient as it gives texture to the mixture and aroma to the
rice.
It also gets its share of lime juice and palm sugar gravy.
It can be eaten like that alone or paired with meat or other dishes.
It is usually eaten during the fasting month of Ramadhan.
Popular among people living in northern Kedah, the Pulut is one of their
famous rice dishes.
It is glutinous rice which is paired with fruits such as mango, durian and
bananas.
Aside from fruits, it could incorporate savoury side dishes such as sambal.
Nasi Ulam
Kerisik Kelapa
Pulut
17. 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.
It also has Laksam.
It is made with very thick flat white rice flour noodles in rich
white gravy.
The gravy is prepared from fish and coconut milk.
Traditionally, laksam is eaten with hands due to the gravy’s
thick consistency but now it is eaten with eating utensils.
Laksam
Laksa
