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Kedah .
Penang .
Perak .
Selangor .
Melaka .
Kelantan .
Terengganu .
Sarawak .
Kuala Lumpur .
Others |
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MALAYSIA |
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ALOR STAR AND SUNGAI PETANI |
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Alor Star |
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myMalaysiabooks brings you Alor Star
(Alor Setar) and
Sungai Petani - the two largest towns in
Kedah. We share with you our local knowledge of the place.
You will find the most up-to-date local information and history of these two towns, Alor Star and
Sungai Petani, only here at myMalaysiabooks.
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Alor Star the Capital |
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Alor Star (sometimes spelt Alor Setar) is located in the Kota
Setar District, northern Kedah and is the capital of the state. This
settlement became the capital in 18th century under the reign of
19th sultan, Sultan Muhammad Jiwa Zainal Adilin Muazzam Shah .
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 The town was originally called Kota Setar
until 1943 when it was changed to Alor Star. Alor Star is the
administrative capital and seat of the state government and
legislative assembly. Located here are the government departments,
royal palaces, many heritage buildings, museums and cultural
centres. Alor Star is the historical enclave of Kedah.
Alor Star is said to be derived from the words ‘alor’
which mean river channel and ‘setar’, a tree called pohon setar (Bouea macrophylla). The pohon setar grew along the river banks
that flows pass the settlement of Alor Star. In the old days, visitors travelling by boat to the settlement would rest under these
trees along the riverbanks. Thus the resting place became known as
Alor Star. The local Chinese population refers to the town simply as ‘Ketah’ (Kedah).
Alor Setar is located on the northern part of Kedah, about 90km
from Butterworth, 60 KM from Sungai Petani and over 250km from Kuala Lumpur. A short drive from Alor Star takes you to Kuala Kedah, where you can take a boat to Langkawi
island. There is a domestic airport nearby.
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What to see in Alor Star
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 Balai Besar
(Grand Audience Hall) - this stylish traditional building which served as a royal palace and
venue of ceremonies of the Kedah Sultanate.
Balai Nobat (Nobat Hall) - This
octagonal-shaped tower houses the nobat, the instruments of the
state royal orchestra.
Balai Seni Negeri (State Art Gallery)
Dr.
Mahathir’s Place of Birth - this simple
wooden house was the birthplace of the former Prime Minister, Dato'
Seri Dr. Mahatir Mohammad.
Masjid Zahir -
One of the most beautiful mosques in the country, Masjid Zahir was officially
opened in 1912.
Menara Alor Star (Alor Star Tower) -
At 165.5 meters, the Alor Star Tower is the second tallest
communications tower in Malaysia.
Muzium Di Raja (Royal Museum) -
Eight Hindu Maharajas is believed to have ruled Kedah from the 4th
century AD before the ninth maharaja who converted to Islam in 1136
and ruled as Sultan Muzaffar Shah. The Sultanate of Kedah is usually
traced back to this first sultan and the royal line has been intact
for more than eight centuries.
Muzium Negeri (State Museum) -
The State Museum holds many of the state’s historical treasures some
donated by the people of Kedah.
Nikradharam
Buddhist Temple - located in the centre of the city is of typical
Siamese architecture.
Tunku Abdul Rahman Memorial - Tunku Abdul Rahman was the first prime Minister of Malaysia.
Wan Mat Saman Canal
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This was longest and most renowned canal built in Kedah.
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Pekan Rabu Bazaar -
the most renowned bazaar in the state. In the Malay language, Pekan
Rabu name means ‘Wednesday Market’, but this bazaar opens
throughout the week from morning till midnight. The bazaar sell
clothing, Asian and local handicraft, and typically Kedah local
foodstuff.
Tour of Kedah River Kedah River cuts the
city of Alor Star; a tour will take you pass kampong, and see some of
the historical sights of Alor Setar. Take a river ride from the jetty
near Masjid Zahir. |
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 Where
to stay
Nearest premier travel destination is Langkawi
island
Learn how to get from Alor Star to Langkawi at our
Langkawi page
Food
in Kedah Malaysia
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Office of Tourism Malaysia Kedah
Main Kedah Office: Kompleks Pelancongan Negeri Kedah,
Seksyen 20, Jalan Raja, Alor Setar, Kedah; Tel: 04-731 2322Fax: 04-734
0322
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Sungai Petani |
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 Sungai Petani
(better known as SP) is the second largest town in Kedah.
From a small urban centre in the 1970’s Sungai Petani grew rapidly in the 1980’s and
90’s from expansion of the manufacturing sector. Today Sungai Petani is
the second fastest growing town in Malaysia, after Johor Bahru.
Sungai Petani in the Malay language literally means Farmer’s River.
There are several versions as to how the town got its name. The simplistic
version says that the name is derived from the geographical position
bounded by two parallel rivers, Sungai Petani and Sungai Pasir. The rivers
are said to ‘bertanding’ (in Malay ) or to compete, thus rivers competing
is said as ‘sungai bertanding’ or pronounced in local Malay as ‘sungai
pataning’. Eventually it became ‘sungai patani’.
Historians prefer the version that suggests this settlement grew
along the trade route from Pattani (Kingdom of Langkasuka) in southern
Thailand. The ancient trade route followed the Patani River, across the
hilly region of Kedah and eventually follow Sungai Kuala Ketil towards the
Merbok estuary (near
Bujang Valley). It is believed that the town
derives its name from the Patani traders who travelled by these rivers to
the Merbok estuary. Many Patani inhabitants came down through this river
and eventually settled near the estuary. Sungai Petani had been called Sungai Patani.
for years before it was changed in the 1980’s when language experts
insisted on the use of correct Malay spelling, perhaps changing
the historical significance as well.
In the 1920’s to the 60’s, Sungai Petani was the backdrop of the rubber
industry. With the fall of rubber prices in the 1980’s, the State setup
the industrial hub in Sungai Petani. Growth today is centred on the
diverse industries established - from electronics to wood-base products.
From a population of about 36,000 in 1970, it has grown to 250,000.
Sungai Petani is about 30 km from Butterworth, and is about 48 minutes
drive from Penang island by the toll expressway.
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What to see
in SP |
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The Carnivall,
Water and Land Theme Park - a latest attraction of SP that opened on
29 December (Water park only) 2006.
This boutique theme park is designed by
Whitewater West Industries Ltd from Vancouver, Canada, and is located on
the grounds of the Cinta Sayang Golf and Country Resort, Sungai Petani.
The wet park has a water coaster and a 140m open waterslide. There are
many attractions within, including a jungle playground, daily shows and
games. Details at
http://www.thecarnivall.com.my/
Sungai Petani Clock Tower -
Built in 1920, this is the most prominent landmark in Sungai Petani. The
SP Clock Tower stands majestically at Jalan Ibrahim, in the town centre.
It was presented by Lim Lean Teng to the people of the town to commemorate
the reign of King George V (1910-1935) of England.
Taman Jubilee Perak
(Silver Jubilee Park) -
The park, which opened in 1983, is located just at the edge of the town
centre. This is the only park in town and is immensely popular with local
residents.
Pasar Tani (Farmer’s Market) is held every Sunday, Monday and Thursday in the centre
of town. The market starts at around 7:30 am and ends by midday. Its a
great place to shop for fresh fish or local products. Get cheap local
tropical fruits such as rambutan, langsat, chiku and bananas at
open markets here and all over Kedah.
Gunung Jerai (Kedah Peak) is near Gurun which is
about 15km from Sungai Petani.
Bujang Valley site of an ancient civilization, only
20 minutes drive from SP. The best way to get there is by car or taxi. Learn more about
Bujang Valley
archaeological site here. (History
of Kedah) |
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How to get to AS and SP |
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 By air - Fly
to the airport near Alor Setar or the Penang International Airport. Then
travel by the North-south expressway to Sungai Petani. The Penang airport is usually
the best option because it is an international airport. There are many
daily flights from KL or Singapore to Penang.
By road - exit the North-south expressway at Sungai Petani, north or south exits. SP
is about 40 minutes drive from Butterworth (Penang) and an hour's drive
from Alor Star. This is the best exit for you to travel to the Bujang Valley.
Buses: most national coaches or express buses from major towns such as KL,
Penang, Johor bahru, Ipoh, etc. stops at Sungai Petani and Alor Setar.
By rail - trains from KL or Thailand stop at Sungai Petani for passengers
to disembark or board. From Kuala Lumpur, travel by the Express Langkawi.
See details
at
Kedah page and
Malaysia transport
page
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Where to Stay in Alor Star and Sungai Petani |
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More on Kedah and Other Links |
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