Alor Setar in northwest Malaysia is the state capital of Kedah. Regularly dominated by its sister Langkawi Island, the city gets couple of guests.
The bunch of valiant voyagers who visit Alor Setar locate a cosmopolitan city encompassed by unending paddy fields. Include Zahir Mosque, among Malaysia’s best models of Islamic design, and customary shophouses unaltered in ages.
The famous Alor Setar Tower, which resembles a spaceship, overwhelms the downtown area. North Malaysia’s most seasoned stronghold and a historical center devoted to rice lie a short drive from the capital.
Find the main 25 activities in Alor Setar to get away from the traveler trail or for a helpful stopover among Penang and Langkawi.
1. Zahir Mosque: Malaysia’s most stunning mosque
Source: Muzairi Mustapa/shutterstock
Zahir Mosque
Zahir Mosque on Dataran Alor Setar (the city’s focal square) is among Malaysia’s most excellent mosques.
The five-domed Moorish structure shows complicated carvings covering its white façade. Blue mosaics sit over the passage. Arabic calligraphy enlivens the dividers. Manicured gardens supplement the outside points of interest making one of Alor Setar’s most photogenic spots.
Zahir Mosque holds a recorded job as well. Its correct area denotes the sight where Kedah warriors battled to protect their country against the Siamese in the nineteenth century.
Today, it’s a city milestone.
2. Royal coronations and weddings
Source: Kae Lee/shutterstock
The Royal Hall inverse Zahir Mosque once held imperial occasions facilitated by the Sultan of Kedah. This incorporates imperial weddings, official capacities and crowning celebrations.
Kedah’s Sultan appointed a wooden corridor in 1735. At the point when trespassers obliterated it, the Sultan revamped on a more amazing scale.
The present Royal Hall, or Balai Besar in Bahasa, has an elevated conventional energy. A triangular formed rooftop sits over an extensive lower gallery. Two winding staircases associate the outside ground floor with the upper levels.
Photographic artists can snap the best pictures from the entryways on Dataran Alor Setar.
3. Alor Setar’s stately clock tower
Source: Ko Aun Lee/shutterstock
Enormous Clock Tower,
Enormous Clock Tower (Menara Jam Besar) on Dataran Alor Setar is among Malaysia’s most wonderful clock towers.
When it opened in the 1900s, the pinnacle held two purposes. It showed the time, and the muezzin in the nearby Zahir Mosque rang the chimes amid petition times.
Glimmer to the present, and the muezzin utilizes the mosque’s speakers. The peaceful clock tower still demonstrates the time right around one hundred years after the fact.
Remain in the Dataran Alor Setar and snap photos of the relatively British-pilgrim looking clock tower. Amid the day, catch its class by the encompassing extravagant engineering. After sunset, the Big Clock Tower illuminates.
4. Discover what it’s like to be a Sultan
Source: Jensennbj/Wikimedia
The Sultan Museum sits inside the stately expanding on the northern flank of Dataran Alor Setar.
All things considered, it resembles an European government office. Inside unending showcases cover everything about the previous Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah’s (1958-2017) life. This incorporates the late Sultan’s belonging, photos and official reports. His gathering of extravagance autos and watches fill others.
Beside its slight self important nature, the free exhibition hall offers a look into the way of life of a Malaysian Sultan. Also, the cooling gives the ideal reason to chill off.
5. Nobat Tower: The Hall of Drums
Source: Kae Lee/shutterstock
On first look, it’s straightforward why Nobat Tower is in some cases mistook for the Big Clock Tower. In any case, this 18 meter (59 feet) tower holds a nobler reason.
The Sultan utilized the three-layered pinnacle to store his imperial instruments. At the point when the regal family came to Kota Setar Palace, the city held an inviting service. After he exited, the instruments came back to their capacity giving the moniker Hall of Drums.
Nobat Tower adds to the magnificent design of Dataran Alor Setar.
Observe the yellow vault topping Nobat Tower giving a particular Islamic wind to a generally stately-looking structure.
6. A replica of a Sultan’s royal gate
Authorities destroyed the original Royal Gate to make way for the Wisma Negeri building in 1973.
A replica stands behind Nobat Tower as a tribute to their royal heritage. The white-washed gate covers three levels featuring arched windows and doors. Each has intricate decorations, a testament to the lavish styles of a royal house.
Take advantage of the Royal Gate’s angles and shapes to capture the surrounding architecture.
7. Kedah’s most extensive collection of local art
Source: Anasaiman/Wikimedia
The previous High Court on the southern piece of Dataran Alor Setar houses Kedah State Art Gallery.
Neighborhood Kedah-conceived craftsmans add to most displays which incorporate workmanship, artistic creations and establishments. Others utilize highly contrasting photos to recount the tale of country Kedah.
The structure itself is the most seasoned government working in Alor Setar.
Set aside opportunity to value the Neo-established outside before walking around its different displays.
Guests spend between 30 minutes to one hour inside the Kedah State Art Gallery. Most value the rest from the smothering warmth inside their cooled rooms.
8. The Sultan’s former palace
The Yellow Palace, or Istana Kuning in Bahasa, once went about as the official place of the Sultan of Kedah right around one century back.
Sultan Muhiyuddin Mansur Syah charged his castle in the meantime as both Zahir Mosque and the Royal Hall.
Manicured gardens encompass the great habitation. Yellow and white hues make a lively façade of this two-storied previous illustrious house.
Sightseers can’t go inside. Snap photos from the entryway close Alor Setar Tower.
9. Alien-like Alor Setar Tower
Source: LMspencer/shutterstock
Alor Setar Tower
Relatively every picture of Kedah’s capital incorporates either Zahir Mosque or Alor Setar Tower. Looking relatively like a monster spaceship from a 1950s science fiction film, it overwhelms the horizon.
The media transmission tower remains at 165.5 meters (543 feet) and goes about as the city’s focal point. A survey stage gives all encompassing perspectives of Alor Setar and its encompassing paddy fields.
Or on the other hand make a beeline for the housetop’s spinning eatery for a sentimental night in one of the city’s most elite spots.
As a result of its size, getting a photograph of Alor Setar Tower is a test. Insane Tourist prescribes remaining on Darul Aman Highway close Zahir Mosque to catch its fantastic scale.
10. Discover Kedah’s two millennia history
Source: Mohd Nasri Bin Mohd Zain/shutterstock
Kedah State Museum
Kedah has a rich history spreading over right around two thousand years making it among Malaysia’s most established states.
Early Buddhist-Hindu human advancements flourished in adjacent Bujang Valley for nine centuries. Kedah embraced Islam and designated a Sultan whose bloodline has ruled for the last five hundred years.
Include a concise spell under the British colonialists, and Kedah has an interesting story for those eager to tune in.
Kedah State Museum exhibits this story in ten displays. Discover what it resembles to be a Sultan and look at early Malay writing. Several old relics and ancient rarities fill the presentations as well.
11. Stand in the place where the Sultan founded Alor Setar
The Sultan of Kedah built up Alor Setar close to a stream in the mid eighteenth century. A little plaque denotes the correct area close Dataran Alor Setar.
Many Setar trees lined the little stream, or, in other words. The excellence caught the then Sultan’s consideration. In the wake of experiencing passionate feelings for the locale, he before long moved in.
Travel south from Dataran Alor Setar along Darul Aman Highway. The plaque denoting the origin is on the extension spreading over the little stream.
12. Dr Mahathir Bin Mohammad’s family home
Malaysia hit the features in 2018 when they chose Dr Mahathir as Prime Minister.
At 93 years old, he turned into the world’s most seasoned pioneer. Dr Mahathir additionally led Malaysia somewhere in the range of 1981 and 2003 for a sum of 22 years.
Be that as it may, the effective legislator and current national legend follows his modest roots to Alor Setar. The pioneer’s family home on the southern side of Kedah River is a place of worship for gave fans.
Snap photos of his origin. A historical center devoted to his life and adolescence is inside.
13. Malaysia’s first Prime Minister’s family home
Tunku Abdul Rahman was the principal PM of an autonomous Malaysia in 1957. Prior to this, Malaysia has been under Portuguese, Dutch and British provincial run since 1511.
Most urban communities have a road named in his respect and in addition Sabah’s reality renowned Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park.
Like Dr Mahathir, the primary executive likewise hailed from Alor Setar.
The youth home is a short walk west from Dataran Alor Setar. Rumah Merdeka, relevantly meant Independence House, is both a city milestone and free gallery.
The two-storied cottage is an average living arrangement of British Malaya. The exhibition hall covers Kedah’s history and showcases belonging of the late Abdul Rahman.
14. A Chinatown unchanged in decades
Source: Norjipin Saidi/shutterstock
Alor Setar China Town
Alor Setar’s Chinatown is among the most saved in Malaysia.
Reestablished shophouses line the two sides of the limited avenues in the reduced neighborhood. The two-storied terraced fabricating has upstairs living quarters and a ground floor workshops. Every individual house has their very own styles, enhancements and hues.
Not at all like the more outstanding shophouses in Penang, the inhabitants still play out the exchanges of their folks and grandparents.
Chinatowns in different parts of Malaysia offers shirts and teddy bears. Alor Setar has printing shops, bike repairs and equipment.
Hold onto its genuineness as you transport back to 1950s Malaysia.
15. Grab a coffee in a restored shophouse
Caffe Diem, Alor Setar
A bunch of Chinatown’s shophouses have changed into cafés.
The adorned insides frequently look like their unique appearance. Request frosted espresso and appreciate at the complexities of the wooden shafts and feeble wooden staircases.
Insane Tourist suggests Caffe Diem. Respect the photographs on the dividers of a past Alor Setar. Grasp its vintage British-pilgrim style stylistic layout. Beverages are moderate, and it makes a helpful place for lunch.
Or then again go to Hai Kee Kedai Kopi for more nearby experience and taste their citywide renowned Hainanese food.
16. Sit along the shady Alor Setar Waterfront
Source: Phalinn Ooi / Flickr
Alor Setar Waterfront
Alor Setar waterfront stretches for a few hundred meters along the southern flank of Chinatown.
The attractive park overlooks the Kedah River creating a peaceful environment to soak up the views. Lighthouse Cape Chali dominates the far side overlooking the river’s confluence.
This is a favorite spot in Alor Setar with local families and amateur photographers in the cooler evening air.
Kedah River also hosts the occasional kayakers speeding along the swirling waters.
17. Taste Kedah street food at Chinatown Food Court
Mention food in Malaysia and most think of Penang, Kuala Lumpur or Malacca. Few mention Alor Setar, which has its fair share of mouthwatering dishes.
Chinatown Food Court, a five-minute walk from Dataran Alor Setar, serves Kedah-style street food. Hawker stalls surround the central seating area.
Follow your nose to the countless stalls serving nasi goreng (fried rice), satay (Malaysian kebabs) and yong tau foo (a selection of tofu and fish balls).
Meals cost a few ringgits.
18. Sunset cocktails at the Sky Garden
Sky Garden
Sky Garden is among the most romantic places in Alor Setar.
The rooftop restaurant has an outdoor terrace with views spanning across the city. Take a 10-minute cab from central Alor Setar in time for the sunset.
Apart from a wide selection of both Asian and Western dishes, Sky Garden also has a well-stocked bar.
If the weather is dry, sit outside with a cocktail as the sun dips over Alor Setar. Or escape the rain and humidity inside their elegant air-conditioned interior.
Despite the relatively high price of meals, this is recommended for first-time visitors and couples.
19. See the Paddy Fields
Source: Radzimy / shutterstock
Paddy Fields, Alor Setar
Kedah’s countryside bursts with paddy fields.
Local farmers have grown rice near Alor Setar for centuries. Take the chance to see this rural serenity and capture the essence of Malaysia’s Kampung lifestyle.
Finding the paddy fields can be a challenge. Either ask your hotel for recommendations or look at Google Maps.
The most accessible are towards the eastern stretches of Jalan Langgar. Either take a taxi or Grab Car.
Visitors will see flooded paddy fields glistening under the sun. Two-storied wooden houses surrounded by palm trees and banana plants form their borders.
Catching the sunset over the paddy takes you away from the noise of the city and back to a simpler lifestyle many of us crave.
20. Alor Setar’s vibrant Buddhist temples
Alor Setar has a handful of Buddhist temples a short drive from the city center.
Unlike Zahir Mosque in Dataran Alor Setar, getting to the temples takes more time.
Wat Samosornrajanukpradit near Kedah State Museum exhibits a colorful exterior. Inside the smell of incense thickens the already humid air.
Chek Temple is on a grander scale. Large windows topped with intricate decorations sit underneath the red triangular roof. Bronze statues line the interior as monks chant prayers in the background.
21. An almost hidden Hindu temple
Out of Alor Setar’s Hindu Temples, Sri Thandayuthapani is the most attractive.
Located a stone’s throw from Zahir Mosque, the temple is a convenient stop after exploring the square’s architecture.
Visitors will find a decorated shrine in the middle of the complex. At certain times of the day, burning incense blends with the background chanting to create a hypnotic atmosphere.
Don’t expect lavishness. Instead, find a working temple free of tourists.
22. Embrace the spirit of rice at the Paddy Museum
Source: Ko Aun Lee/shutterstock
Paddy Museum
Kedah is the ‘Rice Bowl of Malaysia’.
Paddy fields extend towards the skyline every which way. Rice holds an extraordinary place in the core of the state.
A trek to the Kedah Paddy Museum is among the best activities in Alor Setar for anybody with over 24 hours in the city. The building itself resembles a flooding rice crate.
The three-storied historical center spreads everything about rice and its development in Kedah. The lower floor shows apparatus and presents the social job of rice. The center level gives setting to its deal and dispersion.
Be that as it may, Kedah Paddy Museum’s feature is the huge painting spreading over the third floor’s round divider. The picture delineates a scene from provincial Kedah: Farmer playing out their everyday obligations and watching out for their yield.
23. A mountain that looks like an elephant
Elephant Mountain, or Gunung Keriang in Bahasa, is a somewhat underrated attraction near Alor Setar. The limestone cliff from a distance (with a bit of imagination) looks like a crouching elephant.
Bat-filled caves, dozens of habitats and rare birds are highlights of Elephant Mountain. Follow the trails to the summit of the 218-meter (715-foot) hill for views of paddy fields.
Plan a morning or afternoon to visit both Kedah Paddy Museum and Elephant Mountain.
24. Fort Kuala Kedah: Northern Malaysia’s oldest fort
Source: NOOR RADYA BINTI MD RADZI/shutterstock
Fortification Kuala Kedah
Fortification Kuala Kedah is the most seasoned post in northern Malaysia going back to 1771. It’s likewise one of a bunch of staying protective units appointed by a Sultan instead of pioneer powers.
In those days, the state was under consistent assault from attacking powers from Siam (the present Thailand). Post Kuala Kedah secured the Sultan and his subjects.
The post’s intricate lies alongside the intersection of the Kedah River and Straits of Malacca. Explorers will discover the remaining parts of protective dividers, guns and a beacon.
You’ll have to take a taxi from Alor Setar to the fortification, or, in other words kilometers (8 miles) from the downtown area.
Insane Tourist prescribes a speedy visit before getting the ship (or landing from) the close-by port to Langkawi.
25. Discover 19th and 20th-century Kedah inside Fort Kuala Kedah
Source: NOOR RADYA BINTI MD RADZI/shutterstock
Fortification Kuala Kedah
The white-washed wooden lodge inside Fort Kuala Kedah looks relatively like a frontier home.
Aside from its photogenic engineering, it houses the Museum Gallery committed to Kedah’s history throughout the most recent 200 years.
In the mid nineteenth century, Kedah was continually battling with their north Siamese neighbors. Hardly any galleries cover this essential piece of neighborhood history and Museum Gallery.
Different presentations archive Kedah’s short association with the British homesteaders and how it changed into the state we see today.