Information
City: Alor SetarCountry: Malaysia
Continent: Asia
Alor Setar, Malaysia, Asia
Overview
Here’s your in-depth guide to Alor Setar, the bustling capital of Kedah, Malaysia, where golden rice fields stretch toward a bright blue sky: 1.Alor Setar, the administrative and royal heart of Kedah, is rich in history, steeped in Malay tradition, and surrounded by green rice fields that shimmer in the sun.Tucked away from the spotlight of bigger cities, Alor Setar charms with centuries-old temples, sweeping green rice fields, and markets alive with the scent of fresh spices.Kedah, home to about 400,000 people and known as Malaysia’s “Rice Bowl” for the golden paddy fields that stretch to the horizon, speaks Malay, English, Chinese, and Tamil, and thrives on rice farming, tourism, and trade; its capital, Alor Setar, was founded in 1735 by Sultan Muhammad Jiwa Zainal Abidin II.It was the royal capital of Kedah, where rulers held court and officials ran the affairs of state.Over the years, it’s shaped much of Malaysia’s history, especially when Japanese forces marched through its streets during World War II.The city’s also known as the birthplace of Tun Dr.Mahathir Mohamad, who served as Malaysia’s fourth and later its seventh Prime Minister.Number three.The Zahir Mosque, built in 1912, stands as one of Malaysia’s most stunning landmarks, its white domes gleaming in the sunlight.The Moorish-style building stands beneath five domes, each symbolizing one of Islam’s five pillars; nearby, the Balai Besar-an elegant wooden palace from 1735-once hosted royal ceremonies and now stands as a proud monument, while the Balai Nobat tower guards the nobat instruments used in Kedah’s regal rites, and the Pekan Rabu Complex hums with stalls stacked high with woven textiles, fragrant snacks, and handmade Malay crafts.It’s a wonderful place to soak up local culture, from the Kedah Royal Museum-once a royal residence with polished wooden floors and portraits of the state’s rulers-to the humble childhood home of former Prime Minister Tun Dr.Mahathir, now a museum filled with mementos of his early years, and the Paddy Museum, where you can step inside exhibits that celebrate rice cultivation and its deep roots in Kedah’s history.Don’t miss the sweeping murals of golden paddy fields, then hike limestone-clad Gunung Keriang just 10 km from Alor Setar to explore cool, shadowy caves.Stroll through the calm paths of Taman Jubli Perak Sultan Abdul Halim, or ride the lift up the 165.5‑meter Alor Setar Tower for views that stretch across the city and its green fields.Step inside Wat Nikrodharam to admire its intricate Thai carvings, or pause at the elegant white Masjid Albukhary for a moment of quiet.Shop, eat, and catch a movie at Aman Central Mall, or join the crowds at Darul Aman Stadium on match day.Browse handmade crafts and taste kuih karas or sticky‑sweet dodoi at Pekan Rabu, and learn royal history at the museum.Time your visit for a festival to see traditional dances, or cycle through fields shimmering in the sun during planting season.And wherever you go, savor Kedah’s rich blend of Malay, Thai, and Chinese flavors.Don’t miss Nasi Ulam, fragrant rice tossed with fresh herbs, crisp vegetables, and spices; Laksa Kedah, a tangy, spicy rice noodle soup in fish-based gravy with a sprinkle of herbs and cool cucumber slices; Gulai Daging Batang Pisang, rich beef curry slow-cooked with banana stems; Pek Nga, a soft Kedah-style coconut pancake served with curry or fiery sambal; Pulut Sambal, sticky rice crowned with spicy sambal; and Kuih Karas, delicate golden crisps of rice flour and sugar.Kedah’s calendar bursts with color at Pesta Kedah, where music, dances, and handmade crafts fill the air, the Kedah Paddy Festival that honors the rice harvest with performances and field-side celebrations, and the Alor Setar Food Festival, a paradise for local flavors.Getting there’s a breeze-fly into Sultan Abdul Halim Airport for quick routes to Kuala Lumpur, hop on the KTM ETS from Alor Setar Railway Station to major towns, or take the North-South Expressway (E1) straight from the capital in just a few hours.It’s about a five-hour drive to Penang, give or take.It takes about an hour and a half by ferry from Kuala Kedah to reach Langkawi Island, a favorite getaway near Alor Setar, where you can choose from luxury spots like the Royale Signature Hotel or Grand Alora, mid-range stays such as Hotel Seri Malaysia or StarCity, and budget picks like Fuller Hotel or Rainbow Hotel.Alor Setar, often called Malaysia’s rice bowl, sits amid wide green paddy fields that ripple in the breeze, feeding much of the nation; it’s also part of Kedah, one of the world’s oldest sultanates, where the royal line stretches back over a thousand years, and it happens to be the hometown of two prime ministers-Tun Dr.Mahathir Mohamad and Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia’s first.
Landmarks in alor-setar
