[KOTA KAYANG MUSEUM]
Located in a lush forest area between Kangar and Kuala Perlis, Kota Kayang Museum is positioned close to what was historically a fortified area. In fact, the word 'Kota' translates as fort in English. Built as a replica of a palace in an ancient sultanate, the wooden structure houses the history of both early Perlis and Kedah civilizations.
The museum homed to the tomb of the 15th Sultan of Kedah, Sultan Al-Marhum Kayang Sultan Dhiauddin Al-Mukarram Syah, who reigned from 1661 to 1687 and had made Kota Indera Kayangan the governmental capital of Kedah. With the remains of a palace surrounded on three sides by limestone outcrops, the site is marked by two simple mausoleums with gravestones and the remnants of timbers that demarcated the burial sites. There is an archaeology section which houses ceramics complete with the 400-year-old history of Perlis.
Other attractions include the Kedah Sultanate genealogy and information on ties between the sultanate and the Perlis royalty, the state during the Japanese Occupation (1941 to 1943) and Siamese Rule (1943 to 1945). Daggers, brassware, “keris” and the Perlis royal regalia are also on display at the museum. There is also the “bunga emas” (gold ornaments in the shape of flowering plants) which were gifts sent to the Siamese King in Bangkok when the state was under Siamese rule. Facilities that available include, recreational park, car park and public washrooms.
The Galleries
- The general gallery that chronologizes the building of Fort Kayang, daily paraphernalias of the Perlis aristocrats.
- An archaeological gallery displaying the Kota Kayang research results as well as other parts of Perlis.
- A Kedah/Perlis gallery exhibiting the royal family tree beginning form the Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. , golden flower replica, colonialism effects.
[GUA KELAM]
One of the most distinctive caves in Malaysia is a 370-metre long limestone cave near the small town of Kaki Bukit (literally 'foot hill') called Gua Kelam (Cave of Darkness). Located about 33km north of Kangar, the state capital, Gua Kelam Recreational Park is popular for its enchanting 'cave walk' where you can enter from one end of the cave and come out a different end. Gua Kelam is located within the Perlis State Park which borders with the Nakawan Range of Thailand.
The only path in is via a suspension wooden bridge made of an eight-feet wide wooden walkway. This bridge links Kaki Bukit to the Wan Tangga Valley, a valley on the opposite end of Gua Kelam. Back in 1935, an Englishman saw the water pathway as a brilliant method of transporting tin ore from a mine located near the stream entrance through the underground cavern to Kaki Bukit.
Now, only locals and tourists make their way through the cave via a brightly illuminated wooden walkway inside the cave. You can still find remnants of the tin mine operation inside. As you make your way through the cave, the sound of a swirling dark subterranean stream below reverberates forming a concerto with the squeaking bats and dripping water from the stalactites. It may sound a bit spooky, after all this was once the home of Stone Age men.
Getting There By Bus
You can get to Kangar using several interstate, air-conditioned bus services such as Transnasional (Tel: 603-20703300) and Sutera Express (Tel: 03-20267199) departing from the Puduraya bus station in Kuala Lumpur. These buses will stop at the Express Bus Station on Jalan Bukit Lagi in Kangar. From there, you can take a taxi or the HBR Express Bus to Kaki Bukit.
By Plane
There is no direct air service to Perlis. Visitors have to fly into Alor Setar (in Kedah) and then take a 45-minute taxi ride to Kangar. From Kangar, you can take a taxi or the HBR Express Bus to Kaki Bukit.
By Boat
You can also get to Kuala Perlis from Kuah jetty in Langkawi via ferry boats. The ride costs between RM12 to RM15 per person, one way and takes about 45 minutes. Located at the northern-most edge of Peninsula Malaysia, the state of Perlis is easily accessible via the North-South Highway, which links Kangar, the state capital of Perlis, to Kuala Lumpur. From Kangar, you’ll need to drive north for another 36km to the small town of Kaki Bukit where Gua Kelam is located.
[TASIK MELATI]
Situated approximately 8 kilometers north of Kangar town of Perlis, Melati Lake is a small yet pleasing lake lies in partially swampy lowland. Getting its name from the sweet aromatic of Jasmine, Melati Lake is dabbed with more than 150 sandbar islands that are accessible only by small boat and its water is filled with lots of fishes. There are elevated walkways which bring you closer to the clear water and floating lotus. With the limestone hill background, it is an ideal place to relax, walk about or do some boating. There is also a 3 kilometers jungle trek from Melati Lake to Pelarit Hill for viewing the local flora and fauna.
Boating is the favourite activity here and you can take a sampan (small Malay boat) from one islet to another. Besides that, there is also a network of elevated walkways over the water which provides vantage viewpoints for visitors. There is also a playground with pavements painted with Disney characters here at Melati Lake. This playground would definitely provide children with a real fun time.
This artificial man made lake is a nice spots for tourist and a peaceful retreat that promises to rejuvenate local or foreign visitors with its wonderful scenery. This charming lake is also an
excellent place to unwind after a hard day's work. Not only sight seeing, visitors are able to do other activities such as jogging, picnics,walking and others.
[STATE PARK]
Perlis State Park is located along the western border of Perlis, where Peninsular Malaysia meets Thailand. The Perlis State Park is situated on the longest continuous range of limestone hills in the country, called the Nakawan Range. The Nakawan Range has beautiful, heavily forested slopes, sheer cliff faces, streams and extensive cave systems.
Some of the major attractions in Perlis State Park includes the various caves such as Gua Kelam and Gua Wang Burma which is located within the 500 year-old Setul limestone formation. The Park consists of Mata Ayer Forest Reserve and Wang Mu Forest Reserve with a total area of about 5000 hectares.
The park provides the perfect setting for activities such as the Stumed-tail Macaque and plants like ginger, ferns and balsams endemic to the state are found here. Visitor can stay in hostels and chalets or camp at the designated site.
[SNAKE AND REPTILE FARM]
The Snake and Reptile farm is one of Perlis major tourist attractions. It houses a large collection of snakes and other reptiles. Run by the Institute for Medical Research, its main objectives are the biological study of Malaysian snakes, the dissemination of information and findings of the research as well as the production of anti-venom for local consumption. The farm holds some 23 species of snakes in large open-air enclosures as well as iguanas and crocodiles. Those brave enough, can have their pictures taken with some of the larger snakes, with some help and supervision from the snake handlers.
The Snake and Reptile farm currently houses some 200 snakes, both local and foreign species. The Snake and Reptile Farm is located near Batu Pahat river, surrounded by Perlis' Bukit Bintang Forest Reserve. Nearby attractions include a recreational park with a picnic area, a mini bird park, a nine-hole golf course as well as budget chalets.
The Snake and Reptile Farm is open from Saturday through Thursday between 9am to 5pm and on Friday between 9am to 6pm with a break from 12.15pm to 2.45pm. It is also open during public holidays during normal open hours. The minimal entrance fee is RM2 for adults and RM1 for children. Children under 6 years old can enter for free.
[BUKIT AYER RECREATIONAL PARK]
Just few kilometres north of the Golf Club and the Snake and Reptile Farm is the Bukit Air Recreational Park.
Cool streams meander through rich tropical forest and waterfalls cascade into rocky pools. Well-defined paths allow easy access through the park where the sights and sounds of tropical rainforest await visitors. An excellent location for picnics, the park also provides a camping ground, car parking facilities and all basic amenities.
It is an ideal location for nature lovers who enjoy jungle trekking, learning about plants and animals and bathing in waterfalls.
Here at the forest, those who prefer to hike can contact the forestry department to follow the trail while those who want to swim can do so at the recreational forest's waterfalls and pools. The forest is also equipped with a camping site and a multi-purpose open area for recreational activities.
Cool streams meander through rich tropical forest and waterfalls cascade into rocky pools. Well-defined paths allow easy access through the park where the sights and sounds of tropical rainforest await visitors. An excellent location for picnics, the park also provides a camping ground, car parking facilities and all basic amenities.
It is an ideal location for nature lovers who enjoy jungle trekking, learning about plants and animals and bathing in waterfalls.
Here at the forest, those who prefer to hike can contact the forestry department to follow the trail while those who want to swim can do so at the recreational forest's waterfalls and pools. The forest is also equipped with a camping site and a multi-purpose open area for recreational activities.
Hikers should let the department know of their movement for their own safety as the forest is near the Malaysia-Thailand border. The four km trail ends at the Herb Park. The Park has about 700 spesies of herbs including Tongkat Ali, Kacip Fatimah, Misai Kuching, Cekor, Selasih and Halia.
The 12ha park that was established in 1998 receives some 200 visitors daily during the school holidays. For those who wish to stay longer at the park, chalets are available at the nearby Putra Bukit Ayer Keroh Resort. The Perlis Tourism Action Council can be contacted at +604 9793 700.
The 12ha park that was established in 1998 receives some 200 visitors daily during the school holidays. For those who wish to stay longer at the park, chalets are available at the nearby Putra Bukit Ayer Keroh Resort. The Perlis Tourism Action Council can be contacted at +604 9793 700.
[BUKIT KUBU RECREATIONAL FOREST]
"The recreational park is a natural limestone cave in the forested Wang Pinang limestone hill." |
Bukit Kubu Recreational Forest is a great place to rest and relax. The recreational park is a natural limestone cave in the forested Wang Pinang limestone hill.  |
The caves have an interesting gegical formation and natural landscape but members of the public are not allowed to enter the caves unless with permission from the Perlis Forestry Department.
Situated not far from the limestone hills is the Kota Al Marhum Kayang. It is the burial grounds of two of the 16th century Kedah Sultans where one can see simple mausoleums marked by grave stones with wooden ruins that used to pinpoint in the site.
From the North South Expressway, take the Jitra Selatan exit (Interchange 181) and get onto the trunk road headed for Kodiang
