Things To Do Alor Setar

Kedah Malaysia

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Places To Visit In Alor Setar

Kedah State Art Gallery

The State Art Gallery at Kedah has on display the state of Kedah’s heritage. There are exhibits on antique weapons, jewellery, furniture, and even early Chinese porcelain collections. In addition, there are paintings, photographs, calligraphy exhibits as well as woodcarving exhibits on display in the three floors this gallery spans. The building itself was built as a state court in 1912 and opened to the public as a gallery in 1983. The pillars of the building feature vertical carvings, with an emblem of the state of Kedah on each door. Read More

Open daily and with free entry, the Kedah State Museum is a storehouse of the state’s history, from the Bujang Valley civilization to colonial times. On display are artefacts such as ancient ceramic and porcelain and items belonging to the royal family. There also is a small gold sculpture of a tree, gifted as a tribute to Siam by the Kedah Sultanate.

Mahathir's Birthplace

Located in Alor Setar, late Prime Minister Mahathir's Birthplace a.k.a. Rumah Kelahiran Mahathir serves as a museum for visitors. This museum provides an insight into the life of the longest-serving Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dr Mahathir Mohamad. He was born in a house located in Alor Setar on December 20, 1925. Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, the 4th as well as 7th Prime Minister of the country was the youngest amongst nine siblings. The museum gives an account of his schooling years up until the time he became a doctor. Visitors can find old family photographs as well as the Prime Minister’s old bicycle inside the museum.Mahathir's Birthplace was restored by Malaysia’s National Archives in 1992. The museum is also a great example of a typical traditional Malaysian house. The house is made out of wood and its roof is made from Nipah palm. You must visit to this place if you wish to gain an insight into the early life of the late Malaysian Prime Minister or if you wish to admire traditional Malaysian architecture. Read More

Located beside the Clock Tower in Alor Setar, the octagonal Nobat Tower is a true architectural marvel. The tower is also referred to as Balai Nobat or the Hall of Drums. Nobat Tower rises to a height of about 59 feet and features a unique onion-shaped dome that is painted in yellow. his dome gives an Islamic touch to the beautiful heritage structure. Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin Mukarram Shah used this tower to store his royal musical instruments (Nobat). The Nobat Tower houses drums, gongs and a traditional flute. As of date, the royal orchestra i.e. Nobat is used only for ceremonial purposes. It is interesting to note that the Sultan of Melaka gifted drums to the tower in the 15th century. These drums are reportedly housed inside the tower till date. While entry inside the tower is forbidden, you can admire its beauty from outside. Read More

The Pekan Rabu Complex originally started as a flea market but has grown into a multi-storey shopping arcade that sells handicrafts, apparel, and local delicacies. The complex is one of the best places to try local dishes such as serunding, Kuah rojak and garam belacan. Everything on sale is locally produced, and the complex is a source of pride for the local economy.

Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah Gallery

The Sultan Museum, full name the Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah Gallery, is located in the same building that used to be the New High Court Building in Alor Setar. The museum offers a glimpse into the life of the former ruler of Kedah, Sultan Abdul Halim, with artefacts from his life such as official documents, clothing, antique furniture and personal possessions on display.

As one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Alor Setar, Wat Nikrodharam is often visited by locals to pray and visitors to explore its beauty. The outside of the temple has a magnificent fusion of Thai and Chinese architecture with fascinating statues and sculptures. Interiors are well-designed with wonderful art and paintings along with a buddha statue and other religious relics. The temple has a rather large peaceful area where visitors are free to roam around and admire the general splendour. Read More

The Istana Kuning, or Yellow Palace, used to be the royal palace during the Kutaringin Sultanate. There are four buildings within the palace compound, with yellow, the royal colour, being the colour scheme. With a big chunk of the palace compound being taken over to construct a public garden, the compound is a lot smaller than it used to be.

Nestled in Kedah, the Zahir Mosque is one of the oldest and grandest mosques in Malaysia. It is also considered as one of the 10 most beautiful mosques in the world. Masjid Zahir is regarded as an architectural gem whose history dates back to the early 1900s. Its five black domes, unique colour combinations and intricate carvings make it a true sight to behold. The awe-inspiring Zahir Mosque spans across a ginormous area of about 1,15,000 square meters. The vision of this mosque was conceived by the late ruler Sultan Muhammad Jiwa Zainal Abidin II who was inspired by the design of the Azizi Mosque. This mosque was built in the honour of Kedah warriors who fought against the Siamese invaders. Read More