8 Places to Visit in Kedah and Perlis: From Lembah Bujang to Padang Besar

We take you on a trip through Malaysia's north. First stop is the Lembah Bujang Archaeological Museum, evidence of a major civilisation in Kedah between the 3rd and 12th centuries AD. Inside are artefacts and historical remains, and the grounds feature ancient temple structures (candi) that mark Kedah as one of the oldest civilisation sites in Southeast Asia.

Next is Pasar Bisik (the Whispering Market) in Kota Kuala Muda, near the mouth of the Muda River that separates Kedah from Penang. At this fresh seafood market, sellers and buyers whisper to each other while haggling. Nearby, Arked Tanjong Dawai sells dried seafood such as salted fish, crackers and anchovies, but its real fame is the belacan (fermented shrimp paste).

Kota Kuala Muda is also home to the Tsunami Gallery, in the area struck by the 2004 tsunami. It helps visitors grasp the scale of the disaster. We then headed to Bukit Kodiang, the best-known hill in northern Kedah and a popular hiking spot.

In Perlis the list continues with Kampung Warna Warni Kuala Perlis (a colourful village), HarumanGo at Bukit Chuping and the Padang Besar Complex on the Malaysia-Thailand border. Together they make a neat road trip from southern Kedah to the top of Perlis.