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Langkawi, &

Perlis% 04 / POP 2.3 MILLION

Includes  Why Go? Kedah...... 191 The states of Kedah and represent a rural idyll that Pulau . . . 192 is central to the Malay identity. Limestone pillars thrust up . . . . . 208 through emerald paddy fields, which contribute to the har- Around Alor Setar . . 212 vest of over half of the country’s domestic rice supply. Not that many foreigners see this. In fact, most travellers would Perlis...... 212 draw a blank if you asked them about ‘Kedah’. That’s because Kangar...... 212 almost everyone knows this state by its biggest island: Pu- Around Kangar. . . .213 lau Langkawi. And justifiably so. Langkawi’s glorious clear waters and luxurious wide beaches warrant the attention they receive. Swathes of ancient rainforest reach right to the shore, while corners of the island mimic the green terrain of the mainland. Best Places to Eat Perlis, ’s smallest state, has an even lower profile. ¨¨Muda Coffee Shop (p211) Like Kedah it borders , and most travellers simply ¨¨Siti Fatimah (p206) rush through it on their way up there. Their loss; this friend- ly corner of the country is part of the Malay heartland, and ¨ ¨Nasi Lemak Ong (p211) well worth a look-in. ¨¨Langkawi’s Night Market (p205) When to Go Best Places to °C/°F Te mp Rainfall Inches/mm Stay 40/104 32/800 ¨¨Bon Ton (p201) 30/86 24/600 ¨¨Temple Tree (p201) 20/68 16/400 ¨¨Ambong Ambong (p203) ¨¨Tanjung Rhu Resort (p204) 10/50 8/200

¨¨Datai Langkawi (p203) 0/32 0 J FDM A M J J A S O N

Feb & Mar Gen- Apr–Oct The wet- Jul Typically erally the region’s test time of year; Pulau Langkawi’s driest months, the odd tropical coolest month. although tem- storm is expected peratures can be and tourist num- relatively high. bers are low. 191 Langkawi, Kedah & Perlis Kedah - 76 76 Tasik Muda Bukit Gajah (1801m) Hutan (1067m) Gunung Inas Bukit Pasir Terbang (574m) Kampung Gulau Baubak (1199m) Baling 67 (842m) Bintang Tok Bidan Gunung (1862m) Pedu Tasik xploring the limestone xploring the limestone

Kayaking through the through Kayaking E Gunung Perak (865m) Ketil

Kuala ah Muda d Bukit Koh Mai (762m)

caves and remote border border and remote caves Perlis Negeri Taman of feel (p214). 5 6 Kilim Karst at Kilim Karst mangroves (p195). Park Geoforest

T H A I L A N D T H A Ke gai Kulim

KEDAH gai

Sun Gurun Bukit Mertajam

Sun Sungai Pendongya Kayu Hitamo Bukit ra Langgar ebuh ) L y E1

Changlun a (1217m) Gunung Jerai Sadao llw

Sultan Abdul Halim Airport o (T Butterworth E1 Bujang Lembah Alor Setar 1 History back to the Stone goes in Kedah Settlement archaeo some of the earliest excavated Age; logical sites in the country are near Gunung in Lembah Recent finds date Bujang Jerai. it’s also an island destination that continues that also an island destination it’s most, like roots. If, to maintain its Malay on your Langkawi only included Pulau you’ve you’ll restcan that assured you still itinerary, get the chance to experience both Kedahs. Semut - Padang Besar Padang Muda Yan Kecil K351 Padi Airport PERLIS Bayan Lepas Muzium Kota Kuala Kota Sarang Itam Ayer Gua Kelam 7 7 Singkir Darat Kedah Relaxing on one of the on one of Relaxing Revelling in the former in the former Revelling George Town Kuala Kedah Kota Kuala Gunung Machinchang to Gunung Machinchang to views. the spectacular enjoy glory days of royal Malaysia Malaysia royal of days glory (p208). in Alor Setar 3 4 Pulau Pulau of beaches stunning (p192). Langkawi Pulau Perlis Perlis Kuala Sungai Bujang Penang 40 km Taman Negara Kangar Bukit Pelarit (553m) 20 miles Pulau Payar Satun Perlis HighlightsKedah & Perlis Kilim Karst Geoforest Park S E A Pulau Pulau Langkawi Dayang Bunting Durian A N D A M A N Perangin Langkawi International Airport Cooling off in the off Cooling Panorama Riding the Panorama 0 0 Besar Basah Tujuh Langkawi, (p193) cable cable (p193) Langkawi of the top to all 708m car 2 1 freshwater pools at freshwater Tujuh Telaga Langkawi’s Perangin or Durian (p195) waterfalls. (p196) Langkawi is the stuff of tourist brochures is the stuff Langkawi Ko Telaga Pulau Singa Tarutao Pulau Beras Panorama Langkawi that don’t skimp on descriptions such as ‘sun- as such descriptions on skimp don’t that The news good is that kissed’ ‘paradise’. and but up to the hype, live the beaches generally Kedahs: the tropical island of Pulau Kedahs: ly two and its surrounding islets, Langkawi and the known Kedah, mainland little-visited rural, ‘rice bowl’. as Malaysia’s KEDAH essential are there purposes travellers’ For