PERLIS

Perlis (Jawi ﭬﺮليس) ^[1], is the smallest state in Malaysia. It lies at the northern part of the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and has Satun and Songkhla Provinces of Thailand on its northern border. Perlis was called Palit (Thai: ปะลิส) by the Siamese when it was under their influence.

Perlis Indera Kayangan has a population of 210,000. The ethnic composition for the year 2000 in Perlis was: Malay (174,805 or 79.74%), Chinese (21,058 or 9.6%), Indian (2,658 or 1.21%) and others (20,690 or 9.45%).

The capital of Perlis is Kangar and the Royal capital is Arau. Another important town is Padang Besar, at the Malaysian-Thailand border. The main port and ferry terminal is at the small village of Kuala Perlis, linking mostly to Langkawi Island. Perlis has a famous snake farm and research centre at Sungai Batu Pahat and Gua Kelam and Perlis State Park are tourist attractions. Compared to other states of Malaysia, Perlis has bucolic charm, peace and simplicity.

BUKIT AYER

HOMESTAY UJUNG BUKIT

Ujung Bukit Village in Bintong, Perlis is a peaceful village, where life takes a decidedly leisurely pace as compared to what most people experience in the city. Planting paddy is the main source of income for the friendly villagers.

The village is located close to Kangar, the capital of Perlis, separated only by a series of hills that nonetheless adequately preserves the calm atmosphere of Ujung Bukit. It is the first village in Perlis to obtain approval from the Ministry of Tourism for the Homestay programme.

Among the activities that visitors can try at the homestay are: traditional kite-flying, planting paddy, fishing and caving. There are also cultural performances such as nasyid singing and the traditional Malay wedding ceremony, as well as craft and cooking demonstrations.

KOTA AL-MARHUM KAYANG

Kota Al-Marhum Kayang is where the early settlement of Kedah ruling in Perlis and ancient royal mausoleums are located."

Kota Al-Marhum Kayang is where the early settlement of Kedah ruling in Perlis and ancient royal mausoleums are located. Here, one can find the burial grounds of two of the 16th century Sultans of Kedah where simple mausoleums are marked by gravestones with wooden ruins that used to pinpoint the site.

Nearby is an area believed to be the site of one of the Sultan's palaces surrounded on each side by limestone hills. This is reminiscent of the palace built by the late Sultan Dhiauddin Almukaram Shah, a late 16th century Sultan who gave Perlis the title 'Indera Kayangan'.

Two of the Sultan's personal efforts are still evident today. One is a partially-enclosed spring which supplied fresh mineral water to the palace while the other is a canal built in 1680 connecting Alor Setar to the palace and from the palace to the burial grounds, thus permitting boat passages between the points.

GUA KELAM

Located about 26 km from Kangar, Gua Kelam traverses approximately 370 metres of limestone hills from Kaki Bukit on the Malaysian border to Wang Kelian near the Thai border. The cave was at one time used as a trading route between the locals and the Siamese.

PADANG BESAR

Padang Besar, on the Malaysia-Thai border is a shoppers' haunt. There is also a duty free shop.

KUALA PERLIS

Located at the estuarine delta of' the Sungai Perlis, Kuala Perlis is noted for its local fast food, laksa, i.e., rice noodles dipped in spiced fish-soup with sliced onions and cucumber. It is also the take-off point to Pulau Langkawi and other coastal towns and villages.

ISTANA ARAU

Arau is the royal town of Perlis. It is located 10 km south of Kangar. Of interest here is the Istana DiRaja (Royal Palace) and the Masjid Negeri (State Mosque).

CHUPING

Chuping derived its name from tile limestone hill known locally as Bukit Chuping It is a wide area of lush green Sugarcane grown for commercial purposes. It is also in area of sugar refineries and cement plants. The natural resources found here support such industrial developments

TASIK MELATI

Tasik Melati is a small but picturesque lake located in a partially marshy lowland about 8 km north of Kangar. More than 150 sandbar-islands may be seen all over the lake. Sampans can be rowed to these tiny islands. Elevated walkways are also found over the waters of the lake, providing vantage viewpoints and seatings for visitors.

GUNUNG MEDAN

Gunung Medan, situated 6 km south of Kangar, is a limestone outcrop, 300 feet high. A road climbs up to the peak. Stairways and walkways have been constructed. The place makes a suitable picnic spot.

TAMAN ULAR BATU PAHAT

Sungai Batu Pahat is located 10 km east of Kangar. For golfers, the town offers a 9-hole golf course. It is relatively flat and has numerous obstructions and traps. It is reckoned to be a difficult par-72 course. The nearby Snake Farm makes an interesting visit. A large collection of snakes can be viewed. The Snake Farm is primarily used as a research facility to test and develop serums for treatment of snake bites.

Opens 10.00am -4.00prn (Tues-Sun)