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Perlis
may be the smallest state in Malaysia, but it boasts a wealth of
natural, cultural and historical splendours that rival the bigger
states. You may be mesmerised bythe many quaint villages,
picturesque scenery and centuries-old traditions wherever you go.
In short, Perlis is the perfect destination to head for if you
prefer old world charm instead of the hustle and bustle of the
city, where life is unhurried and the environment naturally fresh
and crisp.
Perlis
lies at the northwestern tip of the Malay Peninsula; bounded byThailand in the north, and byKedah to the east and south. Its
western coastline borders the Straits of Malacca. It measures
approximately 810 sq km and has a population of 217,480. The state
capital is Kangar while Arau, 10 km away, is the Royal town.
Although
small in size, Perlis is not without its attractions, foremost
among which is its serene beauty. Perlis, too, abounds with rustic
rural scenes and rolling green fields of padi.
January to April the weather is generally warm and dry. Days are
hot and windy but nights can become cold towards dawn. September
to December is wet. The average annual rainfall is between 2,000
ml and 2,500 ml (80" to 100") and humidity is high
throughout the year. Temperature varies little the year round,
ranging from 21°C to 32°C.
LOCATION
Perlis,
the smallest state in Malaysia, lies at the northwestern extremity
of the Malay Peninsula; its western coastline borders the Straits
of Malacca. Bounded byThailand in the north, and byKedah to the
east and south, it measures approximately 759 sq. km and has a
population of 175,000. Kangar is the seat of the State Government.
History
Perlis
was once a part of Kedah which the Thais conquered in 1821. When
Kedah was subsequently restored to the Sultan of Kedah, Perlis was
separated from it and established as a vassal state in its own
right. The Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909 transferred Thai
sovereignty over Perlis to the British but the Japanese 'handed it
back' to Thailand during its occupation of the Malay Peninsula.
After the Japanese surrendered, Perlis once again came under
British protection until it gained independence under the banner
of the Federation of Malaya in 1957.
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Economy
Traditionally
the economy of Perlis has been dominated byagriculture, fishing and
forestry pursuits. The state also shares with Kedah the distinction
of being the 'rice bowl' of the country. Rubber and sugar cane are
also extensively cultivated while fruit cultivation includes mango
and watermelon. Realising the need to prosper economically, the
state embarked on the development of medium-scale industrial and
manufacturing activities. Beside a sugar refinery at Chuping and a
cement factory at Bukit Keteri, Jejawi, Chuping, Kuala Perlis and
Padang Besar Industrial Estate, complete with infrastructure, were
created to facilitate this rapid growth.
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Entry
Formalities
All
foreign visitors are required to go through immigration, customs and
health formalities at their first point of entry into the country.
The usual gateways into Perlis are Padang Besar and Bukit Kayu Hitam
near the Thai border in the north and Penang, Kuala Lumpur and Johor
Bahru in the south.
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Cultural
Heritage
For
leisure, the people of Perlis enjoy a variety of activities ranging
from traditional dances to traditional games and pastimes handed
down through generations. "Tarian Canggung" and "Tarian
Ayam Didik" are examples of dances and equally irresistible
feet stomping may still be seen today.
 Tarian
Canggung, a traditional dance, was brought from early historical
times, and performed bythe people as a form of celebration after
harvest time. In fact, it is the people's dance where singing and
exchanges of words in stanzas (called 'berbalas pantun') are freely
and jestingly called for to the accompaniment of music.
Tarian
Terinai, is yet another dance and musical presentation, performed
specifically during a royal ceremony. The musical accompaniment is
usually provided bythe beating of Gendang Terinai (drums), normally
performed byfive musicians.
Awang
Batil is akin to a 'story-teller' who tells of the glory and
richness of life of the people of olden times. In a sense, Awang
Batil is not much different from the minstrels of old England. Awang
Batil is an expert with words, albeit colloquial, and as he proceeds
with his story he beats a small drum and plays a tune on his flute
as and when the story line demands. Such a presentation was normal
during a big feast and during one form of festivity or another in
times gone by.
Seni
Silat is the traditional Malay art of self-defence. It has become an
integral part of an official function as it is also performed byindividuals, singly or as a team, as part of the festivities
associated with the function. Silat takes on various forms,
depending on the origin, body thrusts and artistic representations.
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Food
 A
wide variety of food, from local delights to continental fare, is
available in Perlis. The prices are reasonable and the service
courteous. For the food lover, do sample as many exotic traditional
Malay, Chinese, Indian and Thai dishes (like the perennial favourite,
tom yam) as possible. A delectable time awaits you!
The
choices of eating places that you can patronise are also excellent,
ranging from open-air hawker centres, air-conditioned restaurants to
luxurious hotel restaurants. Wherever you choose to eat, rest
assured the environment is clean, casual and comfortable.
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by Air
There
is no direct air service to Perlis. Visitors have to fly into Alor
Setar and from there take a taxi to Kangar. The drive takes about 45
minutes.
Note:
At the Alor Setar Airport, the normal taxi fare is approximately
RM35 per vehicle.
|
Mode
|
Route
|
Day
Operation
|
*Fare
|
|
byRail
|
|
Ekspress
Langkawi KTMB
|
Kuala
Lumpur to Arau
|
9.15pm
- 6.25am
|
1st
Class (Bed)
RM 70.00 per person
|
|
|
Arau
to Kuala Lumpur
|
8.10pm
- 5.10am
|
2nd
Class (Bed)
RM 41.00 per person
|
|
|
|
|
2nd
Class (seat)
RM 35.00 per person
|
|
byBus
|
|
Ekspress
National
|
Kuala
Lumpur to Kangar
|
Daily
|
RM
23.50 per person
|
|
Ekspress
PPMP
|
Kuala
Lumpur to Kangar
|
Daily
|
RM
22.00 per person
|
|
|
Alor
Setar to Kangar
|
Daily
|
RM
2.00 per person
|
|
Ebban
Ekspress
|
Butterworth
to Kangar
|
Daily
|
RM
6.20 per person
|
*
Half fare for children under 12 years old.
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by Local
Bus
Four
bus transport companies operate within the State, via:
|
*Syarikat
PPMP ( From Kangar - Express)
|
*Syarikat
HBR Express (From Kangar - Local)
|
|
Route
|
Fare
|
|
Fare
|
|
Butterworth
|
RM
6.50
|
|
RM
1.20
|
|
Alor
Setar
|
RM
2.50
|
|
RM
1.50
|
|
Kuala
Lumpur
|
RM22.00
|
|
RM
1.20
|
|
Ipoh
|
RM14.00
|
58
- Bukit Keteri Mata Air
|
RM
1.20
|
|
Johor
Bahru
|
RM36.00
|
|
RM
2.15
|
|
Kuantan
|
RM30.00
|
|
RM
2.20
|
|
Seremban
|
RM26.40
|
|
RM
1.00
|
|
Terengganu
|
RM28.00
|
|
RM
3.20
|
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by Taxi
|
From
|
Destination
|
Fare
|
|
Kangar
|
Alor
Setar
|
RM
16.00
|
|
Penang
|
RM
50.00
|
|
Kuala
Perlis
|
RM
8.00
|
|
Kuala
Lumpur
|
RM
200.00
|
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by Ferry
Ferryboats
provide scheduled crossings between Kuala Perlis and Langkawi. The
fare varies from RM12 to RM15 per adult. The journey takes an hour
to reach Kuah Jetty.
For
the Kuala Perlis-Langkawi service, the first ferry of the day leaves
for Kush Jetty in Langkawi at 9.00 am, and the last ferry leaves at
2.15 pm. The last ferry back to Kuala Perlis leaves at 4.00 pm.
There
are four ferry service operators, namely Kuala Perlis Langkawi Ferry
Service Sdn Bhd, LADA Holdings Sdn Bhd, Samavest Sdn Bhd and Water
Tour Development Sdn Bhd
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Putra
Golf Club
An
18-hole golf course, offers the golf enthusiast the challenge of a
reputedly difficult par-72 course with its numerous obstructions and
traps.
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Kota
Al-Marhum Kayang
In
the same vicinity are located the burial grounds of two of the 16th
Century Sultans of Kedah. These are now seen as simple mausoleums
marked bygrave stones with remnants of wood used to mark the site.
Nearby,
too, is an area of land believed to be the site of one of the
Sultan's palaces surrounded on each side bylimestone hills. This is
reminiscent of the palace built byAlmarhum Sultan Dhiauddin
Almukaram Shah of the late 16th century who had given the name of
Indra Kayangan to Perlis then. 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 and is still seen intact today. The other is the canal
built bythe Sultan in about 1680 connecting Alor Setar to his
palace in Kuala Perlis and from the palace to the burial grounds,
thus permitting boat passages between the points.
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Kangar
 Kangar,
56 km northwest of Alor Setar, is the state capital set amidst a
vast expanse of green padi fields that turn a golden yellow at
harvest time. A major landmark of the town is the state mosque,
Masjid Alwi. A small town, Kangar's stadium, general hospital,
hotels and schools are all within walking distance.
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Arau
There
are many interesting places and things to see in Perlis. Of special
note in ARAU, the royal town, are the Royal Palace, fronting the
main road and the nearby Royal Mosque which can easily accommodate
up to 7,000 people in one prayer session. Aran itself, which has
clusters of fruit trees and coconut palms interspersed among quaint
residences is worth a visit.
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Tasik
Melati
Tasik
Melati is a small but picturesque lake located in a partially marshy
lowland about 8 kilometres north of Kangar. The lake is shallow.
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. There is also a parameter walkway as well as
telephone kiosks and toilet facilities.
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Snake
Farm
Perlis
is noted for its large population of venomous snakes, the limestone
caves and crevices offering the best of natural habitats for the
slithery creatures. The Snake Farm at Sungai Batu Pahat houses a
large collection of 23 species of live snakes in large open-air
enclosures. In addition, there is a crocodile and a fish pond.
It
is open daily from 10.00am to 4.15pm.
Admission Fee: Adult RM2.00 Child RM1.00
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Hutan
Lipur Bukit Air
Cool
streams meandering through a lush tropical forest setting and
waterfalls cascading excitingly into frothing rocky pool down below,
make it an ideal location for picnic. It is 12 km from Kangar and it
offers camping site, car park facilities and basic amenities to make
your trip comfortable.
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Hutan
Lipur Bukit Kubu
Hutan
Lipur Bukit Kubu is a natural limestone cave in a forested limestone
hill known as Wang Pinang, located near Kuala Perlis. The cave is an
interesting geological formation. Bukit Kubu is now a 'cave park',
sheltered and ideal for joggers and cave trekkers.
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Gua
Kelam Recreational Park
Gus
Kelam, Kaki Bukit refers to the 370-metre long limestone cave at the
small town of Kaki Bukit. Its name literally means "at a
foothill (Kaki Bukit) lies a dark cave (Gua Kelam)".
Access
to the cave is byway of a suspension bridge. The uniqueness of
approach, as well as the experience of walking along the bridge,
make a visit to this place an intriguing and adventurous experience.
A
subterranean stream flows in the limestone range near Kaki Bukit for
about a quarter of a mile long. As in other limestone areas, the
stream has built a long cavern over the centuries. This
physiographic phenomenon was enlarged throughout the length of the
underground stream in 1935 bya resident Englishman who saw it as a
marvelous way of transporting tin ore from a mine located near the
stream entrance through the underground cavern.
A
wooden walkway hangs suspended throughout the length of the
underground cavern providing a wondrous means of communication from
Kaki Bukit to a valley on the opposite end - the Wan Tangga Valley.
Admission
Fee: Adult RM1.00 Child RM0.50
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Wang
Kelian State Park
The
Wang Kelian State Park is a haven for nature lovers and eco-tourism
buffs. Close to the Thai border, the 1,000 ha area in the Mata Ayer
Forest Reserve is a treasure trove of biodiversity. It contains one
of the few semi deciduous forests in the country, closer in type and
species to Thai vegetation. Its limestone forests are also rich in
fauna, including birds, mammals and reptiles.
A
challenging jungle track leads from the camping area past a little
tripping waterfall to the Gua Wang Burma cave system. Possibly the
northern most cave in Peninsula, its narrow passages lead to
chambers boasting interesting formations.
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Farmers'
Market
Farmers
sell their farm produce directly to consumers on a plot
predetermined bythe authorities. Non-farmers take advantage of the
influx of buyers byselling their wares which are non-agricultural.
Prices are reasonable. Freshwater fish and prawns, vegetables and
fruits galore, are all fresh as they come. The Market is held from
8.00 am till 1.00 pm.
| Days |
Place |
| Sunday |
Sena
Indah |
| Monday |
Arau |
| Tuesday |
Taman
Kemajuan |
| Wednesday |
Sena
Indah |
| Friday |
Berseri |
| Saturday |
Sena
Indah |
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Night
Market
Pasar
Malam is an open-air affair where business is already brisk at 5.00
pm, and are very popular because of the fiesta-like atmosphere. A
pasar malam is held on an open ground or even a full stretch of a
road or thoroughfare according to what has been approved bythe
local authorities. The police keep a friendly surveillance,
especially when a road has been blocked off and passage impeded.
A
feature of a pasar malam is that it is held in a different place
each night and the schedule is repeated week byweek. In a sense,
therefore, the Market is held once a week at a predetermined place
at night.
| Days |
Place |
| Sunday |
Utan
Aji |
| Monday |
Padang
Melangit |
| Tuesday |
Kuala
Perlis |
| Wednesday |
Kangar |
| Thursday |
Pauh |
| Friday |
Arau |
| Saturday |
Jejawi |
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Perlis
Craft Cultural Complex
The
Perlis Craft Cultural Complex at Kuala Perlis, about 8km from Kangar
and 15 minutes drive to Kuala Perlis Jetty, is a must stop over for
visitors.
The
complex offers a wide range of Malaysian handicraft such as delicate
hand drawn batik, intricately carved silverware and an assortment of
hand made items such as basketry, ceramics as well as rattan based
products.
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