Kedah

Known as the “Abode of Peace,” Kedah offers tourists a chance to experience Malay culture and sunny beaches.

Kedah is a Malaysian state that is composed of two areas: the tropical island of Pulau Langkawi and its adjacent islets, and the rural mainland Kedah – which is also known as Malaysia’s “rice bowl.”

Attractions

Kedah offers a number of attractions and activities that everyone is sure to find something to try and enjoy. You can explore Malaysia’s rugged beauty, diverse ecosystems, and astonishing natural landscapes with the Langkawi Mangrove Forest and Eagle Watching Tour. Beach people would love the crystal-clear waters and white sand beaches of the Langkawi Island Hopping Tour. Aside from lounging on the beaches, you can also explore Malaysia’s colourful underwater world with the Pulau Payar Marine Park Snorkelling Tour or the Satang Island Turtle Conservation and Snorkeling Day Trip.

Getting There

There are no international flights flying directly to Kedah, but you may fly in via a number of domestic flights via the Sultan Abdul Halim Airport. Airlines that fly to Kedah include Malaysia Airlines, Firefly, and AirAsia.

Money Matters

Kedah establishments accept the official Malaysian currency of Ringgit Malaysia – MYR or RM. ATM machines and banks may not be as widely available as it is in Kuala Lumpur, so it is better to go to Kedah with enough RM. Hotels and other big establishments accept credit cards.

Weather

Temperatures in Kedah are fairly consistent throughout the year, with February as the hottest month of the year and October as the coolest. Rainy season falls in September and lasts until mid-November; wherein sunny days may still be experienced with rains mostly falling during the nighttime. Mid-season (neither dry nor rainy) can be experienced from April to August, wherein mornings are sunny with overcast afternoons. The dry season is from November until mid-April when there is very little rain.

Food

Kedah has a lot of restaurants that offer different cuisines such as Malaysian, Asian, Korean, and even European. A must-try dish is the Laksa Kedah or laksa utara (northern laksa), which is a dish of rice noodles in a fish-based asam-flavoured gravy, garnished with onions and cucumber, with fragrant herbs like daun kesum (polygonum). On the other hand, popular restaurants you can try include:

• Haroo
• Arts Café Langkawi
• My French Factory
• The Planter’s at the Danna
• Pia’s the Paddi
• Yasmin Restaurant
• Kayu Puti
• fatCUPID
• Sun Café
• Wonderland Food Store
• Breizh Up
• La Sal at Casa del Mar
• Thirstday Bar and Restaurant

Truly, Kedah is the perfect place to experience what Malaysia has to offer – Malay culture, diverse ecosystems, and beautiful beaches.