Kedah Darul Aman

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KEDAH

1.       LANGKAWI ISLAND

Ø  Langkawi island is an archipelago lying in the north western coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Specifically, it is located at the site where the Straits of Malacca meets the waters of the Andaman Seas.

Ø  Langkawi is the largest island in Malaysia. In here there is another small islands in this group like Island of Pregnant Maiden (Pulau Dayang Bunting), Lion Island (Pulau Singa Besar) and Beras Basah Island.

Ø  Langkawi is named from the Malay words Lang and Kawi. Lang is a brown eagle and Kawi is a local manganese stone. There is folk saying that the ancient fishermen may found or see many eagles flying clutching the manganese stones and named this island as Langkawi. Hence, a giant monument of a brown eagle clutching the manganese stone greets all visitors to Langkawi near the Kuah Jetty.

Ø  For information, the main tourist attractions of Langkawi Island are its virgin white sandy beaches. The beaches have very gentle continental slope and the water is crystal clear.

Ø  This island is also famous or unique in the sense that it has so many legends and myths associated with it where is called Pulau Lagenda or Legendary Island.

Ø  The folk story about a woman named Mahsuri who is said to have laid a curse on this island for seven generations. Luckily the period of this curse is over now and this island is fast becoming an internationally recognised tourist destination. 

Ø  Malaysia government has announced the entire Langkawi Island as a duty free zone. Due of that, this island is also termed Duty Free Island. All goods sold in this island are exempted from government tax. Therefore this Legendary Island is a heaven for the shoppers. You only need to stay in Langkawi for a minimum of 48 hours to take back home a reasonable amount of tax free goods

2.       PEKAN RABU

Ø  "Pekan Rabu" which is also known as Wednesday Market located  in the middle of Alor Setar. This market  is well known among the local population and tourists from outside Kedah.

Ø  Here, many Malay entreprenuers were gathered here running their business. Moreover the fourth Malaysian Prime Minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir, once was a trader in Pekan Rabu. Most tourists visiting Alor Setar make it a point to shop around at the Pekan Rabu Complex.

Ø  The complex costing RM 3.2 millions and was built in 1975 and renovated in 1995 with cost RM 6.5 millions. Phase 2 complex was built in 1990 with cost RM 2 millions. Pekan Rabu complex has 347 stalls with a variety of business and it has become one of the important landmarks of Alor Setar.This shopping Complex which is situated in Jalan Tunku Ibrahim was officially opened on 25th. February 1978.

3.       BUKIT KAYU HITAM

Ø   Bukit Kayu Hitam is located in the northern part of Kedah and is the main entrance to Thailand on the West Coast. Here, visitors especially shopper will be able to find a duty-free complex here in the town.

Ø  Bukit Kayu Hitam offers a newly constructed golf course of international standard with 36 holes for those that love a bit of relaxation,

4.       RUMAH KELAHIRAN MAHATHIR

Ø  The wooden house built in 1900, was bought by Mohamad Iskandar when he wanted to marry off his children.

Ø  The house has only one room with no electricity when he bought the house. The house has wooden flooring and the ceiling was made from white cloth.

Ø  The former prime minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir was born here on 20th December 1925. He lives there until he was married with Tun Dr. Hasmah and moved to his own house in Titi Gajah. Even then Tun Dr Mahathir will always commute to this house to visit his mother.

Ø  You will definitely have different perspective of his revered leader when you visit to Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's birth place.

Ø  He was born in Alor Star on Dec 20, 1925 at No 18 Lorong Kilang Ais, off Jalan Pegawai. His home has seen been designated a historical building and was restored by the National Archives in 1992.

Ø  You will be able to view items from his childhood to his schooldays to the time he became a doctor when visiting this place. Here, you are able to see various photos, furniture, other household items and his old bicycle.