Kedah: UNESCO Global Geopark, Nature and History

In Kedah, landscapes, archaeology and regional culture offer distinct travel themes. The Langkawi UNESCO Global Geopark is located in the state of Kedah and covers approximately 478 square kilometres of land, or 920 square kilometres in total, including water areas. It was established on 1 June 2007 and was Southeast Asia’s first UNESCO Global Geopark.

Geopark and natural areas

In Machinchang Cambrian Geoforest Park, bare peaks, sheer cliffs, prominent ridges, narrow gorges and waterfalls are among the defining landscape features. Kilim Karst Geoforest Park covers 4,354 hectares. Hutan Gunung Jerai also offers a distinctive perspective on the landscape: it stretches across the districts of Kuala Muda and Yan and offers panoramic views of the Yan Valley and Merbok. Ulu Muda is home to Asian elephants, Malayan sun bears and clouded leopards.

On mainland Kedah, in Kuala Muda District, Pantai Merdeka is a beach for holidays and picnics. Nature experiences here range from Geopark landscapes and forest habitats to a coastal destination. Those interested in the views from Gunung Jerai will find a different focus there from the geological formations of Machinchang Cambrian Geoforest Park.

Getting around Kedah

Tree Top Walk Sg. Sedim is a 950-metre-long canopy walkway through Taman Rekreasi Sungai Sedim. Access is via a forest trail. Bring water and snacks: once you enter the canopy walkway, there is no opportunity to buy food or drinks.

Reaching Air Terjun Puteri Mandi waterfall requires a hike of about three kilometres; from Titi Hayun, it takes approximately 40 minutes. In Yan District, visitors can also cycle to the summit of Gunung Jerai. Pulau Song Song is a snorkelling destination there. Affordable Geopark tourism packages are available from Jeti Semeling in Kuala Muda and Kaki Gunung Jerai in Yan.

Archaeology, museums and culture

Near Merbok lies Bujang Valley, an extensive archaeological site covering 224 square kilometres. Sungai Batu contains evidence of Southeast Asia’s earliest civilisation, including iron smelting and the large-scale export of iron ore. The iron industry there operated from the 1st to the 8th century AD. Muzium Arkeologi Lembah Bujang in Merbok, in Kuala Muda District, preserves artefacts and candi from Kedah’s early Hindu civilisation, which dates back to the 5th century AD.

Muzium Padi Kedah Darul Aman is located at Gunung Keriang, eight kilometres from Alor Setar. Its three levels cover a total area of 12,000 square metres; the exhibits explore rice culture, research and development, and rice technology. Traditional Kedah dishes such as Sagon and Karas are recommended to try in connection with a visit to Muzium Padi. The museum thus explores rice through both cultural and technological themes.

Muzium Negeri Kedah was established on 3 February 1957 as Muzium Sejarah Kedah. Its ten permanent exhibitions cover culture, history, nature, notable figures, transport, weapons, manuscripts, textiles, handicrafts, and language and literature. Muzium Diraja, meanwhile, is a former palace where several Kedah sultans lived. It was completed in 1735, when Alor Setar became Kedah’s eighth administrative centre.

Mek Mulung is also part of the region’s culture: this traditional theatre art from Kedah and the surrounding regions combines drama, music and dance. It is typically performed at weddings and festivals. Alongside the museums and archaeological evidence, it offers another way to explore Kedah’s history and traditions.

Discover more destinations: Ayer Hitam, Kodiang, Pendang, Lunas, Pokok Sena, Kulim, Bukit Kayu Hitam, Yan, Merbok, Sik, Karangan, Baling, Padang Serai, Kuah, Alor Setar, Langkawi, Sungai Petani, Simpang Empat, Kulim, Bedong, Changlun and Jitra.

For the main travel overview: Malaysia.