Alor Setar Things to Do

The most imposing and significant Buddhist shrine in the city. Its architecture reflects strong Thai elements with minor Chinese motifs. It's a sanctuary and oasis in the city centre with trees and shades providing spiritual shelter to Buddhists from the city and abroad. Both Theravada and Mahayana Buddhist traditions are cherished here.

Nobat Tower is a place where the instruments of the royal orchestra are stored. These instruments include traditional flutes, gongs, and drums. The skills to play nobat music and these instruments are passed down from father to son and are only played during special ceremonies such as weddings, inaugurations, and funerals.

A trip to Kedah would not be complete without paying a visit to the Rumah Kelahiran Mahathir (literally, "the house where Mahathir was born"). A visit to Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s birthplace will give you a different perspective of the life of this revered leader.

Zahir Mosque ( Masjid Zahir ) is one of the most beautiful mosques in Malaysia.
It was opened in 1912, and incorporates elegant Moorish designs in its five black domes and slender minarets. The design was inspired by the vision of the late Sultan Muhammad Jiwa Zainal Abidin II.

1 more image

The Menara Alor Star is a 165.5 meter tall tower in Alor Star, in the state of Kedah, Malaysia. It was built for Telekom Malaysia. Apart from serving the role of a telecommunication tower, it also caters as a tourist destination for the town. The observation deck is at a height of 88 meters from the base of the structure.

1 more image

This majestic state mosque with the moorish design of five domes to reflect the five pillars of Islam is a jewel - real beauty that looks better in real life than in digital photo.

Masjid Zahir was officially open in 1912. It serves as the venue of Kedah annual Koran reading competition.

Located in the middle of town with all the prewar Chinatown buildings, it adds a special Kedah charm and the importance of Islam and Kedah royalty as the mosque was the vision of the previous late King of Kedah - Sultan Muhammad Jiwa Zainal Abidin II.

Alor Setar downtown is much smaller than George Town or Ipoh but still have a collection of picturesque prewar typical terrace double storey buildings where the shops is on the ground floor and residents live on the top floor.

A walk through downtown Alor Setar is a must to get a feel of this little Chinatown right in the middle of Kedah primarily Malay rural rice field villages in the yesterdays of 19th and early 20th century.

Some of the buildings have been renovated unfortunately. Caught the sight one row which was an eye candy with its dramatic red paint. See picture.

(1)Masjid Zahir:
It is one of the most beautiful architecture and one of the grandest mosque in Malaysia.

(2) Balai Nobat, Clock Tower and Old Sultant Palace:

(3) Alor Star Tower:
168m in height and is one of the most distinctive structure in Malaysia. It is also the world 16th tallest telecommunication tower.

(4) Gunung Keriang:
An elephant shape mountain emerged in the middle of a flat paddy land. A very good place for outdoor activity and also for crystal hunting (famous of crystal deposits).

(5) Birth place of Dr.M:

(6) Stadium of Kedah FC:
One of the best football team in Malaysia, the home of team Hijau Kuning (Green Yellow)!!

(7) Paddy field:
Extraordinary sight of the vast flat land, filled with green and yellow paddy.