Langkawi UNESCO Global Geopark is located in the state of Kedah and covers around 478 km² of land; including its waters, its total area is 920 km². Established on 1 June 2007, it is Southeast Asia’s first UNESCO Global Geopark. This combination of land and water alone makes the geopark a distinctive introduction to Kedah’s natural and cultural landscapes.
Geopark, Forest and Coast
The Machinchang Cambrian Geoforest Park is characterised by bare peaks, sheer cliffs, prominent ridges, narrow gorges and waterfalls. The Kilim Karst Geoforest Park covers 4,354 hectares. Kedah’s inland areas also showcase a variety of natural environments: Ulu Muda is home to Asian elephants, Malayan sun bears and clouded leopards. Hutan Gunung Jerai extends across the districts of Kuala Muda and Yan and offers panoramic views of the Yan Valley and Merbok.
On mainland Kedah, Pantai Merdeka is a beach resort and picnic spot in the Kuala Muda district. Those interested in outdoor activities will find more specific options in Yan and Sungai Sedim. The 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 nowhere to buy food or drinks.
Reaching the Air Terjun Puteri Mandi waterfall in Yan requires a hike of around three kilometres, taking approximately 40 minutes from Titi Hayun. In Yan district, you can also cycle to the summit of Gunung Jerai; Pulau Song Song is a snorkelling destination there. Affordable geopark tour packages are available from Jeti Semeling in Kuala Muda and Kaki Gunung Jerai in Yan. These details help you match your nature interests to the activities and directions described, without suggesting a fixed itinerary.
Archaeology and Kedah’s History
Bujang Valley, near Merbok, is an extensive archaeological site covering 224 square kilometres. Evidence of Southeast Asia’s earliest civilisation has been found at Sungai Batu, including iron smelting and large-scale iron ore exports. The iron industry there operated from the 1st to the 8th century AD. The 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.
The museums in Alor Setar also offer different ways to explore history. The Muzium Negeri Kedah was established on 3 February 1957 as the Muzium Sejarah Kedah. Its ten permanent exhibitions cover culture, history, nature, notable figures, transport, weapons, manuscripts, textiles, handicrafts, and language and literature. The Muzium Diraja is a former palace where several Kedah sultans lived. It was completed in 1735, when Alor Setar became Kedah’s eighth administrative centre.
Rice Culture and Performing Arts
The Muzium Padi Kedah Darul Aman is located at Gunung Keriang, eight kilometres from Alor Setar. It has three levels and a total floor area of 12,000 square metres, and displays materials on rice culture, research and development, and rice technology. Sagon and Karas are recommended as traditional Kedah snacks to try. Mek Mulung, meanwhile, is a traditional theatre art from Kedah and the surrounding regions, combining drama, music and dance; it is typically performed at weddings and festivals.
Discover more destinations
Kuah, Alor Setar, Langkawi, Sungai Petani, Changlun, Jitra, Simpang Empat, Kulim, Bedong, Kulim, Bukit Kayu Hitam, Yan, Merbok, Sik, Karangan, Baling, Padang Serai, Pokok Sena, Ayer Hitam, Kodiang, Pendang, Lunas
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