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 The capital city of Alor
Setar is located on the northern part of Penang on the North-South Expressway
leading to the border with neighboring Thailand. This
historical town is becoming more and more popular among
tourists and some of the attractions seen here include
the Balai Besar, Balai Nobat, Balai Seni Negeri, Kuala
Kedah, Pekan Rabu, Royal Museum, Rumah Kelahiran Tun Dr.
Mahathir Mohamad, State Museum and Zahir Mosque (Masjid
Zahir) with the
old colonial town square around Padang housing many
interesting buildings. Chinatown can be found at the
spot where the Sungai Anak Bukit flows into Sungai
Photo: Alor Setar town in Kedah
Kedah
and tourists come here for good hawker dishes.
This town used to be a Thai vassal
state at some point of its history and therefore it is
not surprising to see various buildings
here showing typical Thai architectural influences and
beautiful Thai temples. The town is also
noted for being the birthplace of two of Malaysia's
most prominent leaders, the first Prime Minister Tunku
Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj and the fourth Prime Minister,
Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and it is also the
busiest town in Kedah besides being the seat of
government and royalty. As opposed to the green
countryside, Alor Setar is the main commercial centre of
Kedah with its tall buildings and high rise towers with
Menara Alor Setar (Telekom Tower) dominating the skyline
and the tallest building is the UMNO Centre. Alor Setar
is also regarded as the turn-off point to Kuala Kedah
for ferries to Kedah's most famous attraction which is
Pulau Langkawi.
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