Things to do in Alor Setar
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Top 10 attractions in Alor Setar
Kota Kuala Kedah
Kuala Kedah is a small town on the Thai-Malaysian border. Many people who go to southern Thailand enter through Kuala Kedah. There is a fort built to defend against sea enemies, which has become a site for many people to nostalgic. Coming here is like traveling to the ancient city hundreds of years ago and feeling its vicissitudes of history.Kuala Kedah · 9 km from Alor Setar
Penang Hill
Penang Hill is located in the central part of Penang Island, known as "Bukit Bendera" in Malay, meaning "flag hill," and consists of several continuous peaks. Due to its high elevation and dense forests, the hilltop is much cooler than the lowlands. During the British colonial era, it served as a retreat for officials, and many old colonial houses from that time still dot the area. Most travelers choose to take the century-old cable car to ascend. This mountain railway opened in the 1920s and was later fully renovated. As the cabins climb the steep slope, the views of George Town and the Penang Strait gradually unfold beneath. Upon reaching the summit, the vista opens up: on clear days, the skyline of George Town, the shimmering waters of the Penang Strait, and the verdant mountains of the Malay Peninsula across the strait are all clearly visible. Here, the colors of the sea, sky, and land blend, and one can truly appreciate why Penang is often called the "Pearl of the Orient." The Habitat, a rainforest discovery center at the summit, is also worth a visit. A 1.6 km natural trail winds along the edge of an ancient rainforest over 100 million years old. The elevated canopy walkway, Langur Way, offers a bird's-eye view of the forest, while the treetop observation deck, Curtis Crest, is an ideal spot to watch the sunset. Over 2,000 species of flora and fauna inhabit this forest. If time permits, consider heading up in the evening—after sunset, wait for nightfall as the lights of George Town and the strait gradually illuminate like a starry sky, a sight many travelers find unforgettable. Those who enjoy hiking can also trek to the summit via the old mountain trails. A reminder: temperatures vary greatly between day and night at the summit, and fog is common, so bring a light jacket. Weekends and holidays see more cable car riders, so going early or during off-peak hours is advisable.Northeast Penang Island · 79.7 km from Alor Setar
Gunung Keriang
Mount Keriang is a well-known tourist destination in Kedah and a paradise for people who like high-risk sports. The mountain is famous for its crystal production. Forest trekking, rock climbing, exploring caves, and camping are popular activities on Mount Keriang. Walk slowly in the green trails in the mountains, breathe the fresh air in the mountains and feel the breeze in the shade. Climbing to the viewing platform, you can overlook the panoramic view of Alor Setar and a green rice field, which is very charming.Alor Setar · 8.6 km from downtown
Oriental Village
Oriental Village is located at Burau Bay on the west coast of Langkawi, backed by Gunung Mat Cincang, and reachable by a 15-min drive from Langkawi Airport. It's not a traditional village but a resort area nestled between mountains and sea: dozens of Malay and oriental-style buildings with varied designs surround a lake, housing shops, restaurants, and recreational activities. The SkyCab cable car to the summit of Gunung Mat Cincang also departs from here. The movie "Anna and the King," starring Chow Yun-fat, was filmed in Langkawi. For most travelers, the top priority here is taking the cable car up the mountain. The cable car ascends nearly 700 m from the base, with one section at a near 45-degree incline. The six-person cabins slowly climb above the rainforest, offering views of the Seven Wells Waterfall and the western coastline during the approx. 15-min one-way ride. At the mountaintop station, two circular observation decks provide panoramic island views—on clear days, even distant Thai islands may be visible. Temperatures here are a few degrees cooler than below, so those sensitive to cold may want a light jacket. From the station, a sloped elevator or walking path leads to the sky bridge, a 100-m-long curved steel suspension bridge spanning two peaks at over 600 m above sea level. On sunny days, the dense forest below is clearly visible; when fog rolls in, the mist creates a sensation of walking among clouds. During strong winds, the bridge sways slightly—those with acrophobia should proceed with caution. Beyond the cable car, indoor attractions like the SkyDome dome theater, SkyRex motion experience, and 6D cinema offer respite from midday heat. Tired visitors can dine at lakeside restaurants or browse handicrafts and traditional clothing in shops. Note that the cable car and sky bridge are weather-dependent and may close during heavy wind or rain—check forecasts before visiting. Queues can be long during peak hours, so allocate sufficient time.Langkawi · 81.8 km from Alor Setar
Georgetown UNESCO Historic Site
Georgetown UNESCO Historic SiteLocated on the northeast coast of Penang Island, Malaysia, the entire old town was inscribed on the World Heritage List together with Melaka in 2008. Since its founding in 1786, the old town has been home to generations of Chinese, Malay, and Indian communities. The continuous rows of Nanyang-style shophouses, clan associations, temples, and churches are well-preserved, with layers of multicultural traces overlapping in the same neighborhood; walking is the ideal way to experience it. The old streets here are also very distinctive: the mural "Kids on Bicycle" on Armenian Street is by Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic, where visitors can pose for photos with the actual bicycle depicted in the painting, and there is often a queue in front of the wall; the Khoo Kongsi on Cannon Street is an exquisitely carved Hokkien clan temple; the Clan Jetties of Penang at Weld Quay were built by Chinese clans of the same surname in the late 19th century, with stilt houses lined up along wooden walkways extending into the sea; places of worship for different faiths, such as the Goddess of Mercy Temple and the Kapitan Keling Mosque, stand side by side, which is why the street is known as the "Street of Harmony."George Town · 78.2 km from Alor Setar
Penang Street Art
Penang Street Art is an open-air district in the old town of George Town, famous for its street murals and wrought-iron caricatures. In the past, tourists came to Penang mostly for the food, but now many make a special trip just to wait in line in front of old walls to take photos with the murals. In 2012, Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic brought his "Mirrors George Town" mural series to the old streets. The images were inspired by the daily lives of locals, and George Town's streets have had mural art ever since. The BBC even called him "Malaysia's Banksy." Accompanying the murals are dozens of wrought-iron caricature sculptures left behind by the "Marking George Town" project, which use exaggerated caricature styles to tell the history and daily life of the old streets.George Town · 78.4 km from Alor Setar
Pulau Payar
Paya Island is about 19 kilometers away from the main island of Langkawi. It consists of four small islands including Pulau Payar, Palau Segantang, Palau Kaca and Pulau Lembu. Paya Island is the larger of the islands. It has been officially designated as a marine park. The island is surrounded by coral and the sea is clear and calm. It is an ideal place for water activities such as snorkeling and swimming.Langkawi · 36.8 km from Alor Setar
Batu Ferringhi Beach
Batu Ferringhi Beach is located on the north coast of Penang Island, Malaysia, approx. 10 km from downtown George Town, and is a popular seaside resort area on the island. Its name means "rock where foreigners landed" in Malay, and voyagers landed here in the late 16th century. It was originally just a small fishing village, but starting in the 1970s, resort hotels were built along the beach, forming the white sandy beach that stretches for several kilometers today. The beach is lined with swaying coconut trees and dotted with large rocks. On clear days, you can even see Mount Jerai in Kedah across the strait. During the day, this place is a hub for water activities. Jet skiing, banana boating, and parasailing are the signature experiences. You can also go horseback riding along the coastline, or rent a lounge chair to enjoy the sea breeze and soak up the sun. On weekends, you can often see locals coming with their families for picnics and fishing.Batu Ferringhi · 73.1 km from Alor Setar
Malacca Strait
The Strait of Malacca is a strait between the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra. It is named after Malacca, an ancient city in Malaysia along the coast. The northwest end of the strait connects to the Andaman Sea in the Indian Ocean, and the southeast end connects to the South China Sea. It is now jointly managed by Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. The strait is in the equatorial windless zone, and there are many calm days throughout the year. The bottom of the strait is flat, mostly sandy, and the water flow is gentle. It is an indispensable attraction for visiting Malacca.Malaysia · Melaka
Kek Lok Si Temple
Kek Lok Si Temple, with the full name "He Shan Kek Lok Si Temple," is located on the hillside of He Shan in Air Itam, Penang Island, and is a large-scale Chinese Buddhist temple complex in Southeast Asia. The temple was built under the guidance of Master Miaolian from Yongquan Temple on Gushan Mountain in Fujian. The temple's architecture is built along the hillside, featuring vibrant colors and densely packed structures. The iconic Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddhas is approx. 30 m tall, and the pagoda blends the styles of three countries: the base is an octagonal Chinese-style foundation, the middle section is a plain white Thai-style body, and the top is crowned with a Burmese-style spiral golden roof. It is also known as the "Rama VI Pagoda" because King Rama VI of Siam presided over its foundation laying. The three-style design also reflects the convergence of Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism here. Further up the mountain, a bronze statue of Guanyin over 30 m tall stands on a lotus pedestal, surrounded by an octagonal pavilion supported by 16 pillars. A circle of donation bowls is arranged beneath the lotus pedestal, where visitors can walk around and toss coins to pray for blessings.Ayer Itam · 80.7 km from Alor Setar
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Featured Day tours in Alor Setar
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Featured Food & drink in Alor Setar
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Free things to do in Alor Setar
Kota Kuala Kedah
Kuala Kedah · 9 km from Alor SetarPenang Hill
Northeast Penang Island · 79.7 km from Alor SetarGunung Keriang
Alor Setar · 8.6 km from downtownOriental Village
Langkawi · 81.8 km from Alor SetarGeorgetown UNESCO Historic Site
George Town · 78.2 km from Alor SetarPenang Street Art
George Town · 78.4 km from Alor SetarPulau Payar
Langkawi · 36.8 km from Alor SetarBatu Ferringhi Beach
Batu Ferringhi · 73.1 km from Alor SetarMalacca Strait
Malaysia · MelakaBook now for tomorrowKek Lok Si Temple
Ayer Itam · 80.7 km from Alor Setar
What travelers say about Alor Setar
Labone Sarkar12 May 2026
5.0
Very nice place to visit, specially the Habitat, rain forest. This place full of natural scenic beauty, with big trees, flowers, various birds and other creatures.
Penang Hill
Kama Rahman4 March 2023
5.0
Gunung Keriang merupakan sebuah gunung yang terdapat di negeri Kedah Darul Aman, Malaysia. Gunung Keriang ini tersergam setinggi 217.92 meter dari paras laut dan 99 meter dari paras jalan. Terletak di tengah-tengah jelapang padi di Kedah. Ia merupakan bukit batu kapur purba yang berasal sejak zaman Permian dan Early Triassic conodonts di barat laut Semenanjung Malaysia. sepanjang pendakian boleh lihat kristal jika diizinkan..
Gunung Keriang
shermaineee26 July 2024
4.0
I visited the Oriental Village in Langkawi, and it was awesome. The cable car ride offered amazing views, and the Sky Bridge was thrilling. I enjoyed exploring the shops and tasting local snacks. A fantastic day!
Oriental Village
LMOOLM16 February 2024
4.0
The heart of Penang. There are many things to see and do. Shopping malls, souvenior shops, museums! And hop on the free CAT bus that takes you around Georgetown!
Georgetown UNESCO Historic Site
Bryan_221 October 2026
5.0
Penang Street Art in George Town is an absolute must-visit! Walking through the vibrant streets feels like exploring an open-air contemporary museum. The interactive murals, especially the famous kids on a bicycle, are incredibly creative and blend perfectly with the historic charm of the old buildings. It is a lot of fun posing with the artwork and hunting them down around every corner. The area also has a fantastic atmosphere with lovely cafes and souvenir shops nearby. I highly recommend visiting early in the morning to beat the heat and avoid the crowds for the best photos
Penang Street Art
Nahar Othman22 April 2025
5.0
One of the most beautiful island in Malaysia, suitable for couples or family,a lot of activity such as scuba diving
Pulau Payar
Starzies848 May 2025
5.0
This area is perfect for tourist attraction. Lots of hotel along the roaf and variety of places to eat. There is fireshow & DJ music at the feringghi bay for chillax at night, you can have dinner and entertaiment.Tips: Choose hotel that have access to the beach. Food: Please try Nasi kandar, charkuaytiay, pasembor
Batu Ferringhi Beach
骑着蜗牛赶绿灯11 June 2025
5.0
马六甲海峡的亮点在于它壮阔的海景与独特的地理意义，既能看到货轮穿梭的繁忙景象，也能邂逅绝美日落，将海天染成金色的震撼画面令人难忘，还能在海滨享受悠闲的度假氛围。适合观赏日落、漫步沙滩，感受这片黄金水道的独特魅力。
Malacca Strait
Olesik2 June 2025
5.0
Amazing architecture, decorations. Notice! It can take 3 or 4 hours to walk around and watch all the beauty and details calmly, without hurry. It's better to go to the top by inclined lift and car, provided by the temple, but you will have to pay 8r.Recommendations: comfortable shoes, bottles of water, and snacks.
Kek Lok Si Temple
