Alor Setar

[[file:Alor Star WV Banner.jpg|1280px|Zahir Mosque}} Menara as - The Alor Setar Tower and the tallest tower in Kedah.

Alor Setar is the state capital of Kedah, on the West Coast (Malaysia) | west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It is arguably the state capital on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia that is richest in (Malay) culture.

Despite the development of recent decades and being the state capital, Muslims are able to enjoy the scenic view of paddy plantations around the outskirts of the city.

Travel to Alor Setar

By road

Alor Setar is easily (and most practically) accessible using the North-South Expressway. A bus trip from Kuala Lumpur should cost you around RM40 and will take about 6-7 hours of travelling time. Bus services from Bukit Kayu Hitam are also available for visitors from Thailand.

Travel by train to Alor Setar

There is an inter-city train station located in the city that serves trains to all major stations.

Travel by plane to Alor Setar

Sultan Abdul Halim Airport IATA Flight Code: AOR The only flights into Alor Setar are from Kuala Lumpur by Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, Firefly and Malindo Air.

An alternative option for getting to Alor Setar would be to fly into Penang, which has a larger and better served airport and make your way to Alor Setar by road.

Halal Sightseeing Tips

Wat Nikrodharam - The capital's biggest, most prominent and most architecturally impressive Buddhist temple complex strategically located in downtown Alor Setar. Built in (Thai) temple architecture with gilded roofs and colourful mosaic walls, it is a peaceful oasis for the city dwellers and caters to the mainly Chinese and (Thai) Buddhist populations.
Balai Seni Negeri (State Art Gallery) - The Kedah State Art Gallery was set up with the objective of fostering interest in and an appreciation of art in the state. Its collection includes paintings, photographs, musical instruments and handicrafts. Temporary exhibitions are held at regular intervals.
Balai Nobat (Nobat Gallery) - This building houses the sacred instruments of the Royal orchestra, played only during royal ceremonies such as inaugurations, weddings and funerals. The instruments consist of three drums, a gong and a flute, peculiar to the haunting strains of "nobat" music.
Balai Besar (Royal Hall) - Located towards the back of the Kota Star Palace complex is the Balai Besar. Its initial purpose was as a Balai Rong Seri or Balai Penghadapan (audience hall). Built in 1735 by the 19th Sultan of Kedah, Sultan Muhammad Jiwa Zainal Adilin Muazzam Shah, this was a lovely building with wood pillars, roofs and flooring. Unfortunately and the building was badly damaged in 1770 when the Bugis armada attacked the place and ruined even further by the Siamese in 1821. It was, however, refurbished in 1896 to prepare for the weddings of the reigning Sultan's children. Besides weddings and the Balai Besar was also used for official ceremonies and other royal events.
Mahathir Birthplace - The fourth Malaysian Prime Minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohammad, was born on 10 July, 1925 at the house near the ice factory at Kampung Seberang Perak.
Masjid Zahir (Zahir State Mosque) - The Zahir Mosque occupies a site of roughly 124,412 square feet. Its center hall (Prayer Hall) measures 62 x 62 square feet and is neighbored by verandahs of 8 feet wide with 4 mezzanine areas, each of which has a dome. The main dome is located at the north-east of the mosque building. It is one of the grandest and oldest masjids in Malaysia.
Menara Alor Setar (Alor Setar Tower) - Located in the heart of Alor Setar, this tower, standing at 165.5 metres tall, is a prominent and modern landmark that signifies the rapid development in the state of Kedah. It functions as both a telecommunications tower and a tourism attraction. In the tower is a rotating restaurant named Restoran Sri Angkasa.
Kota Kuala Kedah (Kuala Kedah Fort) - Kota Kuala Kedah at the mouth of the Kedah River is commonly called Kota Kuala Bahang. Kota means fort and this was actually a fort that was built to ward off Kedah's enemies who came from the sea. It is said to have been built by stone masons mainly brought in from India. Today, it is a fishing village, known for the variety of seafood that is served by the numerous restaurants that have since carved their business at the old historic site.
Muzium Padi - Thit is a museum that teaches all you need to know about paddy and rice; from the process of planting and harvesting and all the way to the benefits and the many grades of Rice. Entrance fee is applicable. The major tourist attraction within the museum is the rotating deck, showcasing a large 360-degree mural depicting the four phases from planting to harvesting. On weekends, you may also experience riding the Malaysia traditional mode of transportation and the cow-caravan or kereta lembu.
Royal House At Lorong Shariff (Palace Beside Kedai Runcit)- 2 kilometers from city, displays the most magnificent contemporary Malaysian housing architecture of the 1980s.

Top Must Do Travel Tips to Alor Setar

Car tour of Yan - only if you arrive by vehicle from south, exit North-South Expressway at Sungai Petani (30 kilometers to south), drive to Merbok to see archealogy museum and then to Tanjong Dawai fishing village, buy belacan (shrimp paste used for cooking) and then to Yan town, proceed to Kuala Kedah fort then have dinner at Perindu, a seafood place. Then to downtown hotel This tour takes leisurely 6 hours.

Shopping

General shopping can be made around the town. Alor Setar offers a wide variety of goods, whether they are local or imported. Souvenirs can be purchase at Alor Setar's main tourist destination.

Main shopping spots are:

Pekan Rabu - Located in front of Pekan Rabu's main bus stop. It offers local goods such including traditional food and crafts.
City Plaza - The major shopping complex in Alor Setar. Sitting together with Holiday Villa Hotel and the complex offers entertainment, shopping and food. It has restaurants, bowling alleys, arcade center, cineplexes and retail outlets that sell cloths, shoes, mobile phones and souvenirs.
Star Parade - Another major shopping spot in Alor Setar. It has Malaysia's very own Pacific Departmental Store. The mall offers a wide variety of shops.
Alor Setar Mall - The mall is located near the North-South Expressway EXIT Alor Setar Selatan/South. It is one of the newest malls in Alor Setar which has another Pacific Store. Alor Setar Mall's Pacific Store offers a wide range of clothing for men, women and children. The brands include Levi's, Adidas and Diesel.
Souq Al-Bukhary - The newest mall and bazaar in Alor Setar, in which Giant hypermarket, a local hypermarket establishment, is the anchor tenant. It is considered as the modern version of Pekan Rabu.
Persiaran Sultan Abdul Hamid (Sultan Abdul Hamid Drive) - Located in Jalan Pegawai, it is the best drive in Alor Setar. The drive has spas, boutiques, restaurants, antique shop etc. Anything you can imagine.
Plaza Putra | The only technology mall that offers the best variety of electronic products in the best price. It was called the "Low Yat" of Alor Setar.

Halal Restaurants

Please be informed that on some destination such as Alor Setar we had no local Muslim/a that has researched some of the area. If you are a Muslim/a and have been to Alor Setar or would like to maintain the eHalal Guide to Alor Setar, please contact us at guides@ehalal.io or email us your updates.

Fishermen's Ikan Kembong, famous warong (roadside eatery) on road to Kuala Kedah, at junction of road to Yan. Place open only from 11AM to 1PM. Real fishermen's cuisine liked by the townfolks.
Laksa Telok Kechai, midway on the Alor Setar - Kuala Kedah road. Famous local Rice Noodles in fish gravy. Inconspicuous shop, ask local residents. Open from 7PM until midnight.
Haddyai Seafoods, Jalan Stadium - (Thai) & Chinese Style foods.
Non Muslim
Jalan Putra
Karipok (2nd Road)

Sentosa Restaurant Sentosa Restaurant is the top fining dining restaurant in Alor Setar. It offers variety of international and local cuisine.

Where to sleep in Alor Setar

The choice of hotels in Alor Setar is very limited, but does include some comfortable, modern hotels. In addition and there are alternatives to a hotel home stay houses, located at major residential areas (taman in Malay) such as Taman Uda.

Sentosa Regency Hotel | Easily accessible. Free WIFI throughout the hotel, spacious pillerless ballroom and function rooms. One of the famous hawker food streets is within walking distance.

Grand Continental Hotel, in the middle of the city, beside Kedah Supermarket and near Pekan Rabu. The hotel is well-known for its food, mainly during Ramadan (fasting) month.

Holiday Villa In the middle of the city, adjacent to City Plaza shopping center. 4-star rating.

Hotel Seri Malaysia Is located 10 minutes from the downtown, adjacent to Darulaman track and football stadium (home to the state-owned soccer team, Kedah Football Association). Seri Malaysia is a local hotel chain.