Perlis is the smallest state in Malaysia situated on the north-western tip of the Malay Peninsula. Geographically Satun and Songkla provinces of Thailand border it on the north, the State of Kedah to the east and south and the Straits of Malacca on the west.
Perlis was originally part of Kedah and came under the Siamese influence and was called Palit, when they conquered Kedah in 1821 and alternating with the British accession of the state.
Despite being the smallest state, only 810 square kilometres, Perlis does not fall short as a tourist destination by any stretch of the imagination. It is blessed with rich cultural history and abundant nature. Perlis is the perfect destination to head to in search of old world charm with its many quaint villages and rolling green fields of paddy. Double click the map for a closer look!
Life here is at a very laid-back pace - a far cry from the hustle and bustle of the city. Perlis lies on both the road and rail routes linking Singapore and Kuala Lumpur in the south to Bangkok in the north. The main port and ferry terminal is at the small village of Kuala Perlis, with ferries linking to Langkawi Island.
With the Malacca straits along its western coastline driving around the state is a pleasant way to take in its mix of bucolic charm and serenity.
The major activity found here is fishing, which makes the state a haven for seafood lovers! The local speciality of 'laksa' (rice noodles dipped in a fish based gravy) is very popular amongst locals and foreigners alike.
Perlis has a famous snake farm and research centre at Sungai Batu Pahat and Gua Kelam. All visitors to Perlis should make a point of visiting. It isn’t a conventional tourist attraction but it is certainly one of the most interesting!
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The Perlis State Park, one of its major tourist attractions, is situated on the longest continuous range of limestone hills in the country, called the Nakawan Range. The state park also contains the only semi-deciduous forest in the country. The beautiful, heavily forested slopes, sheer cliff faces, streams and the Nakawan Range are some of the major attractions in this 500 year-old Setul limestone formation.
Its extensive cave systems such as Gual Kelam and Gua Wang Burma are popular show caves in Perlis. The Gua Kelam has been used as a shortcut to Kaki Bukit and Wang Kelian by the locals and the surrounding area has been mined for tin since World War 1. A walkway was built to allow the miners to transport the ore, but it doubles up to allow pedestrians and motorcyclists to avoid the long detour up and over the hills.
Both the caves have since been lit and turned into tourist attractions and recreation parks for activities like adventure caving. The Park consists of Mata Ayer Forest Reserve and Wang Mu Forest Reserve and encompasses a total area of about 5000 hectares.
The park is also home to plants like ginger, ferns and balsams that are native to the state. Entry to the park requires special permission from the Perlis State Park management and tourists have to engage the services of a ranger or qualified guide according to park regulations. The park offers VIP chalets, hostels and even camping facilities for visitors.
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The capital of Perlis is Kangar and the Royal capital is Arau. 10km north of Kangar, surrounded by the Bukit Bintang Forest Reserve near Sungai Batu Pahat, you will find the snake and reptile farm.
The Snake Farm is a research facility set up by the Institute of Medical research to develop anti-venom for snakebites. Housing more than 200 different kinds of snakes within 23 different species, as well as crocodiles and monitor lizards, it is the only snake farm in Malaysia.
The farm has open-air enclosures as well as enclosed exhibits. Handlers will assist visitors to pose with the snakes for memorable photographs!
Batu Pahat and the state capital of Kangar offer 2 and 3-star accommodation for tourists to kick back and relax after an eventful day of sight seeing. Kangar is also noted as the rice bowl of Perlis with its lush paddy fields. The city is also home to some fine architecture. The State museum and The State mosque are amongst those that uphold the rich history and culture of Perlis.
For a quaint shopping experience there is Pekan Siam - a bargain-hunters' paradise filled with textiles, clothing, handicraft, foodstuff, fruits and souvenirs. This popular market is in Padang Besar, at the Malaysian-Thailand border. The town offers an insight into the merger of the Thai people with the Malaysians.
The Malaysians travel up to Thailand and vice versa through this point for shopping, business and recreation. The railway station at Padang Besar has a long platform, manned by Malaysians on one side and the Thais on the other. If not for these checkpoints and physical boundaries it is hard to distinguish where the border is because the cultures and even the dialect spoken are so enmeshed.
