Perlis: Small State, Big Experience

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#LepakMalaysiaLah

Text by FARHANA FUAD Images by MUHAMMAD HASIF MOHD JELANI

Even though Perlis is the smallest state in Malaysia, it has many unique geological resources and attractions to offer. Located on the Malaysia-Thailand border, Perlis has a certain charm and unrivalled beauty that cannot be found anywhere else. From urban tourist attractions to amazing natural wonders, Perlis continues to offer exciting experiences for travellers. Read on to find out what this minute northern Peninsular Malaysia state has to offer.

Tourism Malaysia recently collaborated with Gaya Travel Magazine in organising a media familiarisation trip to Perlis from the 19th until the 22nd of March 2021. Read on to find out about what we discovered during that trip, which you can use as a guide when exploring this charming northern Peninsular Malaysian state.

See you in Perlis soon!

Clockwise from Top Left: Mural Awang Batil Penglipur Lara at the Kangar Street Art 2.0; Street art and decorations are replete at Kampung Seberang Ramai; The naturally formed stalactites and stalagmites found inside Wang Burma Cave; Sunflower Garden at Perlis Snake & Reptile Farm.

WHAT TO SEE & DO IN PERLIS:

Kangar Street Art 2.0

It would be such a waste not to stop by Kangar Street Art 2.0 when you find yourself at the centre of Kangar, the capital of Perlis. What used to be a backstreet has now become colorful and bright thanks to the initiative done by the Perlis state government, together with Perlis Artists Association to promote and beautify Kangar. With murals acting as the medium to attract visitors, Kangar Street Art 2.0 showcases 25 different mural paintings on the walls and street floor itself featuring both two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) artworks that run along the theme of heritage and nostalgia. Among the murals displayed are Perlis’ iconic figures such as Awang Batil Penglipur Lara, Pak Samad Putu Mayang, Yus Raja Lawak and nostalgic paintings of Kangar town in the 1980s and 1990s.

Wang Kelian View Point

Located along the northwestern part of the ThailandMalaysia border at an altitude of 304 metres above sea level, Wang Kelian View Point is one of Perlis’ well-known attractions. As early as 6:30 a.m., visitors are able to see beautiful sunrise and the carpet cloud phenomenon while enjoying the cool breezy atmosphere. Travellers can walk up a small hill from Wang Kelian View Point signboard near the parking area towards the top. There are options to drive up the hill but where is the fun in that? Imagine walking up and being greeted by mists before finally seeing a whole sea of cloud spread out before you for free! Be sure to get some delicious breakfast at the top since there are a number of food stalls available serving a variety of food and drinks.

Wang Burma Cave Tour

Wang Burma Cave is among the 30 caves that exist within the Perlis State Park, which happens to be Malaysia’s first state park. Starting with a 700-metre jungle trek to reach towards the cave entrance together with a tour guide, travellers will then walk along two paths: the dry path (Gua Jantan) that starts off with a walking track and then onto soft soil; followed by the interestingly drenched path (Gua Basah), where visitors will walk and crawl along a narrow and wet path with water that comes around your ankles, so be prepared to get wet! Throughout the cave tour, visitors will discover an abundance of rock formations such as stalactites and stalagmites naturally formed in the cave, aside from bats, spiders, cave crickets and even hedgehogs, if you are lucky.

Tour guide fee: MYR80 for a group of 10 people that include a tour guide from Perlis State Park

Perlis State Park also provides dorms, chalets and camping sites for travellers’ accommodation. For more information: Contact: +6 04 945 7898 Operation Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (daily) Admission Fee: MYR2 (adult); MYR1 (children aged 7 – 18 years old)

Tasik Melati Recreational Park

Tasik Melati (Melati Lake) Recreational Park is a beautiful site that is suitable for travellers of all ages to enjoy. This peaceful and mesmerising park is definitely a place for travellers to destress. On top of that, the Chinese architectural features of the pavilions and floating footbridges around Melati Lake enhance the landscape. Travellers can choose to jog, exercise or just have a picnic with family and friends. Besides, this park requires no entrance fee and the parking space is free of charge too!

Perlis Snake & Reptile Farm

Known as the biggest snake farm in Malaysia, Perlis Snake & Reptile Farm in Kangar is home to over 150 venomous and non-venomous snakes from Malaysia and overseas. This farm does not only exhibit various species of snakes, but also serves as a learning centre and tourist attraction. Other than the petting zoo where visitors are able to get up close with tamed snakes, travellers can observe other animals like crocodile, deer, and ostrich too. There is even a sanctuary for domestic stray cats that are rescued and placed in their new home called Bustana Kucing (Cat Park) as an effort to keep them safe and nurse them back to health. Visitors can play with them and even adopt any of these cats. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to take pictures with the rows of beautiful sunflower plants planted near the farm as well!

Entrance fee: Adults (13 years old & above): MYR6 Children (5-12 years old): MYR3 Children (below 4 years old): Free

Kampung Seberang Ramai

One of the latest tourist attractions in Perlis is the cheerful fisherman village called Seberang Ramai in Kuala Perlis that has been given a new lease of life as an initiative to make it an example and raise public awareness towards practising 3Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) to the local community. Other than mural artworks and decorations that grace the village’s nook and cranny, travellers can also admire several traditional Perlis houses, traditional food stalls and most importantly the iconic and colourful Tuanku Syed Putra Bridge. We love how the surroundings of the village are clean and well kept.

Al Hussain Mosque (Floating Mosque)

Known as one of the most beautiful mosques in Malaysia, Al Hussain Mosque will surely fascinate both Muslims and non-Muslims. The mosque structure extends and overlooks the Straits of Malacca, hence its nickname, with a 50-metre bridge connecting the main prayer hall from the entrance. What is unique about this mosque is that its walls are not painted but decorated using marble, pebble, quartz and granite. The mosque has twin hexagonal minarets. Al Hussain Mosque also offers the best spot for sunset viewing, so don’t forget to capture some beautiful shots when you are at this mosque!

Ladang Harum Manis Kubang Gajah Facebook: Ladang Harum Manis Kubang Gajah Perlis Instagram: ladangharummaniskubanggajah

Did you know that Harum Manis mangoes, known for its rich and sweet flavour, have slight differences in texture and taste compared to normal mangoes? Harum Manis mangoes have better aroma and fragrance – meaning it is much sweeter – than normal mangoes. At Kubang Gajah Harum Manis Farm, travellers are able to witness Harum Manis trees in abundance and even pluck the mangoes when in season. Harum Manis are usually harvested once a year, normally between the end of April and until the end of June. The Harum Manis mangoes are wrapped in paper bag for 65 days for best result. T: +6 013 500 4130 WHAT TO EAT IN PERLIS:

Mee Zdin

Starting out with only mi rebus (boiled noodle), fried noodle and pasembor (shrimp fritters and hard-boiled eggs with seasoned peanut sauce), Mee Zdin has now grown to selling over 70 menus after operating for seven years. The price of the dishes remained the same as when they first started (egg fried rice for MYR4 and drinks like tea and coffee for MYR1.50) and this might be the reason why this restaurant is always full. Mee Zdin Restaurant also provides event rooms for special occasions with the price of MYR35 per hour.

Opens daily (7:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.) except on Sunday Contact Number: 013 512 1240 Instagram & Facebook: Restoren Mee Zdin

Chortiez & Co Café

Chortiez & Co is popular in Kangar for its juicy steaks and grilled food, especially Chicken Chop (topped with black pepper honey and mushroom cheese gravy) and Lamb Chop dishes that make you crave for more because of their tender and thick meat. Chortiez & Co Café also serves up burgers, pastas, rice, noodles and other delicacies. There is also a live band playing great music to entertain you while dining!

Kak Su Laksa

Malaysians know that almost every state in the country has its own version of laksa (spicy noodle soup). Laksa Perlis is quite similar to Laksa Kedah, but Laksa Perlis is usually eaten together with pulut udang (creamy glutinous rice filled with spicy prawn sambal, wrapped in banana leaves) and spera (a kind of puff filled with spicy coconut flakes). Try out Kak Su Laksa in Kuala Perlis for the best laksa in town, in which the specialty comes from its homemade rice noodles flooded by thick, grainy soup made from fresh fish grinded into small bits and accompanied by gratifying pulut udang and spera. Opens daily from 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. except Tuesday

Kopitok

If you are looking for a delicious breakfast to start off your morning right, head over to Kopitok in Kangar, a great little place with different dishes. Kopitok’s most popular dish is pandan nasi lemak with ayam goreng berempah (fried chicken cooked with Malay spice). The combination of the fragrance from the pandan-flavoured rice and aroma of the fried chicken makes a lovely meal. There are other choices of rice dishes too such as nasi kukus (steamed rice with a mixture of spicy gravy) that can be eaten together with fried chicken and toasts of different flavours such as peanut butter, chocolate nutella, butter and more. Travellers can enjoy other packed breakfast such as laksa and Malaysian traditional kuih muih to be found near the counter area.

Operation hours: 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (Daily except Sunday) Contact: +6 011 5663 9093 Online delivery in Kangar area at kopitok.com or Foodpanda

Hannah Cookies

With nice ambience and service, Hannah Cookies makes a good place to unwind and dine that offers dishes with large portion but reasonably priced. Apart from that, Hannah Cookies serve delicious savouries and cakes that are to die for. Diners can choose to eat either indoor or outdoor. Make sure to come early as the place is usually crowded especially during dinner time!

Operation Hours: Tuesday – Friday (12 p.m. – 10.30 p.m.) Saturday & Sunday (4 p.m. – 10.30 p.m.) Closed on Monday

WHERE TO STAY IN PERLIS:

Tasoh Lake Resort Facebook: Tasoh Lake Resort by Tasoh TasikKu

Tasoh Lake Resort serves as a good base to stay when exploring Perlis. The resort offers nature retreat and easy access to reach attractions such as Gua Kelam (Kelam Cave), Wang Kelian View Point, Timah Tasoh Sanctuary, and Padang Besar. Enjoy a serene walk around the resort to take in the panoramic view of Timah Tasoh Lake, including breathtaking sunset and sunrise. Tasoh Lake Resort provides 34 Superior Rooms and three halls (Orchid, Lanai and Kelana) that can be used for a variety of events, meetings, team building and more. The resort has bicycle and electric motorbike rentals, train ride for children, flying fox, abseiling, camping, and barbeque. Contact: +6 019 470 8331

Gaya Travel Magazine team members extend our heartfelt gratitude to Tourism Malaysia for making our trip to Perlis a reality.

Previous page: The breathtaking morning view from the top of Wang Kelian View Point. Below: Al-Hussain Floating Mosque Bottom: Mouth-watering pasembor (shrimp fritters and hard-boiled eggs with seasoned peanut sauce) served at Mee Zdin.