This is situated in the heart of the Gunung Inas Virgin Forest Reserve in Baling. It is 54km from Kulim town and takes about an hour to reach. This rainforest reserve contains an incredible variety of flora and fauna. Picnicking is allowed at a seven-tiered waterfall which is noted for its pure, crystal clear waters. The Recreational Forest is managed by the Forestry Department.

Pantai Merdeka Kedah’s favourite beach on the mainland, Pantai Merdeka is in the Kuala Muda district about 30km from Sungai Petani or 40km from Butterworth. An enchanting beach shaded by tall swaying palm trees, Pantai Merdeka is an inviting spot to picnic or laze away the hours in the sun. Water skiing and sailing are also popular along its coastline. If camping out on a coral island is your kind of holiday dream, the nearby island of Pulau Bidan, just one kilometres long and half a kilometres wide, is the answer. Its long, white, sandy beach attracts a heavy weekend crowd.

There are island-hopping trips to the neighbouring islands of Pulau Bidan, Pulau Telur and Pulau Songsong available on hired boats. There is a cave close to the beach where some historical artifacts have been found.

Getting There :

From Alor Setar take a bus to Sungai Petani and from there board another bus for Kota. At Kota, change buses to reach Pantai Merdeka. To get there by taxi, either hire a taxi from Alor Setar to Pantai Merdeka or to Sungai Petani. From Sungai Petani, proceed to Pantai Merdeka by bus or taxi.

The Balai Nobat, houses the sacred instruments of the Royal Orchestra, played only during royal ceremonies of inaugurations, weddings, and funerals. The instruments consist of three drums, a gong and flute, which produce the haunting strains of Nobat music.

The Balai Seni Negeri or State Art Gallery is within the vicinity of the town square in a beautiful colonial building. Some paintings, antiques and artifacts found in the state are on display here.

Located 15km west of Alor Star on the coast, Kuala Kedah is a busy fishing village where there is a large jetty for ferries to Pulau Langkawi. Kuala Kedah is also noted for its good seafood restaurants and a local delicacy made of thick rice vermicelli with spicy fish gravy called ‘Laksa Kuala Kedah’.