Perlis is the smallest state in Malaysia, covering only 819 square kilometres. Perlis lies in the northern part of the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It is bordered by Satun and Songkhla Provinces of Thailand to the north and Kedah to the south.

Historically, Perlis used to be part of Kedah but occasionally came under the rule of the Kingdom of Siam or the Aceh Sultanate. The British gained control of Perlis in the early 1900s and then again after World War 2. Perlis became part of the Federation of Malaya in 1957 and Malaysia in 1963 until today.

The economy of Perlis is predominantly the primary sector comprising forestry, agriculture and fishery. Its cash crops comprise sugarcane, rubber, water melon, mango and rice.

Therefore, city folk tend to consider Perlis as a quiet backwater. Nevertheless, Perlis has plenty to offer, especially for those who wish to unwind during the weekend.

It is easier to drive to Perlis than to use other modes of transportation. It only takes about two hours along the North-South Highway from the Penang Bridge towards Changlun. Therefore, to spend an exhilarating day in Perlis, it is advisable to start your journey before dawn. After exiting from the North-South Highway, it takes another 40 minutes via the Changlun-Kuala Perlis Highway / Route 194, passing through several villages to Tasik Melati.

 

1. Tasik Melati

Tasik Melati is an 80-acre man-made lake cum public recreation area created from wetlands. Developed in 2001, it also serves as a reservoir because an embankment was built to retain water to be used for irrigation of the surrounding 350 acres of paddy fields.

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It is believed that there are 150 islets and sandbars scattered in this area. Some of the islets are linked by walkways. Tasik Melati is well equipped with facilities that allow the locals to have a morning or evening stroll amidst the serene and beautiful atmosphere. Tasik Melati is also a popular nature retreat and a haven for birdwatchers.

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Tasik Melati consists of two main lakes and several smaller ones. The depths of the main lakes are about two metres while the smaller ones are shallower. The name Melati derives from the water jasmine found in the area.

After spending sometime absorbing the beautiful scenery of Tasik Melati, take a 15 minutes’ drive up north to Empangan Timah Tasoh.

 

2. Empangan Timah Tasoh

Empangan Timah Tasoh is a man-made lake situated at the north of Perlis. It is actually a reservoir built in 1992 and is named after two rivers in the vicinity, namely Timah River and Tasoh River.           

The 1,300-hectare reservoir, with its capacity of 35.3 million litres supplies water for the consumption of the people in Perlis. It also functions as a catchment area, thus preventing floods and improving the irrigation system to the paddy fields. It is also used to breed fish.

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Its mountainous backdrop and vast landscape is simply enchanting, earning it the moniker Guilin of Malaysia. There are a couple of lake-side resorts at Timah Tasoh that offers panoramic view of the lake with its mountainous backdrop.

Head further north for about 20 minutes by car and you will reach Kaki Bukit, the location of Gua Kelam.

 

3.Gua Kelam

Gua Kelam is a limestone cave from the Setul Formation at the Nakawan Range. (The Setul Formation is the oldest rock formation in Malaysia and the region.) Gua Kelam is located at the Wang Mu Forest Reserve that covers an area of 2000 hectares and was gazetted as part of the Perlis State Park in July 2008.

Gua Kelam means Dark Cave. Anyway, most caves are dark. Gua Kelam comprises two adjoining caves, namely Gua Kelam 1 and Gua Kelam 2. 

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The adventure begins at Kaki Bukit and ends at a beautifully landscaped open park. Inside the cave, there is gangway that runs from end to end to allow visitors to walk through. Visitors are also advised to wear safety gears such as helmets at all time.

The 370-metre Gua Kelam was gouged out during Malaysia’s tin-mining days. Back in 1935, the British discovered tin at Kaki Bukit. They used water ways to transport tin ores from the mine. The miners named the cave Gua Kelam because of its darkness and they had to use carbide lamps to light up the cave in order for them to carry out their mining activities. The British at that time brought immigrant workers from China to work in this mine.

The remnants from the mining activities including the wooden and steel tracks of the miners’ railway for carrying materials as well as ‘gates’ that demarcated the concession boundaries are left intact in the cave till today. There are also writings in Chinese on the walls of the cave, probably written by the miners who missed their families and homes.

It is believed that the local villagers used the Gua Kelam 1 as a short-cut to travel to and fro between Kaki Bukit and Wang Kelian. There is an underground stream in Gua Kelam, which is also inhabited by bats, snakes, spiders and a variety of insects. Visitors to the cave can hear the whisper of the subterranean stream, squeaking bats, buzzing insects and dripping water from the stalactites.

The Forestry Department of Perlis has put in place several amenities to facilitate the visitors, which include a mini train. The visit to Gua Kelam will take more than an hour.

After a spellbinding cave experience, it is time to head for Kangar to have a taste of the local fare. The drive to Kangar takes around 30 to 40 minutes. On the way to Kangar, enjoy the views of lush paddy fields with the rice stalks blowing in the wind.

 

4.Kangar’s local fare

You are spoilt for choice in Kangar as there are so many local fares to choose from - halal or non-halal food. To name a few - Anjung Keli at Jalan Padang Behor, Hameed Nasi Kandar at Jalan Kampung Bakau, Capati Labu Sayung at Jalan Raja Syed Saffi, Suri Masakan Melayu Asli at Jalan Kampung Pondok, Briani GAM Power Perlis at Alor Tampang, Dunia Yong Tau Foo Jalanan at Kampung Padang Behor, Ah Beng Asam Laksa at Jalan Bukit Lagi and Ean Tong Kedai Kopi at Jalan Kangar.

5. Masjid Syed Alwi

Masjid Syed Alwi is located in Kangar, Perlis. It is named after Raja Syed Alwi Jamalullail, the fourth Raja of Perlis (1904 - 1943).

Construction of this mosque began in 1931 and completed in 1933. It is believed that a mixture of egg white and sand was used as part of the main materials to build this mosque. The mosque was built by experts who were brought in from India. The mosque was officially opened by its namesake, Raja Syed Alwi on the 14^th day of Syawal (which coincided with February 10) in the year 1933.

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The design of the mosque is according to Mughal architecture. This white colour mosque is a beautiful contrast to its main black dome, several other smaller black domes and the black dome that tops the single minaret. The mosque’s prayer hall can accommodate up to 500 worshippers at any one time.

In 1988, the mosque was declared a national heritage under the National Heritage Act 2005.

After the visit to Masjid Syed Alwi, it takes about 20 minutes to drive to Kota Kayang Museum in Kuala Perlis.

 

6. Kota Kayang Museum

The Kota Kayang Museum is also known as the Perlis State Museum. The building which houses the museum was once the residence of the Perlis aristocrats. In 1909, the building was turned into the residence of the British Malaya government officers.

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In fact, the building changed hands several times. During the Japanese occupation in World War 2, it was used as the administrative office of the Japanese military. The Japanese used this premises as their administration centre for the northern states of the Malay Peninsula. The Thai military also used this building from 1943 to 1945.

After the war, the building was converted back to residential use and became the official residence of the Menteri Besar (Chief Minister) of Perlis. Finally, in 1991, the building was demolished and was rebuilt into a museum. Construction of the building took 8 years and completed in 1999. The new building is structurally identical to the old one.

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During the soil excavation work, artefacts from the Neolithic period were discovered.  As such, the Kota Kayang Museum is an archaeological gem with its exhibits rich in culture and history that include old headstones, early pottery and weapons.

The museum’s Kedah & Perlis gallery exhibits the royal family tree starting from the Prophet Muhammad, effects of colonialism and other interesting collections. A third gallery is the general gallery that exhibits the chronology of events that took place at Kota Kayang as well as the daily paraphernalia of the Perlis aristocrats.

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The external of the Kota Kayang Museum is as charming as its internal. There is a 17th century tomb of Sultan Muharram Shah, who was also known as Al-Marhum Kayang the First. A canal was built during his reign from the south bank of the Perlis River to Anak Bukit in Kedah. It is believed to be the oldest man-made canal in Peninsular Malaysia. The canal was used as a transportation route connecting Kuala Perlis, Kota Kayang and Alor Star.

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The museum got its name from the place where it is located - Kota Kayang. The name Kayang was derived from the term used by the Sultan who depicted the city as a ‘kayangan’ or paradise.

After a brief session on Perlis’ history and her royal families, it’s time to move on to the next attraction before a sumptuous dinner.

 

7.Masjid Al-Hussain

Masjid Al-Hussain is about 10 minutes’ drive from Kota Kayang Museum. It is located next to the Kuala Perlis Jetty. The mosque’s building extends over the water into the sea.  As such, it is known to the locals as the ‘Floating Mosque’. The mosque’s main structure is connected to land by a 50-metre bridge.

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The walls of Masjid Al-Hussain are bedecked with corals, quartz, granites, marbles and pebbles. It has two hexagonal-shaped minarets that become enchantingly beautiful at night when it is lit up with colourful lights. In addition to the minarets that issue the call to prayer, the colour of the lights on the minarets signals specific prayer. These enchanted minarets can be seen from as far as miles away. The majestic golden-yellow and blue dome of the mosque is synonymous with Perlis’ state colours.

The walls inside the mosque are inscribed with sacred verses of the Quran, written using kufic calligraphy. The interior of the dome is adorned with Ganch carvings of floral and geometric designs. Carvings of the word of God are found at the top of the interior of the dome while the five principles of Islam in five languages - Malay, English, Arabic, Chinese and Tamil are found at the five corners of the star at the bottom.

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The construction of this mosque was sponsored by a local businessman and took four years to complete. It was officially opened on October 8, 2011. The mosque was named after the the elder brother of this businessman who he died before he could fulfil his dreams of building a mosque.

 

8. Kuala Perlis

After a day of adventures and lessons on the history of Perlis, it is time to wind down and whet your appetite with fresh sumptuous seafood from Kuala Perlis. Kuala Perlis boasts of having the freshest local seafood - direct from the sea.

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