Alor Setar - Kedah
While this is not one of the most visited parts of the country by foreigners, Kedah is actually one of the prettier states in Malaysia encompassing a series of lush, green padi fields, rubber estates and kampungs (village areas). Alor Setar is the administrative capital of the state and is located about 45 km south of the Thai border and 100 km north of Penang. It is the last main city you reach if you go via the west coast to Thailand. Kedah is an interesting state in that it is more left wing politically than the southern states yet not as Malay as Kelantan or Terengganu to the east. This is not surprising as Kedah has always been in a bit of a precarious and fluid state. For much of its history, it was aligned with Pattani province which only after World War II, became a part of Thailand.
At the same time, the state maintains tremendous importance in that it is one of the main rice producing areas in the country. It also grows many other export crops including rubber and oil palm trees. Because of its close proximity to Thailand, a great deal of cross-border trade goes on in this state. The North-South Highway built through the state and ending at Bukit Kayu Hitam, has served to open up many parts of Kedah that were once isolated and provided these areas with whole new opportunities. Moreover, the development of Langkawi Island, just off Kuala Kedah, as a tourist destination (mostly for wealthy tourists) and duty-free port, has provided the state with increased prosperity.
Overall, Kedah is a very beautiful state and Alor Setar fits with this image as one of the cleanest and nicest towns in all of Malaysia. It is also the main gateway to the many kampung in the area.
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