Kulim was first inhabited in the mid-18th century by about 100 Malays from the region of Pattani in Thailand. The name ‘Kulim’ was derived from a tree and the fruits were also used for cooking by the indigenous people of Tapah in Perak. It is believed that the tin miners from Larut, Matang, Taiping and Selama of this nearby state of Perak were the people who started Kulim as a town. The Kulim town was said to be founded by an ex-carpenter by the name of Chin Ah Cheoh. The biggest tin mining facilities in Kulim were Taman Tunku Putra, Kampung Bukit Besar, Karangan, Terap and Kelang Lama. Mukim of Karangan is a fraction of the administrative area of ​​Kedah. On top of that, Mukim Karangan is one of the areas located in Kedah, and is also one of the districts located in Kulim District administration.

How to Get There

By Car

From Kuala Lumpur, it takes around 4 hours to reach Karangan by using North- South highway whereas you can also use alternative road which is by using Jalan Klang- Teluk Intan to Karangan that takes another an hour and half.

By Plane

From Kuala Lumpur International Airport at Sepang to Bayan lepas airport, it usually takes 50 minutes by flights such as Firefly, Malindo Air and other available domestic flights. You can rent a car or take a cab for another 56 minutes journey by using Butterworth- Kulim road or Penang Bridge.

Tourist Attractions

Hutan Lipur Sungai Sedim

Hutan Lipur Sungai Sedim is a recreational forest about 30 km northeast of Kulim, Kedah. Sungai Sedim, which flows down the hills of southern Kedah. The area is being privately developed into an extreme sports recreational centre with sporting activities such as white water rafting and tubing. A canopy walk has recently been constructed to offer visitors the opportunity to get closer to the trees. Sedim River is located near Karangan town and in the Gunung Inas Nature Reserve as well as around 8 minutes away from Kulim town. This place has become famous for its white water rafting among kayak enthusiasts located in the north-west states. Apart from river sports, the tour guide here can arrange for treks up to Mount Inas, Mount Bintang, Mount Bintang Utara and the Bintang Range, camping, tubing and team building camps.

The Tree Top Sungai Sedim

Tree Top Walk Sungai Sedim is about 30- minute drive from the town of Kulim and is the world’s longest rainforest canopy walk with a length of 925 metres and a height of 26 metres up above the forest floor at its highest point. It was built within the low land of dipterocarp of Gunung Inas Forest Reserve. Visitors can enjoy the fabulous sight of rushing streams and truly fascinating flora and fauna in Kedah. It took 14 months to build and was completed in March 2005. This attraction is open everyday from 9am to 5pm except during extreme weather condition like raining, lightning or very windy conditions. Visitors are advised to please wear proper shoes or sandals and please call or e-mail the person in charge in advance if you are bringing tour groups and inform the arrival time and approximate number of person.

Hotels

MBI Desaku Homestay

MBI Desaku Homestay is a comfortable and affordable accommodation located in Kulim, Sungai Petani. The nearest airport is Penang International Airport which is about 53 kilometres from MBI Desaku Homestay. All units are air-conditioned feature a flat-screen TV and DVD player and equipped with seating and/or dining area in each unit. Besides that, there is also a kitchen, fitted with a microwave and fridge and each unit is fitted with a private bathroom with free toiletries and slippers. In addition, there are also BBQ facilities, coffee shop, daily housekeeping and taxi service.

Lunas Homestay

Situated in Lunas and 32 kilometres from Penang International Airport, Lunas Homestay offers affordable yet comfortable stay with air-conditioned rooms together with free WiFi throughout the hotel and only certain units feature a seating area to relax after a busy day. There is also free private parking and dining options nearby this hotel.