Kuala Perlis is the second largest town and the main port of Perlis in Malaysia. It is in extreme northwest Peninsular Malaysia, near the border with Thailand. The older part of town has houses and mosques built on stilts over mangrove swamps. Kuala Perlis is only a couple of kilometres from the Thai border and very close to the Thai town of Satun. However, national parks on both sides of the border create a green barrier and there is not a direct road between the two towns.

Kuala Perlis is one of the biggest port and the second largest town in Perlis. Kuala Perlis is a fishing town situated at the estuary of Perlis River. Kuala Perlis is also the gateway to Langkawi. There are many excellent seafood restaurants located in Kuala Perlis. The visit to the town will not be complete without tasting the local seafood dishes. Since Kuala Perlis Jetty is the main jetty connecting to Phuket (Thailand) and Langkawi Island, many visitors decided to stop by to look around the fishing town while tasting the freshest local seafood. Apart from seafood, Kuala Perlis is also well known for its famous Laksa.

How to Get There

By Plane

The nearest major airport is Sultan Abdul Halim Airport, Alor Setar. You can board a flight from Kuala Lumpur by using Alor Setar airport in the state of Kedah as there isn't any airport here. This airport has domestic flights from Alor Setar and is 56km from the centre of Kuala Perlis.From Alor Setar, the duration by road to Kuala Perlis approximately 1 hour. AirAsia, FireFly and MAS fly to Alor Setar regularly.

By Car

From the North-south highway you can either take the Jitra Selatan exit (Interchange 181) and head for Kodiang and Kangar Highway and exit at Kuala Perlis which is 48km away from the exit or you can take the exit via Changlun and take the Changlun- Kuala Perlis highway. The nearest legitimate road border is about 45 km north of Kuala Perlis. From Pudu Station Kuala Lumpur, take an express bus to Perlis which departs at 10am or 11pm daily. It cost about RM 45 per person and the journey will take about 8 hours.

By Train

Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) operates train services from Kuala Lumpur, Alor Setar, Haadyai, Singapore to Arau and Padang Besar. You can board train to Arau Station and take taxi to Kuala Perlis from the Arau station.

Tourist Attractions

Kuala Perlis is one of the popular tourist destinations in Perlis. One of the attractions in town is the opportunity to see some old buildings and mosques, built on stilts over mangrove swamp. There is also a craft and cultural complex, which are known as the Perlis Craft and Cultural Complex. Perlis Craft and Cultural Complex are located between Kuala Perlis and Kangar. They also have a lot of tourist attractions that you can visit such as Museum Kota Kayang where you can learn about the history of Perlis at this museum. You can find the archaeological relics and historical artefacts like royal regalia,weapons,brassware and coins.

Besides, Bukit Kubu is a main point that you can visit here. Bukit Kubu is a natural limestone cave where situated adjacent to Kuala Perlis. Bukit Kubu has an interesting geological formation, where it is now a “cave park”. Nature lovers and picnickers will be attracted and amazed with the environment in Bukit Kubu. Apart of that you can visit Al Hussain Mosque (Floating Mosque). Built next to the Kuala Perlis Jetty, the mosque’s structure extends over the Straits of Malacca, earning it the nickname ‘Floating Mosque’. It is a beautiful mosque located at the seaside with many beautiful features, best view of sunset and a tranquil garden.

You also may visit Ladang Nipah Kipli to enjoy the view and taste the best local food like laksa,bihun and drink Nipah Nira Juice. Here you may have refreshing experience and relaxing with variety of food which the restaurant is open inside the Ladang. Kuala Perlis also well known for shopping paradise, and since Perlis is sharing the border with Thailand, you can get many local and Thailand products at a bargain price. Padang Besar is the favorite shopping spot for both locals and visitors from both countries, Malaysia and Thailand.

In Kuala Perlis the Tarian Canggung is a popular traditional dance. This dance perform during harvest seasons, wedding ceremony and gathering ceremony. Besides that you can find craft such as drawn batik, silverware, basketry, rattans product and ceramic.

While in Kuala Perlis, Laksa Kuala Perlis is a must try. The soup is thick, rich, spicy and creamy fish gravy. Perlis people tend to put pulut udang and kuih spera into the laksa as a side dish. By doing so, it will increase the thickness of the soup as well as increasing the taste of the pulut udang and spera. Apart of that Kuala Perlis also famous for its seafood. You can visit Medan Ikan Bakar Kuala Perlis to enjoy fresh seafood and ikan bakar. Not only that the price is relatively cheaper than it is in the capital city. Nasi ulam also popular in Kuala Perlis where locals eat that nasi ulam during Ramadhan month.

During night you can enjoy shopping and eating at night market where you can find the price is mostly super cheap.You also can shop at seafood night market located at the jetty where you can find variety of fresh seafood. Don’t forget the Medan Ikan Bakar Kuala Perlis to enjoy fresh ikan bakar and seafood. Fishing also one of the top activities where you can get ikan haruan and semilang while fishing here.

Perlis is relatively a safe place for travellers, but take the common precautions against snatch-thieves and scams and don't accept rides from Kereta Sapu (passenger car / unlicensed taxi) at night. Check weather forecast before you travel to avoid inconvenient trip. Due Perlis is known as a hottest country in Malaysia, you can prepare hat for sun protective, sunblock and wear thin clothes, a long skirts or trousers to cover your knees and shoulders. Bring enough for money to enjoy shopping at Malaysia-Thailand border.

Hotels

T Hotel Kuala Perlis

T hotel is located opposite the Kuala Perlis Jetty where it takes 45-minute ferries ride to Langkawi Island. This 3 star budget hotel offers modern rooms with free Wi-Fi, 24-hour front desk, taxi services and free private parking. All rooms come with a satellite TV and private bathrooms include basic toiletries and a shower. Banquet and meeting facilities are available for guests to use. There have stalls selling local Malay food where 5-minute walk from T Hotel Kuala Perlis. It takes 10 minutes’ drive from Kuala Perlis to Kangar town.