Hotels in Kulim

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. There were 8 tin mining companies that were active in Kulim in 1854 with a total workforce of 1500 people. At the end of the 1870's, Chin Ah Cheoh was elected as the first Kulim Chinese Chief or Kapitan Cina Kulim by the Kedah Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin Mukarram Shah and in 1888, there was a major incident in Kulim which is ‘Beautiful Nyonya War’ or Kulim War. This incident started when the mining chiefs of Kulim fought over a popular Chinese lady of the time. A new Chinese Chief, Loh Khie Lip, was elected in the early 1900's during the rule of Sultan Hamid Halim Shah and he was successful returning peace in the district with the help of the Kedah Police Force.

The Kulim District is one of the districts in the state of Kedah and located at the south eastern corner of Kedah bordering the state of Penang to the west. It is around 17 minutes east of George Town which is the capital city of Penang. Kulim is also near to Penang which is well known for its development and one of the most popular destinations by local and international tourists.

The community here speaks in Malay with distinctive northern dialect. They also use English, Chinese and Tamil language.

How to Get There

By Car

From Kuala Lumpur, it takes around 3 hours and 40 minutes to reach Kulim by using North- South highway whereas you can also use alternative road which is by using Jalan Klang- Teluk Intan to Kulim 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 whitewater 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 whitewater 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 minutes 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

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.

Hotel Seri Malaysia

Hotel Seri Malaysia Kulim is located at Kulim town and around 60 minutes away from the airport offers easy access to the city's must-see destinations. There are around 71 rooms that provide modern comforts such as internet access, mini bar and coffee and tea machine. The hotel also offers many unique recreational features such as outdoor pool, pool for kids and gymnasium for guests to exercise and prefer fitness activities.

Urban Inn

Urban Inn offers top class accommodation in Kulim town and located 33 kilometres from Batu Ferringhi. Urban Inn Kulim is strategically located next to Tesco Kulim in Taman Lembah Impiana and is easily accessible from the main highway. The hotel is only 18 kilometres from Kulim High Tech Park, 4 kilometres from Kulim Town, and 11 kilometres from Bukit Mertajam. Guests can enjoy the rooms which equipped with a flat-screen TV, free toiletries and a hairdryer. You can also a 24-hour front desk for any assistance and guests can enjoy a cup of freshly brewed coffee along with refreshments, a wide selection of lunch and dinner options at the on-site coffee shop.