Located a stone’s throw from the Thai border, Kuala Perlis is a lively port town along the Perlis River. It’s home to old stilt houses and mosques built out over the mangrove swamps and is renowned for its fresh seafood.
Things to do in Kuala Perlis
Visit Kota Kayang Museum to learn about the history and culture of Malaysia’s north-west. Witness Neolithic artifacts and handicrafts from Perlis, as well as items once belonging to the royal family.
One of the most impressive landmarks in Kuala Perlis is Masjid al-Hussain, nicknamed the “Floating Mosque”, which is built out over the Straits of Malacca. Admire its golden yellow and blue dome, then walk along the 50-metre-long bridge to witness the interior walls adorned with corals, quartz, granite, marble and pebbles.
No trip to Kuala Perlis is complete without sampling the local seafood, with the famed laksa served in the town’s eateries. Many restaurants allow you to select your preferred fish or crustacean from live tanks and then have it cooked to your preference.
Kuala Perlis serves as the gateway to Langkawi, an archipelago of 99 idyllic islands surrounded by crystal-clear waters. This tropical paradise has endless swathes of beaches, lush jungles and traditional kampung villages to explore.
Getting around Kuala Perlis
Kuala Perlis is connected to Kuala Lumpur by long-distance buses, with the closest train station around 20 minutes’ drive away at Arau. Ferries connect the port to Langkawi where the closest international airport is located. Kuala Perlis is served by regular buses and is easy to explore on foot.