Perlis
Malaysia's smallest state — royal caves, snake temples, and the unhurried north
State / Region
Perlis
Best Time
November – March
Daily Budget
RM 50–100 (budget)
Currency
Malaysian Ringgit
About Perlis
Perlis is Malaysia's smallest and most northerly state, tucked into the corner where the country meets Thailand. Often overlooked in favour of its larger neighbour Langkawi or the heritage city of Alor Setar, Perlis rewards travellers who seek out the road less taken. The state capital Kangar is a quiet, friendly town with excellent local food and none of the tourist crowds found elsewhere in the north. Beyond the town, Perlis reveals a landscape of extraordinary beauty — vast green paddy fields stretching to the horizon, dramatic limestone hills rising from the plain, and the remarkable Gua Kelam cave passage carved by a river through solid rock. The Wang Kelian Sunday Market on the Thai border is one of the most authentic cross-cultural markets in Malaysia, and the Perlis State Park protects one of the last remaining tracts of lowland dipterocarp forest in the peninsula. For travellers who want to experience a Malaysia that moves at its own pace, Perlis is a revelation.
Top Things To Do
Gua Kelam Cave Passage
Budget-friendlyWalk through a 370-metre natural cave tunnel carved by the Sungai Raya river through a limestone hill. A wooden walkway spans the underground river, and the cave opens into a lush valley on the other side — one of the most atmospheric short walks in northern Malaysia.
Wang Kelian Sunday Market
Budget-friendlyOne of the most authentic border markets in Malaysia, held every Sunday at the Thai–Malaysian frontier. Thai traders bring dried seafood, tropical fruits, cheap clothing, and street food that blends Malay and Southern Thai flavours. The atmosphere is unlike any market in peninsular Malaysia.
Perlis State Park (Nakawan Range)
Budget-friendlyMalaysia's smallest national park protects a stretch of the Nakawan Range along the Thai border — ancient limestone hills covered in lowland dipterocarp forest. The park is home to elephants, sun bears, leopards, and over 200 bird species. Guided treks can be arranged through the park office.
Paddy Field Cycling
Budget-friendlyPerlis has some of the most scenic paddy landscapes in Malaysia — flat, open fields stretching to limestone hills on the horizon. Rent a bicycle in Kangar and cycle the rural roads through the villages of Simpang Empat and Beseri for an immersive countryside experience.
Arau Royal Town Visit
FreeArau is the royal capital of Perlis — a small, quiet town with the Istana Arau (Royal Palace), the Masjid Alwi royal mosque, and a relaxed atmosphere that gives a genuine sense of Perlis's royal heritage. The mosque's distinctive architecture is one of the finest in the north.
Timah Tasoh Lake Recreation Park
FreeA large reservoir surrounded by forested hills on the edge of Kangar, popular with local families for picnics, kayaking, and birdwatching. The lake is particularly beautiful in the early morning when mist hangs over the water and the limestone hills are reflected in the surface.
Kangar Street Food Trail
Budget-friendlyKangar's food scene is one of the most underrated in Malaysia — a blend of Malay, Chinese, and Thai influences that produces dishes you will not find anywhere else. The night market near the town centre and the old coffee shops along Jalan Jubli Perak are the best places to start.
Bukit Keteri Limestone Hill
FreeA dramatic limestone outcrop rising from the paddy fields near Kaki Bukit, riddled with caves and home to a small Hindu temple. The surrounding landscape — flat green fields, the limestone karst, and the open sky — is quintessential Perlis and one of the most photogenic spots in the state.
Where To Stay
Affiliate disclosure: Some hotel links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — this helps keep MyTravelTip2U free.
Hotel Seri Malaysia Kangar
RM 80–140 / nightThe most reliable mid-budget option in Kangar — clean, well-located, and a good base for exploring the state. Part of the government-linked Seri Malaysia chain.
Check Availability on Booking.comPutra Brasmana Hotel
RM 50–90 / nightSimple, clean budget hotel in central Kangar. Popular with local business travellers and backpackers. Walking distance to the night market and town centre.
Check Availability on Booking.comThe Regency Putra Hotel
RM 180–320 / nightPerlis's best hotel — a comfortable business-class property with a pool, restaurant, and the most spacious rooms in the state. The rooftop view over Kangar and the surrounding paddy fields is excellent.
Check Availability on Booking.comTimah Tasoh Lake Resort
RM 200–380 / nightLakeside resort on the shores of Timah Tasoh with chalets overlooking the water and forested hills. The most scenic accommodation in Perlis — peaceful, well-maintained, and excellent for birdwatching.
Check Availability on Booking.comTravel by Style
Romantic Getaway
- 1The Timah Tasoh Lake Resort is the most romantic accommodation in Perlis — lakeside chalets overlooking the water and forested hills, peaceful evenings, and excellent birdwatching at dawn. Book a lake-view chalet and have dinner on the terrace.
- 2Cycle the paddy field roads between Simpang Empat and Beseri in the late afternoon — the golden light on the fields, the limestone hills on the horizon, and the complete absence of other tourists make this one of the most quietly romantic experiences in northern Malaysia.
- 3The Gua Kelam cave passage is magical in the early morning — walk through the underground river tunnel together and emerge into the lush valley on the far side. Bring a picnic and spend the morning in the valley.
- 4Drive to Wang Kelian on a Saturday evening and stay overnight — the Sunday market at dawn, before the day-trippers arrive, is an extraordinary experience. The border atmosphere, the Thai traders, and the fresh produce are unlike anything else in Malaysia.
- 5Perlis during the Harum Manis mango season (April–June) is a special experience for food-loving couples — buy a box of the finest mangoes in Malaysia directly from the roadside orchards and eat them in the shade of the trees.
Family Travel
- 1The Gua Kelam cave passage is an excellent family activity — the wooden walkway through the underground river tunnel is safe, well-lit, and genuinely exciting for children. The valley on the far side has a small park and picnic area.
- 2The Wang Kelian Sunday Market is a fascinating cultural experience for older children — the Thai traders, the unusual produce, and the border atmosphere give a genuine sense of Malaysia's multicultural north. Arrive early for the best experience.
- 3Timah Tasoh Lake is excellent for families who enjoy birdwatching and nature — the lake and surrounding forest are home to over 100 bird species, and the calm water is suitable for kayaking and fishing.
- 4The paddy field cycling routes around Kangar are flat and safe for children — rent bicycles in town and explore the rural villages and farms at a leisurely pace. The landscape is beautiful and the roads are quiet.
- 5Perlis is an excellent introduction to rural Malaysian life for children who have only experienced the cities — the tamu markets, the kampung villages, and the friendly local community offer a genuine and unhurried cultural experience.
Shopping Guide
- 1The Wang Kelian Sunday Market on the Thai border is the best shopping experience in Perlis — a large cross-border market where Thai and Malaysian traders sell fresh produce, dried goods, clothing, and household items at very low prices. Arrive before 9am for the best selection.
- 2Harum Manis mangoes (April–June) are the signature product of Perlis — buy directly from the roadside orchards between Kangar and Arau for the freshest and cheapest mangoes in Malaysia. A box of 10–12 mangoes costs RM 15–25.
- 3The Kangar wet market is the best place for local produce — fresh vegetables, local fruits, and Perlis specialities including budu (fermented fish sauce) and local honey are all available at prices well below KL.
- 4Perlis honey is among the best in Malaysia — the state's wildflower honey from the limestone hills is distinctive and fragrant. Buy directly from the roadside honey stalls on the road to Gua Kelam for the best quality and price.
- 5Alor Setar (30 minutes south in Kedah) has the nearest proper shopping mall — the Aman Central and Alor Setar Mall have a good selection of fashion, electronics, and everyday goods if you need anything beyond what Kangar offers.
Insider Travel Tips
- 1Perlis is best explored by car or motorcycle. Public transport within the state is limited — renting a car from Alor Setar or Kangar gives you the freedom to reach Gua Kelam, Wang Kelian, and the Perlis State Park at your own pace.
- 2The Wang Kelian Sunday Market runs from approximately 7am to 2pm. Arrive before 9am for the best produce and the most authentic atmosphere before the day-trippers arrive from Langkawi and Alor Setar.
- 3Perlis is the mango capital of Malaysia — the state produces a unique variety called Harum Manis (Sweet Fragrance) that is considered the finest mango in the country. The season runs from April to June; if you visit during this window, buy a box directly from the roadside orchards.
- 4The Gua Kelam cave passage is best visited in the morning when the light enters the cave entrance and illuminates the underground river. The valley on the far side of the cave is a lovely picnic spot.
- 5Perlis shares a border with Thailand's Satun Province. Wang Kelian is the main crossing point — if you have a Thai visa or are eligible for visa-free entry, a day trip across the border to Hat Yai or Satun is straightforward.
- 6The Perlis State Park requires a permit for overnight treks. Day hikes on the lower trails do not require a permit but a local guide is strongly recommended — the forest is dense and trails are not always well-marked.
- 7Kangar's coffee shops open early (from 6am) and serve some of the best roti canai and nasi lemak in the north. The old Chinese coffee shops along Jalan Jubli Perak are a living piece of Perlis's heritage.
- 8Accommodation options in Perlis are limited compared to other Malaysian states. Book in advance for weekends and public holidays, particularly during the Harum Mango season (April–June) when domestic tourists visit in large numbers.
- 9The paddy harvest season (November–January) is the most visually spectacular time to visit — the fields turn golden before harvest, and the rural landscape is at its most beautiful. The cooler temperatures also make outdoor activities more comfortable.
- 10Perlis is a deeply conservative, predominantly Malay Muslim state. Dress modestly when visiting mosques and rural villages, and be respectful of local customs, particularly during Ramadan.
How to Get There
By Car from Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur
Take the North-South Expressway (E1) north to the Changlun exit, then follow Route 1 into Kangar. The drive is straightforward on a well-maintained highway. Kangar is approximately 480 km from KL. Alternatively, exit at Alor Setar and continue north on Route 1 (an extra 30–40 minutes but more scenic).
By Train (ETS) to Arau
Kuala Lumpur (KL Sentral)
KTM ETS trains run from KL Sentral to Arau station — the only train station in Perlis and one of the northernmost stations on the peninsular rail network. Trains depart several times daily. From Arau station, take a taxi or Grab to Kangar (15 minutes, RM 15–20). Book ETS tickets at ktmb.com.my — seats sell out on weekends.
By Bus from Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur (TBS)
Several bus operators run overnight and daytime services from Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) in KL to Kangar. The journey takes 6–7 hours. Operators include Transnasional, Plusliner, and Konsortium. Book through BusOnlineTicket.com or at the TBS terminal.
By Air to Alor Setar + Road
Kuala Lumpur (KLIA/KLIA2)
Fly from KLIA or KLIA2 to Sultan Abdul Halim Airport (AOR) in Alor Setar, Kedah — AirAsia and Malaysia Airlines operate daily flights. From Alor Setar Airport, take a taxi or Grab to Kangar (approximately 50 km, 45–60 minutes, RM 50–80). Car rental is available at the airport for greater flexibility.
Read Our Perlis Guide
Ready to visit Perlis?
Let us build a personalised itinerary based on your travel style and budget.
Plan My Trip to Perlis
