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The state capital of
Perlis is a small town surrounded by huge expanses of green padi fields
that become a beholding golden yellow come harvest season. Because of
Kangar's small size, most places are within walking distance. Look out for
the state mosque, Masjid Alwi on Jalan Besar, which stands tall with its
golden dome. The town's administration is run by the Municipal Council
Kangar or in Malay as Majlis Perbandaran Kangar (MPK).
The town is the smallest state capital in Malaysia and its inhabitants are
mostly farmers and civil servants. Kangar town is a mixture of old and new
shophouses, and has an elegant colonial State Secretariat Building and
clock tower from the 1930s. Other major landmarks are EPF Tower, one of
the highest point in Kangar.
Another major landmark of the town is the golden-domed state Mosque on
Jalan Besar close to the Kangar Travelogue. A small town, Kangar's
stadium, general hospital, hotels and schools are all within walking
distance. From Kangar town, take Jalan Kolam, heading eastward until you
reach Jalan Tun Abdul Razak. The museum is located near the junction. One
of the main landmarks close by is the Kangar Hospital.
The Pasar Malam in Kangar is on Wednesday. Pasar Malam is an open-air
affair where business is already brisk at 5.00 pm, and are very popular
because of the fiesta-like atmosphere. A Pasar Malam is held on an open
ground or even a full stretch of a road or thoroughfare, according to what
has been approved by the local authorities.
It is believed that the name Kangar was derived from a species of hawk
named Kangkok or Spizaetus Limnaetu.
How to get
there
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By Bus
Kangar is the end of all domestic bus lines in Malaysia before crossing to
Thailand. Most notable company is Transnasional Berhad, the largest bus
company in Malaysia.
By Train
Taking a train to Perlis you will end up in a small town called
Arau, less
than 15km away from Kangar.
By Air
There is no airport in Kangar. The nearest airports are at
Alor Setar and
Pulau Langkawi.
Travel within the town and the state of Perlis is hence by road. As
Perlis
is a rather small state, travel distance within the state is hence rather
short. Here are some of the towns and country sides that are of interest.
Kangar - Alor Setar 56km
Kangar - Arau 10km
Kangar - Kuala Perlis 10km
Kangar - Padang Besar 35km
Kangar - Wang Kelian 40km
As the state borders southern
Thailand, travel by road to Hatyai is about
70km from Padang Besar via Sadao. Satun is about 32 km from Wang Kelian.
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