Kedah State Museum

The Kedah State Museum in Alor Setar holds thousands of objects displayed across multiple galleries, tracing how civilization developed in northern Malaysia through archaeology and historical collections. The galleries span from early crafts to archaeological remains that show different periods and ways of life.

The building dates from 1936 and originally served as the regional administrative center before transforming into a museum space. It opened as a museum in 1957 and has preserved the region's history ever since.

The museum displays objects that reveal how different peoples shaped the region: Chinese porcelain from early trading periods, traditional Malay dress, and findings from the Bujang Valley show how communities exchanged goods and ideas over centuries.

The museum is located near Alor Setar's center and welcomes visitors daily without charging admission. Set aside time to walk through the exhibition halls at your own pace and take in the collections.

One of the most striking pieces is a ceremonial gold tree created as a tribute to Thailand, symbolizing historical relations between the two regions. This unusual artwork shows how diplomacy was expressed through craftsmanship.