Exploring Kedah, birthplace of Malaysia’s Bapa Kemerdekaan

Rumah Merdeka in Alor Setar, Kedah, was the residence of Malaysia's first prime minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj. Photos: Tourism Malaysia

When most people think of Kedah, what usually comes to mind is the island of Langkawi and the endless padi fields that seem to surround the state.

In fact, Kedah is referred to as negeri jelapang padi or “rice bowl state”, as it is the largest producer of rice in the country. The state is also populated by limestone hills, forests, lakes, mountain ranges and islands.