Shopping allure in the north

All kinds of titbits and snacks are sold at Arked Niaga in Padang Besar, Perlis. — Photos: FARID WAHAB/The Star

VISITORS looking for traditional delicacies, handicraft and apparel should steer their wheels to Pekan Rabu in Alor Setar, Kedah.

Literally translated as “Wednesday Market”, it opened in Tanjung Chali, in the early 1920s to encourage entrepreneurship among the Malays.

It started off as an open-air market selling agricultural produce and only operated on Wednesday, hence the name “Rabu”.

It subsequently underwent a major facelift in 1975, and reopened in 1978.

Pekan Rabu in Alor Setar, Kedah, has gone through several upgrades over the years.

In 2014, the four-storey complex was closed again to facilitate upgrading works before being reopened in March 2018.

Stalls on the lower floors sell clothes and handicraft while there are baked goods and dry food on the upper floors.

Kuih bahulu and dodol are among the popular food items.

Different versions of kuih bahulu (left) are sold at Pekan Rabu.

Some 80km away, the Arked Niaga complex in Padang Besar, Perlis, draws shoppers looking for casual clothing, personal accessories and household items.

Due to its proximity to the border of Thailand, the shopping arcade is also known as “Pasar Siam” (Siam market) among locals.

A number of shops sell titbits and snacks from The Land of Smiles.

There is a food court on the ground floor.

Arked Niaga is also known as Siam market due to its proximity to the border of Thailand.