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AsiaMalaysiaKedah

Alor Setar

Kedah, Malaysia · Asia

About Alor Setar

Alor Setar sits on the route: 10 minutes from Lepai.

Alor Setar is a city located in Kedah, Malaysia. With a population of 417,800, it is an important destination in Asia.

On a road trip, Alor Setar sits in Malaysia, where you drive on the left. It's in the Asia/Kuala Lumpur time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Alor Setar to your route.

About Alor Setar

Alor Setar (Kedah Malay: Loqstaq), known as Alor Star from 2003 to 2009, is the state capital of Kedah, Malaysia. It is the second-largest city in the state, after Sungai Petani, and one of the most important cities on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It is home to the third-tallest tower in Malaysia, the Alor

Read more Setar Tower. Its location along the main travel corridor from Malaysia to Thailand has long made it a major transportation hub in the northern Malay Peninsula. Alor Setar sits along the country's longest expressway, located 430 km (270 mi) from Kuala Lumpur and 79 km (49 mi) north of George Town, Penang. From Thailand, the city is easily accessible via the Padang Besar–Sadao Highway, it is 51.8 km (32.2 mi) from Sadao and 106 km (66 mi) from Hat Yai. The city was originally founded as Kota Setar in 1785. Owing to the long status as the capital of Kedah, Alor Setar is regarded as one of the core cultural centres for the Kedahan Malays. It is also among the key pioneer in the Malayan transportation history, the railway station was commissioned in 1915 followed by its airport in 1929. Alor Setar is home to the Central State Administration Centre and is the administrative centre of Kota Setar District. At present, the city covers a land area of 666 km2 (257 mi2), which is occupied by more than 400,000 inhabitants (as per the 2020 census). At the local-government level, Alor Setar is administered by the Alor Setar City Council. It is the birthplace of two pivotal prime ministers of Malaysia; namely Tunku Abdul Rahman, the founding father of the nation (in office from 1957 to 1970) and Mahathir Mohamad, the country's longest-serving prime minister of 24 years (in office from 1981 to 2003, from 2018 to 2020).

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Alor Setar

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Alor Setar?

Alor Setar offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Alor Setar?

Plan your road trip to Alor Setar with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Alor Setar as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Alor Setar located?

Alor Setar is located in Kedah, Malaysia, Asia. The coordinates are 6.1210 latitude, 100.3601 longitude.

What is the population of Alor Setar?

Alor Setar has a population of approximately 417,800 people, making it a city in Malaysia.

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Quick Information

Population
417,800
Continent
Asia
Country
Malaysia
Region
Kedah
Timezone
Asia/Kuala_Lumpur
Coordinates
6.1210, 100.3601

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in Malaysia

Police
999
Ambulance
999
Fire
994
Driving side
left
Full driving guide for Malaysia

Tags

AsiaMalaysiaKedahCity

Driving roads near Alor Setar

  • 78 kmPenang Hill833-metre hill above George Town with colonial bungalows and island views, reached by funicular from Air Itam.

When to drive here

Year-round

Tropical latitude: plan around the wet season rather than temperature.

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Alor Setar.

Derga

🇲🇾 Malaysia

3 km awayPop. 4,449

Lepai

🇲🇾 Malaysia

4 km awayPop. 3,362

Pengkalan Kundor

🇲🇾 Malaysia

5 km awayPop. 5,328

Kampung Alor Mengkudu

🇲🇾 Malaysia

5 km awayPop. 38,193

Sungai Baharu

🇲🇾 Malaysia

6 km awayPop. 1,549

Alor Merah

🇲🇾 Malaysia

6 km awayPop. 7,273

Limbong

🇲🇾 Malaysia

6 km awayPop. 1,919

Kampong Tajar

🇲🇾 Malaysia

7 km awayPop. 9,441

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence