Arau

Arau is the royal capital of Perlis in northern Peninsular Malaysia.

Understand

Despite being the royal capital, Arau is overshadowed by the Perlis' actual capital, Kangar, which lies 14 km to the west of Arau. The town's main significance to travellers is its railway station, which gives access to the port at Kuala Perlis, from where there are boats to Langkawi and Thailand.

Get in

Arau Royal Station

Arau's railway station is on the main Kuala Lumpur—Bangkok line. It has services to both.

Get around

Arau Bus Hub

See

The Istana (palace) was built in the colonial era and is in the Moorish-British hybrid style that is typical of the British Empire's take on Islamic architecture. There is also a large mosque near the palace.

Further afield

• 1 Bukit Keteri (N 10 km). Limestone hill on the road to Padang Besar. (updated Jun 2016)

Sleep

• Soo Guan Villa, 1231 Kg Ujong Matang, ☏ +60 4 9772250, fax: +60 4 9772250. 

Go next

• Padang Besar - at the Thai border
• Kuala Perlis - the ferry port
• Langkawi - western Malaysia's holiday island