Wang Kelian
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Note: Due to the coronavirus pandemic, foreigners except for lorry drivers delivering goods between Malaysia and neighbouring countries are barred from entry until 9 June 2020. Shopping malls, hotels and restaurants are open but with strict social distancing measures. |
| (Information last updated 11 May 2020) |
Wang Kelian is a village in the northern part of Perlis state in Malaysia.
The village, is located about 40km from Kangar and is surrounded by pretty limestone hills. It attracts many visitors because of its weekend market which straddles the Thai-Malaysian border. The Perlis State Park is also located nearby.
There is also a border crossing between Malaysia and Thailand at Wang Kelian. The Thai checkpoint is called Wang Prachan and is 32km from Satun.
Get in
By road
Wang Kelian is easiest reached with your own transport. From Kangar, use Route 7 towards Padang Besar and then turn off onto Route 15 towards Kaki Bukit where you take a right turn and head towards Wang Kelian. The road winds up a ridge and then descends into a valley, with Wang Kelian village right at the bottom. At the junction, take a right turn to the Perlis State Park, market and the border.
Wang Kelian is about 40km from Kangar.
By taxi
You can get a taxi from Kangar or Padang Besar to Wang Kelian. Alternatively, you can catch a bus to Kaki Bukit and catch a taxi from there, which would cost you less.
By bus
There are no direct buses to Wang Kelian. The nearest point with a bus service is Kaki Bukit which is served by buses from Kangar and less frequently from Padang Besar. You will have to catch a taxi from Kaki Bukit to Wang Kelian.
To Thailand
Travellers can easily walk across the border and the two immigration posts are about 100m apart. Songthaews (small passenger trucks) to Satun wait for passengers on the Thai side of the border. On Sundays, you can walk across the border without getting your passports stamped but you have to stay within the market area. Make sure to get the necessary stamps if you plan to go further.
Get around
You will need your own transport to get around the various attractions in Wang Kelian, namely the Perlis State Park, market and the border.
See
- Perlis State Park
One of Malaysia's newest parks, the 5,000 hectare Perlis State Park is located along the northwestern part of the Thai-Malaysian border and covers parts of the limestone Nakawan Range. The Range is heavily forested, extensive cave systems, sheer cliff faces and numerous streams. Getting there: The park headquarters is located along Route R15 which runs from Kaki Bukit town to the Thai border.
- Wang Burma cave
A spectacular cave located inside the Perlis State Park. The cave is divided into 2 parts - Wang Burma 1 has beautiful limestone formations like stalactites and stalagmites and can be easily visited while Wang Burma 2 will require a lot more physical fitness. Visitors must be accompanied by a guide from the Perlis State Park headquarters.
Do
- Shopping at Weekend Market.
There is a market everyday but what makes it unique is that on Sundays, the border is thrown open and visitors can visit the Thai section of the market without needing passports. The market basically lines the Wang Kelian-Satun road, stretching about 1km on both sides of the border. The items on sale include cheap clothing, household stuff and food, most made in Thailand.
Buy
Fruits from Thailand such as lychee, durian, mango, longan etc), dried food etc are bought by Malaysians. Electrical appliances, cooking oil and Malaysian packed foods are of interest to Thais.
Eat
You will enjoy 'pulut ayam'(glutinous rice and fried spicy chicken), 'somtam'(Thai hot and sour salad made of young mango, shrimp, chilli, squid sauce and young papaya), and etc.
Drink
Sleep
You will need to proceed to Padang Besar or Kangar for accommodation. Or cross over to Thailand, and stay in Thale Ban National Park or Satun. Another alternative for a cheap and comfortable place to sleep is the area of Mata Ayer about 35 km from Wang Kelian, situated in between Arau and Kangar in the middle of Perlis state. At Mata Ayer, there are many guest-houses provided by the locals for daily rental and they are cheaper than hotels. The guest-houses do not restrict on the number of occupants. The owners do not stay with the guests, you have your own privacy.