Kulim
Kulim is a city of 272,000 people (2010) in Kedah. Bordering Penang in the west, Kulim is an ever-developing district where the Kulim Hi-Tech Park, the first high technology industrial park in Malaysia that was established in 1996, is situated.
Understand
The name for the town, ‘Kulim’ was derived from trees that was ubiquitous in that region (scientific name: Scorocarpus Borneensis Becc) The kulim tree is a plant that is present in Malaysian and other ASEAN rainforests. is the third largest town in Kedah after Alor Setar and Sungai Petani.
Kulim still maintains shop houses that were around since before the World War II. The city also famous for its industrial parks like the Kulim Hi-Tech Park.
Get in
By road
Kulim can be accessible from the Butterworth-Kulim Expressway. Butterworth-Kulim Expressway is connected to the North-South Highway.
From the North-South Highway, exit at Persimpangan Seberang Jaya (EXIT 163). At the roundabout, go towards Kulim direction. You will be in the Butterworth-Kulim Expressway. Exit Persimpangan Lunas after the second tol plaza of BKE.
From Penang, after crossing the Penang Bridge, go towards Seberang Jaya direction. Then, exit at Persimpangan Seberang Jaya (Exit 163). At the roundabout, go towards Kulim direction. You will be in the Butterworth-Kulim Expressway. Exit Persimpangan Lunas after the second tol plaza of BKE.
By plane
There is no airport in Kulim. However, there are plans to build an airport in Kulim by the year 2020. The nearest airport to Kulim is the Bayan Lepas International Airport in Penang, which is about an hour drive from Kulim.
By train
There is no railway station in Kulim, because the railway track does not pass through Kulim. The nearest railway station to Kulim is in Bukit Mertajam, which is about 15 minutes drive from Kulim.
Get around
As elsewhere in Malaysia, the town is connected with a good road system. Taxis are widely available for hailing.
See
- 1 Kulim Hi-Tech Park. 8 km from Kulim Town. It was the first integrated Hi-tech Park in Malaysia. The main activities at this park are jogging and cycling whilst enjoying the breathtaking wonders of the landscape. There are also facilities like pedestrian walks, gazebos, benches and a children’s playground.
- Junjung Waterfall. In Junjung, the waterfall is about 14 km from Kulim Town. Famous picnic place among locals.
- 2 Sungai Sedim Recreational Forest. Sungai Sedim with its fast currents and rapids along with a forest ecosystem is the best place for exciting recreational activities. The main activities here include kayaking and white water rafting.
- 3 Ulu Paip RainForest. In the Forest Reserves of Mount Bungsu with rapid river and forest ecosystem surroundings. The main activities here include picnicking, dipping, swimming and camping.
- 4 Kulim Lake Garden (Putra Lake Garden). Putra Lake is the result of tin mining that was carried out in the area, as early as the 1850s. Visitors come here to either jog or take a walk on the pedestrian walk around the lake.
- Paya Besar (Kulim Little India). This suburb of Kulim is famously known as the 'Little India of Kulim'. There are many Indian fashion stores here, which sell mostly sarees, silk and cotton, almost anything that has the essence of India. Traditional costumes, spices, precious gold and costume jewelry which use semi-precious gems are widely sold by the most of the shops.
- 5 Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Famous and biggest Roman Catholic parish church in Kulim. The church in was established in 1948.
- 6 Merdeka Clock Tower. The main landmark in Kulim. Ground breaking for the Merdeka Clock Tower was officiated by the late Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra, who was then the Chief Minister of the Federated States of Malaya, on 14 June 1957.
- 7 Nattukkotai Nagaraththar Sri Thandayuthapani Temple (Subramanium Temple). This is the temple of the Chettiar community in the town. The patron deity of the temple is Murugan, the deity associated with the Hindu festival of Thaipusam.
- 8 Arulmigu Annai Karumariamman Temple. A temple in Paya Besar.
Do
- Drive along the Kulim Hi-Tech Park. A beautiful high technology park with wonderful nature views.
- Food Hunt : Kulim is famous for its multicultural food. Head to Lunas to try the Duck Rice or to Paya Basar for the spicy Indian food. Other famous foods found in Kulim are Mee Goreng (in Kulim town), Cendol (in Taman Saroja) and Char Kuay Teow.
- Hiking : Hike the highest peak in Kedah, Gunung Bintang.
- Play golf at Kulim Hi-Tech Golf Park and Country Resort.
- Go fly a kite at Kulim Lake Garden.
Events and festivals
- January
- 3rd-15th - Thai Pongal: Tamil (South Indian) harvest festival celebrated by the local Chitty (Tamil/Malay) community. The festival corresponds to the winter solstice, and is traditionally dedicated to the Sun God Surya. It marks the beginning of the northward journey of the Sun from its southernmost-limit, a movement traditionally referred to as uttarayana. The festival coincides with that known as Makara Sankranthi which is celebrated throughout all of India as the winter harvest. Celebrated at the Kulim Hindu Sabha, and organized by the Kulim Hindu Youth Organization. The day preceding Pongal is known as Bhogi (often celebrated on the 14th), and is marked by discarding old things (sometimes in bonfires!), focusing on new belongings, and cleaning, painting or decorating houses. It is similar to Holika in northern India.
- January/February
- Varies by lunar calendar - Chinese New Year: Local celebrations center on Kulim Guan Yin Temple, and include a giant lion dance.
- February
- Thaipusam: Hindu festival honouring Lord Muruga including a parade concluding at Kulim Nattukkottai Nagarthar Sri Thandayuthapani Temple
Cultural Center.
- April
- Vaisakhi : Gurdwara Sahib Kulim host this festival.
- May
- Vesak: Celebrating the birth, enlightenment and death of Gautama, the historical Buddha. Persatuan Buddhist Kulim organize special parade with decorate car on that day.
- July/August/September
- Theemithi : Hindu festival featuring walks over hot coals at Sri Maha Muthu Mariamman Devasthanam (Sera Estate temple), Sri Muthumariaman Temple (Merah Estate Temple) and other Hindu temples across kulim. Each temple has their own day for the festival. Usually the festival will be held on Friday.
- November
- Deepavali or the Hindu Festival of Lights: Hindu celebration of the triumph over good over evil. Head to Paya Besar during this festival month for fell the real taste of Deepavali.
- December
- Christmas Day: Church Of The Sacred Heart Of Jesus host this festival
Buy
- Paya Besar. The suburb of Kulim. Famously known as the 'Little India of Kulim' There are many Indian fashion stores, they sell mostly saree, silk and cotton, almost anything that has the essence of India. Traditional costumes, spices, precious gold and costume jewelry which use semi-precious gems are widely sales by the most of the shops
- 1 Tesco Kulim, No. 386, Jalan Lembah Impiana 9, Lembah Impiana 3, 09000, toll-free: +1300131313. Su-Th 8AM-11PM, F Sa 8AM-midnight. Supermarket.
Eat
Kulim's cuisine reflects the Chinese, Nyonya, Malay and Indian ethnic mix of Malaysia due to directly influence by Penang state (the food capital of Malaysia), but also shows some influence of Thailand. The famous foods are Kelang Lama Laksa, Lunas Duck Roaster, Yam Rice, Curry Wan Tan Mee, Chicken Leg Wan Tan Mee, Curry Mee, Hokien Char, Prawn Mee (Hokian Mee), Loh Mee, Kuey Teow Teng, Duck Egg Char Kuay Teow, Glutinous Rice Cendol, Chee Cheong Fun, Ice Kacang, Chai Koay, Tom Yam, Stem Fish, Yau Char Kuai, Zhap Chai, and many more.
Restaurants
- Wen Xi Dim Dum
- Dao Xiang Dim Sum
- Honey Bakery and Cafe
- Rashidah Bakery and Cafe
- NurHas Rest
- Nasmir Nasi Kandar.
- Lemon Tree Cafe (旺角美食)
Drink
- Todi - fermented young coconut. It's a bit of an acquired taste, but it's a popular choice amongst certain local communities because it's relatively cheap.
Sleep
- Tune Hotel Kulim, nearby KLC Shopping Mall Website: www.tunehotels.com/our-hotels/kulim
- 1 Seri Malaysia Kulim Hotel (Hotel Seri Malaysia Kulim), Taman Tasik Putra, 09000, ☏ +6044909898, rsvn.klm@serimalaysia.com.my. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon.
- Motel Poonsoon Green Park, ☏ +60 4-491 7786. Taman Seroja.
- Rose N Lily Motel, nearby Honda Showroom Website: www.seriimpianainn.blogspot.com/2011/03/rose-n-lily-motel.html
- Sri Impiana Inn, nearby Tesco Kulim Website: www.seriimpianainn.blogspot.com/2011/03/rose-n-lily-motel.html
- Hotel Kulim, ☏ +60 4-4907941. Nearby the store Kulim
- Kulim Tune Homestay, ☏ +60 12-5520980. Nearby McDonald's Kulim.
- Merak Motel, Kelang Lama (nearby Hi-Tech Kulim) Website: www.kulimmerakmotel.blogspot.com
- Kulim Inn, Website: www.mpkk.gov.my/web/guest/kuliminn
- Keladi Homestay, ☏ +60 12-4455983. A grand looking double-storey semi-detached house, suitable for executive or big families. Near to Giant Supermarket, Kulim High-Tech Park, Kulim Industrial Area.