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

• 1 Arau Railway Station. Arau's railway station is on the main Kuala Lumpur—Bangkok line. It has services to both. (updated May 2022)

Get around

Arau Bus Hub

• 2 Arau Bus Hub, No. 9, Jalan Arau Kodiang. (updated May 2022)

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.

• 1 Perlis State Mosque (Arau State Mosque), Jalan Besar Arau. (updated May 2022)
• 2 Royal Mausoleum. (updated May 2022)

Further afield

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

Eat

• 1 Kangar Municipal Council Food Court, Jalan KTM. (updated May 2022)

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