Arau

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.

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

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

• Bukit KeteriLimestone hill on the road to Padang Besar.

• Soo Guan Villa

  phone: +60 4 9772250
  address: 1231 Kg Ujong Matang

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