Arau

Arau is the royal capital of Perlis, Malaysia’s smallest state. The Raja of Perlis lives at Istana Arau, and visitors can walk past the palace grounds. A diverse community lives in the town. Paddy fields run to its edges.

Makam Diraja Arau, the royal mausoleum, stands in the royal complex beside the palace grounds and holds the Rajas of Perlis. It is not generally open to the public. Visitors can see it from the surrounding grounds. Masjid Negeri Arau holds 7,000 worshippers. Its foundation stone was laid on 18 March 1972, and in 1973 it replaced Masjid Lama Arau, built between 1873 and 1897 with a stone centre and timber elsewhere.

Arau Old Street runs through the old town centre, lined with heritage shophouses built in the colonial era in a mix of Chinese and Malay styles. Old coffee shops, textile stores and photo studios still trade inside them. The Guang Ze Zun Wang Chinese temple, the Sri Maha Mariamman Devasthana Sabha Hindu temple and the Chapel of the Holy Cross all stand within walking distance. The railway and the trade it carried brought those communities here generations ago. Pasar Besar Arau, the town’s wet market, sells fresh produce, dried goods and kuih daily.

The food runs from century-old kopitiams to modern cafes. Kedai Kopi Sangkok has been open more than 60 years and stands steps from the railway station. Restoran Capati Arau serves capati with sardine curry and pulut ayam goreng at RM5 to RM15, on Jalan Arau-Kodiang facing the night market. Restoran Sri De Orkid at Taman Seri Intan does nasi campur, including gulai batang pisang and ikan keli goreng, at RM8 to RM20. Makwa Pizzeria makes Neapolitan pizza in a traditional Malay house by the paddy fields, at RM40 to RM55.

Perlis is the only place in Malaysia that grows Harumanis mango, and the name carries a Geographical Indication registration. The season runs from April to June. Ladang Pak Koes is one of the farms open to visitors. A box of premium grade fruit costs between RM180 and RM260. Several homestays sit on the paddy fields around the town.