The Bujang Valley, or Lembah Bujang as it is locally known, refers to an archaeological site in Kedah at which the remains of an ancient Hindu-Buddhist civilization lie. The ancient civilization thrived between the third and twelfth centuries AD, and served as an important port for Arabian, Indian and Chinese traders.
The major attraction of Bujang Valley is the temple-tombs, called chandi, sprawled across 224 square kilometers. There are close to 50 candies altogether, though not all are easily accessible. The best preserved candi lies at Pangkalan Bujang, Merbok, where the Bujang Valley Museum is located, but the most elaborate and grand candi is the one at Bukit Batu Pahat. Most of the excavated artifacts can be found at the museum. Visitors can take a tour of various candies to witness their intricate design, taking into perspective that these structures were built close to a thousand years ago and almost within the same timeline as construction of temples in Borobudur and of Angkor Wat, as Hindu-Buddhism culture flourished during that time. Visitors will also get to learn the history of the Bujang Valley kingdom that began around third century AD to its golden age around fifth century AD before declining towards twelfth century AD after constant raids from the Chola Empire of India. Excavation of clay, porcelain and ceramic wares are proof that the civilization reached a certain level of development.
The significance of Bujang Valley in shaping the cultures, demographics and history of Peninsula Malaysia makes visiting this place worthwhile.
| How to get there: |
Bujang Valley archaeology site is located at Pekan Merbok in the state of Kedah. From Penang, it is about an hour’s drive, heading towards the North-South Expressway before exiting at the turning at Sungai Petani.
| Opening hour and entrance fee: |
The museum is opened from 9am until 5pm everyday and entry is free.
| Recommended Area to Stay in Kedah: | ||
| Pulau Langkawi | ||
| The best island destination for seeking true escape complemented by a range of activities. | ||
| Alor Setar | ||
| A gateway to all the city attractions with accommodation from budget to mid range available to choose from. |
