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.

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.

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
Cultural Center.
 * 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
 * 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

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
 * Lemon Tree Cafe (旺角美食)
 * 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
 * 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
 * Merak Motel, Kelang Lama (nearby Hi-Tech Kulim) Website: www.kulimmerakmotel.blogspot.com
 * Kulim Inn, Website: www.mpkk.gov.my/web/guest/kuliminn
 * Merak Motel, Kelang Lama (nearby Hi-Tech Kulim) Website: www.kulimmerakmotel.blogspot.com
 * Kulim Inn, Website: www.mpkk.gov.my/web/guest/kuliminn
 * Merak Motel, Kelang Lama (nearby Hi-Tech Kulim) Website: www.kulimmerakmotel.blogspot.com
 * Kulim Inn, Website: www.mpkk.gov.my/web/guest/kuliminn

Go next

 * Langkawi
 * Sungai Petani
 * Penang
 * Alor Star