Dataran Alor Setar Square tourist attractions Kedah Malaysia

Alor Setar is not a prime tourist destination and most visitors pass through quickly on the way to somewhere else.But for those willing to slow down, the city does have some interesting architectural landmarks, mostly concentrated around the Dataran Alor Setar in the heart of the city and which can conveniently be visited on foot in an hour or two.
Dataran Alor Setar Become another kind of stunning scenery when the day dawn , lights was open every corner the wohle area . A palce where parents brought their children to play at this biwhileand enjoy the scenery . there are also foods and toys to purchase .
Dataran Alor Setar area where most of the sights are located, beginning with the Balai Seni Negeri (State Art Gallery). This building used to be a courthouse, built in 1893 and is now showing its age and in need of a new coat of paint with weeds growing out of nooks and crannies on its roofline. Inside is a modest collection of contemporary Malaysian art.
Nearby is the Balai Besar (Great Hall or Main Hall). This unique hall was built in 1898 to replace an earlier one which had been destroyed by Bugis and Siamese invaders. Its design contains elements of Thai and Malay architecture.It forms part of a larger palace complex (Istana Kota Star). The palace is behind the Balai Besar and is now a museum, Muzium Diraja (Royal Museum).
The palace was built in 1735 during the reign of Sultan Muhammad Jiwa. During the Second World War the Japanese army occupied the palace. Later the palace was abandoned for a number of years before it was converted to a museum. It contains royal regalia and mock-ups of a royal bedroom and reception room.
Masjid Zahir (Zahir Mosque), a beautiful Moorish style mosque officially opened a hundred years ago (in 1912). It has five distinctive black coloured domes, said to symbolize the five pillars of Islam, and a mini-minaret which is not as tall as the main dome.
The Nobat Tower (Hall of Drums) housed the royal orchestra, comprising drums, gongs and traditional woodwind instruments which would be played on ceremonial occasions. The 18m high three storey tower dates from 1906.
replica of the archway situated in front of Kota Tengah Palace. The original archway was demolished in 1973 to make way for the Wisma Negeri building. Perhaps one day Wisma Negeri will be seen and valued as a classic piece of 1970s architecture.