Things To Do in Sungai Petani, Malaysia

SungaiPetani lies in the northwestern part of Malaysia on a river and is the home to many rice farmers, which is how it got the name which translates into "River Farmer" in English. There is a huge offering of things to do for those that are visiting the town.

Buddhism is the primary religion in the area. The Wat Sangkaram temple is one of the oldest in the country. Visitors to the temple can receive a spiritual bathing from one of the monks that live at the temple. These spiritual baths are referred to as MandiBunga. It is very beautiful but has sustained some damage during its history as a result of bombing by the British in past wars.

The Mangroves forest on the Merbuk River is one of the most astounding attractions when it comes to nature. Mangroves  help prevent erosions and provide a habitat for various forms of shellfish indigenous to the area. Many migratory birds also make the mangroves their temporary home while they are on the move. The forest is just a short drive from the center of SungaiPetani and is reachable via the bridge.

Mee Koo Kuih is the traditional cake made by Chinese people. It is mostly commonly eaten during prayer services planned around the lunar cycle but is also used for other prayer services. The most common color used by the Chinese for prayer is red, which is the color of this bread. It is similar to white bread in America, but it is slightly sweeter. It is very inexpensive and is one delicacy that you must try while you are in the area.

SungaiPetani is in the state of Kedah, the biggest rice-producing state in Malaysia. There are lush rice fields all over the area to take in.

If you visit during the full moon you will have a chance to check out Vel Vel Thaipusam, a festival celebrated in its honor. It is held annually and the date switches every year, usually in January or February.

Editor's Note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about things to do in Sungai Petani.