Me and my wife was graciously given a complimentary hotel stay at Cinta Sayang Sungai Petani a couple of weeks back. We drove there on Friday evening and arrived at the hotel before sun set. Sungai Petani was labeled as a green lung according to the Wiki and it was evident the minute we enter Kedah. The padi fields have just been replanted and green field covers the horizon like a layer of silky carpet grass. As we head north, this can bee seen on both side of the Highway.
The Cinta Sayang Resort was built in the mist of a high class residential area, with golf courses woven among beautifully crafted bungalows. This gives the impression that Sungai Petani residence eats with silver spoon. The main activity at the resort was evidently Golf, complimented by Equestrian, Archery, an Inviting pool and Karaoke lounge. Not being a golfer, these limited activities actually could not fill the entire day and so we venture out to nearby attractions.
Sungai Petani itself do not have much attractions. Of all the travel search on the web, only the clock tower in the middle of the town is mentioned to be the pride of the town, and yes, also the fact that the town was labeled as a green lung. Close to Sungai Petani (30 minutes drive) is a place called Bujang Valley, that is where some ancient temples were found and the temples dated back as early as 300 AD, which is the same time as the Maya Civilization in Mexico. Getting there was fairly simple. From the town clock tower there were signs directing us to the Archeological Museum.
The air conditioned Museum house the excavated artifacts that has Hindu, Buddhist and Islamic Influence. The temples were just located next to the museum, and some of them were reconstructed from ruins. There were about 50 temples found in the valley, but only a handful is located next to the Museum. It was quite impressive what the ancient civilization has built, unfortunately, only the temples were left, and little were known of how things were at that time. How large was the city? Was there a ruler? What was the livelihood then, and what happen to the civilization. Nevertheless, a visit to the museum is truly enlightening and we were amazed by some of the excavations. One example is a hexagon shaped temple and another was a stone with fine engravings (picture).
This is great place to visit on a weekend with the family, truly educational for the young as well as the old. And the best part is, Its Free… well, just the petrol that you burn getting there.. And some junk food to keep the kids quiet on the way.