Forming part of Greater Penang, Kulim is both a town and district in the Malaysian state of Kedah. It’s famously home to Kulim Hi-Tech Park, which was the first industrial park to be established in the country when it opened in 1996. Kulim’s symbol is the Merdeka Clock Tower, built to commemorate the independence of Malaysia.
Things to do in Kulim
In the heart of Kulim is Tamam Tasik Putra, a picturesque lake that occupies the site of a tin mine established in the 1850s. Today, it’s framed by a leafy park where you can stroll in the late afternoon while watching the sunset. Nearby are the Kulim Library and Town Hall, as well as the local swimming pool and badminton centre.
Surrounded by Kulim Hi-Tech Park is the Kulim Golf & Country Resort, which is renowned for its 18-hole championship course. It also boasts a driving range where you can develop your long-range game, plus a swimming pool, a well-equipped gym and a snooker room. Once you’ve built up an appetite, you can feast on Malaysian and international favourites at the Golfer Terrace.
Kulim serves as a gateway to the Sungai Sedim Recreational Forest, home to one of the world’s longest rainforest canopy walkways. Stretching for 925 metres, the Tree Top Walk rises to 26 metres above the forest floor and offers encounters with the forest’s resident monkeys. Information about the local flora and fauna is exhibited in the small visitor’s centre.
Getting around Kulim
Kulim is around an hour’s drive from Georgetown and Penang International Airport, which has flights to destinations across Asia. Regular buses connect to Kulim and travel throughout the district. Renting a car is the most convenient way of exploring the area.