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Merbok, Kedah, Kedah · 5.7384°, 100.4138°
Malaysia's cradle of civilisation: over 50 excavated candi of the ancient Kedah kingdom on the Straits trade route, trading with Pallava India and the Srivijayan world — Sanskrit inscriptions, Shaiva shrines and Buddhist stupas together. Candi Bukit Batu Pahat, reassembled on its riverside terrace, is the emblem; the Sungai Batu digs pushed local ironworking and monuments to the early centuries CE.
Tamil poetics knew this coast as Kadaram, prize of the Chola overseas expeditions — Rajendra Chola's fleet struck here in 1025, the rare moment an Indian empire crossed the ocean in force, remembered on both shores.
The valley's remains are entered through the Lembah Bujang Archaeological Museum at Pekan Merbok, Kedah (08400). The museum's own published direction is by bus: from Sungai Petani bus terminal, take the Sungai Petani shuttle to Merbok.
coordinates: wikipedia-corrected-2026-08-26 · sources retrieved 2026-08-26 · dynasty page: Kedah Tua (Old Kedah)