The Kedah Royal Museum and the Balai Besar are close to many other historic buildings and monuments in Alor Setar, and late afternoon is an ideal time to visit as most of these other buildings are currently closed to visitors.
Opposite the Istana is the elegant Zahir Mosque; just a shame there is a major road outside so it was impossible to take a photo without the cars. The mosque was currently closed to visitors, so this was the only view we could get.
In the centre of Padang Court Alor Setar is this monument with a Sultan’s headgear on the top. This monument is lit up at night with colourful lights, as is the main road running passed this area.
The replica gate of the archway situated in front of Kota Tengah Palace, demolished in 1973 to make way for the Wisma Negeri building
The Nobat Hall is the Hall of Drums, purpose built in 1906 for the storage of the Royal Musical instruments. The current building (the cream and orange tower) is made of stone and metal but copies the original structure of the wooden Nobat Hall built in the late 1800’s. These musical instruments are only played at Royal ceremonies such as coronations, weddings and burials. They consist of three large tambourines, two small tambourines, one gong and one flute.
There is a similarly coloured clock tower across the road from the Nobel Hall, but you will have to check out Day 10 to see that. The red-roofed white building in the background is the former court building and now the Galeri Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’Adzam Shah. And in the far distance you can see the modern Menara Alor Setar (Alor Setar Tower).
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