Bujang Valley

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Bujang Valley (Lembah Bujang)

The Bujang Valley or Lembah Bujang is a sprawling historical complex and has an area of approximately 224 square km. Situated near Merbok, Kedah, between Gunung Jerai in the north and Sungai Muda in the south, it is the richest archaeological area in Malaysia.

One of the ancient artifacts on display at the Musuem of archeology in Bujang Valley.

Archaeological research indicates that there was an old Malay empire built here. The name itself is roughly translated into "Dragon Valley". The area consists of ruins that may date more than 1,500 years old. More than fifty ancient tomb temples, called candi, have also been unearthed, many of which were built during the Bujang Valley civilization's heyday. The most impressive and well-preserved of these is located in Pengkalan Bayang Merbok. The Bujang Valley Archaeological Museum is also located here.

Early Kedah's architecture, the Candi (pronounce Chandi), in a miniature model, on display at the National History Museum, Kuala Lumpur.

Research also indicates that an ancient Hindu-Buddhist kingdom ruled here as early as 300 CE. Relics found at the site are now on display at the archaeological museum. Items include inscribed stone caskets and tablets, metal tools and ornaments, ceramics, pottery, and Hindu icons.