- Address: Jalan Pantai Cenang, Pantai Cenang, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah, Malaysia
- Tel: + 604-955-3225; + 604-735-1315
- Area: 5,5 hectares
The Laman Padi Museum in Malaysia is a unique cultural institution of the country, opened in June 1999. The entire rice complex in the resort area Pantai Cenang on Langkawi Island occupies 5.5 hectares.
History of creation
Malaysia is famous for its huge rice plantations, it's no secret that for Malaysians rice is the main symbol of food, the rest is just its decoration. Therefore, the creation of such a museum was just a matter of time.
The museum is dedicated to all those who respect the history, culture and importance of the rice cultivation industry in Malaysia, as well as to ordinary workers whose work ensures the complete independence of the rice industry in the country. He was conceived to promote the development of eco-tourism in the rural areas of the island of Langkawi.
What's interestnig?
The rice museum is the only one in Malaysia and the fourth after similar complexes in Japan , Germany and the Philippines. The architecture of the three-story building is very unusual and different from the usual forms - it's several huge bushels stacked together (a bushel is a special container for collecting and transporting rice). In the subject of rice everything is decorated here: from the gate and railings to the fences on the street.
In order to understand how the cultivation of rice is a painstaking and complex process, visitors are invited to see the following:
- In the squares of the complex, huge fields of rice were stretched. It is interesting that at the same time you can see all the stages of its growth. Decorate the fields of cute garden scarecrows, as well as in many places arranged different techniques - modern and quite ancient, which was used in the process of cultivation of rice fields.
- On the territory of the museum, in addition to rice, there are still growing various trees and shrubs, medicinal herbs and plants, which are most often eaten as seasonings.
In the building of the museum you can see such expositions:
- The main exhibits of the museum are machinery and tools for processing fields. The most impressive object - an 8-meter picture, which depicts the entire cycle of rice production. Over the canvas were 60 creators from North Korea;
- impressive platform of one of the halls, rotating around its axis. Thanks to such cunning, visitors get the impression of dynamic painted scenery;
- there is a hall-gallery where you can see various graphics and photographs telling about the development of the rice industry in Malaysia;
- visitors can get all information about growing and try to work on rice plantations, and also participate in the process of processing;
- pleases with a huge choice a phyto-shop in which flavored oils of own manufacture are on sale;
- after exploring the rice fields, there is a great opportunity to relax and unwind in the spa, where you will be offered a Malaysian healing massage. After the spa treatment is worth to visit the restaurant and try all kinds of dishes (of course, from rice).
Features of visit
The entrance to the Rice Museum is free, but without a guide, visiting the museum will not be so exciting, nor will you understand all the intricacies and details. But with an excursion and a guide in this place, you can spend several hours with great interest. Maintenance in English can be ordered at the museum's office located on the territory of the rice complex. There is another option - just join the tour group, if you see them in the museum .
Opening hours are from 10:00 to 18:00 daily, Fridays from 12:30 to 14:30.
How to get there?
The rice museum is a stone's throw from the resort beach of Chenang and 10 minutes. drive from Langkawi Airport , so getting into it will not make any problems. There are two options:
- by car - from the motorway North-South Expressway to Alor Setar Utara;
- on foot - from anywhere in Pantai Chenang.