Simply put, air nira nipah is a drink extracted from the nipa palms. It is a type of mangrove palm native to the tropical coastlines, where its trunk grows beneath the ground while the leaves and flowers blossom above the surface. The leaves can extend up to 30 feet in height, while the globular flowers are made out of many individual woody nuts on a single stalk.

Nira Nipah mangrove palms in Merbok, Kedah, Malaysia.

In Malaysia, the flower cluster of this plant is tapped to yield its sweet, edible sap. The process starts by fitting a bamboo tube into an exposed stalk to allow the translucent sap to be collected twice daily for 30 continuous days. Air nira is almost always drank as it is, and this sweet and nutritious drink comes with abundance of essential integrants and minerals such as sucrose, protein, fiber, magnesium, vitamin A and many more. It hydrates and nourishes the body while keeping it energetic and refreshed, while providing countless health benefits including to aid digestion, act as a body coolant or a diabetic-friendly beverage replacement, as well as having the ability to improve liver functions.

Air Nira Nipah: An Exotic Malaysian Drink

Air nira nipah can also be manufactured into jaggery, sweeteners or concentrated syrup due to the high sweetness intensity. Some producers collect the sap to further ferment it into a local alcoholic drink known fondly as tuak.

8 Unique Dishes to Try in Selangor

Looking to go on an exciting food adventure but can't seem to find the time to travel out of the city? Fret not, because Selangor has so many unique local specialties waiting to be discovered! This simple list will guide you to the state's many hidden gems for a dining experience you can hardly forget!

8 Unique Dishes to Try in Selangor

Durian Volcanic Pizza (RM19.90)

Take your love for durian up a notch with this incredibly (and surprisingly) delicious pizza topped with nothing but fresh fruits picked from local farms: durian, pineapple, mango, bell pepper and other juicy seasonal varieties. With a durian paste base (spicy or non-spicy available) and a generous sprinkle of oozy cheeses on top, this pizza is a definite must-try for those with an adventurous palate.

FruitsFarm in the City
104 Jalan SS 21/35, Damansara Utama, 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Opening hours: 9am-11pm

This Temple is Older Than Angkor Wat!

Southeast Asia’s oldest ancient civilizations were made up of Buddhists and Hindus, and Sungai Batu is here to prove it.

Sungai Batu is an archaeological site in northern Malaysia, and it holds the ruins of several Hindu-Buddhist temples dating back to the 8th and 11th century. The site, which is located in Merbok of the Kedah state, is believed to have existed since 535 BC. It was a former thriving international entrepot, an iron smelting hub, as well as a religious center.

Entrance to the Sungai Batu Archaeological Site.

One of the many smelting centers found at the Sungai Batu Archaeological Site.

A glimpse of the Sungai Batu Archaeological Site.

Due to Sungai Batu’s involvement in the global exports of iron, archaeologists have unearthed merchant ships believed to have been buried for approximately 4000 years. In total, the site holds 17 smelting plants, 13 administrative centers, numerous ritual sites, and 10 jetties. During a mapping carried out in 2007, 17 candi were found intact while 33 candi that were previously recorded by early British explorers have unfortunately vanished due to natural reasons.

Candi is a term describing ancient temples and ritual sites which have evolved into being today's historical monuments.

An ancient temple found at Sungai Batu.

Smelting plants found at Sungai Batu in Kedah.

Ruins and bricks.

Ancient monuments made of bricks found at Lembah Bujang.

The ancient Kedah Tua Civilization went by many names in the past: Queda, Kalah Bar, Kalaha, Cheh-Cha, Ka-Cha and Qalha.

Local archaeologists claimed that the Kedah Tua Civilization was one of the world’s oldest civilizations, surpassing the ancient Rome and Greece civilizations. In 2016, world-renowned archaeologists confirmed that the sites found in Lembah Bujang were over 2,000 years old - putting them way ahead of Cambodia's Angkor Wat and Indonesia's Borobudur in the history timeline.

Excavation work being carried out at the Sungai Batu Archaeological Complex in Merbok.

Thousands of iron ores are still being unearthed at Sungai Batu each day.

Activities at Sungai Batu Archaeological Site

It is recommended to spend half a day at the historic archaeological site at Sungai Batu in Merbok. There are several activities and educational attractions tailored specifically for those with an interest in archaeology and anthropology, such as the following:

Go on a Candi tour

Lembah Bujang or the Bujang Valley is a sprawling historical complex covering over 224 suare feet. Being the richest archaeological site in Malaysia, this site also houses the oldest manmade structure recorded in the whole of Southeast Asia, which is made out of clay bricks known as Candi 11. You can visit all 17 registered candi here.

Candi Bukit Batu Pahat was erected in the 6th century A.D., and has become the most popular ancient Hindu temple in Lembah Bujang.

See ancient artifacts at the Lembah Bujang Archaeological Museum

Ancient relics are on display at this dedicated museum, including inscribed stone caskets and tablets, metal tools, ceramics, beads that were once traded, and other Hindu ornaments.

An ancient statue of Lord Ganesha are among the items on display at the Lembah Bujang Archaeological Museum.

Observe the ongoing excavation or join as a volunteer!

Excavation work is still being carried out at Sungai Dua, and you can be a part of this significant event by participating as a volunteer!

Excavation work at the Sungai Dua Archaeological Site.

Hands-on ancient brick making and iron smelting experience

Curious to learn about the methods used by the region's oldest civilization in the making of bricks and melting ores? Find out how here!

Archaeologists demonstrating and explaining ancient methods of making bricks and iron in Sungai Batu.

Despite all the excavation efforts, scientific evidences and its potential to become the next international heritage tourism attraction, Sungai Batu is still not recognized as a Unesco World Heritage Site. As the Sungai Batu archaeological site has not been properly developed into a tourist attraction, here are a few things to look out for:

1. Lack of information. While walking paths are available, signage is not being put up.
2. No guide. However, on certain days, visitors might be able to find volunteers or students for a guided tour around the site. Otherwise, one will have to rely on Google for information.
3. Disintegrated ruins. While there are candi still intact, most of the major discoveries are left with scattered ruins that will not impress a visitor who does not have prior knowledge of the place.

Sungai Batu Archaeological Site

Tapak Arkeologi Sungai Batu, Lembah Bujang
Address: Kampung Permatang Samak, Bedong 08100, Malaysia
Entrance Fee: Free
Recommended visit duration: Half-day
Getting there: Take the Sungai Petani shuttle bus to Merbok from the Sungai Petani bus terminal.

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