royal capital of Perlis state
Arau is the royal capital of Perlis in northern Peninsular Malaysia.
Despite being the royal capital, Arau is overshadowed by the Perlis' actual capital, Kangar, which lies 14 km to the west of Arau. The town's main significance to travellers is its railway station, which gives access to the port at Kuala Perlis, from where there are boats to Langkawi and Thailand.
The Istana (palace) was built in the colonial era and is in the Moorish-British hybrid style that is typical of the British Empire's take on Islamic architecture. There is also a large mosque near the palace.