Langkawi Tourist Attractions
All about Langkawi lankawi
Welcome to Langkawi! Langkawi tourist attractions are so many that we bet that you'd not be able
to cover them all during your short stay.
Kuah is the main town located on the south-eastern tip of Pulau Langkawi.
This is the main entry point for visitors arriving by sea to Langkawi. The name "Kuah"
is a Malay word meaning "gravy" and is associated with an ancient legend of two battling
giants who overturned a gigantic pot of curry at the spot where the town now stands.
Once was a rustic town with a few streets, present day,
Kuah is a thriving center of modern hotels and shopping-cum-business complexes, but without the overcrowding and bustle of modern cities. Kuah is a duty free shopping haven with a wide variety of goods sold at attractive prices and its restaurants offer excellent local delights, especially fresh seafood.
The Eagle Square (Dataran Lang)
Dataran Lang is Langkawi's most prominent landmark for visitors arriving by sea. It's situated near the Kuah jetty and the main attraction of the square is the magnificent statue of the reddish brown eagle majestically poised for flight. According to local folklore, Langkawi derived its name from the eagle or "helang". In old Malay, "kawi" denotes reddish brown, hence, Langkawi means reddish brown eagle!
Dataran Lang is beautifully landscaped and features scenic ponds, bridges, covered terraces, restaurants and barrel vaults made of bricks. Its close proximity to the sea and the soft breezes make it an ideal spot for leisurely walks and a tranquil setting for dining in the cool evenings. At night, the square is beautifully lit.
Taman Lagenda is a very scenic park with beautiful gardens of vivid local blooms, plants and fruit trees - providing a picturesque and fitting backdrop for buildings showing Malaysia's rich cultural heritage. Within the park, there are some fine examples of traditional Malaysian handicraft and cultural objects.
Situated in Kuah, it gives you an introduction to Langkawi's legends. At the entrance, a giant-sized sirih junjung and bunga telur warmly welcome you in. The exhibits inside tell story about Langkawi's legendary history starting with its prehistoric, geological past, mystical battles of giant and mighty bird which led to the creation of various part of the island and of course, the legend of Mahsuri's curse and the awakening of modern Langkawi.
Langkawi Crystal is located along Jalan Kisap, 5 km north of Kuah town and 20 km from the airport. Langkawi Crystal offers an attractive and exquisite range of glass products. You will find a wide choice of skillfully crafted crystal items to suit every occasion. You can also watch the extraordinary glass blowing skills of craftsmen dedicated to producing glassware of the highest standards and quality. If you dare to cahllenge them, just take the opportunity to test your glass blowing skills.
Al-Hana Mosque is recognized as one of the biggest mosque in Langkawi. It was built in 1959 - its construction was started by the villagers from Kuah and surrounding areas. Al-Hana Mosque was officially opened by first Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj two years later. It was reopened in December 1993 after the renovation to enlarge the hall to cater the increasing number of worshippers. It has been designed with Islamic architectural motifs including carvings from Uzbekistan and doors with traditional carvings.
Mahsuri's Tomb (Makam Mahsuri)
Makam Mahsuri is about 12 kilometers from Kuah. The tomb was erected to honor Mahsuri, a beautiful lady who was unjustly accused of adultery. According to legend, she bled white blood at her execution as a sign of her innocence. In her dying breath, she laid a curse on the island that it would remain barren for seven generations. Fact or fiction, seven generations have since passed and today, Langkawi is a flourishing tourist destination.
Hot Springs Village - Air Hangat Village
Air Hangat Village is sited on four acres of land about 14 kilometers northwest of Kuah. This modern complex includes a 3-tier hot spring fountain, an 18-meter long hand-carved river stone mural depicting the legends that enshroud this location and souvenir shops. You can witness the making of local handicrafts and cultural performances.
The legend said that the hot springs in
Air Hangat Village was caused by the fight between two giants, Mat Raya and Mat Cincang. Pots, crockery and the engagement ring which were hurled during the fight fell on various parts of the island. The spot where the cauldron of hot water was broken became the hot springs. Today the locals believe that the springs have curative and restoratives properties. Inside the complex, you can soak in the hot springs and enjoy relaxing traditional massage.
The Summer Palace Langkawi is situated amidst lush tropical greenery at Pantai Kok. In 1999, 20th Century Fox commissioned
the construction of this magnificent and expensive movie set for the making of the film "Anna and the King".
Built almost entirely of local timbers by Malaysian and foreign artisans,
the
Summer Palace resembles a traditional Thai Palace. The palace encompasses an area of 675 sq meters and stands 16.6 meter high. A part from the original movie set, a restaurant, souvenir shops and pavilion have been added.
Oriental Village is beautifully set overlooking the Burau Bay. It's one of the region's newest and most unique shopping, cultural and culinary destinations. Specially designed to provide a new concept in resort duty free shopping, the Oriental Village also houses fine themed restaurants, reflecting Asia's culinary delights. Oriental Village offers your a huge range of international designer labels and local products - over 470 brands and 17,000 products.
Ibrahim Hussein Museum and Cultural Foundation
Ibrahim Hussein Museum is a modern building that perches dramatically on a cliff overlooking the Andaman Sea.
The hill slopes of Mat Cincang Forest Reserve is a magnificent setting for the works of one of Malaysia's
best-known artists - Datuk Ibrahim Hussein. This place was established in 1991 -
the foundation is a non-profit, non-governmental organization dedicated to promote, develop, and advance art and culture.
The Ancient Tomb is located in the village town of Ulu Melaka. It's actually the tomb of an unknown person that measures about seven feet in length. The age of the tomb is yet to be determined. Legend said that this grave appeared suddenly and none of the locals could verify of any death that occurred in the village at that time. It is said as well that this grave might be that of one Tun Jana Khatib. He was a man of Arab descent who hailed from Pasai, Sumatra. In Singapore he was unjustly executed and his body had traveled mysteriously to Langakawi for eternal rest, as the local resident of Langkawi claims that the island is a land of fairness and will not tolerate this injustice.
Malaysia Book Village (Kampung Buku Malaysia)
Kampung Buku Malaysia in Langkawi is the first and only book village in South East Asia.
It is part of the International Book Villages and Book Towns Movement.
Kampung Buku Malaysia is located just 10 minutes from the Langkawi International Airport and 15 minutes from the Ferry Terminal. Situated amidst a lush green forest at the foot of Gunung Raya, the highest peak on the island, the book village provides book lovers a tranquil setting to indulge in their hobby. The various houses in the village are stocked with a great variety of new books on numerous topics and languages as well as second-hand, rare and antiquarian books.
The
Underwater World Langkawi is a marine showcase featuring both fresh and salt water fish and other forms of marine life. It's located at Pantai Cenang, a popular beach on the island. The aquarium features more than 5,000 types of marine life, exhibited in more than 100 tanks of different sizes. The highlight is a giant tank housing large marine species such as sharks, stingrays, groupers and green turtles, with a 15-metre tunnel for visitors to walk through and enjoy a spectacular view of the exhibits. Underwater gardens of weeds and sea plants together with exotic fishes and exhibits of fossils and shells add to the range of interesting sights.
The latest residents are 20 Rockhopper penguins from Nightingale Island, some 2,000km west of South Africa. The birds are part of the newest attractions under our RM30mil expansion project which includes the sub-Antarctic, temperate and tropical rainforest ecosystems. The temperate section will house the Blackfoot penguins and seals.
Langkawi Crocodile Farm (Taman Buaya Langkawi)
Taman Buaya Langkawi is located some 32 km from Kuah. It has more than 1,000 crocodiles of various species. Here, you can witness and photograph crocodiles and alligators playing and feeding in a controlled environment that closely resemble their natural habitat.
Taman Buaya Langkawi is registered with The Convention on International Trade and Endangered Species (CITES), the farm has many attractions for the tourist.
The Seven Wells (Telaga Tujuh)
Telaga Tujuh is located in the north-western corner of Pulau Langkawi. The waterfall is so named because its cascading water is broken by a series of seven natural pools. The lush green forest that surrounds the waterfall adds a mystical touch to the natural splendor. Legend has it that fairies used to come down to the waterfall to bathe and frolic.
Langkawi Bird Paradise (Taman Burung Langkawi)
Taman Burung Langkawi is the Asia's first fully covered walkway bird park is home to over 2,500 birds with over 150 exotic species. Here, you'll have a close encounter with the world's most beautiful birds like Cockatoo, Myna, Toucan, Hornbill, and Rhea.
Langkawi Snake Sanctuary is a beautiful parkland with an undulating setting. It is home to a collection of venomous and non-venomous snakes from all over the world. Spacious Terrariums are located at various parts of the parkland along well defined paths for close public viewing of the snakes. An Interactive Clitro occupies a major portion of the site.
The Galeria Perdana is situated in Kilim, about 11 km from Kuah. The gallery houses an impressive collection of over 2,500 state gifts and awards presented to the former Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato' Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad and his wife, Datin Seri Dr. Siti Hasmah. The exhibits include fine crystal ware and gifts fashioned out of wood, leather, silver, copper, pewter, ceramics and glass. There are also musical instruments, Islamic art and craft, textiles and weapons. A part of the display includes various prototype cars and 4-wheel drive vehicles.
The
Galeria Perdana comprises of two-story buildings set within a beautifully landscaped garden. Photography is not allowed inside the gallery. Pictures of exhibits are available for sale at the souvenir shop.
The Rice Museum (Laman Padi Langkawi)
Laman Padi Langkawi is located at Pantai Cenang, in the vicinity of the island's popular beach resorts and just 10 minutes from the airport. It showcases the history, heritage and development of the nation's rice growing industry.
Among the attractions is a rice museum displaying artifacts, charts and photographs showing the significance of Padi cultivation to the country. You'll have the opportunity to enjoy a bird's eye view of the fields from a roof-top garden. There is also restaurant offering popular traditional Malay recipes and local delicacies which are prepared using rice as the main ingredient.
The
Craft Cultural Complex is located on the northern coastline of Langkawi Island in the vicinity of Teluk Yu, about 30 minutes drive from the airport or 45 minutes from Kuah town. Nestled on a hillside overlooking the sea, this magnificent complex offers a wide range of Malaysian handicraft such as delicate hand painted batik and intricately carved silverware. Besides that, it houses a Royal Museum, an Islamic Museum and a Heritage Museum.
Suspended at 700 meters above sea level the unique curved pedestrian bridge spans 125 meters across a scary chasm. Views are spectacular offering a panorama over the landscape, the Andaman Sea, offshore islands and beyond...neighboring Thailand.
Unlike straight bridges where you can see from the starting point,
Langkawi Sky Bridge has been curved to provide different perspectives over the land and sea. Convenient triangular platforms located along the curved bridge provide rest areas so you can sit and appreciate both the beauty of nature and an incredible feat of engineering.
With stunning and magnificent vistas, Mount Mat Cincang and the
Langkawi Cable Cars is a big attraction. From the very top of Mount Mat Cincang , you'll get a 360-degree view of the the whole island group, the Datai peninsula (left pic below), Andaman Sea and the southern Thai islands of Ko Tarutao and the southern Thai province Satun coastline.
The 15-minute journey up the mountain is definitely breathtaking and the scenery below that shows off the 4,167 ha of virgin jungle of the Mat Cincang Mountain Forest Reserve (right pic above) and Telaga Tujuh/Seven Wells is a feast for the eyes. There are viewing platforms, a restaurant and probably a suspension bridge over the valley.
The most interesting and rare feature of this cable car project is the angle station – this means from the middle station, the gondolas make a 45-degree turn to reach the top where there are more viewing platforms and walkways. Visitors are given the option of getting down at both stations to walk about and enjoy the scenery. All in, 35 gondolas used to ferry visitors to the mountain and in an hour some 700 people can be taken to the top.
Langkawi Yacht Club is situated within walking distance from the Kuah Jetty Point. It is is an exclusive establishment with a beautiful clubhouse and a fully equipped marina, comprising 51 berths that can accommodate a variety of vessels including sailing keels, deep hull boats and even 60-meter mega-yachts.
Langkawi Yacht Club offers impressive facilities such as a waterfront swimming pool, Jacuzzi and sauna, deep-sea fishing, sailing, scuba diving, jet skiing and speedboats, and yacht chartering service. Your can hire the Club's luxury motor yacht, "Puteri Maimunah", for a discovery or sunset tour of the beautiful Langkawi islands.
For dinners, Langkawi yacht Club is the perfect place to enjoy a long cool drink and a delightful meal in relaxing surroundings. Breath taking views of Langkawi's beautiful islands and sunset can be enjoyed from its beachfront restaurant called "Charlie's Place" or from the "Captain's Deck", its fine dining restaurant.
Your visit to Langkawi is not complete if you do not spend some time exploring, in Indiana Jones' style, some of the
finest & mysterious
Langkawi caves. Each Langkawi cave has its own unique name and some has its own legend that is
told from one generation to the other.
Langkawi has many fine powdery sandy
beaches - beautifully fringed with swaying coconut trees and casuarinas.
Just grab your sunglasses and have fun! Don't forget the sun block too. A wide range of exciting water-sports provides fun and thrills are also available for the energetic .
Langkawi islands are well-known for its lush vegetation, fascinating waterfalls, stunning stalactites and stalagmites, limestone outcrops and mysterious caves. The crystal clear water around the islands provides a host of water sports and recreation, as well as a magical world of marine life.
Langkawi is made up of 99
islands when the tide is high and 104 islands when the tide is low. The largest of which is Pulau Langkawi measuring about 478.5 sq.km., while some of the others appear to be mere dots in the blue ocean when you view them from the air.
Langkawi is blessed with many beautiful islands, white sandy beaches, lush rain forest and amazing waterfalls.
Most of
Langkawi waterfalls are real 'family falls' and are easily accesible either by car or on foot.
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