Langkawi Island, Malaysia – A Tropical paradise

Langkawi Island that once was a land of the pirates has many fabulous myths and legends which can attract both local and foreign tourists. Langkawi people boast for old tales about ogres, giant birds, beautiful princesses, great warriors, and romance stories. All of these became their wonderful heritages which are brought down from their ancestors.

Langkawi Island

This island is the perfect place to relax and escape from stress. It is part of an archipelago located off the Malaysian west coast. It has some of the cleanest beaches and water in the Pacific, so it’s ideal for swimming and diving. The island, and nearby waters, are also ideal for boating, and many people travel there on yachts. The island also has some restaurants, bars, and resorts, but generally has a very laid-back pace. This island would make a beautiful spot for a honeymoon or other romantic getaway. You will find some of the best that this wonderful country has to offer.

Astonishing places of accommodation

The beautiful Langkawi Island has become one of the best places to visit and explore in the Malay peninsula. It is listed amongst the largest vacation islands for tourism in the country. You will be pleased with the astonishing accommodation facilities available ranging from guest houses to luxury hotels and resorts.

World-class resorts and golf courses have been built alongside the more traditional accommodation of chalets and rest houses. This island of scenic, tranquil landscapes has become an extremely popular destination for both local and international visitors. It is an idyllic retreat from the urban jungle.

Indulge in some water sports

Even though this stunning island is enchanting with its natural beauty, you can also experience action with adventurous sports such as the Jet Ski tour and parasailing. Your love for water sports is easily fulfilled by riding a Jet Ski in the open sea. For parasailing, visit the TanjungRhu Beach for a magical experience. Have fun while enjoying a spectacular view from high up in the open air. If you are listing the top 10 things to do in Malaysia, visiting this place is undoubtedly one!

Good to know:

Taxi Fares always ask how much the fare will be to get to your destination before getting into the taxi. Taxi fares in Malaysia are for the most part quite reasonable however at times a naive traveler can be easy pickings, especially on a return trip from an outlying area so be sure to ask for the cost of the fare beforehand and if it seems too high then you can usually find another taxi to get a better deal. The exception to this however is during peak hours in Kuala Lumpur when you will pay more because of traffic delays. Your hotel concierge can advise you on what the busiest traffic times are likely to be. Planning your movements around the capital outside of these times will save you money if you’re on a tight budget.

Other than its wonderful beaches, its beautiful legends are what draws a visitor to its shores. The legends are all the more real simply because its people are convinced of their authenticity. As such, a keen sense of mystique and mystery surrounds the island and lends charm and intrigue to an otherwise quiet and calm facade.

Possible Sightseeing Tour:
A great place to start your sightseeing tour is to begin at Kuah town itself, where the tourist information centre is based (next to the town’s mosque). Grab all the brochures and maps which you may need and you’re ready to go.

Within the vicinity of the jetty and the tourist information center is the harbourside’s parklands which houses the Dataran Lang and Lagenda Park – the former a landscaped square with a concrete statue of the Langkawi eagle and the latter a 20-hectare park commemorating the island’s legends in sculptural form.

Going back to the main road will lead you to Pantai Cenang, the island’s longest stretch of beach with the most happening nightlife. This beach houses the highest concentration of accommodation providers, ranging from budget chalets to five-star resorts, and is therefore the liveliest spot.

Heading west from Kuah town will take you to the rural countryside surrounded by paddy fields. Let the road signs lead you to Makam Mahsuri, the grave of the island’s legendary heroine. Being the island’s most popular legend, this tomb/shrine is to Langkawi what the Eiffel Tower is to Paris.

Laman Padi, a “rice museum” is also located at Pantai Cenang for those interested in all aspects of rice farming. The Underwater World, a colossal aquarium with a fascinating collection of freshwater and marine life is further down the same road.

From Pantai Cenang, take the route to the airport. A go-cart racing centre is situated along the way for those who are game to participate. Past the airport is the small town of Padang Matsirat where the very disappointing Beras Terbakar or “Field of Burnt Rice” is located. Legend has it burnt rice still appear, the remnants of an 18th-century crop which was put to torch by local villagers to prevent invading Siamese troops from taking it. At the most, you will see a pitiful bowl of burnt rice in a plastic casing flanked by a signage.

From the Padang Matsirat junction, follow the signage to Pantai Kok, a picturesque stretch of beach which some say is the finest in Langkawi. You will come across a red Thai-style structure along this road which was actually a Hollywood prop for the film Anna and the King starring Jodie Foster and Chow Yuen Fatt. Built as the Summer Palace for the Siamese monarch in the story, the structure has since been “recycled” as a tourist attraction. The admission charge is a bit steep but the place itself is well maintained and worth a visit. Cultural performances also are carried out at regular intervals here.

Beyond Pantai Kok is Burau Bay, the other contender for accolade of the island’s most beautiful beach. Burau Bay is actually a delightful cove flanked by the mysterious peaks of Gunung Mat Cincang. Two resorts sit on both ends of this cove: the Burau Bay Resort and the Berjaya Langkawi Beach Resort, both built to blend with the surrounding environment.

Further up from Burau Bay is the waterfalls of Telaga Tujuh (Seven Wells), a playground of fairies according to local folklore. Only the fit and enthusiastic outdoor-type should attempt the thirty-minute hike up the falls. Back track from Telaga Tujuh and turn towards Datai Bay, where “250 million-year-old rainforest meet the sea”, or so the brochure claims.

Two of the island’s most luxurious resorts, The Datai and The Andaman are nestled among trees in seclusion here. A breathtaking golf course and a spectacular waterfall are also in the vicinity. The coastal road along Datai will also lead you past the Ibrahim Hussein Museum and Cultural Foundation, a showcase for Malaysia’s most famous artist, and a Crocodile Farm where the main attraction is a deformed croc.

Moving up the north coast, you will find Pasir Hitam (The Beach of Black Sand) where the sand is streaked in black, and Kompleks Budaya Kraf, a crafts’ complex of traditional craft products such as batik, silverware and pottery.

At Padang Lalang turn right for Tanjung Rhu (Rhu Cape), a beautiful beach with shallow lagoons and vast sand flats during low tide. Visitors can also hire boat rides here to mangrove forests and the legendary caves nearby.

Head west on the main road back to Kuah and you will past Air Hangat Village, a cultural centre around a natural hot spring, and the Galeria Perdana, a museum devoted to Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Dr. Mahatir’s collection of gifts.

Besides attractions on Pulau Langkawi, one can go island hopping to the neighbouring isles, each with their own coves of crystal-clear waters, snorkeling spots, eerie caves and fascinating folklore.

Top on the list of must-see islands are Pulau Dayang Bunting, the archipelago’s second largest island with a freshwater lake in the center, Pulau Singa Besar which houses a wildlife sanctuary, and the superb Pulau Payar, a designated marine park teeming with corals, fishes and baby sharks.