Langkawi Island
KEDAH
an archipelago made up of 99 islands
Langkawi is an archipelago made up of 99 islands on Malaysia’s west coast. Surrounded by turquoise sea, the interior of the main island is a mixture of picturesque paddy fields and jungle-clad hills. If you’re intent on carting off duty-free alcohol, cigarettes and chocolate, then this is the place to be. Still, nature lovers will find the island just as agreeable as the shoreline is fringed by powder-fine sand and swaying coconut trees.
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KEY FACTS
CURRENCY : MYR
LOCAL CUISINE : CHINESE, MALAY, INDIAN
SPECIALITIES : EAGLE SQUARE
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PEAK HOURS : 1p.m.
COMMUNICATION MEDIUM : CHINESE
Features
The best attractions in Langkawi make the most of the natural landscapes, expansive parks, and iconic structures that no first-time visitor should skip on their travel itinerary. As one of Malaysia’s best-known and most popular beach destinations, the massive island is home to historical attractions, great fare, excellent diving opportunities, exciting nightlife and dirt-cheap shopping.
Langkawi’s pristine beaches – namely Datai Bay, Pantai Cenang, and Tanjung Rhu – are also rated among the best in the world while vast roads provide easy access to its vibrant beach towns. Due to the size of the island, Langkawi’s best attractions are best explored by rented vehicle. There are a few sights that you definitely need to check out before leaving this island, so check out our comprehensive list of the most popular Langkawi attractions.
Atma Alam, Batik Village
Atma Alam Batik Art Village is a batik centre designed primarily to attract tourists and to promote the art of batik in Langkawi. Located in Padang Matsirat, owners Aza Osman, an oil painter, and Roshadah Yusof, a batik artist, designed the half-acre centre as a place to showcase the creative spirit of batik.
The centre is divided into several sections: there is a showroom, workshop, art and batik gallery and handicraft display primarily displaying works by local artists. Also a great place to unleash your kids’ creativity, the centre hosts art classes where students learn to turn plain white fabric into beautiful art pieces with batik prints.
Underwater World Langkawi
Underwater World Langkawi is one of the largest marine and freshwater aquaria in South East Asia. Underwater World Langkawi is built to raise awareness on the importance of conserving our precious aquatic life forms, thus creating an understanding of the deep and inseparable bond between man and nature Underwater World Langkawi has been a concept and theme for tourist favourite spot to visit especially foreigners due to the preservation of the place to shopping eating and entertainment. It is very huge, a popular aquarium with 200+ marine & freshwater species, a 3D theatre and an underwater tunnel.
3D Art Langkawi
Located within the vicinity of Oriental Village, with 21,000 square feet of build up, it features more than one hundred 3D interactive paintings, artistically painted by a group of talented international artists. This is yet another signature product by Langkawi SkyCab in collaboration with Art In Paradise Langkawi providing new dimension and experience to visitors.
Step inside or crawl into the exhibits. Interact with the characters and become the subject of the artwork on display. This almost surreal gallery is a must have on your to-do list.
Eagle Square
Also known as Eagle Square, Dataran Lang is one of Langkawi’s best known manmade attractions, a large sculpture of an eagle poised to take flight. A sight that greets visitors to the island via ferry, the 12 metre-tall statue is one of the island’s most instantly recognizable monuments.
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Located at the southeast corner of Pulau Langkawi, besides offering beautiful views of Kuah Bay, Dataran Lang has beautiful miniature fountains, terraces and bridges, making it the ideal place for those postcard-perfect holiday photos. The square is a good place to watch ferries ply across the harbour but plan a trip here early in the morning or late in the evening when the sun is at its least intense.
Langkawi Sky Bridge
The Langkawi Sky Bridge is located at the 'end' of the Cable Car ride. One of the island’s highlights, it is a 410ft-long curved pedestrian bridge above Mount Mat Cinchang. It may sound like a cliché but it is really true - the views from here are simply stunning - great for those Kodak moments!
Located 2,300ft above sea level, the Sky Bridge is easily accessible by the Langkawi Cable Car. The journey to the top starts out at the Oriental Village in the upper northwest of Langkawi Island, near Pantai Kok. Once the cable car gets going it gets a little chilly as winds flow through the ventilation slits at the top, so put on a sweater beforehand.
Langkawi Sky Cab
The steepest cable car ride on earth and takes visitors up 708m above sea level to Langkawi's second highest peak of Mt. Machinchang, where the view of the surrounding islands is simply breathtaking. Enjoy great views of the hillside flora, waterfalls and occasional glimpses of the wildlife and birds.
Gamat Healing Factory, Langkawi
Gamat is a species of Sea Cucumbers which are marine creatures having leathery skin and a long body. They can be found on the sea floor almost all over the world. In Malay, these sea cucumbers are known as gamat. They were once in abundance in Langkawi’s water until the islanders came to know about their medicinal healing value and started capturing them in bulk, established factories in the island and started processing them to create healing oils. These days, the sea cucumbers are mostly imported from places like Thailand.
Snorkelling
Pulau Payar Marine Park is a popular site for snorkelling and diving enthusiasts keen on exploring Langkawi’s undersea action. Just 30km south of the main island, it is about 45 minutes away from the Kuah jetty point and you can take either a catamaran or a speedboat to get here.
Sunset Dinner Cruise
The Langkawi sunset dinner cruise by Crystal Yacht Holidays is an evening trip that takes you on a leisurely trip across the Andaman Sea, where you’ll pass among deserted islets and limestone cliffs, enjoying a delicious barbecue dinner that’s prepared by expert chefs on board.