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Langkawi Travel Guide
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Introduction to Langkawi
Langkawi is a major beach resort destination in Malaysia. Often known as the islands of legend, the Langkawi archipelago comprises 99 tropical islands nestling serenely some 30 kilometers off the coast of Kedah, in the northeast of Peninsular Malaysia. I have visited Langkawi many, many times, and took the above photograph at Tanjung Rhu for AsiaExplorers on a particularly clear day. After taking a few photos here, I was approached by the staff of the Tanjung Rhu Resort that the resort area is for guests only. The result of this, of course, is that I am now mentioning Tanjung Rhu Resort in AsiaExplorers for that purpose. Langkawi belongs to Kedah state and is adjacent to the Tarutao National Park of Thailand. The largest island of the archipelago is the eponymous Pulau Langkawi. With a population of 45,000, Pulau Langkawi is the only other inhabited island in the archipelago, other than the neighbouring Pulau Tuba.
Sand as white as snow at Tanjung Rhu, Langkawi.
History of Langkawi
The name Langkawi is believed to have been derived from the name of the ancient kingdom of Langkasuka, which was centred in modern-day Kedah. According to ancient Chinese chronicles (ca. 500AD), a kingdom called Langgasu existed in the 1st century AD.Langkawi eventually came under the control of the Sultanate of Kedah. When Kedah was conquered by Siam in 1821, Langkawi came under Siamese control. The 1909 Anglo-Siamese Treaty transferred control of Kedah to the British, which administered the state until independence, except for a brief period during the World War II Japanese occupation when the rule reverted to the Thais.
The present development of Langkawi began in 1987, when the island was granted tax-free status to propel tourism. The island's airport was upgraded to international status while ferry links were also increased.
Getting to Langkawi
By Air:Langkawi International Airport has direct links with Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Bangkok. The following airlines operate regular flights from Langkawi:
Read Also:
By Sea:
Kuah Town is connected
Tourist Attractions in Langkawi
- Air Hangat Village
This is a hot spring complex near Galeria Perdana.
- Barn Thai
This is a unique restaurant located deep in a mangrove forest on the eastern side of Pulau Langkawi.
- CHOGM Park
A park in Kuah town that commemorates the Commonwealth Head of Government Meeting that was held in Langkawi.
- Craft Cultural Complex
The Craft Cultural Complex is located on the northern coastline of Langkawi Island near Teluk Yu. This complex offers a wide range of Malaysian handicraft such as batik, silverware, woodcraft, rattan craft, and more. It is opening daily, 9 am - 6 pm.
- Datai Bay
This is a bay on the north part of Pulau Langkawi.
- Dataran Lang
This is an esplanade with a giant eagle statue at Kuah town.
- Durian Perangin Waterfall
This is a waterfall a short distance from the Air Hangat Village.
- Galeria Perdana
This is a gallery housing the state gifts and awards presented to the former Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato' Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
- Gua Cerita
Cave on the northeast part of Langkawi.
- Gua Kelawar
Cave on the east part of Langkawi.
- Gunung Mat Cincang
This is a mountain with craggy peaks on the northwestern part of Pulau Langkawi served by a cable-car system.
- Gunung Raya
This is the tallest peak on Pulau Langkawi.
- Kampung Buku Malaysia
Kampung Buku Malaysia, or Langkawi Book Village, is the first and only book village in South East Asia. It is part of the International Book Villages and Book Towns Movement. Located 20 minutes from the Langkawi International Airport and 15 minutes from the Ferry Terminal, the Langkawi Book Village is stocked with a great variety of new books on numerous topics and languages as well as second-hand, rare and antiquarian books.
- Kuah
This is the main town, located on the southerneast part of Pulau Langkawi.
- Laman Padi Langkawi
Laman Padi Langkawi is located at Pantai Cenang. It is where one can learn about the rice growing industry of Malaysia. There is a rice museum displaying artifacts, charts and photographs related to rice cultivation. There is a roof-top garden from which visitors gets a panoramic view of the rice fields. Laman Padi Langkawi is open daily, 10 am - 6 pm.
- Langkawi Bird Paradise
Bird park on the east side of Langkawi, near Galeria Perdana.
- Langkawi Crocodile Farm
Taman Buaya Langkawi (Langkawi Crocodile Farm) is located at Kubang Kdak, on the road to Datai Bay. It has more than 1,000 crocodiles of various species. The crocodile farm is open daily, 9 am. - 6 pm.
- Langkawi Crystaal
Crystalware from Langkawi.
- Langkawi International Airport
The main gateway to Langkawi, the international airport is located on the west side of Langkawi near Pantai Cenang.
- Langkawi Underwater World
Located at Pantai Cenang, this is a showcase of marine life.
- Langkawi Waterfall
This is an artificial waterfall located at the entrance to Temurun Waterfall.
- Makam Mahsuri
This is the mausoleum to an innocent maiden who was executed for adultery.
- Makam Purba
Ancient grave stones in central Langkawi.
- Oriental Village
This is a shopping arcade at the foot of Gunung Mat Cincang.
- Padang Beras Terbakar
Field of burnt rice.
- Padang Mat Sirat
The rice field set on fire by the orders of the headman of Langkawi to thwart attacks from the Siamese.
- Pantai Cenang
This is a beautiful stretch of white sand beach on the western part of Pulau Langkawi, just south of the airport.
- Pantai Kok
This is the beach on the western part of Pulau Langkawi, near to Oriental Village, Telaga Tujuh and Gunung Mat Cincang.
- Pantai Pasir Hitam
This stretch of beach has black sand that looks like charcoal mixed with normal sand.
- Pantai Pasir Tengkorak
This is a stretch of beach on the north part of Pulau Langkawi, along the road leading towards Datai Bay.
- Pantai Tengah
This beach is located south of Pantai Cenang, on the way to Porto Malai.
- Porto Malai
This is a marina and pier on the southernmost part of Pulau Langkawi.
- Pulau Payar Marine Park
Located 19 nautical miles south of Langkawi, this marine park consists of Pulau Payar, Pulau Lembu, Pulau Segantang and Pulau Kaca. Pulau Payar Marine Park teems with diverse marine life and coral reef.
- Tanjung Rhu
This is a cape with beautiful white sand on the north of Pulau Langkawi.
- Tasik Dayang Bunting
Located on Pulau Dayang Bunting, the largest island off Pulau Langkawi, this is the largest lake in Langkawi.
- Telaga Harbour Park
A marina for yachts in Langkawi.
- Telaga Tujuh
This is a waterfall located in the northwestern corner of Pulau Langkawi.
- Teluk Yu
This is a bay on the north part of Pulau Langkawi.
- Temurun Waterfall
This is a waterfall on the north part of Pulau Langkawi, along the road leading towards Datai Bay.
Click here to return to the AsiaExplorers HomepageHow much have you explored Langkawi? Through AsiaExplorers, you can now explore these places in Langkawi from the comfort of your desk: Langkawi, Air Hangat, Barn Thai, CHOGM Park, Datai Bay, Dataran Lang, Galeria Perdana, Gua Cerita, Gua Kelawar, Gunung Mat Cincang, Gunung Raya, Kuah, Langkawi Bird Paradise, Langkawi Crystaal, Langkawi Falls, Langkawi International Airport, Langkawi Underwater World, Makam Mahsuri, Makam Purba, Oriental Village, Padang Beras Terbakar, Padang Matsirat, Pantai Cenang, Pantai Tengah, Pantai Pasir Hitam, Pantai Tengkorak, Porto Malai, Tanjung Rhu, Tasik Dayang Bunting, Telaga Harbour, Telaga Tujuh Waterfall, Teluk Yu, Temurun WaterfallsAll photographs appearing in AsiaExplorers are copyrighted and available for licensing. If you are interested to use any of them, please click here for details.Grab this swicki from eurekster.com Copyright © 2003-2008 AsiaExplorers. All rights reserved. |
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