Langkawi

What You Should Know More About Langkawi

• Q. Travel Advice

  • In Langkawi and in Malaysia as a whole, the taxi drivers are a little canny. They are seeking a chance to deceive you. So, if they get to know that you are an uninformed tourist, they’ll leave no chance to overcharge you. Hence, it is a good idea to know about the destination you are traveling to, its approximate fare and other important things. You must either sit in a metered taxi or cab or negotiate the fare before sitting in the taxi. This will prevent a case of over charging.   

  • Thefts are a routine affair here. So, make sure you keep your valuables and cash in a safe place. Never flash your important stuff or valuables in public.

  • Do not go to crowded places with too much cash in your pocket.

  • Avoid keeping your wallet in back pocket of your denims.

  • Traffic is a common site in Langkawi. So, always have patience whenever you are riding with public vehicle.

  • In case you have rented a vehicle for self drive, make sure you follow the local rules. Sometimes the rules prevalent maybe different from the ones prevalent in your country.

  • Keep the beggars and touts at bay.

  • Have a copy of your ID with you always.

  • Do not over indulge in alcohol.

  • Always drink bottled mineral water. Check the seal before purchasing a bottle.

  • Never let anyone mislead you.

  • Monkeys are notorious beings here. They tend to snatch away the eatables and even mobile phones sometimes. So, make sure you put everything in your handbags when you see a monkey around.

  • Do not indulge in narcotics of any form. It can land you in a deep soup.

  • If indulging in street food, check the quality.

• Q. Drinking Laws

  For Non Muslims, the legal age for drinking in Langkawi is 18 years. On the other hand, there is no legal age for drinking for the Muslims as it is against the law.

  
  

• Q. Our recommendations: What you can't afford to miss?

  Langkawi Sky Bridge

  It is a 125 meter long curved pedestrian bridges that offers a thrilling view of the breathtaking Telaja Tujuh waterfalls, Gunung Mat Cincang and the surrounding islands of the city. Nestled about 700 meters above the sea level, the bridge is very well accessible via the last station of the Cable Car ride. It is a robust bridge that is capable of accommodating about 250 people at a time. Relaxing and enjoying the cool breeze are few important things people do here.

  Eagle Square

  Eagle Square also known as the Dataran Lang is a dazzling 12 meter tall sculpture of an eagle waiting to take a long flight. It is displayed on the zenith of the elevated platform. It is a beautiful place to see and is only a 5 minute walk from the Kuah Jetty. Several malls, restaurants as well as duty free shops can be found here.

  Gunung Raya

  Located at an altitude of 881 meters, Gunung Raya is the highest peak in the city. If legends are to be believed, the mountain is cursed form of Mat Raya who once lived here. It is immensely popular destination for hiking. You can spot mountain hawk eagles, flying foxes, leaf monkeys, great hornbills, squirrels, macaque monkeys and white bellied sea eagles here.

  Langkawi Wildlife Park & Bird Paradise

  One of the best sightseeing attraction of Langkawi the Langkawi Wildlife Park & Bird Paradise houses more than 150 species of birds like toucans, parakeets, canaries, flamingos, eagles, hornbills, owls and ducks. Another attraction here is the manmade waterfall which is 15 meters tall.

  
  

  Langkawi Art in Paradise 3D Museum
  Langkawi Art in Paradise 3D Museum is an important tourist attraction of Langkawi that has over 200 alluring artworks that look nearly art life when captured in a picture. This museum is regarded as the biggest 3D museum of Malaysia. It is a three storey building that has nine interactive zones.
  

• Q. What you will like there?

  Discover a UNESCO World Geo Park

  In the year 2007, the majestic archipelago of the Langkawi was declared as the Southeast Asia’s first UNESCO World Geopark. Putting forth a history of 550 million years, it has some of the most intriguing and naturally evolved gems that are not worth missing.  The city has largely been shaped by the volcanic activity, erosion, plate tectonics and ocean submersion. As of today, several rock formations have also shaped the natural habitats. This indeed makes Langkawi a must visit tourist attraction.  

  Embark on a mangrove safari

  Delve into the spectacular limestone caves, wetlands and the secluded caves that can be accessed only by boat, to get the real flavor of Langkawi’s sightseeing. If you need to go ahead and explore further there is an exquisite natural oasis coupled with wildlife to keep you entertained. Langkawi possesses a wonderful bunch of surprises for the tourists. The forests of the sea are bona fide sites that are worth a visit. You can easily spot some monitor lizards, walking fish, eagles and fiddler crabs. Indulge in the wonders of rich ecology of Langkawi with a naturalist or a guide led boat safari from the beach resort. In this boat ride, you can learn from the guide how the mangroves have successfully contributed so well in this region.  

  Sail among picturesque islands

  Langkawi is a group of 99 islands that are all surrounded by placid waters which offer ideal sailing condition for island hopping and sunset cruise. In the past few years, Langkawi has become one of the most prominent boating destination that has four marinas which play a host to several prominent events like the Royal Langkawi International Regatta. Attending this event is indeed is an important thing to do in Langkawi.

  Go on a cultural tour

  Undertake a guided bicycle tour which meanders across the rural villages of the city to revel in the agrarian beauty of the rustic wooden houses that lie amidst the pervasive vistas of the rubber plantations, mud-soaked water buffaloes and the lush paddy fields. You can even find the local fishermen coming back with their day’s catch in the village of the Kuala Teriang. One important local tradition you’ll find here is milk tea being served with deep fried banana fritters which is widely loved but can be availed in the afternoon only.

  Food

  The Malay food can just impress anyone. Its sheer variety in the delicious dining options reflect the best in the Malaysian cuisine. But then, it is way more than that. Langkawi and Kuala Lumpur are indeed the finest place to indulge in the finest culinary delights. Here you not only get the Malay dishes but also cuisines such as Indian and Chinese. You can also relish on the native to inter continental and gourmet dishes. The traditional dishes here are characterized by the sweet smelling aroma, spicy flavor and the highly curried ingredients. Favorite Malay cuisine is known as Sambal which is made of lime juice, prawn paste and a hot paste of the chilies. Usually eaten with rice, this is one cuisine you simply cannot miss out in Malaysia.

  Ride a cable car to Mat Cincang Peak

  Another important thing to do in Malaysia is taking a cable car ride to the Mat Cincang mountain range. It is one of the oldest rock formations of the South east Asia. In order to explore it completely, you must take a thrilling aerial ride over the bushy forests at a height of 2,323 feet. It will assure invigorating views of the Langkawi coastline, surrounding islands and the peaks.

  Spot birds on Gunung Raya

  Gunung Raya is the highest peak in Langkawi. You’ll need to undertake a 13 km trek to reach the peak. The view atop is completely worth it all. From top of the peak, you can see the Mat Cincang Mountain, islands of the Thailand as well as the Kuah harbour. Bird watching is an important activity here. There are over 190 different species of birds found here. The place is in its full bloom during the months of April and October

  Relish on the underwater wonders

  At the Pulau Payar Marine Park, you can try out some interesting water sports like snorkeling or diving. It is one of the best marine park of the region and is enveloped by well-protected coral reefs that has several marine species. The mesmerizing marine life of the Andaman Sea is worth a watch.  

  
  

• Q. Recommended reads for destination (govt. websites, travel forum articles)?

  Website: 

  Langkawi Travel Website

  
  

• Q. When is the best time to visit Langkawi?

  The best time to visit Langkawi is between January to April. It's sunny and warm and is favourable for those seeking sun bath and snorkel tours. Also, the ocean is pretty calm at this time of the year making it perfect for water based activities like surfing, boat tours etc.

  • A good inflow of tourists starts from the November end and continues till mid April. People acquire their bookings prior to their trips before weeks and many-a-times before months as well. But also remember that this is the hottest time of the year here and temperatures rises up to 34°C.
  • If you love to see the lush green landscapes in full bloom and like it in the rains then September to October is the best time for you. It rains about 2 hours usually in the late afternoon and the night but the rest of the time is sunny.
  • Tourists also visit Langkawi between April and August when there are occasional rains, thunderstorms and cloudy sky pushing the temperatures below thirties.

• Q. How to reach Langkawi?

  There are umpteen ways to reach Langkawi. But the shortest way is taking a direct flight from Kuala Lumpur.

  • International Airport is about 20 kilometres from the town of Kuah and around 8 kilometres from Pentai Cenang.

   

  • If you have enough time taking a train to Butterworth is recommended. You will then have to catch a ferry to Georgetown across the strait to the Island of Penang. From there you can rent a car or ticket a train's journey to Langkawi. You can Also take a train from Kuala Kedah, Kuala Perlis and Pentai to Langkawi.

   

  • Cheapest way is taking a bus from Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Kedah or Kuala Perlis and then reach Langkawi. Taking a bus is suggestively a better option than a train.

• Q. What are the different things/activities to do in Langkawi?

  You can visit the following and engulf yourself into the activities the places offer -

  Lagkawi Cable Car (SkyCab): It takes visitors on a vertiginous 15 minute ride to the top of mount Mat Cincang, offering breathtaking views of Langkawi’s rainforests, islets and waterfall.

  Price range - RM35 for adults and RM20 for kids.

  Langkawi Sky Bridge : This 125 metre-long curved bridge offers an exhilarating (and sometimes terrifying) view of verdant Gunung Mat Cincang, Telaja Tujuh waterfalls and several islets surrounding Langkawi. Set 700 m above sea level, it is only accessible via Langkawi Cable Car Ride.

  Underwater world : Set on Pantai Cenang Beach town, it houses more than 500 species of sea creatures. It is known for its 15 m walkthrough underwater tunnel, where you can enjoy close-up view of sharks, giant stingrays and turtles.

  Price - RM40(adults) and RM30(children)

  Pulau Payar Marine Park : 30km south of Langkawi Island, it is a prominent spot for snorkelling and diving. Its Coral Garden is an eye candy.

  Kilim Karst Geoforest Park : Ranked #01 among langkawi’s attractions, it features a breathtaking landscape of limestone formations, mangrove forests, caves and beaches.

  Parasailing : If you wanna take a bird’s eye view of the white sandy coast and aquamarine blue water, then parasailing is a must try.

  Admiring arts in 3D Museums : It has 200 impressive artworks that appear lifelike when photographed. Hailed as the largest 3D art museum in the Malaysia and second largest in the world, should be there on your list if you’re willing to really explore the place.

  Street food at night markets : You must try super delicious and relatively cheap local food, especially at night.
  
  
  

• Q. Which are the best resorts to stay in Langkawi?

  Here is a list of the Ideal hotels and resorts to stay at Langkawi :
  Tanjung Rhu Resort - an excellent five star resort situated at Kedah provides free breakfast, currency exchange, Library, Free WiFi, a private beach, spa, Sauna etc.

  Charges Rs.35000 a night for two.
  The Andaman - a 5 star hotel situated at Datai Bay, Kedah. Facilitates you with free breakfast , free wifi, Pool, Spa, Parking etc.
  Room for two for a night- Rs.23000
  The Frangipani Langkawi Resort-
  Is a 4 star hotel with facilities like free wifi, pool, spa, parking and so much more. It is situated at Pentai Cenang, Kedah.
  Charges for a night for two- Rs.10000
  Aseania Resort Langkawi
  A 3 star hotel situated at Pentai Tengah, Kedah. Provides facilities like Pool, parking, AC etc. Charges Rs.6000 for a night for two.

• Q. What are the best public transport modes to commute around Langkawi?

  The Lush green islands of Langkawi are connected by Langkawi Jetty Point which also connects it to other destinations like Kuala Perlis, Kuala Kedah, Penang and Tamalang. To commute around the islands, you get ferries and rentals of Motorbikes, Scooters and Bicycles at very cheap rates. Apart from these there are Taxis and rental cars as well. There are buses running too connecting different parts of the islands.

• Q. Which are the best places for shopping in Langkawi?

  It's one of the best places to find handmade souvenirs. Langkawi also hosts a night market in different areas on a weekly basis where you can find a variety of things. Apart from these, here's a list of places where you can go around spending on yourself :
  Langkawi Fair Shopping Mall
  Situated at Langkawi, Kedah
  Opening hours: Daily 10:00— 21:00
  Element Mall
  At Langkawi, Kedah
  Opening hours: Daily 11:00— 21:00
  Zeno Duty Free Shopping Centre
  At Langkawi, Kedah
  Opening hours: Daily 10:00— 22:00
  Langkawi Parade
  At Kuah, Kedah
  Opening hours : Daily 10:00 — 21.00

• Q. Where can one enjoy Sky diving in Langkawi?

  Asia's ONLY beach skydive is at Langkawi.
  You can visit Tandem Skydiving, Skydive Langkawi or Harga skydive for your call. Visit the place, meet up a Tandem Master.
  Leave the rest on the team each of which has a licence and are pretty experienced. Some of them are even full time sky divers. They will definitely make you feel relaxed and safe with their professionalism.

• Q. Which are the famous wildlife sanctuaries and museums in Langkawi?

  Langkawi is an abode of so many wildlife sanctuaries and Museums.
  Here's few of them:
  Langkawi Wildlife Park
  Location: Lot 1485 Jalan Ayer Hangat.
  Opening hours: 8:30- 18:00
  Admission Ticket fee: Rs.600
  The Art In Paradise Museum
  Location: Jalan Tejagah Juluh
  Atma Alam Batik Village Museum
  Location: Kampung Padang, Mat Sirat, Kedah
  Laman Padi Langkawi Museum
  Location: Jalan Pantai Cenang, Kedah.

  Pulau Beras Basah
  Cost for Private Southern Island Geopark Tour : Rs.3500

• Q. What are some adventure activities one can enjoy in Langkawi?

  Langkawi stands as a humble abode to all the thrilling activities. Be it sightseeing, Hiking & Camping, Trekking, Eco tours, Horseback Riding tours, Nature and wildlife tours or if you like water based activities like Waterskiing, Jetskiing, Parasailing, Kayaking, Canoeing, Surfing, Fishing charters and Tours, Boat tours, Scuba & Snorkeling or if you like Aerial? There is Paragliding, Ziplining Rappelling, Aerial and Adventure Parks for you. Name it and Langkawi will not fail to excite you with its treasure trove.

• Q. Which are the famous beaches to relax in Langkawi?

  When it comes to relaxation, an ocean in front and a sun up head and peace & calm is what forms the picture.
  Langkawi is a home to beautiful beaches.
  Some of the them are-

  • Pentai Tengah - vast stretches of white sand. Has many restaurants and bars. Several host live music as well.
    Location: around the southern road bend of Pantai Cenang.
  • Burau Bay
    Its visited by 1000s of migratory birds and you can see them on the arched rocky outcrops.
    Location : Langkawi western Coastline.
  • Datai Bay
    Backed by a forest , this place is a complete relaxation to the senses.

  Location : Datai area at the northwestern end of Langkawi.

  • Tanjung Rhu
    Holds one of the the best Royal Agate Beach Resort.
    Location: just beyond Pantai Pasir Hitam

• Q. Where can one enjoy water sports in Langkawi?

  There are plenty of places to give a boost to your adrenaline levels.
  You can visit the following places to have yours :
  Seeman Watersports
  They have different packages and take you to different islands on jet skis.
  Location : Lot 12 Maliwalk Pantai Cenang MK,

  Prices : Rs 6000 onwards

  Langkawi Archipelago Jet Ski Tour
  Visit 8 different islands on Jet skis led by a professional.
  Location: behind Orkid Ria restaurant, Cenang beach
  Price : Rs 8,300 onwards
  Jet Ski Tour of Langkawi Fishing Village
  They offer a jet ski tour to Penarik fishing village for lunch and sightseeing.
  Location: Cenang Beach
  Price: Rs 17,600 onwards
  Full-Day Pulau Payar Snorkeling Tour from Langkawi
  Location: Kedah
  Prices : Rs 6500
  Mangrove Kayaking Tour from Langkawi
  Location: 2 Taman Vokasional
  Prices: Rs.5500

• Q. Which are the famous places for sightseeing in Langkawi?

  Apart from Beaches Langkawi has in it different sightseeing places as well. Some of the best ones are as follows -
  langkawi cable car
  One of the biggest attractions of Langkawi, provides the much desired access to the eastern cliffs' beautiful views.
  Location: Jalan Telaga Tujuh
  price- ?2900
  langkawi sky bridge
  It's a Curved suspension bridge offering scenic walks between mountaintops high above the trees. View? Breathtaking!
  Location: kedah
  price- ?4600
  Telaga tujuh waterfall
  Well, Who doesn't like a wild and nice waterfall?
  Location: telaga tujuh
  Kilim Karst geoforest park
  It's a nature park amidst the Mangrove trees lagoons & beaches, with river tours & a floating restaurant.

  Location: Jalan Air Hangat, Kuah
  Price: Rs.2900

• Q. Where can one enjoy Boating in Langkawi?

  There are so many places you can get on board at with your family and head for an amazing journey to Langkawi Islands. Here are some of those :

  Langkawi Boat Sales & Services Sdn.Bhd.

  Location - Rebak Island Marina Hardstand, Kuah

  Price - Rs.5000 onwards

  Pippen Marine (M) Sdn Bhd

  Location - Batu Ara Jalan Pantai Kok, Kuala Teriang

  Price - Rs.6000 onwards

  UNESCO George Park Tour

  Location -Tanjung Rhu jetty

  Prices - Rs.2000 onwards

  Damai Indah A Day in Paradise
  Location - Jalan Dato Syed Omar
  Price - Rs.7300 onwards

  Duration - 5 hours

• Q. How is Langkawi for Honeymoon couples?

  Langkawi is considered one of the best for vacations. It is nevertheless equally interesting and jovial for newlyweds & honeymooners.

  Langkawi has it's own charm in its peace and calm for the couples. Apart from beaches and resorts, Langkawi’s sightseeing will add more to your romantic trip.

  There are Romantic Spas, Dinner Cruises at Sunset, Nightlife of Langkawi, Bars, Hotels offering candle light dinners, waterfalls and water based activities and marine life at The Underwater world, Langkawi promising the two of you your dream honeymoon.

• Q. Which are the best treks to do in Langkawi?

  Langkawi has two of it's highest mountains namely Gunung Raya of an altitude of 881 meters and Mount Mat Cincang of an altitude of 701 meters. There are many trekking clubs which you can easily get near the shores. Most of the trekking trails and routes are through the rainforests that covers the two mountains letting you witness tall trees – some being hundreds of years old, with a variety of 410 different trees and about 200 species of birds cooing through the rainforests.