 |
| Main locations |
| |
 |
|
|
| |
Padang
Mat Sirat
As the falsely accused Mahsuri’s curse
settled on the island after her death, its people
endured years of strife that were punctuated by
frequent attacks from the rulers of Siam. In one
of these raids, the then ruler of Langkawi, foreseeing
an imminent defeat, ordered his people to burn their
own stocks of rice, so that it would not fall into
Siamese hands.
The stores and the paddy fields of Padang Mat Sirat
were set on fire that day and it is said that, to
this day, with heavy rainfall, blackened grains
are washed up in the soil around here.
Present day Padang Mat Sirat is at the heart of
Langkawi’s peaceful interior, and the mountains
fronted by green rice paddies are a soothing scene.
The small village has a rural, laid-back feel, despite
being within walking distance from Langkawi’s
International Airport.
Find
a hotel in the area |
| |
|
|
Bohor,
Air Hangat & Tanjung Rhu Beach
The sheltered bay at the northern tip of
the island holds one of Langkawi’s most scenic
beaches – Tanjung Rhu. Removed from the towns
and hubs of the island, it is the ideal place to
relax and enjoy the quiet lapping of the waves at
the shore.
Tanjung Rhu beach is also known as the ‘Casuarina
Beach’ because of the many Casuarina trees
growing here. The water is warm, shallow and clear
and at low tide you can wade over to the sandbank
to two small islands off the coast, Pulau Pasir
and Pulau Gasing. The bay faces to the west, making
this the ultimate spot for a spectacular island
sunset.
The nearby village of Air Hangat – which means
hot water –has its name from the hot springs
that can be found here. These springs are said to
be a leftover from the legendary argument between
Mat Raya and Mat Cincang – the two giants
that were turned into stone and now stand as the
mountains of the same name on either side of the
island. The quarrel between the two took place at
the wedding ceremony of two of their children and
pots with gravy and hot water were thrown all over
the island.
The Bohor area is where you can find a beach with
black sand as well as beautifully made local artwork
and crafts in the Craft Complex.
Find
a hotel in the area |
| |
|
|
| |
Ulu Melaka
The village charm of Langkawi is most evident in
Ulu Melaka, a quiet district at the heart of the
Island. Visitors are greeted with warmth and friendliness
and farmers, fishermen and villagers go about their
daily routine in an unhurried manner.
Wooden houses on stilts line the streets and water
buffaloes graze lazily in the grass. Chickens scamper
away from under children’s feet and dusk falls,
young boys and men gather around sandy football
patches to play in the last light of the day.
Find a hotel in the
area |
| |
Kuah
It is at Kuah Jetty where ferry passengers from
Georgetown, Kuala Kedah, Kuala Perlis and Satun
disembark to start their discovery of the legendary
island of Langkawi. The jetty and its complex are
surrounded by azure waters and as you approach land,
the great eagle statue welcomes you with outstretched
wings.
The name of the town itself is derived from Langkawi’s
legendary nature. Kuah means ‘gravy’
in Malay and the town is called so as a giant pot
of curry was said to have been spilled here in an
argument that erupted between the two giants Mat
Cincang and Mat Raya.
The shopping complex at the Kuah jetty houses a
large number of duty-free stores as well as international
restaurants. Car rental can be arranged here and
you can also purchase ferry tickets.
Once a sleepy town with a few streets, Kuah is now
the centre of commerce on the island. It still manages
to retain some of its old charm, as you join the
locals in haggling for bargains at the hawkers’
stalls. Many shops, restaurants, cafes, banks, a
post office and even a cinema screening local and
Hollywood films can also be found here.
Find a hotel in the area |
| |
Kuala
Teriang, Burau Bay & Telaga
Langkawi is fast establishing itself as a premier
yachting destination and the Telega Harbour Park
(www.telegaharbour.com) is testament to this. It
houses a brand new yachting marina (with a number
of berths allocated for term lease or tenancy),
bars, restaurants, shops, bank, post office and
a gas station (which is also why is often referred
to as the Petronas Quay).
It is probably best known as the base of Malaysian
sailing legend, Azaham Mansor, who became famous
as the first of his countrymen to sail around the
world. Today he has made his home on this island,
because of ready access to its excellent sailing
conditions and the laid-back charm that is the essence
of Langkawi.
From this marina, managed by the living legend himself,
sailing trips to the nearby Thai island of Ko Lipe
can be arranged. There are also a number of other
sailing trips that depart from here, giving you
the chance to experience the test and the adventure
of sailing the open seas.
Mount Mat Cincang dominates the scenery in this
area and the coastline is dotted with a number of
higher end hotels. Langkawi’s horses are also
stabled in the area for those that want to explore
the forest on horseback.
Find
a hotel in the area |
| |
Kedawang,
Pantai Cenang & Pantai Tengah
This is the liveliest location of the island, especially
at night. Cafes, restaurants and bars line the beach
where laid-back holidaymakers enjoy a barefoot meal
or a drink with their toes in the sand. Palm trees
line the beach, the water is clear and calm and
couples sit with stretched legs on the sand to watch
the sky swathed in colour at sunset.
Pantai Cenang was once exclusively the haunt of
backpackers. Now the crowds of bohemian travellers
have been joined by others seeking out the long
stretch of golden sand and the lively atmosphere,
together with the luxury of one of the handful of
five-star resorts.
Pantai Tengah is the southern extension of Pantai
Cenang and here the bustle, restaurants and accommodation
options thin out a little as the tranquillity increases.
Find
a hotel in the area |
| |
Pulau
Rebak (Rebak Island)
Just off the coast of Pantai Cenang, the only development
on the privately-owned island of Rebak Besar is
the Rebak Island Resort. The resort as an international
standard yachting marina and luxury chalets are
scattered over the spacious and artfully landscaped
gardens
The rest of the 389 acre island, named after the
Rebak tree, is covered in forest and fronted by
a curve of sandy beach. The island can be reached
from the Port Langkasuka jetty on Pulau Langkawi.
More about
the Rebak Island Resort |
| |
Pulau
Dayang Bunting (Island of the Pregnant Maiden)
The freshwater lake on Pulau Dayang Bunting (The
Island of the Pregnant Maiden) is both natural wonder
and an invigorating place to take a dip. The name
of the island originates both from the silhouette
that it carves into the sky and the legend that
surrounds the deep waters of the lake.
The legend tells a tale of the star-crossed love
of a local prince for a celestial princess. When
he finally won her heart, with the aid of ill-begotten
mermaids’ tears, she bore them a child. The
child died within only seven days. As the teary
princess laid the infant’s body to rest in
the lake, she blessed its waters so that any childless
couple would have their wish for a baby fulfilled
if they swam in the lake and drank from its water.
It is said that her spirit is still present on the
island, while her newborn was turned into a white
crocodile that swims in the lake.
Even if you are not a believer in the magical powers
of the lake, the vast sandstone cliffs, dark green
forest and the rounded hilltops reflecting in the
mirror-like emerald lake are enough reason to pay
it a visit. A pathway through the forest takes you
to the lake, where you can swim or hire a solar-powered
or paddle boat to go looking for the crocodile. |
| |
Pulau
Singa Besar (Big Lion Island)
This island is right next to the famed Pulau Dayang
Bunting (Pregnant Maiden Island) it is said that
the lion was put here as a guardian for Dayang
Bunting.
Set aside as a wildlife sanctuary, you can find
elusive mouse deer, giant monitor lizards and hornbills
here. The sedimentary rocks are estimated to be
some of the oldest in the region and the vegetation
on the island is dominated by Diptherocarp forest.
As this is a popular stop on the island hopping
tours, the pristine beaches of this island are best
reached in this way. Those that want to explore
the whole island are better off chartering a boat
early in the morning as a trek around Singa Besar
on the wooden walkways and pathways could take around
8 hours. |
| |
Pulau
Beras Basah (Wet Rice Island)
This island was so named when a boat carrying rice
capsized on its shore in a terrible tropical storm.
The storm is said to have been brought on by the
sailors’ indifference to asking the blessing
of Dayang Bunting, the pregnant
maiden.
The beach on this island is a popular picnic spot
and is best reached with one of the island hopping
tours. The water is calm and a clear blue, gradually
getting deeper, and is an excellent place to cool
off in the heat of the day. Sea sport equipment,
such as a banana boat, kayaks and snorkelling equipment
are for hire and there is also a small stand selling
soft drinks and snacks. |
| |
| Pulau
Payar (Payar Island)
Under the surface of the sea’s waves there
is an entire world waiting to be discovered. South
East Asian seas offer some of the most spectacular
diving, with their abundance of coral reefs and
tropical marine life. The best diving around Langkawi
is at the Pulau Payar Marine Park, which is a
one hour boat ride from the main island in the
direction of Penang..
Clear water and an abundance of coral are its
hallmark and it is claimed by many to be the most
beautiful marine park in the west of peninsular
Malaysia.
For divers visiting Langkawi, this is a must-see,
but scuba diving is not the only way to explore
the underwater treasures here. Snorkelling trips
can be arranged and you can even rent a glass-bottomed
boat here if you do not want to get wet at all.
Apart from the flurry of colourful tropical fish,
sharks, giant perches and eels have been spotted
in the area.
There are only very basic facilities on the island
and no accommodation. A floating platform with
an underwater observation deck is where boats
depart from. The marine park can be reached by
a chartered snorkelling or diving boat or by the
Langkawi-Penang ferry, which makes a stop here
along the way. |
| |
|
|
