Langkawi
is the largest of a cluster of 104 islands located off the north-west coast of
Malaysia in the Andaman Sea. Commonly referred to as the ‘Jewel of Kedah’, the
emerald isle of Langkawi is a duty-free enclave and an immensely population
holiday destination.
Known
for its stunning white-sand beaches like Pantai Cenang, Pantai Kok, Pantai
Tengah and Tanjong Rhu which host a variety of beach resorts, the island offers
almost every possible watersports activity. However, when you feel like a
respite from this all beachside action, you can head out to explore some of the
other must-do attractions of Langkawi.
Take a ride on
the Langkawi cable car
The Langkawi cable car, the longest free-span,
single-rope cable car system in the world, provides a thrilling ride to the top of Mount
Mat Cingang, the island’s second highest peak that towers to height of 706m
(2,316-ft.). This steep cable car ride stretches traverses a distance of 2.2km
and usually extends over fourteen minutes. The rocky summit of Mount Mat Cingang hosts a long, curved suspension
bridge that affords gorgeous views of the island and the dense jungle that
covers the pinnacle .
Discover the treasures of the ocean at Pulau Payar Marine
Park
The Pulau Payar Marine Park
is located at a distance of 30km south-east of Langkawi. Easily accessed via a
one-hour boar ride from Langkawi, the Pulau Payar Marine Park makes a great
choice for a day trip. The park encompasses four unpopulated islands and offers
ample opportunities for snorkeling and scuba diving, as it is home to much
coral and marine life.
Pay a visit to Mahsuri Makam
Mahsuri
Makam is an attraction located in the village of Mawat that features the tomb
of the fabled Princess Mahsuri. The tomb which consists of a marble crypt is
associated with a sad tale referred to as one of the many myths of Langkawi. As
the story goes, Mahsuri, a beautiful princess of Langkawi was unjustly accused
of adultery by her mother-in-law and sentenced to death. At her execution, Mahsuri shed white blood to
the surprise of onlookers who were then immediately convinced of her innocence.
As Mahsuri lay dying she cursed the island of Langkawi by saying it would be
barren for the coming seven generations. However, this has not happened for the
island has developed and prospered over the ages.
Visit the marine creatures of Underwater
World
Langkawi’s Underwater World is a definite must-do if you are visiting
the island with your kids in tow. This
aquarium which is located on Langkawi’s famed Pentai Cenang beach is the
largest in Malaysia. Underwater World Langkawi showcases more than two hundred
species fascinating and varied marine life. The aquarium offers displays of
fascinating pelagic creatures like sharks and manta rays, along with various
other marine creatures like rockhopper penguins, fur seals, sea dragons,
lion fish, giant clam, pufferfish, sea anemones, hermit crabs and many more.
Go Kayaking on the Sungei
Kilim River
Various
tour operators in Langkawi offer organized trips to the Sungei Kilim Nature
Park, a protected mangrove swamp located on the northeast tip of Langkawi. This
picturesque nature reserve encompasses a diverse landscape that features dense
mangrove forests, isolated white sand beachfronts and blue lagoons. The park
also has the Sungei Kilim River flowing through it and the banks of the river
are inhabited by an assortment of much native flora and fauna. Various tour operators offer kayaking tours
on the Sungei Kilim River which are popular with visitors as they offer a
chance to observe much native fauna resident in the park like snakes,
monkeys, sea otters, sea eagles and monitor lizards. Other attractions of the park
include its bizarre limestone formations that emerge from the sea bed in the
midst of the dense mangrove swamps. These formations sport interesting if not
funny names like the ‘Hanging Gardens’, the ‘Temple of Borobodur’ and the ‘Elephant
Stone’. The banks of the Kilim River are
favored by migratory birds between the months of September and March and
constitute a popular bird-watching site.
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