Lying between the Straits of Melaka and Andaman Sea near the border with Thailand, Pulau Langkawi is the biggest of 99 islands off the northwestern coast of Kedah. The island’s breathtaking beauty – pristine beaches, crystal clear sea water, a mesmerising sunset and above all, the bewitching legends that have given the island its magical lure – has made it a perfect destination for nature lovers.
In Langkawi, tourists will be pampered with a wide selection of activities, be it water sports, jungle walk, golfing, duty-free shops or simply basking under the warm tropical sun.
For visitors arriving in ferries, the town of Kuah is often their port of disembarkation.
Located southeast of the island, Kuah is a burgeoning business centre complete with modern hotels and commercial buildings. Here, you will find shops selling all types of merchandise as well as souvenirs made of shells and local marble.
12km from the town lies the Mahsuri mausoleum which is a spot not to be missed from any visitor’s itinerary. The mausoleum was built to commemorate the death of the young Prince Mahsuri who bled white blood when executed on fornication charges, a testimony of her innocence.Before she died, she cast the spell that the island would not enjoy prosperity for a total of 7 generations to come.
It was said that her spell was realised after her death.
When the Siamese army invaded Langkawi soon afterwards, the islanders were forced to blaze the paddy fields and traces of burnt rice can still be seen up to this day at Padang Matsirat, especially after heary rains.
Situated 14km from the town of Kuah, the Kampung Air Hangat hot springs is yet another attraction shrouded in mystery. Legends had it that the hot spring was formed when two families, tied up in a dispute over wedding proposals, cast a flask of boiling water on the floor.
Another scenic spot on the island is Telaga Tujuh lying 23km northwest of Kuah. Here, tourists can swim or picnic by the cooling stream that gushes its way down 7 tiers of ponds at a total height of 90 metres.
20km north of Kuah, Pantai Tanjung Rhu is a tranquil beach from where one can hop on to a few other exotic islets such as Pulau Pasir, Pulau Gasing, Pulau Dangli and Pulau Langgun.
To the west of Tanjung Rhu, one will come to the famed Pantai Pasir Hitam. As the name suggests, the sand on this beach is pitch dark. It is said that the sand is the tin-containing ore washed up to the shore from the crust of the seabed.
Another marvellous sight is Pantai Batu Kerikil where millions of stones litter the coastline.
There are numerous other pristine beaches on the west coast of Langkawi, among the more notable being Datai, Pantai Kok, Burau Bay and Pantai Tengah. Modern hotels and idyllic chalets are available for those who want to spend a night there. A host of water sports facilities such as windsuring, yachting and canoeing are also available.
You can also hire a motorboat to some of the scenic offshore islands. The return trips to Pulau Dayang Bunting, Pulau Beras Basah and Pulau Singa Besar should take about 4 hours.
Another popular beach is Pantai Cenang where you can find some established resorts and a good choice of water sports. The largest aquarium in South East Asia is located right here.
Off Pantai Cenang, the island of Pulau Rebak Besar boasts an idyllic resort and a yacht club. To the south of this little island and about 17km from Kuah, the Pulau Beras Basah fishing village offers a perfect setting for snorkelling and rod fishing.
Another alluring island accessible by boat is Pulau Singa Besar located 16km to the south of Kuah. The island boasts untouched rainforests, mangrove swamps and fine beaches, and has been gazetted a wildlife reserve. Within the reserve, one can find wild boars, mousedeers, hedgehogs, bats and many species of birds. The waters surrounding the island are teeming with fish, aquatic lives and corals. Although there are no hotels on the island, visitors are allowed to set up their tents for accommodation.
Located east of Pulau Singa Besar, the water of Tasik Dayang Bunting on the island of the same name is said to offer tremenous help to many an infertile woman.
North of Tasik Dayang Bunting, Gua Langsir (meaning the Cave of Elves) is said to be a mystical spot where the shrieks of thousands of bats residing inside the cave have added an air of eeriness to it.
Going to Langkawi Island
Malaysia Airlines and Air Asia have daily departures to Padang Matsirat airport on Langkawi from both Kuala Lumpur and Penang.
Tourists can also take a speedboat or ferry from Kuala Kedah or Kuala Perlis. KTM offers regular train services to Alor Setar and Arau, from where taxis and buses are available for the short trips to Kuala Kedah and Kuala Perlis.
