Located on Malaysia’s west coast as part of the Kedah state, Langkawi is an archipelago of 99 islands. Surrounded by the beautiful Andaman Sea, its shorelines consist of white sandy beaches and pristine turquoise waters.
From Kuala Lumpur, you can get to Langkawi by direct flight to Langkawi International Airport. You can also take a bus or drive to Kuala Kedah jetty and depart by ferry towards Langkawi. The Swettenham Pier in Penang and Kuala Perlis Jetty in Perlis also serve direct ferries to Langkawi.
Besides being a beach-goer’s tropical getaway, There are many other interesting activities in Langkawi too!
Dataran Lang translates into ‘Eagle Square’ and is one of the most iconic landmarks of Langkawi Island; the 12-meter tall reddish-brown eagle statue is Langkawi’s most recognisable monuments. Why an eagle monument? According to folklore, Langkawi’s name came from two Malay words – ‘helang’ (eagle) and ‘kawi’ (reddish-brown).
The Langkawi Cable Car and Sky Bridge are probably two the most ‘Instagrammable’ attractions in Langkawi. The 15-minute cable car ride will take you up 708 meters to the peak of Mat Cincang Mountain. Here you can make your way to the Langkawi Sky Bridge and take in a panoramic view of the surrounding islands of Langkawi.
Makam Mahsuri is the tomb of the legendary Maiden Mahsuri, who was accused of adultery by a jealous party. It was said that she placed a cursed on Langkawi to have seven generations of bad luck when she was sentenced to death. According to legend, she bled white blood as she was pierced by the ceremonial dagger, a sign of her innocence.
The Underwater World Langkawi is home to 500 different species of marine life including sharks, turtles, stingrays, seals, and many more! The main highlight is a 15 meter underwater tunnel that allows you to observe aquatic life up close from all angles!
The Kilim Geoforest Park consists of 3 interconnected river estuaries that are rich in mangrove wildlife and other rare flora and fauna species. It was recognised as part of the UNESCO Network of Global Geoparks in 2006. There are many activities you can engage in, such as mangrove cruise and tour, cave exploration and monkey feeding.
Standing at 881 meters, Gunung Raya is the highest peak in Langkawi. It is a popular destination for jungle trekking, but you can also take a 30-minute drive up to the top, stopping by several lookout points along the way. At the top, there is a small park, museum, satellite control tower and a hill resort, perfect if you are looking for a quiet retreat.
Pulau Payar Marine Park is 30km south of the main island of Langkawi, and is 45 minutes away from Kuah Jetty by speedboat. The Marine Park comprises of four islands and is a popular site for snorkelling and diving enthusiasts, where you can observe Langkawi’s rich underwater marine life and colourful corals.
No trip to Langkawi is complete without visiting its two most popular beaches – Pantai Cenang and Tanjung Rhu. Located on differing areas of the main island, they are popular for different reasons as well. Pantai Cenang is well-known for being the more happening beach with an array of watersports such as jet skiing, paragliding, and banana boat riding. Tanjung Rhu, on the other hand, is slightly secluded and is more preferred by visitors who are looking for a relaxing vacation instead of an exciting one.
Many of Langkawi’s 99 islands are uninhabited, with its natural state well-preserved and untainted, thus are great options for island hopping. One of the most visited islands is Pulau Dayang Bunting which means ‘Island of the Pregnant Maiden’ due to its natural mountainous shape.
Langkawi is also famous for its many waterfalls, and one of the most famous is the Telaga Tujuh Waterfall. It is a rather steep climb up to the top, so be cautious on your way up. The scenery along the way is worth the climb; do keep a lookout to see if you manage to spot some monkeys or hornbills during your upwards journey.
From now until 31st December 2020, Sunway Travel is offering various ground tour packages to Langkawi that will suit all types of vacations. Whether you want a more free-and-easy trip with 4-star accommodations, or a more budget stay with self-drive car, there sure is something for you.
Check out all the available tour packages for Langkawi and other destinations here: https://www.sunway.travel/packages/. T&Cs apply.
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