Not far from the border with Thailand, in Malaysia, washed by the Andaman Sea, is the Langkawi archipelago. Of the numerous islands of the magnificent archipelago, only Pulau Dayang Bunting, Pulau Tuba, Pulau Singa, and the largest of them, Langkawi, are inhabited.
Langkawi Island (Malaysia) is a real paradise for travelers who prefer a comfortable and relaxing holiday. The best time to visit here is from November to July. From July to October, the rainy season begins in these parts.
Description of the island
Today Malaysia has become very attractive for many tourists. Langkawi, reviews of which are always enthusiastic, amazes guests with its beauty. The archipelago consists of 104 islands located in the Andaman Sea. Most of them are uninhabited.
The largest of them, the island of Langkawi (Malaysia), the photo of which you can see in our article, has a well-developed infrastructure. Its name can be translated as "island of the red eagle". This is not at all accidental - rare birds actually live here. These are eagles with red-brick wings.
Langkawi Island (Malaysia) is located near the border with Thailand. Its area is 478 sq. km. The population is 65 thousand people. The capital of the island is Kuaha.
Natural conditions
Malaysia is a warm and sunny country. Langkawi is no exception. The average air temperature is about 25 °C (annual). The island of Langkawi (Malaysia), whose photo is often placed in the brochures of travel agencies today, is distinguished by its rich flora and fauna.
The local population, in addition to the tourism business, is engaged in animal husbandry and crop production. A variety of fruits and vegetables, grain crops are grown here, livestock is bred. The most convenient way to get around the island is by rental car at one of the many points.
What attracts tourists to the island?
Malaysia (Langkawi, in particular) is famous for its luxurious beaches, comfortable hotels, perfectly clear emerald water, rich underwater world, mysterious caves covered with many legends. One of them tells about the beautiful princess Mahsuri, who was unjustly accused of adultery by her enemies and sentenced to death. We will tell you more about it below.
Another legend says that on one of the nearest islands there is a lake of a pregnant maiden. According to legend, a barren woman who bathed in it will certainly soon become a mother. And today, thousands of women suffering from this disease come to the "magic" lake.
The island began to prosper after being prime ministeroccupied Mahathira Muhamed. The island of Langkawi became a free trade zone (1987) and began to gradually turn into a center for international tourism.
Rest
Langkawi Island (Malaysia) is becoming more and more popular with tourists from all over the world every year. Rest here can be very diverse - from beach to sightseeing. Here you can swim with a mask and snorkel, dive into the depths with scuba diving, ride a jet ski on the waves, fly behind a boat on a parachute.
Wildlife lovers will be interested in hiking in the jungle or exploring the wonderful world of coral islands and caves. Local SPA centers are also popular, bringing back the harmony of body and soul.
Sailing enthusiasts will not be bored either. They know Malaysia well. Langkawi is famous for the luxurious Royal Yacht Club, which regularly holds sailing regattas.
Beaches
The main beaches of the island are located in its northern and western parts. The more democratic ones are located south of the airport - these are Cenang and Tangan. On the border of these beaches is the Underwater World aquarium, as well as a duty-free shop.
Very popular hotels have been built on Cenang Beach: Holiday Villa, Frangipane, Meritus Pelangi. Langkawi (Malaysia) has beaches for every taste. For example, those who want to spend time in a deserted place can recommend a secluded and calm KOK beach. It is located northwest of the airport. There are several luxury hotels here.
Many touristsIt is believed that the best beach of the island is located in Danai Bay. It belongs to the best Andaman and Datai hotels. Another picturesque beach is located in the northeast of the island - this is Tanuung. At low tide, tourists can see here how the spit opens, linking Langkawi with the neighboring island.
Hotels
Malaysia is famous for its many fine hotels. Langkawi Island offers hotels for every taste. Let's introduce some of them.
Tanjung Langkawi
This luxury hotel is one of the most romantic on the island. Newlyweds and families with small children love to stay here. It offers 136 rooms in total.
The hotel is located in the north of the island, has its own beach, which is famous for its white sand, clear sea and magnificent sunset. It offers guests a bar, 4 restaurants, two swimming pools (outdoor), one of which is filled with sea water, a kids club.
The hotel rooms have a panoramic view and are decorated in an oriental style. Soft and delicate Thai silk and Indian fabrics are used here, as well as amazing tropical flowers.
The Anjungan
This is a small resort located on the most popular Pangkor beach. It is a 2-3-storey building. The rooms have a balcony (or veranda), as well as access to the courtyard or pool. The hotel is suitable for families with children, its rooms can accommodate up to five people.
There is a small swimming pool, a five minute walk to a public beach, and a fifteen minute walk to a secluded beach. Langkawi Hotels(Malaysia), according to tourists, are distinguished by a well-groomed territory, a harmonious combination of price and quality.
There are numerous cafes and bars nearby. If you sail on a boat for only five minutes, you will find yourself on a picturesque island where you can go snorkeling. Internet is paid, there is a safe at the reception.
Pangkor Laut Resort
This is a great complex, which is a few villas on stilts. It is located on the island of Pangkor Laut (private). The hotel is distinguished by the highest level of services offered and the highest level of service that can impress the most demanding guests.
Luxurious beach belonging to the complex, washed by the waters of the Bay of Bengal. Here you can fully enjoy privacy. Rooms are spacious and elegantly decorated, with stunning views of the sea and the jungle, which is home to monitor lizards, monkeys, tropical birds.
Malaysia, Langkawi attractions
Tourists who have visited this wonderful island note that, in addition to a magnificent beach holiday, they devoted a lot of time to studying local memorable places.
To allow the guests of the island to fully appreciate its beauty, the Sky Bridge was built at an altitude of seven hundred meters between the Gunung Mountains. Langkawi (Malaysia) can be proud of this building. It rushes to the sky, and from here a stunning view opens up.
This magnificent building was built in 2004, and it became available for visits in 2005. Today herecognized as the highest (single-support) bridge on our planet. Astonishingly, it actually rests on a single heavy-duty metal support. Its weight is distributed over eight cables that are attached to the support. It hangs over the abyss and in windy weather its swaying is especially felt.
This amazing place is the island of Langkawi (Malaysia). The bridge at first glance seems not very reliable, however, its safety was in the first place in the design. Experts say that it is completely safe. It has a carefully thought out evacuation system (for emergencies).
Furthermore, at the highest level, there are strong special steel handrails, thick wire nets and wooden flooring. The bridge is 125 meters long and 1.8 meters wide. Along its edges are triangular platforms. They play the role of viewing platforms where you can stand and admire the magnificent views of the Andaman Sea, Langkawi and neighboring islands. Thanks to its curved shape, you can appreciate the scenery from different angles.
Cable car
Malaysia has become very popular today. Lankawi is an island that is famous for its cable car. It originates in the Oriental Village. A modern cabin lifts tourists to the top of Mount Mat Chinchang. From this point, the whole island is in full view.
On a clear day you can see the Thai shores to the north and the skyline of Indonesia to the west. The cable car is included in all tourist routes. It is located at an altitude of 708 meters. The air temperature at the top is about five degrees cooler than at its foot.
Oceanarium
Langkawi Underwater World is Asia's largest aquarium, which is famous for having more than 5,000 marine life living in a hundred tanks. The uniqueness of the structure lies in the fact that it is a 15-meter tunnel, which is filled with 800 thousand liters of sea water. Here you can admire the diversity of the underwater world.
Predatory sharks swim very close to the visitors. They are separated from the marine life by 38 mm of high-strength sheet glass. It is considered very rare in the world.
Makhsuri Mausoleum
This building is located very close to the capital of the island - the city of Kuah (12 km). A sad, but slightly embellished legend is associated with him. Legend has it that the sandy white shores of the island of Langkawi are nothing but the bright blood of an innocently killed extraordinary beauty - Princess Mahsuri, who was accused of cheating on her husband and killed.
In vain she tried to explain that her enemies had slandered her - the judges were inexorable. The executioner, who pierced the beauty with a dagger, like all the inhabitants of the island, saw that the blood of a young woman was white. This spoke of her purity and, therefore, confirmed that an unjustified murder had been committed. Dying, the princess said that various troubles await the island in the future - black buffaloes will give birth to white cows, the sand will turn black (this is the sand that covers Pasir Hitam beach), and the islandLangwari will completely disappear.
In the early nineteenth century, the Thais repeatedly tried to wipe out the island of Langkawi, and the man responsible for the death of the unfortunate princess died unexpectedly. At the site of the murder of an innocent victim, the Mausoleum of Makhsuri was built from snow-white, like her soul, marble. Today, tourists come here from all over the world to pay tribute to innocence and purity.
Makhsuri's grave is now a place of worship, when entering the mausoleum, you must take off your shoes. In the garden, you will be shown an ancient well, which, according to legend, was dug by the princess herself. Even in the dry months it does not dry out. Locals claim that if you wash yourself with water from it, happiness will never leave you.
Telaga Tujukh
This is the name of the seven magnificent lakes, which are located one above the other on the gentle slope of the mountain. Ice water flows from lake to lake. An ancient legend says that beautiful fairies descended from the top of the mountain here to wash their luxurious hair and bathe in crystal clear water. Nearby is the Durian Perangin waterfall. Nature divided it into seven streams. The height of this giant is ninety meters. At its foot, below, there is a so-called bath - a natural depression, which was chosen by tourists for swimming. You can approach it along a narrow path cut through the jungle.
On the way, it is likely that you will meet dozens of curious monkeys. If you are not careful, they will definitely try something from you.pull off. Children will be happy to slide down the slopes of the lower "wells" into the water.
Kuah City
This small town is the capital of the island of Langkawi. It is located in the southeast of the island. Its population is about 24 thousand people. Until recently, it was a small village.
The name of the city is translated as "gravy" or "sauce". It owes this strange name to two legendary giants who, having competed in strength, overturned a vessel with spicy curry sauce exactly on the spot where the city stands today. In any case, this version of the origin of the name is contained in an old legend told by local residents.
This quiet, tiny town, after being declared a free trade zone, gradually began to turn into an international tourist center with magnificent hotels, parks, squares and shopping centers. Kuah has many supermarkets and fairly large stores of world famous brands, small shops that sell products made by craftsmen, restaurants and cafes offering dishes of Asian, Oriental and European cuisine.
In Kuah is the fashionable resort of Langkawi Island. Diving enthusiasts can get daily from the capital on a small boat to the island of Pulau Payar, where you can admire the magnificent coral reefs.
Eagle Square
This is one of the most frequently visited attractions in Langkawi. On a high pedestal there is a sculpture of an eagle, which is preparing to take off. Herheight - 12 meters. From the square where it is installed, a delightful view of the bay and the city of Kuah opens up.
Here there are small fountains, spacious terraces and openwork bridges - this is a great place for memorable photos. The figure of a reddish-brown eagle is the symbol of the island of Langkawi. The name of the island comes from two words: eagle (helang) and reddish brown (kawi).
Bird Park
Talking about the interesting places of this marvelous island, one cannot but mention the Bird Park. It has collected more than two and a half thousand representatives of a wide variety of birds - owls and eagles, canaries, hornbills, flamingos, toucans. Some of the park's inhabitants can only be found in Asia.
Besides birds, other animals also feel quite comfortable here - for example, an amazing animal that looks like a cat and a bear at the same time. It is called binturonga. In addition, in this park there is an opportunity to take a fascinating walk along a 15-meter aviary with an artificially created waterfall. This is a great place to stay with kids.
Crocodile Adventure Land
Malaysia is famous for many interesting places. Langkawi, reviews of which are simply enthusiastic, invites its guests to visit this amazing attraction. It was created for tourists on one of the world's largest crocodile farms. It contains more than 1000 predators. If you have already been to a crocodile farm, for example, in Thailand, then you will not be very surprised. If you have not had to visit suchmenageries, you are sure that the impressions received here will last you for a long time.
Twice a day, trainers show a fascinating crocodile show for visitors. Here you can also buy products made of crocodile skin and stuffed animals of these reptiles. And as a gift you will be given a real crocodile tooth.
Rice Museum
The unique museum was created in order to attract and interest tourists with eco-tourism. In addition to the rice itself of various varieties, the exhibits of the unusual museum are countless illustrations and photographs, mechanisms and tools that allow growing this crop. The museum, together with rice fields, covers an area of 5.5 hectares.
Langkawi Island (Malaysia): reviews of tourists
Most of the people who were lucky enough to visit this amazing island, express undisguised delight from the trip. Magnificent nature, exotic plants and animals, hospitable locals and the highest level of service exceed the wildest expectations of even seasoned travelers.
Langkawi island (Malaysia) is perfect for families with children. Tourist reviews confirm that children here can not only splash around in the warm sea, but also get acquainted with exotic plants and animals.