The main city of Langkawi is Kuah. There is one street with shops, a pier and Dataran Lang (“Eagle Square”) with many restaurants. The area is decorated with artificial reservoirs, bridges and covered terraces. Next to it is the Park of Legends (Taman Lagenda), which exhibits exhibits that tell about the myths and legends of the archipelago. 10 km from Kuah, there is the Perdana Gallery with an almost Brezhnev-like extensive collection of souvenirs and awards presented to former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and his wife. The collection contains more than 2,500 exhibits: exquisitely made objects made of crystal, tin alloy, ceramics, porcelain, as well as paintings.
Note: according to allcitypopulation, the population of Malaysia is 32.78 million (2021).
It is worth seeing the black volcanic sand beach of Pantai Pasir Hitam, the snake and crocodile farms and the Telaga Tujuh (Seven Wells) waterfall in the north-west of the island, falling from a height of 91 m, the seven streams of which form seven beautiful lakes.
Aquarium “Underwater World” (Underwater World Langkawi) – one of the best in the world, located on the coast of Cenang. This is the largest aquarium in the country, where you can see huge representatives of the underwater world in equally huge aquariums. Plus, a 15-meter glass tunnel, which is pointless to talk about – it must be seen.
In addition, the Rice Compound, Laman Padi Langkawi (Laman Padi Langkawi) is interesting on the Chenang coast – a unique agro-tourism attraction of the island. Here you can get acquainted with the whole history of Malaysian rice growing, visit the Rice Museum, try your hand at planting seedlings in a real field and taste traditional Malay cuisine at a local restaurant.
Even on Langkawi, you can admire the mythical figures and ancient inscriptions in the cave of Gua Chrita (Gua Cerita); to be frightened by a flock of bats in Gua Kelawar cave, which is hidden in the heart of the mangroves, but reachable by boat from the village pier in Sungai Kilim; take a cable car ride to the observation decks of Mount Mat Chinchang and soak in the hot springs of the village of Ayer Hangat. Not far from the springs, a modern complex of the same name was built with souvenir shops and exhibitions of folk crafts; cultural performances are also often held here.
Not far from the beach of Pasir Tengkorak (Pasir Tengkorak), or “Coast of Skulls”, there is a Museum and Cultural Fund, created on the initiative of the most eminent artist of Malaysia – Ibrahim Hussein. Museum visitors can get acquainted here with the most outstanding canvases of the painter.
Near Teluk Yu Bay (Shark Bay), about half an hour from the airport, is the Crafts and Culture Complex, a one-stop shop where you can buy a variety of traditional goods created by folk craftsmen. In addition, there is a mini-theater and a museum of culture.
In Kampung Belanga, on the Air-Khangat Highway, is the Langkawi Bird Paradise, Asia’s first fully roofed bird park. Walking along the paths of the park, visitors can admire 150 different exotic bird species with a total number of over 2,500 specimens: macao, flamingo, cockatoo. The Taman Buaya crocodile farm is organized according to a similar principle, where a thousand reptiles of different ages live.
For a snack – a visit to the island of Pulau Dayang Bunting, where the lake of the Pregnant Maiden of volcanic origin is located. It makes sense to look at the Durian-Perangin waterfall and the restaurant lost in the depths of the island with an unexpected (no, it was not for nothing that Brezhnev was remembered) name – “USSR”.
The history of the island is connected with the famous legend of Princess Mahsuri, who, according to legend, cursed the island, promising that Langkawi would remain desolated for seven generations. And indeed, for two hundred years the island was haunted by misfortunes. You can learn more about this intriguing legend 12 km from Kuah, in the mausoleum of Mahsuri (the most famous heroine of the island, unjustly accused of adultery).
One of the most popular excursions on the island is a tour of the islands of the Langkawi archipelago. The tour starts from the pier in Kuah and takes 45 minutes by speedboat to the first point of the route – the island of Pulau Singa Besar, which is interesting for its bird sanctuary and a 100-meter suspension bridge, as well as a wonderful sandy beach. Then the boat goes to the island of Pulau Dayang Bunting, where the legendary Lake of the Pregnant Maiden is located. Before returning to Langkawi, tourists are taken to swim in the paradise island of Pulau Bras Basah. Tour duration: 4 hours.
Very popular is also an excursion to the Pulau Payar island marine reserve, where you can go scuba diving or snorkeling.
Diving in Langkawi
The number one place for diving in Langkawi is, of course, the marine reserve in the waters of Payar Island – Pulau Payar Marine Park. In addition to the islet Payar itself, its territory includes the islands of Lembu, Segantang and Kacha. Here you can see a stunning variety of corals and exotic fish, as well as a couple of fishing trawlers near the island of Kacha.
You can get to the park from Kuah Pier by speedboat in just an hour.
