Natural landscapes, impressive parks and iconic structures make Langkawi one of the most popular beach destinations in Malaysia. From trekking into the rainforest to wildlife-watching, diving into a wonderful underwater world, dirt-cheap shopping and partying up all night, there are entertainment opportunities in Langkawi to suit every traveller.
The archipelago of Langkawi is blessed with pristine beaches rated among the best in the world, namely Datai Bay, Pantai Cenang and Tanjung Rhu. The best way to explore the area is to rent a vehicle to make the most of what Langkawi has to offer. Here are some of the attractions you can't miss out on when you visit Langkawi:
Langkawi Sky Bridge
This 125-metre long suspended curved pedestrian bridge at an altitude of 700 metres offers breathtaking views of the verdant Gunung Mat Cincang, Telaja Tujuh waterfalls, and several islets surrounding Langkawi. To access it, you have to take the Langkawi Cable Car up to an observatory area and walk on the sky bridge.
Dataran Lang (Langkawi)
Located in Kuah town, Daratan Lang is a large sculpture 9 12 metre tall) of an eagle poised to take flight which has become a landmark of the island. Accordingly, Langkawi's name came from two Malay words - ‘helang‘ (eagle) and ‘kawi‘ (reddish brown). This manmade sculpture was designed to reflect the island's heritage, where the eagle is a symbol of Langkawi.
Also known as Eagle Square, Dataran Lang is conveniently surrounded by shops, eateries and covered pavilions that famous for housing events. The square comprises a landscaped area of about 19-acres bustling with fountains, small ponds and footbridges.
What really makes the Eagle Square special, however, is its view of the bay which opens out to the sea framed by mountains. When the night falls, the square comes to life with bright lights displayed everywhere, including the eagle sculpture.
Underwater World Langkawi
With over 500 species of sea creatures, raging from harbour seals to rockhopper penguins, seahorses, flamingos and mandarin ducks, Langkawi's Underworld World is an unmissable stop in the island. Take a walk through its 15-metre walkthrough underwater world and get up close and personal with sharks, giant stingrays and great turtles.
Gunung Raya
At 881 metres, Gunung Raya is highest mountain in Langkawi. Its enormity has sparked local legends that claim the mountain is the petrified form of a giant called Mat Raya.
Gunung Raya's dense forest is home to numerous wildlife, including leaf monkeys, flying foxes, macaque monkeys, squirrels, mountain hawk eagles, white bellied sea eagles and great hombills. Its natural beauty have made the mountain a popular destination for jungle trekking. If you are not an experience hiker, it is advisable to join a guided tour. Treks are timed to allow you to see wildlife during daytime - such as macaque monkeys, eagles, and great hombills - or after dark; namely, you can see some unique nocturnal in the rainforest like the flying fox and flying squirrels.
Alternatively, you can drive to the peak. The scenic drive takes 30 minutes and the road takes you through the dense rainforest, which won't allow you to see much. You can still see wildlife, however, as you drive up to the summit.
If you want to get the best views, you need to take an elevator that takes you to the top of the watch tower. Alternatively, you can take a cable car ride from Oriental Village to the peak of Mount Mat Cingcang. From the peak of Gunung Raya you can enjoy stunning views of the island and rainforest.
Palau Payar Marine Park
With beautifully colourful corals, Palau Payar Marine Park is a snorkeler's paradise. There you can explore the world under the sea level and step into the underwater observation chamber to view the marine life surrounding a reef. Indeed, the Coral Garden is one of the best features of Pulau Payar Marine Park. This is a secluded section of the park with colourful coral preserved thanks to its sheltered waters.
The islands that make up Pulau Payar lie just 30 kilometres south-east of Langkawi. From there, you can take a catamaran or a speedboat to explore the marine park, which extends over a number of islands, with Pulau Payar being the largest. The islands are strictly regulated by the Fisheries Department of Kedah to maintain their pristine condition, and thus, none of them are inhabited. If you want to explore the park, you need to obtain permission from the authorities, or join a tour group.