1. Pantai Chenang
The Chenang Shore is located on the southern end of Langkawi and is one of the archipelago’s most beautiful beaches. Vacationers love to come here and while away a day. It has clean beaches, the bluest waters, and tons of excellent vacation facilities. Above the beach is a resort and plenty of charming local-style wooden huts that visitors can stay in. They have motorboats, waterskiing, and many other watersport activities on offer. Furthermore, there are plenty of professional seafood and Malaysian cuisine restaurants nearby.
Langkawi’s aquarium is right above this beach and has over 5,000 species on display. It also has a 15-meter-long 180° underwater tunnel and over 100 different sizes of aquarium tanks. As a result, you can see tons of sea creatures up close that you wouldn’t normally have a chance to otherwise. The biggest attractions are a shark that’s been raised in captivity, silvery pomfrets, grouper, green sea turtles, and many more. Feeding time is every day at 3:00 p.m.
Aquarium hours: 9:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Monday – Thursday, open until 8:30 p.m. Friday – Sunday
Admission: Adults – 38 RM, Child – 28 RM
2. Langkawi Sky Bridge
Snaking through the forest-covered mountains is the 125-meter Langkawi Sky Bridge. It’s suspended 687 meters above sea level, and its entire weight is supported only by the singular pillar in the middle. The bridge was completed in October 2004, and the support pillar is 87 meters tall. Eight suspension cables fan out from the top of the pillar and are responsible for holding up the entire mass of the bridge and its occupants. The bridge almost seems suspended in midair and bridges the gap between the island’s two highest peaks – hence the name “Sky Bridge.” It is numbered amongst the world’s top 10 “strangest bridges.”
When you first get onto the walkway, take a deep breath. For the beginning section, don’t look around. Follow the bridge for a hundred meters through the narrow 1-person-wide section until you get to the middle section. Here you’ll feel like you’re flying because the bridge will sway just a little. You’ll have an incredible view into the valley below. You also might be able to see Thailand’s waters in the distance. In case of inclement weather, the bridge will be closed.
3. Palau Payar
Palau Payar is a popular destination composed of several small islands and is about 19 km (40 minutes) from Langkawi’s main island. It has been demarcated an ocean sanctuary and the islands encircle protected waters that have excellent visibility. Wildlife here includes young sharks and coral reef inhabitants. A one-day tour here includes lunch and snorkeling, and you can reserve private scuba diving excursions. At a certain hour you can even feed the young shark pups. There are also viewing-platform and glass-bottomed boats you can take to explore the wondrous ocean floor.
4. Crocodile Farm
The Crocodile Farm can be found in Kubang Badak, about 32 km from Kuah. They care for over 1,000 different kinds of crocodiles there and do so in enclosures that imitate the animals’ natural habitat. Thus, these animals still retain many of their natural instincts. Visitors can spend as much time as they like observing and filming the crocs feed and play. In the spectacular crocodile performance, you can see the how the trainers coexist with these fierce, formidable creatures. An exciting spectacle, played out scene by scene!
Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (public holidays excluded)
Admission: Adult – 20 RM, Child – 10 RM
5. Pantai Pasir Hitam
Pantai Pasir Hitam is located in northern Langkawi and gets its name from its charcoal-black sand. As a result of the combination of ocean breezes, waves, and natural light, the beach has beautiful ripples that make the light glancing off of it dance. Every December or January they hold the national regatta competition here, which has become a regional highlight.
The reason Pantai Pasir Hitam’s sand is black is because it contains a black mineral. It’s said that in ancient times an ocean-floor volcano erupted and dredged up long-buried layers of clay and minerals. In the massive resettling that followed, through the pounding of the ocean and the blowing of the wind over the years, the black lava morphed into the endless stretch of black sand shore.
6. Seven Wells Waterfall
Seven Wells Waterfall is Langkawi’s top geological wonder and is located in its northwestern corner. The waterfall is separated into seven sections by the mountainside, and at the bottom of each section is water hole.
Legend has it that heavenly maidens used to come to these very pools to bathe and relax. Surrounding the Seven Wells Waterfall is lush forestland that lends gorgeous colors to the waterfall. After spending plenty of time at the beach, there’s no harm in balancing your life by coming out to this forested hidden gem.
Warning: The mountainside isn’t too steep, so you can climb it if you want. But since the water has been eroding the rock for years, it’s very slippery. There was once a tourist who lost his footing and had an accident. Take care as you climb.
Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
7. Mahsuri Mausoleum
12 km from Kuah, the Mahsuri Mausoleum was built to commemorate Princess Mahsuri from over 200 years ago. The tomb’s pond, gravestone, and burial mound are all carved from the island’s white marble and formed into elegant landmarks. Also present on the grounds is an artisanal cultural village in which all the buildings are up on stilts with agricultural tools and implements on display below. Permeating the burial grounds is gentle, traditional, instrumental music piped through speakers. On the road leading to the mausoleum is a statue of her with the tragic story of her death written on a tablet below.
Legend has it that the gorgeous Princess Mahsuri was princess of Langkawi. Her husband had to leave to go to war. A young traveling poet happened to stop by her home, and they became good friends. The chief’s wife was jealous of how beautiful Princess Mahsuri was and thus accused her of having an affair with the poet. Once Mahsuri was found guilty of adultery, she was condemned to death by knife. Everyone was astounded when instead of red blood, pure white blood flowed from her wound. This snow-white blood stained the Langkawi beaches white, declaring her innocence. With her dying breath, she cursed Langkawi to suffer for seven years and made it so that the only crop that would grow there was the inedible castor-oil plant. Soon after, Langkawi was met with a large scale Siamese invasion, and their economy suffered for years after.
Admission: Adult – 5 RM, Child – 3 RM
Hours: 7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
8. Tanjung Rhu
Tanjung Rhu beach is located in northern Langkawi, and just like all of Langkawi’s other beaches, the sand and water are heavenly. Tanjung Rhu’s point of individuality is that next to its sea cliff is a pine forest. At low tide, Tanjung Rhu and the surrounding islands merge to form one landmass, and you can walk from island to island, furnishing you with a truly unique experience.
It also has a legendary cave on whose walls you can find as yet undeciphered writing.
Pregnant Woman Isle & Lake:
Pregnant Woman Isle is the Langkawi archipelago’s largest islet. The silhouette of its mountain resembles that of a pregnant woman reclining, hence its name. The perfectly still, dark green Pregnant Woman Lake is a great place to play in the water, but the lake is extremely deep, so if you’re not a strong swimmer, please be cautious. In addition to swimming, you can also rent a paddle boat, allowing the non-swimmers to enjoy the gorgeous surroundings as well.
Actually, Pregnant Woman Lake also has a legend to go along with it. Long ago, there was once a king who married a heavenly maiden from the mountaintops. Their first child died prematurely, and the maiden in her grief buried the child in the cleansing waters of the lake. Thus doing, she bestowed magic upon the waters, which are said to be able to cure female infertility. Since then, women who would like to get pregnant have come here to drink a sip of water or bathe in the magical waters in the hopes of curing their infertility.
The island also has wild monkeys who don’t fear humans and in fact will come up to visitors to beg for food. Thus it’s not uncommon to see groups of humans and monkeys interacting and sharing food. Also keep an eye out for quick-as-a-flash lizards that are there one moment and gone the next.
Transportation: Rent a boat from Kuah Jetty or Chenang Beach or 15 minutes by car
Galeria Perdana:
Galeria Perdana is in Kilim, about 10 km from Kuah and contains the many grand gifts bestowed upon Malaysian prime ministers Dato Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad and Dato Seri Dr. Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali. Items include gemstones, wooden vessels, leather goods, silver, glass, and more. You can also see instruments, embroidery, and many other gorgeous artisanal pieces.
Hours: Tuesday – Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Fridays 10:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m., 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., closed Mondays
Admission: 10 RM
9. Eagle Square
Called Langkawi’s “Dataran Lang,” this soaring eagle statue was completed in October 1996. It symbolizes Langkawi’s future economic development and soaring prosperity.
In the old Malay tongue, Langkawi means “reddish-brown eagle.” The statue is 45 meters tall, carved out of marble, and, with the promenade it rests on, cost several thousand Malaysian ringgit. Not only does it represent traditional fantasy stories and architecture, but it’s also a metaphor for the booming prosperity Langkawi hopes to enjoy.
The public square above also has a beautiful pond, fountain, bridge, cloister, and a perfectly-planned layout. This is the perfect spot for a night visit, where you can enjoy the cool ocean breeze on your skin.
10. Lagenda Langkawi Dalem Taman
Lagenda Langkawi Dalem Taman is about ten minutes away from the eagle statue. It is chock full of native flowers, plants, fruit trees, and a plethora of statues display traditional Malay folktales. These statues give you a little insight into ancient history and legends, and a unique landscape plays a part in recounting these tales. This is a great place to see the rich cultural heritage that Malaysia has created over the centuries.
