Islands
and Beaches of Kedah
 Pulau Langkawi is the foremost
of a group of 104 islands lying off the coast of Kedah, in northwestern Malaysia.
Clustered together in a confusing, labyrinthine mass and
situated along a major trade route, the Langkawi islands
have--like the Islands of the Bahamas--a long history as
a refuge of pirates. Also like the Bahamas, the Langkawi
islands have in recent times become an
internationally-known resort destination, since the same
attributes that made the islands so advantageous for
piracy makes them ideal for tranquil, romantic holiday
escape. With a wealth of soft, powder-sand beaches,
limestone hills wreathed in mist, and cool emerald green
jungle forest, the natural beauty of these Malaysian
islands is irresistible.
In addition to their natural beauty and checkered
past, the Langkawi islands are notable for the wealth of
legends with which they are associated. The most
well-known of these tales is that of Mahsuri, a lovely
maiden executed after having been falsely accused of
adultery. As the blood flowed out of her dying body,
Mahsuri laid a curse on the island--that Langkawi would
be barren for seven generations. Soon after, the Siamese
attacked the island and ravaged it. Evidently seven
generations have passed, as the island today possesses an
abundance of enchanting flora and fauna in addition to a
wealth of world-class holiday accommodations.
 Among the many
leisure activities available on the islands are
snorkeling, scuba diving, boating, water skiing, wind
surfing and parasailing. There are many scenic beaches on
Pulau Langkawi, among them Pantai Cenang, Pantai Rhu,
Pantai Kok, Pantai Tengah and the black sand Pantai Pasir
Hitam. The seas around the island teem with fish, and
fishing trips can be arranged through your hotel. Car
rental is readily available for visitors interested in
exploring Langkawi's interior; the roads are good, the
scenery beautiful. Rustic Malay kampongs, rubber estates,
scenic padi fields, and placid water buffaloes all mark
the landscape. Migratory birds favor Langkawi, and the
islands are also home to a number of species of
butterflies not found anywhere else in the world.
Kuah
The main town of Pulau Langkawi, it has a population
of about 11,000. Located on the southeast of the island,
the town offers handicrafts of shell and local marble as
well as duty-free shopping. Its single main street runs
along the waterfront.
Mahsuri Mausoleum
Located about twelve kilometers from the main town of
Kuah on Pulau Langkawi. Mahsuri is the island's most
famous legendary figure.
Air Hangat Village
Formerly a popular hot spring known as Telaga Air
Hangat, Air Hangat Village is now a combination spa and
cultural experience park. Located on an extensive site
about sixteen kilometers north of Kuah, the village
presents performances of Malaysian and Southeast Asian
dances and traditional games as well as cultural shows
and activities such as trained elephant performances and
padi planting. The hot springs have been converted into
an impressive three-tiered fountain that is accompanied
by a hand-carved stone mural of their origins. Air Hangat
Village also offers duty-free shopping, as well as fine
Malaysian, Thai, and Indonesian cuisine served in its
on-site theatre restaurant. Air Hangat is open from 10 am
to 10pm daily.
Taman Buaya Langkawi (Langkawi Crocodile Farm)
The crocodile farm is situated at Teluk Datai, about
thirty kilometers from Kuah Town. The farm has more
crocodiles than one can easily imagine--over 1000 in all,
including several rare species, as well as some
alligators. Although there is an exhibition centre with
displays on the life cycle of the crocodile and many
specimens and photographs of every conceivable aspect of
crocodiles, the real draw here are the lurking thousands
of live animals. The farm has conveniently divided its
ponds so as to satisfy a whole range of common
fascinations. The ponds include:
- The Species Pond. A good place to start for those
who are still a little fuzzy on that
crocodile/alligator distinction.
- The Breeding Pond. A glimpse into the intimate
lives of average crocodiles.
- The Bridge-Over-Pond. The litmus test of people's
crocodile fears, this pond allows the visitor to
get a little more up-close-and-uneasy.
- The Feeding Pond. An incontrovertible
demonstration of the fact that crocodiles are way
too fast and dangerous to be your friend.
- The Show Pond. Man versus crocodile. An
opportunity to ponder why anyone would ever
decide to wrestle a crocodile.
The Lankawi Crocodile Farm is registered with The
Convention on International Trade and Endangered Species
(CITES). The farm includes dining and parking facilities
as well as a souvenir shop. It is open from 9:00am to
5:00pm daily. Admission Fee: Adults RM5, Children RM3.
Kampung Tanamas
Located about fourteen kilometers from Kuah Town, the
attraction of this modest village is that it offers
visitors a chance to participate in a number of
traditional Malaysian cultural activities. Kampung
Tanamas is open daily from 8.30am-6.00pm. Entrance Fee:
RM1.00 per person. (You can enter free of charge if you
have the receipt to enter Mahsuri's Tomb.)
Pulau Singa Besar
Located about forty minutes by boat to the south of
the main island of Langkawi. Because of its diverse
ecological environment, this small, undeveloped island
has been designated as a Bird and Animal Sanctuary. While
there isn't much to do here other than to observe nature,
the nature of Pulau Singa Besar rewards such attention.
How To Get There
- By Air: Malaysia Airlines has a direct
flight to Pulau Langkawi from Kuala Lumpur and
also from Penang. There is also direct service
from Singapore.
- By Rail: Rail services are available from
Kuala Lumpur to Alor Setar; then take a taxi to
Kuala Kedah for the ferry to Pulau Langkawi.
- By Road: The North-South Expressway makes
driving pleasurable from Kuala Lumpur to Kuala
Perlis, a journey which takes about 5 hours. From
here board a ferry to the island. (Regular
ferry services are available from Kuala Kedah and
Kuala Perlis on the mainland to Kuah, the main
town on Pulau Langkawi. The trip takes about an
hour.)
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