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Kuah Town
The capital of Langkawi is ideal for a lazy beachfront stroll or a browse in its several arts and crafts shops. You can also snap up a bargain at the Langkawi Fair shopping Mall - Langkawi is a tax-free island so many household items can be a real steal here.
Dataran Lang
Translated as 'Eagle Square', this large square area that forms part of the town centre's harbour hosts a giant, and very realistic, statue of an eagle that overlooks the water. Eagles were once a prominent feature of Langkawi in its early history and this pays tribute to this great bird of prey
Air Hangat Village
This natural underground spring is free entry and open from 9am to 6pm each day. You can relax in the warm, soothing water, which forms part of an ancient Langkawi legend which claims that the site sprang up from a feud between two families where pots of hot water were smashed and spilled into the ground
Langkawi Cable Car
Mat Cinchang mountain is the highest point in Langkawi and the cable car takes around 15 minutes to reach the first viewing platform and a further five to reach the top station, which is 709 metres above sea level and offers a panoramic view of the Langkawi coastline to the north of the island. Open daily, 9.30am to 7pm.
The capital of Langkawi is ideal for a lazy beachfront stroll or a browse in its several arts and crafts shops. You can also snap up a bargain at the Langkawi Fair shopping Mall - Langkawi is a tax-free island so many household items can be a real steal here.
Dataran Lang
Translated as 'Eagle Square', this large square area that forms part of the town centre's harbour hosts a giant, and very realistic, statue of an eagle that overlooks the water. Eagles were once a prominent feature of Langkawi in its early history and this pays tribute to this great bird of prey
Air Hangat Village
This natural underground spring is free entry and open from 9am to 6pm each day. You can relax in the warm, soothing water, which forms part of an ancient Langkawi legend which claims that the site sprang up from a feud between two families where pots of hot water were smashed and spilled into the ground
Langkawi Cable Car
Mat Cinchang mountain is the highest point in Langkawi and the cable car takes around 15 minutes to reach the first viewing platform and a further five to reach the top station, which is 709 metres above sea level and offers a panoramic view of the Langkawi coastline to the north of the island. Open daily, 9.30am to 7pm.
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Langkawi Bird Paradise
A smaller version of Singapore's Jurong Bird Park, and none the poorer for it with a suberb interior landscaping that houses an incredible 2,500 birds from around the planet. It includes an enormous walk-in aviary with beautiful man-made waterfall where you can view 1,500 free-flying birds in a natural habitat. There is also a small 'farm' area for the children featuring baby rabbits- not to be missed.
A smaller version of Singapore's Jurong Bird Park, and none the poorer for it with a suberb interior landscaping that houses an incredible 2,500 birds from around the planet. It includes an enormous walk-in aviary with beautiful man-made waterfall where you can view 1,500 free-flying birds in a natural habitat. There is also a small 'farm' area for the children featuring baby rabbits- not to be missed.
Oriental Village
This picturesque theme village next to the Berjaya resort offers a host of shops selling holiday trinkets for friends and family as well as locally-produced craft ware. It is based around a man-made lake with a connecting Chinese style bridge and has several restaurants, including one of the best Thai eateries we have tried.
Galeria Perdana
A fascinating collection of gifts presented by world leaders to Malaysia's former Prime Minister, Yang Amat Berhormat Dato Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his wife Yang Berbahagia Datin Seri Dr Siti Hasmah bt Mohd Ali. A collection of cross-cultures' art and crafts housed in a two storey building; includes jewellery, earthenware and even a collection of cars.
Seven Wells Waterfall
Be prepared for a long, long steep walk to reach the top of the Seven Wells - named so because of the seven pond areas that have eroded over millions of years. The waterfall above it fills these wells before pouring over another precipice. You can relax by the waterfall or climb into a sheltered viewing platform. Bring binoculars.
This picturesque theme village next to the Berjaya resort offers a host of shops selling holiday trinkets for friends and family as well as locally-produced craft ware. It is based around a man-made lake with a connecting Chinese style bridge and has several restaurants, including one of the best Thai eateries we have tried.
Galeria Perdana
A fascinating collection of gifts presented by world leaders to Malaysia's former Prime Minister, Yang Amat Berhormat Dato Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his wife Yang Berbahagia Datin Seri Dr Siti Hasmah bt Mohd Ali. A collection of cross-cultures' art and crafts housed in a two storey building; includes jewellery, earthenware and even a collection of cars.
Seven Wells Waterfall
Be prepared for a long, long steep walk to reach the top of the Seven Wells - named so because of the seven pond areas that have eroded over millions of years. The waterfall above it fills these wells before pouring over another precipice. You can relax by the waterfall or climb into a sheltered viewing platform. Bring binoculars.
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WHAT IS LANGKAWI?
Langkawi island sits to the northwest of Malaysia's most northerly states, Perlis, and lies parallel with southern Thailand to the east. In fact, if you find yourself travelling to the far north of Langkawi where such resorts as The Datai and The Andaman are situated you will find the roaming network on your mobile phone switching over to Thai telecoms. As the island was once the home to eagles, known as 'Helang' in Malay and is also rich in marble, known as 'Kawi' in Sanskrit, it is believed these two words were combined to produce Langkawi. However, another legend ascertains that in Sanskrit the word Langka means 'beauty' while 'Wi' means many, hence Langkawi means 'many beautiful islands.' (There are in fact 103 smaller islands surrounding the Langkawi, stretching out into the Malacca Straits and the Andaman seas). The indigenous population is today around 60,000 and the majority of income generated by the island is through tourism. Its clean seas and sandy beaches, plus tax-free shopping make it a haven for tourists. |
THE CAR
The five door Chevrolet Optra 5 dispels any myths that you need at least 2-litres of engine capacity to travel from one end of a country to another. The five speed automatic box works well with a smooth 1.6-litre 4-cylinder engine and, providing you stay within the Malaysian legal highway limit of 110kmh, the Optra's power unit is much quieter than the sometimes intrusive wind noise that flows past the 'A' pillar. A sport mode kicks the engine revs up by another 1000rpm for surprisingly brisk acceleration. This is the sportiest looking Optra available - it has aggressive looking tail lights that wrap around a very sleek looking rear end offering both good looks and good rear storage space with back seats folded flat. It sporty looks are complemented by a surprisingly stiff suspension, which has very good damping dialled-in. It means while corners can be taken with gusto, bumpy sections are also well catered for. A genuine revelation as a long-distance mile-muncher.
Courtesy of Automobile Association of Singapore