Tourism Langkawi {dot} Com

On a clear day, you can see parts of Thailand towards the north and Indonesia towards the south-west. The cable car ride up the hill takes about 20 minutes and is highly exhilarating. At the top, there are two stations as well as a viewing bridge that let you take in all of Langkawi. As a bonus, your ride will take you over jungle waterfalls and a thick carpet of virgin rainforest. It’s a very educational and thrilling experience for the whole family.

Key Tips
Simply fantastic views from the top! It would be a shame to miss this if you make your way to Langkawi.

How to get there
By Road
Langkawi Cable Car is located on the southwest coast of the main island, just a 30-minute drive from Kuah Town and only 15 minutes from Langkawi International Airport. Your best bet is to either hire a car or a taxi for the day and explore the island at your own pace.

Who to contact
The Cable Car Office is at Oriental Village, Jalan Telaga Tujuh, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah Darul Aman, Malaysia. Tel : 604-9594225 Fax : 604-9594121

Eagle Square is Langkawi’s most prominent landmark for visitors arriving by sea.

Situated near the Kuah Jetty, the main attraction of the square is the magnificent statue of the reddish brown eagle majestically poised for flight. According to local folklore, Langkawi derived its name from- the eagle or “helang”. In old Malay, “kawi” denotes reddish brown – hence, Langkawi means reddish brown eagle!

The square is beautifully landscaped and features scenic ponds, bridges, covered terraces, restaurants and barrel vaults made of bricks. Its close proximity to the sea and the soft breezes make it an ideal spot for leisurely walks and a tranquil setting for dining in the cool evenings.

The square is beautifully illuminated at night and presents a dramatic scene as you approach the island by sea. Indeed, the majestic eagle is strategically positioned to welcome visitors to Langkawi.

The Pulau Payar Marine Park is situated in the northern part of the Straits of Melaka, 19 nautical miles south of Langkawi and encompasses the islands of Pulau Payar, Pulau Lembu, Pulau Segantang and Pulau Kaca which are surrounded by coral reefs. The marine park teems with a fascinating diversity of marine life and vegetation.

Many endangered species of fishes and marine organisms live within the sanctuary. Measuring 2km long and 1/4 km wide, Pulau Payar is the most popular of the islands as its sheltered waters are ideal are for snorkeling, diving and swimming. Among the enchanting dive spots is the “Coral Garden”, an area covered with bright, multi-hued soft corals.

There are several sandy beaches on Pulau Payar island for picnics as well as hiking trails for those who wish to explore the island. Just off the beach, one can indulge in the thrilling experience of feeding baby sharks. Facilities include gazebos, picnic tables, barbecue pits and restrooms at selected areas. There is also a Visitors’ Centre that provides information about the marine park.

Visitors can get to Pulau Payar from the Kuah jetty point by catamaran or speed boat. The catamaran services operated by Langkawi Coral, takes about 45 minutes to get to Pulau Payar while the speed boat takes an hour. It is advisable to book the catamaran service a day before the trip. Enquiries can be made with any travel agent in Kuah or at the jetty point for those intending to travel by speed boat. Apart from the fare, a levy of RM5.00 for adults and RM2.50 for children is charged for entry to the marine park.

Located in the north-western corner of Pulau Langkawi, Telaga Tujuh (Seven Wells) is a geological marvel. The waterfall is so named because its cascading waters is broken by a series of seven natural pools. The lush green forest that surrounds the waterfall adds a mystical touch to the natural splendour.

Legend has it that fairies used to come down to the waterfall to bathe and frolic.

A short journey by boat from Tanjung Rhu brings you to the doorstep of Gua Cherita (Cave of Legends). As its name implies, the cave is steeped in fabled tales of mystery and romance.
On the walls of the cave can be seen ancient writing which has yet to be deciphered.

The cave found here has a legend of a giant Vishnu eagle that used this cave to shelter and protect a royal princess from China in the legendary tale of Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa. For those who dare venture into the cave you will have the oppurtunity to see a rock formation that resembles a sleeping princesss.

The beach fronting the cave will give an angler hours of superb fishing

Laman Padi Langkawi is hightlights the history, heritage and development of padi cultivation as the oldest agricultural industry in Malaysia. Among the attractions here is a rice museum displaying artifacts, charts and photograps depicting the significance of padi cultivation in the county. For the uninitiated, try your hand at padi planting using both tradional as well as modern methods of cultivation. There is also restaurant offering popular traditional Malay recipes, which are prepared using rice as the main ingredient.

Open: 9am-5pm (daily)
Admission fee: Please call to confirm charges
Tel: 04 955 4312

Kota Mahsuri with its fabled and historical past is a significant site on the island that has been preserved for posterity. Located about 12 km from Kuah, this memorial is erected in honour of Mahsuri, a fair maiden who was unjustly accused of adultery. Accoding to legend, she bled white blood at her execution as a sign of her innocence. In her dying breath, she laid a curse on the island that it would remain barren for seven generations. Fact of fiction, seven generation have since passed and today, Langkawi is a flourishing tourist destination. There is also a museum here where tourists can view a recorded interpretation of the Mahsuri legend.

Open: 8am-6.30pm (daily)
Admission fee: Yes