Langkawi - The Lagendary Island

Short History

Langkawi got his name from the sea eagle. The Malay people call the eagle is langkawi, shorted name for Helang Kawi.

Before, Langkawi is only a malay village. No want know or care Langkawi. Malaysian people has only know about Langkawi because its synonym with Legendary Mahsuri, a woman who was accused of adultery 200 years ago. She was tied to a tree and stabbed to death despite her pleas of innocence. The story goes on to say that she bled white blood. Before her death, made a curse on the island for seven generations of bad luck. Langkawi eventually came under the influence of the Sultanate of Kedah, but Kedah was conquered in 1821 by Siam and Langkawi along with it. The Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909 transferred power to the British, who held the state until independence, except for a brief period of Thai rule under the Japanese occupation of Malaya during World War II. Back then, the people of Langkawi held on to this account of Mahsuri as the reason for Langkawi's lack of growth.

The legend of Mahsuri makes for great stories and a tomb claimed to be hers is located in Kuah, aptly named Makam Mahsuri.

Today, the people have embraced development, becoming more advanced in both their infrastructure and mindset as a result. The ancient stories of Langkawi, however, have not ceased to exist. Instead, these legends have become part of the attraction to draw visitors to help shape Langkawi's landscape through tourist revenue.

How to go Langkawi.

From the Kuah jetty, there are high-speed ferry connections to Satun in southern Thailand, Pulau Payar, Penang, Kuala Kedah and Kuala Perlis in the mainland ofPenisular Malaysia. Star Cruises ships dock at the Awana Porto Malai harbour on the west coast of the island. Malaysia Airlines has daily flights to Langkawi whilst Air Asia flies from Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu. Silk Air flies to Langkawi from Singapore and there is a Penang-Langkawi flight route operated by Firefly airline. The Langkawi island has a well developed road network. Taxis and car rentals are available at the Langkawi International Airport.

Why must visit Langkawi

To many visitors, Langkawi is indeed legendary in its own right, especially after having to pick itself up after 26th December 2004 tsunami since was also battered, albeit in a smaller scale compared to Phuket or Sri Langka. It is best for us to leave the heart-rending tales to those who were actually affected by tsunami: the inhabitants of a predominantly fishermen village in Kuala Teriang.

The best time to visit Langkawi is during early Febuary, the time when the island began experiencing dry season. Though it was sweltering, the weather was totally conducive for fotography. We recomended to like-minded travellers looking for some peace and quit to visit to the island between February and June because there may be lesser tourists at the time. Langkawi is always flooded by tourists during July to September (Northern hemisphere summer break) and December to early January (end of the year festivals), so avoid those periods if you can.

Where want to go?

Galeri Perdana - This Gallery, first opened in 1st April 1996, house the gifts and artefacts received by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad during his tenure as Malaysia Prime Minister, from simple china wares to zany futuristic models of vehicle. What the beautiful in this gallery is the vaulted ceillings in Block A (the point of entry) and Block C, which were embellished with ornate tiles cut into geometrical patterns prevalent in islamic architecture. We were told that the craftsmen were brought in from Uzbekistan and worked on each ceilling for three months. Galeri Perdana opens at 9:00 am daily and charges RM5 for adults (above 12 years old) and RM2 for children ( 6 to 12 year olds). Additional charges of RM5 and RM2 also applies respectively for each video camera and camere brought into the gallery.

Sungai Kilim River Cruise – Kilim Nature Park is a must-see that is rated by many tourist. The river cruise tour take visitors around the scenic Kilim river, which famous for its surrounding limestone cliff formations and mangroves. Don’t miss the chance to see the majestic White-Bellied and Brahminy Kite eagles swiffly swoop down to the water surface to deftly snatch their food. Visitors may also inform the tour operator to include a visit to the nearby “The Hole in the Wall” fish farm for lunch and the opportunity to play with the farm’s domesticated stringrays. Please enquire about the tour from the staff or management of your lodging in Langkawi.

Langkawi Cable Car – The cable car ride as one of the must-dos on Langkawi as it offers breathtaking views from the top of Mat Chincang mountain, the second highest peak of the island at 708 meters above sea level. There is not just one but two different stations on the mountain, including a gravity defying curved suspension bridge overlooking a magnificent drop. Langkawi cable car opens at 9:30 am on Mondays to Thursdays and 10:00 am on Fridays to Sundays. Be sure to take the car up before 6:00 pm on Mondays to Thurdays and 7:00 on Fridays to Sundays (the time when the tickets counter closes). So that you will be able to enjoy the spectacular sunset on a clear day. The admission fee is RM15 for an adult and RM5 for a child.

Ibrahim Hussein Museum and Cultural Foundation - A Malaysian-born artist internationally renowned for this avant-garde work. Ibrahim Hussein is lauded as a major proponent in raising the bar of local arts scene. The museum is a non-profit, non-govermental organisation that intends to promote art and culture among Malaysians and Foregin tourists alike. The venue displays impressive works of the artist, some thought-provoking, while others totally pleasing to the eyes. It opens everday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm and the admission fee is RM12 for adult (above 17 years old)

Fabillah Marble Craft (FMC) – The marble product created by this small enterprise, belonging to a sprightly Malay lady named Mak Cik (Aunty) Fabillah who stays in a quint Malay kampung (village) located 20 minutes drive away from Kuah, which is popular for its homestay programme. As a matter of fact, astylish home decor shop called Ombak in Suria KLCC, Kuala Lumpur, sources out its marble housewares and accerrories from FMC. According to Mak Cik Fabillah, she started her bussines in 1995, fully taking advantage of Langkawi’s marble abundance. The small shop next to her home (which the Mak Cik Fabillah affectionately calls her showroom) displays marble pieces that are contemporarily aesthetic yet functional, in line with the latest interior styles. Visitors may need to ask directions from locals to get her kampung because it is a bit out of the way from the usual touristy routes.

PL Crystal Village – Another unique offering of Langkawi.is the shop that prides itself in selling hand-mate crystal products crafted in Langkawi. Opened in the year 2004, this shops allows visitors to witness the whole crystal-making process, provided they can withstand the heatemanating from the furnace used to melt the crystals into shape. The staff of PL Crystals Village claimed that their products are know to possess better shine compared to those imported from China ant the Philippines. It is a great place to source out souvenirs for loved ones back home. The shop opens from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm daily.

Kuah Night Markets – Be sure to time your visit in Langkawi covering the weekend so that you won’t miss Kuah’s Pasar Malam (night market) experience every Saturday evening. Tourists just loved to see that slice of Malaysia rich in variety and colour. Just ask any local where it is held almost everybody on the island comes to this weekly fair.