Langkawi Sightseeing

From waterfalls and mountain peaks to deserted islands peppered with legends of princesses and evil ogres, the archipelago of Langkawi has a little bit of everything. Visitors mostly flock to Langkawi to bask in the warm winter sun, swim in the calm seas and unwind at posh resorts.

Cave of the Banshee
A highlight of Pulau Dayang Bunting is this amazing cave which is home to thousands of bats and a few legendary tales. The interior of the cave is a towering 91 metres high. When the wind blows through the cave it makes an eerie sound like a banshee wailing. Experienced cavers will find this a real treat.

Galeria Perdana Museum
All of the 2,500 gifts given to former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahatir Mohamed are exhibited in this museum in a well-organised and informational manner. Everything from automobiles to artworks are on display in this diverse collection.

Kuah Town
The first place most visitors see on Langkawi is the commercial heart of the island. Kuah is the gateway to island hopping excursions and offers the best shopping in Langkawi, and has evolved into a thriving island capital with comprehensive amenities. This is the place to go to do your shopping, dining and socialising.

Lake of the Pregnant Maiden
In the middle of Pulau Dayang, Bunting is home to this magical lake which is said to give fertility to barren women. Apart from the legend, this lake is a real stunner and a popular swimming spot. Boats can take you out onto the lake, where the lush tropical scenery is relatively untouched. The lake is located in Pulau Dayang Bunting Forest Reserve. Phone: +60 4 966 7789.

Mahsuri’s Mausoleum
Every trip to Langkawi should include a visit to the mausoleum of the island’s most famous maiden at Kampung Mawat. There’re some interesting cultural facilities at the site which add some extra dimension to the white marble tomb. Phone: +60 4 966 7789.

Pantai Tanjung Rhu
One of the island’s more adventurous beaches is lined with iconic casuarina trees and ringed with rich coral reefs. During low tide, visitors can traverse a sandy strip of land that emerges from the water allowing access to a tiny rocky outcrop named Chabang Island. The notable caves of Gua Siam and Gua Cerita are also nearby and ideal for exploration. Horse lovers can arrange a beach ride at the Tanjung Rhu Riding Centrem, which is located 20kms from Kuah.

Pentai Cenang Beach
Langkawi’s most popular and developed beach has everything you need for a fun and active holiday. The long sandy beach is a great place to watch the superb sunsets and it has a wealth of resorts, restaurants, and every kind of water sport imaginable.

Pulau Payar
This tiny island is home to two of Langkawi’s finest underwater sites: Pulau Payar Marine Park and Langkawi Coral. Many visitors arrive here by boat to explore the rich coral gardens and marine life that is visible in the incredibly clear waters. The island itself has great hiking trails and picnic areas, and is located 45 minutes by boat from Kuah. Phone: +60 4 9667 318.

Telaga Tujuh Waterfall
This classic waterfall on the slopes of Gunung Mat Cincang drops 90 metres into a succession of seven natural pools. The pools get progressively more scenic the higher you go, but even the lower pools are picturesque. Legend has it that mountain fairies enjoy bathing in the waters here, so keep your eyes open. The falls are located 45kms from Kuah.

Climb to the top of Gunung Mat Cincang. You’ll need a local guide and a fair bit of stamina to get to the top of Malaysia’s oldest mountain, but the views from here are well worth the effort. Along the way you can cool off in the Seven Wells Waterfall, supposedly home to mountain fairies who bathe in the emerald pools.

Island hop and see the undeveloped side of Langkawi’s archipelago. There are about 100 small islands surrounding Langkawi, and the best way to experience them is to book an island hopping tour. Pulau Payar, Pulau Dayang Bunting and Pulau Rebak are all popular for their underwater beauty and inland mythological sites.

Search for the bones of lost sailors at Skull Beach. This mysterious beach at the northern end of Langkawi is where bones regularly washed up in the past due to a massive offshore whirlpool which sucked ships to their doom. Even if you don’t find any bones, it’s a beautiful beach that can be visited in conjunction with a trip to neighbouring Black Sand Beach.

See the underwater world more clearly on a glass bottom boat ride. A great way to spend a day is to take a trip on a glass bottom boat to a floating platform in the middle of the sea. Once there, you can snorkel around and enjoy lunch on the platform.

Soak in hot springs after taking in local culture at Air Hangat Village. This village boasts a three-tiered hot spring pool and the island’s finest batik artists. After soaking away your aches, check out the cultural centre showcasing traditional batik paintings and wood carvings. Try your hand at batik or just sit back and enjoy the cultural performance shows.

Take a ferry to Penang and wander the historic streets of colonial Georgetown. You won’t find many historic sites on Langkawi, but just a short boat ride away is the charming port hamlet of Georgetown. Soak in the ambiance, enjoy a good meal and do some shopping before heading back to your island resort.