Duty Free Heaven - Langkawi Island

Langkawi island is an archipelago on the west coast of Malaysia consisting of 99 islands. The main island's interior, surrounded by turquoise sea, is a mixture of picturesque paddy fields and hills clad in jungle. If you're going to cart off duty-free alcohol, cigarettes and chocolate that's where you should be. Still, nature lovers can find the island as fun as powder-fine sand fringes the shoreline and coconut trees sway.

Langkawi island is especially recognized for its excellent diving opportunities and this tropical gem hides a treasure trove of other exciting holiday opportunities. From the expansive Underwater World Langkawi along Pantai Cenang to the soaring Cable Car in Pantai Kok. Langkawi island is an electrifying locale that keeps the visitors coming back for more. 

Not convinced yet? There are the best 10 Must See and To Do list. 

1. Langkawi Sky Bridge

The Langkawi Sky Bridge is located at the 'end' of the Cable Car ride. One of the island’s highlights, it is a 410ft-long curved pedestrian bridge above Mount Mat Cinchang. It may sound like a cliché but it is really true - the views from here are simply stunning - great for those Kodak moments!

Located 2,300ft above sea level, the Sky Bridge is easily accessible by the Langkawi Cable Car. The journey to the top starts out at the Oriental Village in the upper northwest of Langkawi Island, near Pantai Kok. Once the cable car gets going it gets a little chilly as winds flow through the ventilation slits at the top, so put on a sweater beforehand.

2. Langkawi Eagle Square, Dataran Lang

Langkawi Eagle Square, Dataran Lang is one of Langkawi’s best known manmade attractions, a large sculpture of an eagle poised to take flight. A sight that greets visitors to the island via ferry, the 12 metre-tall statue is one of the island’s most instantly recognizable monuments.

Located at the southeast corner of Pulau Langkawi, besides offering beautiful views of Kuah Bay, Dataran Lang has beautiful miniature fountains, terraces and bridges, making it the ideal place for those postcard-perfect holiday photos. The square is a good place to watch ferries ply across the harbour but plan a trip here early in the morning or late in the evening when the sun is at its least intense.

3. Langkawi Sky Cab

The entrance for the Langkawi Cable Car, which takes visitors all the way up to Mount Mat Cincang, Langkawi’s second highest peak,  is located in The Oriental Village in the upper northwest of Langkawi Island, near Pantai Kok. Entering the village and passing through the pleasant oriental garden and souvenir shops, visitors make their payment at a counter before stepping onto an escalator which brings them to the cable-car pedestal. Once in, Langkawi Cable Car ascends; you’ll begin to notice the temperature dropping and a windy breeze begin flowing into the cabin through ventilation slits at the top.

4. Langkawi Gunung Raya

Langkawi Gunung Raya is known as the highest mountain in Langkawi, Gunung Raya peaks at 881 metres in height and its dense forest reserve houses numerous wildlife such as leaf monkeys, flying foxes, macaque monkeys, squirrels, mountain hawk eagles, white bellied sea eagles, and great hornbills. According to local beliefs, the mountain is the cursed form of a giant called Mat Raya, who had once lived on the island.

It is a 30 minute-long scenic drive to the top of Gunung Raya, with several lookout points along the way. The mountain peak is a massive granite formation that offers a spectacular view of Langkawi’s verdant surroundings, neighbouring islets, and the Andaman Sea. There’s also a small park, museum, a satellite control tower, and D’Coconut Hill Resort Langkawi – perfect for those looking for a quiet retreat during their Langkawi vacation.

5. Langkawi Underwater World

Spread across nearly six acres, Underwater World Langkawi is one of the island’s best-known attractions. Located at the southern end of Pantai Cenang (almost at the border of Pantai Tengah), beside the Zon duty-free shopping centre, it is Malaysia’s largest aquarium. The huge white-washed structure houses more than 200 different species of marine and freshwater fish including harbour seals, rockhopper penguins, sharks, giant rays and the enormous Amazonian arapaima – the biggest freshwater fish in the world.

6. Pantai Cenang

Pantai Cenang is the busiest beach town on Langkawi Island, where you can find a diverse mix of cafes and restaurants, as well as souvenir shops, and duty-free outlets along its picturesque beach strip. Featuring white sands and clear waters, Pantai Cenang’s expansive beach is also great for sunbathing and exciting water sports such as jet skiing and parasailing. High-end resorts, chalets and budget hotels with views of the Andaman Sea are aplenty here, attracting throngs of locals, expats, backpackers, and foreign tourists. Pantai Cenang’s nightlife scene is the liveliest on Langkawi Island, with plenty of beachfront bars and lounges offering inexpensive alcohol and snacks, as well as live music and cultural performances until late.

7. Langkawi Art in Paradise 3D Museum 

Langkawi Art in Paradise 3D Museum, hailed as the largest 3D art museum in Malaysia and second largest in the world, features more than 200 impressive artworks that appear almost lifelike when photographed. A three-storey building with an exhibition space that covers 2,000 square metres, Langkawi Art in Paradise 3D Museum is divided into nine interactive zones including optical illusion, aquatic, safari, fantasy, classic, castles, landscapes, Egyptian, and Malaysian zones. There are more than 200 beautiful and meticulous artworks, all of which are hand-painted by 23 leading Korean artists in collaboration with talented local artists.

8. Pulau Payar Marine Park 

One of Pulau Payar Marine Park’s best features is its Coral Garden, a secluded section of the ‘park’ with colourful coral beautifully protected and preserved due to its sheltered waters. Those eager to explore the park will have to obtain permission from the authorities (fishing is strictly prohibited) before venturing into the waters: alternatively you can join a tour group. The park caters well to tourists with an extensive array of facilities ranging from picnic tables, barbecue pits, gazebos and restrooms set at strategic points throughout the park.

9. Langkawi Wildlife Park

Langkawi Wildlife Park is a five-acre animal sanctuary along Jalan Ayer Hangat. Officially launched in 2002, it is a tropical garden with over 2,500 exotic birds from 150 species, such as canaries, owls, eagles, toucans, hornbills and flamingos. The park also features a walk-in aviary with a 15-metre manmade waterfall, a duty-free retail outlet and animal-feeding sessions.

About 10 minutes from Kuah, the complex has a massive aviary that’s home to 1,500 birds flying freely, with sections that strongly resemble the natural habitats of each different species of birdlife. Langkawi Wildlife Park is a popular stopover for most tours on Pulau Langkawi (the main island) and the indoor park predictably is a popular spot on rainy days.

10. Langkawi Skytrex Adventure

Regarded as the best forest adventure park, skytrex adventure is where every adventure enthusiast must go for flying, gliding, swinging and even dangling! Here, enthusiasts set out to tackle aerial obstacles that are suspended above the dense and lush rainforest of Malaysia.

The outdoor recreational activities at Skytrex can be enjoyed by all age groups; as all the activities are performed under expert supervision with all safety measures taken well care of. The company promotes responsible tourism and strives to encourage a sense of forest conservation in their functioning.

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