Langkawi, also known as Langkawi the Jewel of Kedah (Malay: Langkawi Permata archipelago of 104 islands in the Andaman Sea, some 30 km off the coast of northwestern Malaysia.
Surrounded by turquoise sea, the interior of the main island is a mixture of picturesque paddy fields and jungle-clad hills; Langkawi is the ultimate holiday paradise that offers a natural backdrop of sun-drenched beaches and ancient rainforests teeming with exotic plant and animal life. Langkawi is also a Duty Free island. Perfect for shopping!
The islands are a part of the state of Kedah, which is adjacent to the Thai border. On 15 Jul 2008, Sultan Abdul Halim of Kedah consented to the change of name to Langkawi Permata Kedah in conjunction with his Golden Jubilee Celebration.
World Heritage
The 10,000 hectares of Langkawi and its 104 islands were declared a Geopark by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in 2007.
Attractions
Cable car: The Langkawi Cable Car takes visitors up to the peak of Gunung Mat Chinchang, where the Langkawi Sky Bridge is located. The Sky Bridge was closed in 2012 for maintenance and upgrading, but reopened in February 2015. The start of cable car ride is located in the Oriental Village where there are a number of attractions, including a 3-Dimensional art museum known as Art in Paradise.
The Kilim Geoforest Park (The Kilim River): This area actually consists of three river estuaries that stretch from the Kisap village approximately 10 km to Tanjung Rhu and they are all interconnected. They are rich in wildlife and tourists may see hairy nosed sea otters, brown winged kingfishers, monitor lizards and swimming macaque monkeys. Limestone, inherently porous, forms caves and there are several in the mangroves. One of Langkawi’s natural beauty spots is the Pirate Lagoon just outside the river. Technically this is a collapsed cave (hong) consisting of a cave entrance from the sea emerging into a hidden lagoon with towering, limestone escarpments and smaller caves.
The island is also 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 to the soaring Cable Car in Pantai Kok, Langkawi is an electrifying locale that keeps visitors coming back for more.
Langkawi – The name
The name Langkawi is thought to have existed by the early 15th century, although in the 16th century the island of Langkawi was also marked on maps variously as Langa, Langka, Lansura, and Langapura.
Island of Pregnant Maiden (Pulau Dayang Bunting)