An enchanting holiday destination to all who explore its many attractions, Pulau Langkawi provides vacationers a variety of activities for relaxation and recreation. There are water sports around crystal clear waters, jungle treks through rich tropical forests, quiet strolls through quaint fishing villages, rounds of golf on an 18-hole course and duty-free shopping opportunities. The entire island is most fascinating and treasures beg to be explored.

Travellers arriving by ferry to Pulau Langkawi disembark at the jetty in Kuah, the main town located on the southeastern side of the island. Formerly a rustic town with only a few streets, it is now a thriving centre with modern hotels and shopping-cum-business complexes. The shops along the waterfront offer a wide variety of merchandise, including handicrafts made from shells and local marble.

A trip to the island is not complete without a visit to Makam Mahsuri (Mahsuri's Mausoleum). About 12 km from Kuah, the shrine honours a maiden who lived on the island more than two hundred years ago. Unjustly accused of committing adultery, the legend holds that Mahsuri's innocence became apparent at her execution when white blood flowed from her body. In her dying breath, she laid a curse on the island that it would henceforth cease to prosper for seven generations.

Fact or fiction, the curse began to unfold shortly after Mahsuri's death. Siamese soldiers invaded the island and the villagers were forced to burn their rice fields. Until today, traces of burnt rice can be seen in the sands at Padang Matsirat, especially after a heavy rain.

According to another legend the hot springs at Kampong Air Hangat (Air Hangat Village), 14 km north of Kuah, originated after two families quarrelled over a rejected marriage proposal. During the commotion a jug full of hot water was flung to the ground, whereupon it broke and hot water seeped into the ground.

Another famous attraction is Telaga Tujuh (Seven Wells), 23 km northwest of Kuah. A fresh water stream cascading some 90 metres through a series of seven pools, visitors can enjoy swimming or picnicking amidst a lush green forest.

About 20 km north of Kuah is the gentle coastline of Pantai Tanjung Rhu (Casuarina Beach). A peaceful beach on Pulau Langkawi, it offers picnickers cool respite in the shade of tall casuarina trees. If time permits, one can take a boat trip to explore the nearby islands of Pulau Pasir, Pulau Gasing, Pulau Dangli and Pulau Langgun, off the northeastern coast.

To the west of Pantal Tanjung Rhu is Pantai Pasir Hitam, a unique beach with glittering black sand, which is thought to be tin or an oxide of tin that may have come from the seabed or the earth's crust. Souvenir shops and fishing spots can be found along its unusual shoreline.

Equally fascinating is Pantai Batu Kerikil, a remarkable beach that owes its name to the millions of pebbles that lie strewn along its shoreline.

On the western coastline of Pulau Langkawi lie the idyllic beaches of Datai, Pantai Kok, Burau Bay and Pantai Tengah. These beach resorts offer first-class accommodation in modern hotels and captivating wooden chalets, as well as facilities for parasailing, water skiing, windsurfing and catamaran sailing, even cruising in larger yachts.

For a truly breathtaking view of Pulau Langkawi, you can hire a boat for a cruise around the neighbouring islands. A round trip to Pulau Dayang Bunting, Pulau Beras Basah and Pulau Singa Besar takes about four hours. Special itineraries with a barbecue, snorkelling or trips to other islands can also be arranged upon request.

Further down the coast is Pantai Cenang, where many prominent resorts are found. The ideal spot for beach and sea sport activities, it also boasts of one South East Asia's largest aquariums.

Off shore from Pantai Cenang lies Pulau Rebak Besar, a resort with a marina. Pulau Beras Basah (Isle of Wet Rice), futher to the south, is a harbour to fishermen. Approximately 17 km from the Kuah jetty, the latter is also an excellent spot for scuba diving, snorkelling and fishhing. Chalets are available on this hilly island.

The neighbouring island of Pulau Singa Besar is about 16 km south of Kuah and is easily accessible by boat. The island has tropical forests, mangrove swamps, sandy and rocky coastlines which have been left undisturbed. Common mammals such as wild boar, mousedeer, porcupines, scaly anteaters, civets, bats and many species of birds roam freely on this island, which is a Wildlife Sanctuary. The waters around the island also teem with a variety of fish, marine life and coral. There are no hotels on the island but camping is permitted.

Pulau Dayang Bunting, east of Pulau Singa, is another island worth visiting. It is renowned for its fresh water lake, Tasik Dayang Bunting (Lake of the Pregnant Maiden). According to local folklore, its water is said to work miracles for childless couples.

To the north of the lake is Gua Langsir (Cave of the Banshee) believed to be haunted, probably because of the screeching sound made by thousands of bats that reside in the interior of this huge cave.

How To Get There
Malaysia Airlines and Air Asia operate daily flights from Kuala Lumpur and Penang to Langkawi's airport at Padang Mat Sirat. Silk Air also operates regular flights from Singapore to the island.

You can travel by road from Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Kedah or Kuala Perlis. From there, you proceed to Langkawi by express boat or ferry.

Malayan Railway provides rail service from Kuala Lumpur to Alor Setar and Arau in the north, where you can catch a taxi or bus to Kuala Kedah or Kuala Perlis.