Langkawi is an archipelago of 99 islands in the Andaman Sea, some 30 km off the mainland coast of northwestern Malaysia. The islands are a part of Malaysia's Kedah state, but are adjacent to the Thai border. By far the largest of the islands is the eponymous Pulau Langkawi with a population of some 45,000, the only other inhabited island being nearby Pulau Tuba.

Langkawi Island / Pulau Langkawi

Langkawi is coined from the Malay words Lang and Kawi. Lang is a brown eagle and Kawi is a local manganese stone.The ancient fishermen must have seen eagles flying clutching the manganese stones! A giant monument of a brown eagle clutching the manganese stone greets all visitors to Langkawi near the Kuah Jetty.

Duty Free Zone

Langkawi is a duty-free shopping haven offering an attractive range of local and imported goods for those with a yen for shopping. Most of the island's shopping establishments can be found in and around Kuah.

The Legend Of Mahsuri

The best known legend of Langkawi is of Mahsuri, a pretty maiden who lived some 200 years ago. She died under tragic circumstances for a crime she did not commit. She died a victim of a conspiracy plotted against her out of jealousy for her magnetic personality. She was accused of committing adultery and was sentenced to death by the Chief of Langkawi, Dato Karma Jaya, her own father-in-law. As the legend goes, Mahsuri was the object of envy, of the village headman's wife Wan Mahora. She accused Mahsuri of adultery with a handsome minstrel visiting the island while Mahsuri's husband, Wan Darus, was away.

Travel Tips

Climate - Langkawi has a Tropical Monsoon climate with a high annual temperature of between 24+ACY-ordm;C - 33+ACY-ordm;C.

Language(s) spoken - Bahasa Malaysia is the official language but English is widely spoken and understood.

Shopping hours - General store hours: 10:00 am to 8:00 pm

Currency - Ringgit is the official currency. The current exchange rate is around RM3.70 to USD 1.00

Flight Service

Airport Transfers by far the easiest and cheapest way to get from the airport into the capital is via the KLIA Express (airport express train). The train is very modern with video screens showing points of interest and things to do in Malaysia while you enjoy a comfortable ride into Kuala Lumpur in around 35 minutes. Using a bus or taxi transfer will normally take around one hour by comparison and cost a little more. An added convenience when using the KLIA Express to connect with a departing flight is the facility to book your luggage onto your flight from the central train station in Kuala Lumpur (providing you do this at least 2.5 hours before your flight)

Taxi Service

Taxi Fares always ask how much the fare will be to get to your destination before getting into the taxi. Taxi fares in Malaysia are for the most part quite reasonable however at times a naive traveler can be easy pickings, especially on a return trip from an outlying area so be sure to ask for the cost of the fare beforehand and if it seems too high then you can usually find another taxi to get a better deal. The exception to this however is during peak hours in Kuala Lumpur when you will pay more because of traffic delays. Your hotel concierge can advise you on what the busiest traffic times are likely to be. Planning your movements around the capital outside of these times will save you money if you're on a tight budget.

Langkawi Culture

Langkawi is part of a country where Muslims make up a significant number of the population. The society is quite liberal, and they invite foreigners to enjoy their vacations there. Tourism is important for this place because it makes up a significant portion of the revenue. However, the level of tolerance is most as much as other tourist resorts. There are particular laws that one has to follow while staying there. One in particular is the ban on topless bathing on beaches. There are however some spots where topless sunbathing is allowed

What To Wear In Langkawi

Since temperatures are mild and the Langkawi is mostly humid, it is advisable to wear something light. If it happens to rain, you certainly do not need to have heavy clothes on that absorb water. It is also advisable to carry an umbrella if you feel it is about to rain.

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