Worth getting out of bed for
Highlights the best Langkawi has to offer, from art and culture to fun-packed activities; we've even found the most inspiring place to enjoy the views from.
- Viewpoint
- For an inspiring bird’s-eye view of the island, ride the Langkawi Cable Car (www.langkawicablecar.com.my), which rises to the summit of one of its highest peaks, Mount Mat Cincang. The views are simply stunning; on clear days, you can see Thai islands dotted around the ocean. The mile and-a-half cable car journey starts from just behind the Oriental Village, within walking distance of the Mutiara Burau Bay resort. The round-trip fare is RM25.
- Arts and culture
- Pop into the Ibrahim Hussein Museum & Cultural Foundation (www.ihmcf.org). Hussein is one of Malaysia’s top artists and he’s often hanging around ad amenable to a chat about his sensuous and intricate artworks.
- Something for nothing
- Langkawi is blessed with several stunning waterfalls. The most beautiful and accessible is Seven Wells, known to locals as Telaga Tujuh. It’s quite a sight: water cascades into seven pools, which anyone can splash around in. Pack drinking water and a swimsuit and make the short trek up to the top. If you’re lucky (and/or hallucinating), you might encounter a few fairies – local legend says that this is where they come for their supernatural ablutions.
- Shopping
- Shopping is not Langkawi's most rewarding pastime, but if you really need some retail therapy, mosey down to Langkawi Fair (www.langkawi-fair.com.my), the island’s largest shopping centre. This huge two-floor mall has more than 150 different retailers flogging swimwear, local handicrafts, books and cameras.
- Daytripper
- Spend a day exploring some of Langkawi’s 99 islands. There are several boat operators that will whisk you away for a day of fishing, snorkelling and island-hopping – Bon Ton Resort has an antique motor cruiser that can be chartered for private jaunts. Crystal Yacht Holidays (www.crystalyacht.com) also offers a three-hour sunset barbecue cruise around deserted coves. Make sure you stop off at picturesque Pulau Dayang Bunting ('Island of the Pregnant Maiden'); only 15 minutes from the main island. It's skirted by impressive limestone hills and coated with dense forest. The large placid lake on the island is made for idyllic dips; its waters are also said to possess magic powers of fertility enhancement – so no skinny-dipping, just in case.
- Best beach
- Pantai Kok and Tanjung Rhu are the best bets for beach bums. The former boasts white sands and swaying palms, ideal for doing nothing but kicking back, laying down and gazing up and admiring the blue skies and bluer waters of the Andaman. Pantai Kok is now a popular tourist draw thanks to its cinematic heritage (the summer palace for Anna and the King was built here). Tanjung Rhu, the north side of the island, is fringed by tall Casuarina trees and is one of the better places to hire boats for island cruises. Pantai Cenang is a 2km stretch of pale sand, a five-minute walk from Bon Ton Resort.
- Activities
- Given Langkawi's lush lansdcapes, nature-hikes kayak trips are very popular; your hotel can help you arrange a guide to take you around the jungles and mangroves. Keep an eye out for the bird-life (Langkawi is a twitcher’s treasure). Spas are highly evolved on the island; the best are at the Datai (www.ghmhotels.com) and the Four Seasons (www.fourseasons.com). Golfers can tee off at one of three fantastic courses on the island; the Datai Golf Course, Gunung Raya or Langkawi Golf Club. Adrenaline junkies should book a rainforest canopy zipline adventure with Juergen Zimmerer (www.geocities.com/langkawi06/lca), while food-fanatics can learn to whip up their own Malay marvels at Cook with Shuk (www.thelighthouse-langkawi.com/cook.htm).
Diary
January Islamic New Year celebrations. February Le Tour de Langkawi is one of the best bicycle races in Asia and a hoot to watch (www.tdl.com.my). Traditional Hindu holiday Thaipusam sees devotees piercing their bodies with skewers and hooks. April Sea-sport-centric Langkawi Water Festival. Extreme sports enthusiasts can try to endure the Wilderness Langkawi Challenge, an adventure race that combines cycling, kayaking and running. June Pelangi Cup International Open: serious golfers can sign up to take part in this annual contest on the gorgeous greens of Gunung Raya Golf Club. October The Hindu festival of lights, Deepavali, is a glitteringly beautiful visual treat. The island’s Muslims take part in Hari Raya Puasa, marking the end of the fasting month. Markets sprout up across Malaysia, selling festive clothes, foodstuffs and knick-knackery.
