Although more commonly called an island, Langkawi is an archipelago consisting of 99 islands located at the Malaysian west coast. Known for its picturesque view of the paddy fields and high mountains, Pulau Langkawi is also a duty-free shopping heaven. From learning about the rich lore of its legend to participating in the many activities available on the island, Pulau Langkawi is definitely one of the top tourist destinations in Malaysia.
Things to do in Pulau Langkawi
This guide provides you with some of the top picks of places and activities for your trip to Pulau Langkawi!
Learn about the Mahsuri Legend
Pulau Langkawi is famous for the legend of Mahsuri. The legend speaks of a beautiful young maiden named Mahsuri. Due to jealousy, a woman wrongfully accused Mahsuri who was then punished to death. Before she breathed her last, she cursed the islands for seven generations. The people suffered drought for years and faced invasion from other regions.
When visiting Pulau Langkawi, do not miss the chance to learn more about the legend by visiting Kota Mahsuri (Mahsuri Town) and Mahsuri’s tomb. Kota Mahsuri is a historical complex that showcases the traditional village that Mahsuri led her life in. It includes an exhibit house that displays artifacts and accessories that recount the tale and beauty of Mahsuri. You can also visit a museum where you can watch Mahsuri’s tragic tale and the disasters that befell the island as a result of her curse.
Besides that, try drawing water from the well that is said to be the source of Mahsuri’s extraordinary beauty. Who knows, you might receive some of its magical abilities as well.
Address: Kampung Mawat, Mukim Ulu Melaka, Malaysia
Operating Hours: 8AM – 6PM (Daily)
Phone number: +603 955 6055
Entrance fees: RM5 (Malaysian, adult), RM2.50 (Malaysian, Children aged 12 and below), RM10 (Foreigner, adult), RM5 (Foreigner, children aged 12 and below)
Go Island Hopping
Island hopping is a popular tourist activity in Pulau Langkawi. Prices vary, but it is typically above RM80, with the tours lasting for an average of 4 hours. Depending on which hotel you stay in, you may be either the first or the last of the passengers picked up by the boats, which depart from Teluk Batu Jetty.
Although tour operators typically provide water, we do recommend you to bring some of your own to ensure you are always hydrated. Stalls that sell food are few and far in between and prices might be on the expensive side, so bring some snacks to eat as well. If it’s a sunny day, bring a hat and sunscreen and extra clothes if you are planning to swim in the sea.
Here are some of the islands usually included in the island hopping tour:
Pulau Dayang Bunting
Pulau Dayang Bunting can be directly translated into Pregnant Maiden Island, and it is known for a lake believed to help women fulfill their pregnancy wishes. About a 15-minute boat ride away from Kuah Jetty, the lake requires an additional 15-minute hike to reach it. The entrance to the lake is RM6 (RM3 for Malaysians) and you can choose to swim in the lake or relax on its piers.
Pulau Beras Basah
Pulau Beras Basah, or Wet Grains Island if directly translated into English, is the next island you will be taken to. Here, you can go hiking in its jungles or overnight camp on the wide expanse of the island’s beaches, but these activities are not included in the package, thus, visitors should plan for these on their own.
Pulau Singa Besar
Named “Big Lion Island” in English, this island features plenty of wildlife including eagles, monkeys, monitor lizards, and peacocks. Although you cannot personally explore the island, possibly for safety reasons, you will be given the chance to watch a live feeding session where the boat driver throws meat pieces into the air which the eagles will catch mid-air with a terrifying but impressive precision. It is definitely a moment you would not want to miss capturing on your camera.
Take a ride on a cable car
What better way to enjoy a scenic view of the mountains and the lush jungles Pulau Langkawi has to offer than to enjoy it from above! Also known as the SkyCab, the cable car ride takes you from the Oriental Village at Teluk Berau to the peak of Mount Mat Chinchang.
Curate your own viewing experience by choosing the type of gondola you would like to ride in. If you are an adventurous person looking for a thrill, we recommend the bottom glass gondola where you can enjoy the scenic view from right underneath your feet! Looking for a more luxurious journey up the mountain? Try the VIP Gondola where you will be served food and drinks during your ride.
The 360 gondola can give you a more open-air experience by allowing you to bask in the cool air of the mountains during your journey. For more information, visit here.
Address: Jalan Telaga Tujuh Teluk Burau, 07000 Langkawi, Malaysia
Operating Hours: Monday & Tuesday 10AM – 7PM, Wednesday 12PM – 7PM, Thursday 10AM – 7PM, Friday & Saturday 9:30AM – 7PM
Phone number: +604 959 4225
Entrance fee: RM35 (adults) and RM25 (children aged two to 12 years old)
Visit landmarks
Pulau Langkawi has many notable landmarks worth a visit. All rich with their own lore and legends, it might not be a surprise if you find yourself not knowing where to start because this island has so much to offer! Never fear, here are some recommendations that can serve as a helpful starter guide for your first trip.
Eagle Square
If you buy postcards or keychains for souvenirs, chances are that you will see the famous eagle statue on it. The Eagle Square (or Dataran Lang as known among the locals) is home to this eagle statue. The eagle serves as the island’s emblem and tells the origin of the island’s name. According to the island’s folklore, the island’s name is a combination of two Malay words: Helang (eagle) and Kawi (reddish-brown). Hence, the reddish-brown eagle statue is now the island’s symbol.
Tourists often come here for picture opportunities with this famous monument. The Eagle Square, however, is also an ideal spot to watch ferries at the harbor. We recommend visiting early in the morning or late in the evening as the sunlight can get quite strong in this area.
Address: Persiaran Putera Kuah, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah, Malaysia
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
Phone number: +60 4-966 7789
Langkawi Sky Bridge
If you plan to ride the cable car previously mentioned, the Langkawi Sky Bridge will be the ride’s final destination. This 410 feet-long curved pedestrian bridge is located above Mount Mat Cinchang, 2300 feet above sea level. For those avid Instagrammers, a walk along this bridge will surely provide you with some stunning photo opportunities. With quite a number of stalls located at this landmark, you can also stop by to buy souvenirs.
A fun fact for Bollywood movie fans, this bridge previously became a set for ‘Don: The Chase Begins Again’!
Address: Jalan Telaga Tujuh Teluk Burau, 07000 Langkawi, Malaysia
Operating Hours: Monday & Tuesday 10AM – 7PM, Wednesday 12PM – 7PM, Thursday 10AM – 7PM, Friday & Saturday 9:30AM – 7PM
Phone number: +604 959 4225
Wat Koh Wanararm
Also known as the Lucky Temple, Wat Koh Wanararm is a Buddhist temple located at Bukit Putih. Surrounded by a beautiful landscape consisting of lush gardens, visitors can find various statues in the temple, particularly the giant golden Buddha statue in the temple’s main prayer hall. In addition, there are also the eight Tibetan stupas where devotees often pray to gain merit in life.
There is also a limestone hill in the temple’s landscape that features a beautiful carving of Kuan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy. Additionally, the temple serves as a school that teaches three types of Buddhism: Theravada, Vajrayana, and Mahayana Buddhism.
Address: Jalan Ayer Hangat, Kuah, Kedah, 07000 Langkawi, Malaysia
Operating Hours: 7AM – 6PM (Daily)
Phone number: +604 967 1917
Gunung Raya
For nature lovers, Gunung Raya is definitely one of the places you may want to visit during your trip to the island. The highest mountain in Pulau Langkawi, Gunung Raya is home to various animal species including leaf monkeys, flying foxes, and macaque monkeys among many others. Legends say that the mountain is in the shape of a cursed giant that went by the name Mat Raya.
The half-an-hour drive to the top of Gunung Raya offers visitors a picturesque view of the Adaman sea, and visitors can also visit the park and museum located at the top of the mountain. If you are looking for a hotel recommendation during your trip to the island, there is also a hill resort at Gunung Raya called the D’Coconut Hill Resort Langkawi.
Address: Jalan Air Hangat, Langkawi, Malaysia
Operating Hours: Daily
Phone number: +604 966 7789
Underwater World Langkawi
Pulau Langkawi houses Malaysia’s largest aquarium. The six-acred attraction features three sections: Tropical Rainforest, Temperate, and Sub-Antarctic. The Sub-Antarctic section is usually the most popular among the visitors, housing rockhopper, and black-footed penguins that charms visitors with their antics. Keep an eye for the feeding times at this aquarium where you can witness live feeding of the seals and penguins. The aquarium also features an educational center and a cafeteria should you go hungry during your visit.
More information can be found here.
Address: Jalan Pantai Cenang, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah, Malaysia
Operating Hours: 9:30AM – 6:30PM (Weekdays), 9:30AM – 10:30PM (Weekend and school public holidays)
Phone number: +60 4-955 6100
Entrance fees: RM33 (Malaysian, adult), RM23 (Malaysian, Children aged 12 years and under), RM43 (Foreigner, adult), RM33 (Foreigner, Children aged 12 years and under).
Gua Cerita (Cave of the Legends)
As suggested by its name, there is a lot of folklore in the island that features this cave. Some of these stories include those about princes and princesses, as well as mythical creatures such as giants. Visitors can reach this cave by taking a boat ride from Tanjung Rhu.
Address: 07000 Langkawi, Kedah, Malaysia
Operating Hours: 24 hours (Daily)
Entrance fee: Differs according to the boat charge to reach the cave
Shopping places
No travel guide will be quite complete without some shopping recommendations! Pulau Langkawi is unique for its duty-free policies, so the following recommendations will include some places where you can buy goods for both high quality and really cheap prices!
The Zon Shopping Paradise
Located at Pantai Cenang, this shopping mall certainly lives up to its name as a duty-free shopping paradise. Tourists will be treated to an array of choices of goods to buy from, ranging from jewelry to shoes and watches. The best part of it all is that these goods are priced up to 40% lower than typical retail prices! Alcohol enthusiasts can also find a variety of liquor sold cheaply such as the Johnnie Walker Black Label which can be bought at RM145 instead of its RM188 retail price.
If you apply for its membership price after the purchase of RM200 in a single receipt, you will be eligible for an additional 10% discount on some of the goods sold here. The Zon Shopping Paradise is definitely a heaven for a good shopping bargain!
Address: Pantai Cenang, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah, Malaysia
Operating Hours: 10AM – 9PM (Daily)
Phone number: +60 4-641 3200
Coco Valley – Underwater World Langkawi
Speaking of duty-free shopping, are you a fan of chocolate? Then Coco Valley is just for you! Located right next to the Underwater World Langkawi, Coco Valley offers an abundance of chocolates for you to choose from and buy at an incredibly cheap price. It houses not only local brands of chocolates but also famous international brands such as Ferrero Roche, Hershey’s, and Pepero.
If you like chocolate, you wouldn’t want to miss this place on your itinerary.
Address: 07000 Langkawi, Kedah, Malaysia
Operating Hours: 10AM – 10PM
Phone number: +60 11-2910 4969
Teow Soon Huat Duty-Free
Another duty-free shopping place recommendation is Teow Soon Huat Duty-Free. The anchor tenant of Langkawi Parade Megamall, this place not only houses plenty of stores, restaurants, and supermarkets but also, in turn, offers a wide selection of duty-free goods to choose from. Goods range from apparel, accessories, tobaccos, to alcohol among many others. The best part of it is that you can buy these goods for up to 70% off the retail price!
Address: a-14, pokok asam, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah, Malaysia
Operating Hours: 10AM – 10PM (Daily)
Phone number: +604 966 6372
Jetty Point Complex
Located at the entrance of the Kuah Jetty point, this shopping complex is often a last-minute stopover for tourists to do some additional shopping before they ride the ferry back to the mainland. Jetty Point Complex not only features a department store where you can buy clothes, cosmetics, liquor among other things, you can also buy last-minute souvenirs and snacks.
Jetty Point Complex is also where you can buy tickets for tour packages or rent vehicles to explore the island by yourself if you are feeling adventurous.
Address: Kompleks Jetty Point, Persiaran Putera, Kuah, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah, Malaysia
Operating Hours: 10AM- 10PM (Daily)
Phone number: +604 966 7560
Atma Alam Batik Village
If you are looking for a unique shopping experience as well as a chance to buy lovely souvenirs, drop by at the Atma Alam Batik Village. Atma Alam Batik Village is considered the birthplace of batik in Langkawi. Consisting of a Batik Workshop, Batik Showroom, and a gallery, visitors can not only learn about the famous art style commonly found on local fabrics, but they can also purchase high-quality batiks at affordable prices.
If you are looking for a grab bite after exploring the Batik Village, there is also a cafe where you can treat yourself to homemade cookies and cakes, and other types of snacks.
Address: Padang Matsirat, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah, Malaysia
Operating Hours: 10AM – 6PM (Closed on Tuesdays)
Phone number: +60 4-955 1227
Night Markets in Langkawi
There are plenty of night markets scattered across the island, held every day of the week. If you are looking for a more lively shopping experience with the chance to immerse yourself in the local culture, visiting some of these night markets is definitely worth the effort. Not only can you buy delicious food and drinks for cheap, but you can also buy various knick-knacks and handicrafts to bring home as souvenirs.
Some recommended night markets in Langkawi include Ulu Melaka Market, Kedawang Market, Kuah Market, and Temoyong Night Market. For more information on the location and opening times, you can refer here.
And there you have it! Although this travel guide is only a peek of what the island has to offer, we hope it can help make your first trip here fun and memorable.
Here is a fun tip! If you ever visit Pulau Langkawi, keep your ears open for the stories the locals have to offer. The island does not only offer places to explore and things to do, but also plenty of entertainment in terms of legends and folklore that might make your trip much more meaningful and exciting.
