Langkawi island is an archipelago of 104 islands lying in the north western coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The exact location of these tropical islands is at the site where the Straits of Malacca meets the waters of the Andaman Seas.The largest of these islands is called Langkawi Island and is bigger than the Penang Island.The other islands in this group are Island of Pregnant Maiden (Pulau Dayang Bunting), Lion Island (Pulau Singa Besar) and Beras Basah Island.The smallest of these islands are atolls roughly the size of an ordinary house!
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.The main tourist attractions of Langkawi Island is its virgin white sandy beaches.The beaches have very gentle continental slope and the water is crystal clear.
This island is unique in the sense that it has so many legendsand myths associated with it.Langkawi Island is therefore also called Pulau Lagenda or Legendary Island.
The most talked about legend is that of Mahsuri who is said to have laid a curse on this island for seven generations.Luckily the period of this curse is over now and Langkawi Island is fast becoming an internationally recognised tourist destination.
The government of Malaysia has declared the entire Langkawi Island as a duty free zone. Hence this island is also termed Duty Free Island.All goods sold in this island are exempted from government tax.Therefore this Legendary Island is a haven for the shoppers.You only need to stay in Langkawi for a minimum of 48 hours to take back home a reasonable amount of tax free goods.
Langkawi Island - Location Map
Langkawi Island - Getting There
By Road
Visitors travelling by road have to drive to Kuala Kedah or Kuala Perlis on the north-western coast of Peninsular Malaysia, the main take-off points by ferry to Langkawi. The journey from Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Kedah takes about 6 hours while Kuala Perlis is another one hour away. Car parking facilities are available at both points.
By Air
The Langkawi International Airport at Padang Mat Sirat is about 20 km from Kuah and 8 km from the beach resorts in Pantai Cenang. Direct air services from Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi are provided by .Malaysia Airlines on a daily basis and Air Asia five times weekly. Silk Air also flies regularly from Singapore to the island. There are also direct international flights to Langkawi from Osaka and Taipei.
By Rail
Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) or Malayan Railway provides comfortable and economical rail services from Kuala Lumpur to Alor Setar and Arau. From Alor Setar or Arau, you can take a taxi or bus to Kuala Kedah or Kuala Perlis respectively and then proceed by ferry to Langkawi.
By Ferry
There are 4 ports of embarkation from where one can take a ferry to Langkawi Islands.Three are in Malaysia and one in southern Thailand. The ports are:-
Visitors travelling by road have to drive to Kuala Kedah or Kuala Perlis on the north-western coast of Peninsular Malaysia, the main take-off points by ferry to Langkawi. The journey from Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Kedah takes about 6 hours while Kuala Perlis is another one hour away. Car parking facilities are available at both points.
By Air
The Langkawi International Airport at Padang Mat Sirat is about 20 km from Kuah and 8 km from the beach resorts in Pantai Cenang. Direct air services from Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi are provided by .Malaysia Airlines on a daily basis and Air Asia five times weekly. Silk Air also flies regularly from Singapore to the island. There are also direct international flights to Langkawi from Osaka and Taipei.
By Rail
Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) or Malayan Railway provides comfortable and economical rail services from Kuala Lumpur to Alor Setar and Arau. From Alor Setar or Arau, you can take a taxi or bus to Kuala Kedah or Kuala Perlis respectively and then proceed by ferry to Langkawi.
By Ferry
There are 4 ports of embarkation from where one can take a ferry to Langkawi Islands.Three are in Malaysia and one in southern Thailand. The ports are:-
1. Kuala Perlis in Perlis
Kuala Perlis is about 30.5 Km from Langkawi Island.It provides the shortest route to the island.This fishing village at the mouth of Perlis River is becoming increasingly important as the transit point to Langkawi.Its ferry terminal has been upgraded recently to upgrade the passenger facilities. Kuala Perlis can be reached via road and rail.Keretapi Tanah Melayu or KTM (Malayan Railways) provides comfortable train service (Langkawi Express) from Kuala Lumpur to Arau,from where one can take a taxi to Kuala Perlis.
2. Kuala Kedah in Kedah
Kuala Kedah also provides ferry services to Langkawi Islands.One can travel to Kuala Kedah by road or rail.Train travellers have to proceed to Kuala Kedah in a taxi from Alor Star.A new jetty terminal has been constructed here to cater for the increase in the passenger flow to Langkawi Island.
3. Georgetown in Penang Island
There is also a ferry service from Penang Island to Langkawi.
4. Satun in South Thailand
There are 3 ferry services daily to Lagkawi from Satun.
By Cruise
A novel way to take a holiday to Langkawi is by cruise ship. Cruises are of varying duration depending on the ports of call en-route to Langkawi. Embarkation points are at Port Klang and Singapore.
For enquiries on cruise packages, contact your travel agents or the various cruise operator:
Starcruise Tel: 03-309 2828
Empress Cruise Line Tel: 03-466 7888
Geting around in Langkawi is easy and convenient. Whether you are travelling from the airport to Kuah, the biggest town on Langkawi or moving about in town itself, you should have no problem catching a car or hoping on a bus. Besides, there are local and International car hire companies that provide self drive service.
Cars cab rented for between RM80 to RM100 per day. Motorcycles can be hired for between RM30 to RM35 per day. Bicycles would cost from RM18 to RM20 per day.
The bus and taxi terminal are located near Kuah jetty and you can eith take a 5-minute taxi drive or a 20-minute walk to get to town.
By Bus
From Kuah Town to Pantai Cenang
Every hour from 7.00am till 6.15pm
Fare : RM1.40
From Kuah Town to Pantai Kok and Burau Bay
Every Two Hour from 8.00am till 4.30pm
Fare : RM1.70
From Kuah Town to Padang Lalang and Teluk Ewa
Every hour from 7.00am till 6.16pm
Fare : RM1.90
Duty Free Shopping
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. A good Place to start one's shopping spree is the modern Langkawi Fair Shopping Mall, consisting of 100 retail lots housed in a 2-storey building. Its anchor tenant, the Samudra Duty Free Department Store, stocks a wide selection of items such as perfumes and fragrances, cosmetics, leather wear, sports gear, ladies' accessories, confectionary, liquor and cigarettes.
The other shopping outlets to check out in Kuah is the Langkawi Duty Free (M) Sdn. Bhd and the Saga Shopping Centre. The former sells a range of duty free items and the latter a variety of imported kitchenware and household appliances, clothing, luggage, confectionary and assorted goods. There are also other shops where shoppers can browse for bargains and perhaps pick up some local items. The Teow Soon Huat Departmental Store in Pokok Assam just outside the town is another shopping outlet which is worthwhile exploring. Visitors to the Langkawi Underwater World at Pantai Cenang should not miss the Zone Shopping Paradise Duty Free Centre housed within the same complex. The wide range of items on sale include cigarettes, liquor, cosmetics, watches, fashion wear, jewellery, confectionary and batik.
Another popular shopping stop, especially for visitors departing Langkawi by ferry, is the Jetty Point Duty Free Complex, a 5-minute taxi ride from Kuah town. Here, There is also an attractive range of duty free items available including ladies and men's apparel and bric-a-brac. Among the many choices for shoppers include souvenir items such as pewter, handicraft, batik, crystals and glassware. Others include confectionary, liquor, silk fabrics, perfumes and fragrances, cosmetics, shoes and seafood items. Visitors are allowed to bring back to the mainland one bottle of liquor and one carton of cigarettes after staying at least 48 hours on the island.
Shopping Centres
- Langkawi Mall
Pokok Asam Arcade, 07000 Kuah, Langkawi, Kedah. - Langkawi Fair Shopping Complex
Persiaran Putra, 07000 Kuah, Langkawi, Kedah. - Jetty Point Duty Free Complex
Jetty Point, Kuah Jetty 07000 Kuah, Langkawi, Kedah. - Saga Shopping Centre
Plot 12-21, (Lot 1861), Kuah, 07000 Kuah, Langkawi, Kedah. - Teow Soon Huat
Supermarket & Departmental Store, 07000 Kuah, Langkawi, Kedah. - Langkawi Duty Free (M) Sdn. Bhd.
1078 Persiaran Putra, 07000 Kuah, Langkawi, Kedah. - Zone Shopping Paradise
The Underwater World, Pantai Cenang, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah. - Kamdar
Langkawi Mall, Persiaran Bunga Raya, 07000 Kuah, Langkawi, Kedah. - Idaman Suri
Langkawi Mall, No. 120 & 122, Persiaran Bunga Raya, 07000 Kuah, Langkawi, Kedah.
Accommodation in Langkawi Island
• JB Motel Langkawi Attraction
 
 
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