Pulau Langkawi

Introducing Pulau Langkawi

Malaysia’s best-known holiday destination, Langkawi is one of those places whose name alone summons up images of tropical romance and carefree days under swaying coconut palms. In the Andaman Sea 30km off the coast from Kuala Perlis, it is made up of a group of 99 islands, accessible by boat from Georgetown, Kuala Perlis, Kuala Kedah and Satun, Thailand, or by air from Georgetown in Penang, KL and Singapore.

Only the main island, the 478.5 sq km Pulau Langkawi, has any real settlement. Fringed with long, sandy beaches and with an interior of jungle-clad hills and picturesque paddy-fields, it’s easy to see why this is Malaysia’s most heavily promoted tourist hotspot. Since Langkawi was declared a duty-free zone in 1986, the island has received yet more visitors, many intent solely on carting off cheap booze. Other tourist developments are ongoing, including the recently completed marina at Telaga Harbour Park. Shopping complexes dominate the main town, Kuah, while luxury resorts occupy isolated bays.

Langkawi also hosts some major events including the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) exhibition around November, the Langkawi Arts and Crafts Festival (LACRAF) in December, the Langkawi International Water Festival in April and the biennial Langkawi International Festival of Arts (LIFA). Away from the built-up areas Langkawi is still a rural Malay island of small villages, rice paddies, water buffaloes and natural beauty.

Last updated: Mar 24, 2009