Langkawi

Langkawi lies north of the Strait of Malacca in the southern Andaman Sea near the border between Malaysia and Thailand. A few kilometres to the north lies the neighbouring Thai island of Ko Tarutao. The island group's main town, on the main island, is Kuah.
Langkawi's highest point is Gunung Raya, rising to 890 m above sea level in the main island's central-eastern area.

Langkawi is the collective name for an archipelago of around 99 island in the Andaman Sea, close to the north Malaysian coast. Only two are inhabited-Pulau Langkawi, the main island, and Pulau Tuba, and these are islands of rocky mountains, lush jungle and white sandy beaches lapped by green water.

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 is also an administrative district with the town of Kuah as the capital and largest town. Langkawi is a duty-free island.

Langkawi, officially known as Langkawi, the Jewel of Kedah (Malay: Langkawi Permata Kedah is an archipelago of 99 islands (an extra 5 temporary islands are revealed at low tide in the Andaman Sea, some 30 km off the mainland coast of northwestern Malaysia.

The islands are a part of the state of Kedah, which is adjacent to the Thai border. On July 15, 2008, Sultan Abdul Halim of Kedah had consented to the change of name to Langkawi Permata Kedah in conjunction with his Golden Jubilee Celebration. Langkawi is sometimes translated as "Land of Eagles", and you can still see white-bellied fish eagles here.

However, the group is more popularly known as the "Isles of Legends", and the best known of these is of Mahshiri, a beautiful woman falsely accused of adultery. It is said that when executed for this crime, she bled white blood, and cursed the islands for seven generations. Her tomb remains a major tourist attraction.

Curses notwithstanding, Langkawi has seen dramatic economic development in recent year in 1987 it was designated a tax-free zone and later gained recognition as a UNESCO World Geopark. This combination has resulted in over two million visitors every year.

Some of the best hotels in Malaysia are now situated here (this is not a budget destination!), mostly on the western side at Pantai Tenghah and Pantai Cenang, though the north coast is also developed. Despite this growth in tourism, the main town of Kuah retains its fishing heritage and relaxed lifestyle.

Government policy prohibiting beachfront development over coconut-tree-height is both commendable and in keeping with the up-market approach. Tax-free shopping aside, water sports are the major attraction here.

Scuba diving and snorkelling are best within the Pulau Payer Marine Park. The interior of the island offers jungle trekking in one of the world's oldest rainforests, which is home to more than 200 bird species.

Highlights
The cable car ride to the top of Gunung Mat Cinang. Legend Langkawi Dalan Taman in Kuah a 20-hectare (49-acre) theme park with gaint sculptures illustrating some of the islands' many legends Crocodile Adventure on the north coast-Malaysia's largest crocodile farm, with over 1,500 saltwater crocs.

Telaga Tujuh-the "Seven Pools" which you can slide down over the moss, preferably stopping before the water cascades over acliff to form a 90 m (295 ft) waterfall. The palace built in 1999 for the film Anna and the King which you may visit whilst it still stands.

Travel Guidebooks in Malaysia