About Langkawi
Of course the main tourists attractions on the island are idyllic white sandy beaches with swaying coconut trees and crystal clear blue water. Legend has it that Mahsuri once laid a curse on Langkawi island for seven generations because she was executed for infidelity and adultery (but yet she bled white blood during her execution to prove her innocence). But it seems that her curse is over since Langkawi is now a popular tourist destination in Malaysia with thousands of tourists every year. Once a sleepy fishing town, Langkawi is now a major shopping hub following government’s decision to declare it as a duty-free zone.
Therefore, Langkawi island is a shopping haven for shopaholics as you can pretty much get everything from liquors to cigars, chocolates to fashion apparels and many more at tax-free lowest prices. In terms of population, majority of the folks here are Malays (up to 90 percent) while the remaining 10 percent comprise Chinese, Indians and Thais. Besides well-known as a shopping haven, Langkawi Island has also been named World Geopark by Unesco in June 2007. The three main conservation areas are Island of the Pregnant Maiden Lake, Kilim Karst Geoforest Park and Machincang Cambrian Geoforest Park.
One can easily get to the island via ferry from Kuala Perlis or by taking flights from Kuala Lumpur operated by AirAsia. The island is not only geared towards tourism because majority of the local folks are either skilled fishermen, farmers or entrepreneurs. To further boost tourism industry in Langkawi island, government has initiated The Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) development programme by upgrading and improving facilities on the island in an effort to push Langkawi as a world-class tourist destination.
Through NCER, government is working hard to drive more developers to operate world-class hotels and holiday resorts on Langkawi to accommodate the growing number of tourists every year. In addition to that, more attractions such as adventure tourism, exhibition centres, day cruises, zoo and factory shopping outlet would also be introduced to diversify the tourism attractions to appeal to travelers from abroad. Based on statistics, it is believed that Langkawi is the busiest island in Peninsular second to Penang.
Thus, one can easily recognize the differences and developments on the island as the beautiful countryside and panoramic landscape of paddy fields have turned into tourist attractions catered to sightseers. Think great adventures and captivating scenery, think Langkawi!
More facts about Langkawi Island
Province : Kedah State
Country : Malaysia
Latitude : 06 19 N
Longitude : 99 50 E
Langkawi Island is located just off the coast of North Western Malaysia, about 30 km from Kuala Perlis and 51 km from Kuala Kedah and close to Thailand. The archipelago of Langkawi contains 99 islands during high tide whereas during low tide, the number of islands can be as many as 104. Sanctuary of some of the most ancient rainforests in the world, they are teeming with exotic flora and fauna. Langkawi Island itself is the largest among the archipelago, measuring about 478.5 sq km, is the only one with any real settlement. It fringed by lovely beaches scattered along its coast. The island is still very much a rural landscape with villages and paddy fields.
By Road
Drive to Kuala Kedah or Kuala Perlis, the main take-off points by ferry to Langkawi. The journey from Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Kedah takes about six hours while Kuala Perlis is another hour away.
By Air
Malaysia Airlines and budget carrier AirAsia provide direct air services from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) to Langkawi.There are direct flights to Langkawi from London twice a week.
By Rail
Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) or Malayan Railway provides economical and comfortable rail services from Kuala Lumpur to Alor Star in Kedah and Arau in Perlis (north of Kedah). From these points, take a taxi or bus Kuala Kedah and Kuala Perlis for your ferry to Langkawi.
By Sea
Express ferries provide regular services daily to Langkawi from both Kuala Kedah and Kuala Perlis. The journey takes about 1 hour 15 minutes and 45 minutes respectively. From Penang to Langkawi the ferry takes about 2 hours 30 minutes. The island is also a stopover for Star Cruises, one of the largest luxury cruise lines in the world.