WHEN you're looking for the ultimate tropical escape in Malaysia, Langkawi - home to the most lovely cascades and forest valleys in the world is by a long shot the main contender.
Encircled by turquoise waters, Langkawi, which was awarded the Unesco Global Geopark status is brimming with hidden fortunes that are bound to make an epic escape.
It's easy to see why Langkawi is rapidly turning into Malaysia's hottest tourist destination.
Here are 10 interesting places you should visit if you find yourself on this treasured island!
LEGENDARY MAHSURI
Makam Mahsuri is a mausoleum to honour a legendary old folk story of Mahsuri binti Pandak Mayah, whose beauty was the envy of her sister-in law, who started a rumour accusing Mahsuri of being unfaithful to her husband.
Condemned to execution without trial, Mahsuri swore her innocence as she laid a curse on
Langkawi condemned the island to go through a barren spell for seven generations.
It proved to be true as only recently, Langkawi came out of their dry spell and is now regarded as a huge tourist attraction.
Take this chance to learn more about the beautiful Mahsuri whilst indulging in the classical Malay architecture and artistry as a few wooden houses act as a mini museum displaying some of Mahsuri's jewels as well as the weapon used to execute her.
You will also find a tomb set in a white square, embedded in beautiful greenery with a brief description of Mahsuri's destiny.
ICONIC EAGLE
The words "helang" (eagle) and "kawi" (reddish brown) are the inspiration behind the enchanted island's name, which is why the Dataran Helang is iconic!
The Dataran Helang, home of the commanding 12m high eagle statue, overlooking the Kuah Jetty, is seen as the inviting symbol for travellers coming into Langkawi.
The Giant Brahminy kite and a medium-sized shopping centre make this a well-known travellers picture taking spot.
STEEPEST CABLE CAR
Get a feel of the verdure of Langkawi with the steepest cable car ride in the world. At 708m above sea level, you will be blessed with views of the entire Langkawi Island and surprisingly, even Southern Thailand!
Massive rock towers and ridges providing incredible 360 degrees panoramic views make this an
unquestionable 'must see' for all visitors.
Partake in the Langkawi Skyrail by meeting up with the jungle trekking tour located at the medium station on the Langkawi Skybridge, a one of a kind curved bridge at the highest point of the Machinchang Mountain.
GO UNDERWATER
Underwater World Langkawi is one of the biggest marine and freshwater aquaria in South East Asia.
It is built to bring issues to light on the significance of conserving our valuable aquatic living things, consequently making comprehension of the profound and indistinguishable bond among
man and nature.
At Underwater World Langkawi, attractions include, Tropical Rainforest & River Ecosystem, Temperate & Sub-Antarctic as well as Marine Section, Freshwater Fish Section, the Seashell Display, the Koi Pond, the Reptilium Section, Invertebrate Section, the Coral Reef Section and the Poisonous & Venomous Section.
Featuring an enormous 15m walk-through tunnel, visitors can see the exceptional sea creatures up close and personal such as the Giant Green Turtle. The gigantic oceanarium is situated near a shopping centre and bistro.
Visitors are thus provided with a one-stop shopping, eating and entertainment package, all of which are situated within one area.
FIRE SHOW
The liveliest spot in Langkawi is located by Cenang Beach. A great place loaded up with colourful bean bags on the sand, this is the definitive area you need to be at to soak in the
sunset views.
Get there early, book your beanbag, feel the music and spend your time devouring the food and drinks at nearby restaurants whilst waiting for the performances to start.
Performances include twirling fire batons, tossing and catching them, spinning sparkling pois and lighting up the night with a giant cone of flame shot from a rod.
This is one activity that is sure to light up your night!
GEOFOREST PARK
Kilim Karst Geoforest Park is an unblemished nature reserve and an assortment of geo-sites loaded with astounding flora and fauna, dazzling geological developments such as, mammoth limestone rocks, fossils, caves and lagoons, beaches and thick forests of mangroves.
Keep an eye on the mangrove region and the muddy flats, you will see a bunch of astonishing creatures.
Other than squirrels, mud crabs and monkeys, you will also see monitor lizards that can easily plunge in and remain submerged for a sustained period in the water.
Located nearby, there lies a floating fish farm. They host enormous open water tanks and you can see an amazing array of fish in them.
There are many hidden caves here that are concealed by the dense mangrove roots. This is where you will find mangroves aged more than 100 years old.
You can find the tallest limestone rock arrangement of Langkawi overshadowing the aged mangroves.
ALL ABOUT PADDY
Rice museums may not be big on your rundown of activities to do in Southeast Asia, yet on the off chance that you're going through Langkawi, a pit-stop to Museum Laman Padi is worth the effort.
The island of Langkawi is a state famous for being known as the rice-bowl of Malaysia and the highest producer of rice in the country. Langkawi opened the museum in 1998 as a presentation centre for local rice-related artefacts, charts, pictures and rice planting tools, diverging towards being an eco-tourism draw.
It grandstands the verifiable and social significance of conventional paddy-cultivating and offers visitors a hands-on understanding of the techniques of rice cultivation.
ART AND CRAFTY
The Langkawi Craft Complex began its operations around 1996 and is sized at a massive 32
acres of land located at Jalan Teluk Yu in the Sub-District of Bohor, Langkawi Island.
The architecture of the complex is embellished with Islamic thematic components intent on improving decorative designs on the walls detailing a good mix with Malay architecture.
The Langkawi Craft Complex hosts a selection of different local craft products and at the same time, visitors have the chance to browse through the Heritage Museum and the Customs & Wedding.
Apart from engaging in interactive craft activities, visitors have the opportunity to record delightful moments at the Dataran Tangga Seribu (A Thousand Staircase Square), one of the symbols at the Langkawi Craft Complex.
AGRO PARK
The Mardi Agro Technology Park is opened to the public to provide exposure on the utilisation of modern innovation in Malaysia's agricultural industry.
This massive park is well known for its commercialised farms planted with a wide variety of organic products.
Here, you will be taken on a ride around the area using the uniquely provided transportation. If you are a herb-plant enthusiast, this place is the perfect fit for you.
After the touring ride, you can take a break by feasting on a wonderful local fruits buffet. There are 20 various types of seasonal and non-seasonal tropical fruit trees in the farmland.
The fruit farm covers about 40% of the total land area of the park. A portion of the many fruits you can see here includes star fruits, guava, citrus, mango, rambutan, pulasan, durian, cempedak, jack fruits, longan and many others.
Visitors are gifted with an intriguing keepsake of a palm leaf 'origami', uniquely created by the area's staff.
FAMILY FUN
At 3D Art Langkawi, there's a surplus of 100 fine arts made by 23 Korean craftsmen and a few capable nearby specialists.
You can see mythical beasts emerging from the photo frames, or a man's hand extending out of his portrait to warmly greet.
This is the world's second biggest 3D art museum and absolutely the biggest in the entire Malaysia.
It traverses across three stories in a structure and covers a complete floor area of around 2,000 square metres.
There's a few zones or segments in the art museum each having its own theme and a type of 3D workmanship.
The type of zones include the aquarium zone filled with pictures of marine life, a safari zone portraying work of art with animal life, a few zones where you can interact with the art items, and dream zones, where you will feel like you are strolling through dreams.
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