If you feel suspicious of resorts with fancy nicknames, join the club. But Langkawi – an Andaman Sea archipelago some 30 kilometres off mainland Malaysia – just about lives up to its billing as the “jewel” of the state of Kedah.
Sheltered by peninsular Malaysia's mountainous backbone, the archipelago escapes the north eastern winter monsoon and enjoys sunny skies in winter when the eastern provinces are flooded. Featuring pristine jungle, natural white sand beaches and craggy peaks, it is a recognised “geopark” blessed with a wealth of wildlife. The lineup runs the gamut from otters to a quirky bird called the “racket-tailed drongo”.
Getting there is easy: you can fly or get a ferry from Kuala Kedah, Kuala Perlis, Penang or Satun in Thailand. The main destination is the largest island, Pulau Langkawi – a roughly Singapore-size duty-free haven that serves as the stage for all the attractions and action below.
Langkawi top five attractions:
1. Eagle Square
The most striking sight in Langkawi, this square is landscaped with scenic ponds, bridges and covered terraces. Its signature eagle – a nod to the possible avian origin of the name Langkawi – looks especially striking when lit up at night.
2. Pantai Cenang
The main virgin white beach, Pantai Cenang is lapped by warm gentle waves. Tourists flock to the area, which is teeming with web cafes and guesthouses like the popular and friendly Rainbow Lodge (rainbowlangkawi.com). Across Pantai Cenang in typically eclectic Malaysian style, the food runs the spectrum, from shrimp on the barbie to bratwurst and seafood platters.
3. Three top-tier tours
Langkawi has three outstandingly good value tours: Irshad's (junglewalla.com) rainforest tour, run from the Datai hotel; the Stardust mangrove safari (langkawi-sailing.com); and an "air-trekking" canopy tour (langkawi.travel/lca.htm).
4. Tuaran Crocodile Farm (Crocodile Adventureland)
Crocodile Adventureland may be in doubtful taste owing to the fact it breeds crocodiles for skin and meat – still, it's great for kids. The living dinosaur theme park contains over a thousand crocs and alligators, with the obligatory crocodile shows and a few other animal species, like deer, monitor lizards and snakes. Adult RM15, Child RM10, plus camera fees. Jalan Datai, Mk. Ayer Hangat 07000 (On the way to Teluk Datai), +60 49592559. Daily, 9am to 6pm. Show Time: daily at 11.15am & 2.45pm. Hourly feedings. http://tuarancrocodilefarm.com/
5. Laman Padi Rice Garden, (northern end of Pantai Cenang, opposite Casa Del Mar Hotel)
The prospect of rice fields might appear tedious, but on a cool day Laman Padi Rice Garden, which consists of landscaped rice fields, is eerily beautiful. A museum in English documents the machinations involved in growing rice.
+60 955 4312. 10am-6pm. Free.
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