Langkawi

Langkawi, Malaysia

From a backwater peripheral district, Langkawi has now become a major touristic destination, attracting visitors from all over the world thanks to its pristine tropical beaches and natural attractions. In 2008, the archipelago was renamed "Langkawi Permata Kedah", which literally means "Langkawi, the jewel of Kedah" – an appropriate name, given that Langkawi truly is a jewel, a tropical paradise begging to be explored.

Population:

Approximately 99,000

Currency:

Malaysian ringgit, RM1 = 100 sen (cents)

Emergency Numbers:

Emergency: 999
From mobile: 112

Opening Hours:

Most shops are open from 10.00 to 19.00, but some have longer opening hours like 08.00-22.00. Malaysia is a Muslim country, which means that shops generally close on Friday, but some (Chinese or Indian) may still be open.

Newspapers:

New Straits Times
The Star
The Sun
The Edge

The Archipelago

Langkawi is a tropical archipelago located in the Andaman sea in northwestern Malaysia, at the border with Thailand. It consists of 104 islands (99 during high tide) of which only 4 are permanently inhabited. The main island, also called Langkawi, is where most of the population and attractions are located. The latter include the famous Sky Bridge, the Pulau Payar Marine Park, the large Underwater World aquarium and, of course, pristine beaches and lush rainforests.

There are many activities that you can enjoy in Langkawi, the most obvious being a relaxing day in one of the island's fine resorts and beaches. If you feel adventurous, however, try the Sky Cab and Sky Bridge to have a breathtaking vista of Langkawi's wild nature, or explore the mangrove forest with a kayak in the Kilim Karst Geoforest Park. On the other hand, if you want to discover the local culture and have a taste of the delicious cuisine, make sure to visit the local shops, markets and restaurants: you will not be disappointed.

Whether you plan to sit and relax on a tropical beach, enjoy the nightlife or just want to immerse yourselves in nature and wildlife, Langkawi will fulfil all your wishes and offer you even more.

Do & See

Langkawi has much to offer to all kinds of travellers, but it's well worth a visit mostly for its natural attractions: from tropical beaches like Pantai Cenang to nature reserves such as the Kilim Karst Geoforest Park; from the breathtaking vista on top of the Sky Bridge to the fun and unique experience of the Pulau Payar Marine Park.

Dining

Malaysian cuisine fully represents the mixture and variety of Malaysian society: different culinary traditions (Malay, Chinese, Indian and so on) coexist and influence each other, creating a peculiar mix of tastes and flavours.

Rice is a staple in all Asian cultures and is served with almost every dish, accompanied by meat or fish. Very characteristic is also the abundant usage of spices and coconut milk, like in Malaysia's national dish Nasi Lemak (coconut-flavoured rice with boiled eggs and peanuts).

In Langkawi, you can find anything from traditional Malay cuisine to Chinese or Thai specialities, as well as western-inspired, international dishes: everything your taste buds desire, with the Langkawi rainforest and the Andaman Sea for dining backdrop.

Here's a list of the best places to eat in Langkawi, Malaysia:

Cafes

Langkawi offers a variety of eateries, ranging from local cafes and lounges to traditional western cafeterias and pastry shops. Sitting in a cafe while having a refreshing drink is a nice way of relaxing but also a good way to get some respite from the tropical heat.

Below are some of the best cafes in Langkawi, Malaysia: