Rebak Island Langkawi

There are numerous outlying islets you can visit when you visit Langkawi Island. Rebak Island – measuring approximately 390 acres – is a short boat ride away. Home to the exclusive Rebak Island Resort, part of the Taj Hotels, Resorts and Palaces international hotel chain, this holiday spot is an incredibly romantic and secluded isle. Playing host to a gorgeous marina, the only fully-equipped marina in the country, there’s not much to see or do on these shores beside lounging in the sun and soaking in the surf. If you’ve got a yen for sightseeing then you’re going to need to take the boat back to the mainland to visit Langkawi Island’s more popular beaches – Pantai Cenang, Pantai Tengah and Pantai Kok.

Named after the Rebak tree, Rebak Island Resort’s secluded stretches of beach are reserved exclusively for its guests; hotel facilities are made available to them for free or at reduced rates. Most Langkawi visitors tend to use the daylight hours by joining island-hopping and eagle-feeding tours; if you’re a resort guest then the hotel can arrange these tours for you but you’ll get better rates by booking in advance. Truthfully there’s not much for you to do on Rebak Island itself – so if you have itchy feet head on over to Pantai Cenang for the afternoon to do some sightseeing and take a trip down to Kuah for some retail-therapy.

Telaga Harbour Langkawi

This is a wonderful and picturesque harbor complex located in Pantai Kok area of Langkawi on the western coastline. It covers 27 acres of basin area and includes a full serviced marina for yachts & sailboats and a shopping complex with a board walk that also has several upscale restaurants & bars. 

Telaga Harbor park once used to be a sleepy fishing village. LADA (Langkawi Development Authority) has built a modern and sophisticated marina with comprehensive berthing facilities and added Perdana Quay which is a harbor-side complex having a boardwalk with several waterside restaurants, bars and shops to make it a great attraction for both yachters and tourists. In the evenings when all the lights are put on, Telaga Harbor Park looks gorgeous and awesome. 

The marina is today home to many passing as well as Langkawi based yachts of various sizes including mega yachts. It has now become a self contained township and is only such harbor town in the entire region. You can come to the harbor and enjoy sailing. Annual International Water Festival is held during the first quarter of the year when you can participate in many water based activities and games held in the harbor park. 

Facilities at Telaga Harbor Park

This is a small but a complete harbor town offering berthing facilities for small to mega yachts, full marina services, yachters work places, hotels, restaurants, bars, shopping, bank with ATM facilities, Petrol Station etc. 

Langkawi Eagle Square

Also known as Eagle Square, Dataran Lang is one of Langkawi’s best known manmade attractions, a large sculpture of an eagle poised to take flight. A sight that greets visitors to the island via ferry, the 12 metre-tall statue is one of the island’s most instantly recognizable monuments. 

Located at the southeast corner of Pulau Langkawi, besides offering beautiful views of Kuah Bay, Dataran Lang has beautiful miniature fountains, terraces and bridges, making it the ideal place for those postcard-perfect holiday photos. The square is a good place to watch ferries ply across the harbour but plan a trip here early in the morning or late in the evening when the sun is at its least intense.

The reddish-brown eagle at Dataran Lang was built as an emblem of the island. According to folklore Langkawi’s name came from two Malay words – ‘helang’ (eagle) and ‘kawi' (reddish brown): hence lang-kawi. 

Adjacent to the CHOGM Park and Taman Lagenda Dalam Langkawi, the monument is also within walking distance of some of the best duty-free shops in Langkawi and the Jetty Point Mall – chocolates and alcohol are especially good buys here.

Source : www.langkawi-info.com

Langkawi Lagend Park

The island of Langkawi has always been surrounded with legends.A visit to Langkawi will be incomplete if you do not visit Taman Legenda (Legend Park). Here at this park, you can learn about all the legends that made up the character of the mystical Langkawi.

The 50 acre park consists of 17 monuments, each with a story to tell, amidst scenic gardens of various flowers and plants. There is also 4 artificial lakes and a beach forming a fitting backdrop for buildings that house Langkawi’s rich heritage.The park was built at the cost of MYR37 million on reclaimed land and was officially opened on April 27th 1996. Inside the park, you will get splendid specimens of traditional Malay handicraft and cultural artworks. It is located 400 meters from the Kuah Jetty and is within easy reach from the town centre.Taman Legenda is one of the best places to visit if you want to have a quick overview of Langkawi’s history.

For example, one of the many interesting legends that explain how Langkawi town derived its name “Kuah” (Malay for Gravy) is the legend of Mat Raya and Mat Cincang. Legends speak of these two formidable warriors having a duel, which resulted in the formation of several landmarks around the island like Gunung Raya and Gunung Mat Cincang. Kuah is said to be formed when the two warriors, while fighting overturned a bowl of gravy.

Other lesser known legends of Langkawi depicted in Taman Legenda include the legend of Pandak Mayah's spear, the legend of Pulau Hantu (Ghost Island) and the legend of the Mermaid's Golden Ball.Apart from being able to learn about the rich heritage of Langkaw Island, this superbly maintained park is also an ideal place to go for a stroll and enjoy the peaceful ambiance of what Langkawi has to offer. The locals here also regard the well-maintained Taman Legenda as one of their favorite picnic spots on the island. But if you find walking too tiring, it is also possible to hire a buggy to explore the park.

The park is open daily from 8am until 11pm.the entrance ticket will cost you MYR5 for adults and MYR2.50 for children. I am not sure about the age limit for children though.For groups of 15 persons and above, there is a 10% discount on the entrance fee.

Telaga Air Hangat Langkawi

The hot springs well is a popular spot which was earlier called Telaga Air Hangat. It is situated on four acres of land, about 14km northeast of Kuah Town, Langkawi.ir Hangat (Hot Springs) is associated with an ancient legendary battle between Mat Cincang and Mat Raya during which a cauldron of boiling water was spilled at the spot which became a series of Hot Springs and named as Telaga Air Hangat. Despite what locals believe, scientifically the water of hot springs is heated by geothermal sources. It is one of the only four saline hot springs with a man-made three-tiered fountain and an 18 meters long stone wall. The stone wall has a handmade carving on it, portraying the famous legend of the fiercely fight between the two giants. The Legend of Air Hangat is displayed in the center of the mural which explains the history of Langkawi and how the Kuah town derived its name.Air Hangat Village is a modern complex with a blend of both a spa and a cultural park. It has four small hot water pools which believe to contain therapeutic water with curative properties. One can soak their feet in one of the pools for a refreshed and rejuvenated experience.

The village hosts cultural shows like Malaysian and Southeast Asian dances and other interesting activities and sports including batik painting, performances by elephants and kickboxing. It has a duty-free shopping area at the pavilions and a theatre restaurant where different cuisine such as fine Malaysian, Thai and Indonesian dishes are served. Other than that it also include a café and a lunge with variety of food and beverages are available.

Visitors can also see the everyday illustrations of batik paintings and local crafts like wood carving where you can also take part in and make your own. Thus, it is a fascinating place where you can spend a quality time with your friends or family

Source : www.langkawipoint.com

Telaga Tujuh Langkawi

Known as the “Seven Wells” in English, Telaga Tujuh is located around 45 kilometers from Kuah town at Gunung Mat Cincang.It is easily reachable by taxis or buses form the main town. Nestled at the north western corner of Langkawi Island, the beautifully crafted geological formation is indeed a natural wonder to be admired. The waterfalls got their name from the plunging waters that cascade down into a series of 7 pools.

At the last fall, the waters fall from a height of over 90 meters and over the millenniums, the fast flowing waters have smoothed the surface of the once sharp rock edges.If you were to take a cable car up to Gunang Mat Cincang, you can easily see why the Telaga Tujuh waterfall is so awe inspiring. According to the legend that surrounds the waterfalls, it is said that the fairies were so captivated by the beauty of this place that they made Telaga Tujuh as their bathing place. And as they bathed in the pools, healing powers are said to be instilled into the water of these pools. The surrounding foliages near the pools are also said to be left by the fairies.

To reach the first waterfall will require you to take a short climb up the mountain. But getting to the top of the falls will require climbing up a flight of 638 concrete steps inclined at an angle of 45 to 60 degrees!The first of the lower falls will take about 10 minutes to reach. A hike of 20 minutes will be required for the “Middle Falls”. These are where the “WELLS” are located. They are known as “WELLS” because the falls here are gentler and some of them actually resemble pools.

I have no idea how long it will take to reach the higher falls as I was too exhausted by the time I arrived at the middle falls. From what I was told, the view from the top is truly splendid.Along the way through the dipterocarp rainforest, you will get to observe many exotic animals, like the cream colored squirrels and the long tailed macaque monkeys, and if you are really lucky, you might even get to see the magnificent hornbill with its enormous curved orange beak.Actually, a walk through the rainforest of the Telaga Tujuh waterfall is like having a snapshot of what the splendor of nature holds for us if we dare to venture deeper into the jungle.

Not surprisingly, with rich fauna and flora, the area has been made a forest reserve, the Machinchang Forest Reserve. Telaga Tujuh is located in Compartment 8 of the Forest Reserve which comprises mainly of dipterocarp forests.As the site is popular among both the locals and the tourists, various facilities have been constructed for the convenience of visitors coming to visit the waterfall. There is ample parking spaces for cars and entry is charged at MYR 2 per entry. There are also shops here selling food and drinks but they normally open around midday.

Source : www.malaysia-travel-guide.com

Pekan Rabu Kedah

Pekan Rabu, literally translated “Wednesday Market”, is a well-known attraction among both the locals and tourists from outside Kedah. From its humble beginnings as a weekly market operating from an attap-roofed shack, it has since expanded into a multi- storey arcade selling a wide range of traditional delicacies, handicraft products and apparel. 

It is one of the best places to get traditional Malay foods such as serunding, dodol durian, kuah rojak and garam belacan. For its success, the business complex has become a source of pride among the Malay community in Kedah for helping encourage Malays to take an active role in commerce. 

Opening hours are from 8am to 9pm daily. Stalls remain open even on public holidays and festivals.

source : www.tourism.gov.my

Mount Jerai Kedah

I had wanted to climb Gunung Jerai (also known as Kedah Peak) ever since I saw its brooding silhouette in the distance from the top of Penang Hill.

It is a good size, 1217m (3992 ft) and is the second highest peak in Kedah state. Because it rises steeply from the surrounding pancake-flat paddy fields it seems even higher.According to my list of the Highest Mountains in Malaysia it is ranked 148th highest.Then I discovered that it is possible to drive up the mountain so I cheated. Nowadays I have a habit that if there is a road, I use it and save my energy for those mountains (the vast majority) where walking is the only choice.

The 8560 hectares of jungle enveloping Kedah Peak is a protected forest reserve and I passed by the Sungai Teroi Recreational Forest on the way where there are jungle trails to explore.Almost at the top of the mountain is the Regency Jerai Hill Resort, a smart looking 4 star hotel which was opened in 2010. It has 75 rooms and chalets, a swimming pool and a nice restaurant

The mountain is marked on the map on my Top Kedah Attractions page.The turn off is just past the town of Gurun and is clearly signposted. Take care on the winding 13km approach road if you are driving yourself.

Paddy Museum Kedah

The Kedah Paddy Museum is nothing to do with Irishmen. It is dedicated to the rice plant, paddy, the world's most important crop.The word "paddy" is derived from the Malay word padi meaning rice plant so it is appropriate that one of the world's few rice museums should be in Malaysia. The other rice museums that I am aware of are the Gohan Museum in Yurakucho, Japan and IRRI's RiceWorld in Los Baños, Philippines.

The Paddy Museum is big, with an area of 12,000 square meters spread over three floors.The architecture of the building is designed to symbolize bushels of harvested rice stalks.Rice motifs decorate the external facade and are used on railings in the interior.

The museum explains the rice cultivation process, displays different varieties of rice, showcases equipment and tools used in rice cultivation through the ages and in various countries.On entering the museum I was directed to a spiral staircase which has been decorated to resemble the interior of a cave, possible inspired by the cave in Gunung Keriang which is located a short distance away.The stairs lead to the top floor of the museum and I emerged onto a revolving platform equipped with forty cinema seats from which visitors can admire a 360 degree diorama and mural which has been painted on the entire inside wall of the upper level.

Apparently the mural was painted by a team of 60 North Korean artists and I have to say they did an excellent job in creating a realistic panorama of the paddy fields and scenery found in this part of Kedah

Elsewhere in the museum the exhibits are spread around thinly and there is quite a lot of underutilized space. I suppose with rice grains being so small it is difficult to fill a 12,000 sq. meter museum but it is still well worth visiting if only to see the murals

source : http://www.malaysia-traveller.com

Pulau Payar Marine Park Kedah

The sprinkling of jade green islands that make up Pulau Payar lie just 30km south- east of Langkawi. From here, it is a 1-hour boat ride out to the best marine park on Malaysia's West Coast, making it an ideal choice for a day outing.

This well-preserved, uninhabited marine park extends over a number of islands, with Pulau Payar being the largest. Your base out here is the floating platform moored off Pulau Payar. But the real attraction of this platform lies below sea level.

Step into the underwater observation chamber to view the marine life surrounding a reef. Want to get even closer to the swirl of fishes that make these corals their home? Grab a mask, a snorkel and fins and join the spectacle! If you’re into scuba diving, the best diving is along the reef system that skirts the south, east and west of Pulau Payar. Please check with your dive operator what the visibility is while you’re there, as conditions vary.

There is no accommodation in Pulau Payar as it is a marine park, but Langkawi, with all its fine resorts and restaurants, is just a speedy boat-ride away.

source : www.tourism.gov.my

Langkawi Island Kedah

The island is located just off the coast of North Western Malaysia, about 30 km from Kuala Perlis and 51 km from Kuala Kedah. Langkawi Island is an archipelago of 104 islands lying in the north western coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It's understandable that only a few islands are inhabited. Many of the islands are little more than rocky outcrops separated by narrow canals where only sampans(little boats) can travel through.

The island is still a rural landscape with villages and paddy fields. The main tourist attractions of Langkawi Island is its virgin white sandy beaches.The beaches have very gentle continental slope and the water is crystal clear. There is something here for everyone, from the budget-conscious traveler to those in search of the ultimate in luxury and seclusion. Families or honeymooning couples will feel just as welcome as business guests and meeting groups. 

Excellent infrastructure makes a visit to Langkawi a breeze, without diminishing the laid-back rural charm or the breathtaking natural wonders that are its hallmark. There are countless things to see and do on the island, but those in need of a break could easily spend days here just soaking up the sun and the natural beauty.

Tree Top Walk Kedah

The Tree Top Walk Sg. Sedim is located in the heart of Gunung Inas Forest Reserve, about 30 kilometers from Kulim Town. The 950m-long Tree Top Walk in the Sedim River Recreation Park is the longest canopy walk in the world. The Tree Top Walk Sedim River was built within the low land of dipterocarp compartment 15 of Gunung Inas Forest Reserve.

The spectacular view you get when you stroll through the jungle canopy is the main draw for visitors from far and wide to this quiet, all-natural corner of Kedah. Strolling high above the ground of this primeval rain forest affords visitors an unexpected and exciting perspective. Call it a 'monkey's eye view'. Visitors will enjoy the fabulous sight of rushing streams and truly fascinating flora and fauna - all from 50m up.

As the world’s biggest Tree Top Walk, the canopy walk takes the visitors along side huge, towering giant trees, fruit bearing trees with rambutans and durian, innumerable medicinal herbs and wide jade canopies. Once the Tree Top Walk in Sedim ends, the tourists can follow the boardwalk that takes them to the floor of the forests where they can sit in the shade and enjoy the lovely peace and quiet humming with the sounds of nature.

Alor Setar Tower Kedah

Located in the heart of Alor Setar, the Alor Setar Tower or Menara Alor Setar which is 165.5 meters tall is the 19th tallest telecommunication tower in the world. It's a prominent and modern landmark that signifies the rapid development in the state of Kedah. It is also the tallest communications tower in northern peninsula Malaysia and the 2nd tallest tower in Malaysia,after the KL Tower of Kuala Lumpur.

The Alor Setar Tower was destroyed and rebuilt a few times. It was brought down by the Bugis invasion of 1770, and the same happened in the Siamese invasion in 1821. The present structure dates back to 1893, during the reign of Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah. In 1904, the Menara Alor Setar was the venue of a lavish wedding ceremonies for the Sultan's five eldest sons and daughters. The extravagant affair lasted three months, from June to September, and almost bankrupted the state. 

Apart from serving the role of a telecommunication tower, it also caters as a tourist destination for the town. The tower also houses a restaurants and a souvenir shop. The tower is an observatory tower to look for the crescent moon to mark the beginning of Muslim months. The observation deck is at a height of 88 meters from the base of the structure.

Langkawi Cable Car kedah

Langkawi Cable Car is located on the southwest coast of the main island, just a 30-minute drive from Kuah Town and only 15 minutes from Langkawi International Airport. The Langkawi Cable Car is a major attractions in Langkawi Island, Kedah, Malaysia. It provides an aerial link from Burau Bay Resort at Teluk Burau to the peak of Machinchang mountain, the location of the Langkawi Sky Bridge. The total length is 2.2 km (1.4 miles). It was officially opened on 2003.

A cable car ride takes you to Langkawi's second highest peak, where the view of the surrounding islands is spectacular. On a clear day, you can see parts of Thailand towards the north and Indonesia towards the south-west. The cable car ride up the hill takes about 20 minutes and is highly exhilarating. The over-ruling height of Machinchang mountain(708m), its commanding views over Langkawi, the western sea-coast, and the dramatic views over the funnel with its staggered rock blocks will make the visitors wonder in amazement and bring the visitors so close to nature that they can practically touch it.

Another unique attraction to the Langkawi Cable Car is the Langkawi Sky Bridge. The bridge is located atop of the Machinchang mountain and forms part of the Gunung Machincang Geo-Eco Tourism Park. The sky bridge hangs at about 100m above the ground, swinging out over the landscape to give visitors a unique spatial experience. Measuring 125m in length, the structure ranks among the world’s longest curved suspension bridge. As a bonus, your ride will take you over jungle waterfalls and a thick carpet of virgin rain forest  It's a very educational and thrilling experience for the whole family.

Beras Basah Island Kedah

Beras Basah Island or Pulau Beras Basah is one of the 99 magnificent islands in Langkawi,Kedah. The beautiful, less crowded and nearly untouched island is easily accessible with a boat from Pekan Kuah and Awana Porto Malai. It has a lush, mysterious forest with majestic mountains as its backdrop. The beach is breathtakingly beautiful with white powdery sand and blue green water. The mountainous surface of the island makes it a suitable refuge against the furious winds.

Popular activities there include snorkeling  swimming, para sailing and relaxing under the sun. Be careful of the occasional jelly fishes hovering near the shores though. Island hopping is highly recommended as it is a good way to tour this whole island as well as Pulau Singa Besar and Pulau Dayang Bunting. This island does not possess a hotel or lodging. Hence, tourists generally prefer to stay on the nearby inhabited islands. The small ferry boats take the tourists from the main island to this place every day. 

Beras Basah Island is also popular with Caucasian tourists who are ready to catch some sun. Paragliding and 'Banana Boat' rides are offered at this stop. This is an ideal place to unwind and to relax. With the crystal clear sea water, exotic sandy beaches and breath taking views making this place a perfect spot for a memorable holiday. Visitors can spend a calm and leisure time on the pleasant beach here.