Things to Do in Kedah

Formally known as Langkawi SkyCab, the Langkawi Cable Car takes riders high above the Langkawi rain forest on Mt. Mat Cincang (Gunung Mat Cincang) for a panoramic view of the surrounding islands and sea. It boasts Malaysia’s longest free span mono-cable car—at 3,117 feet (950 meters)—and is among the steepest on the planet.

The second-largest island in Langkawi archipelago, Dayang Bunting Island (Pulau Dayang Bunting) and its surrounding lake are enshrouded in folklore. Visit the lake where legend says a celestial princess placed her baby after his death (the waters are thought to aid in conceiving). Try snorkeling, bird-watching, and cave exploring too.

A unique structure with spectacular views of Malaysia’s Langkawi archipelago, the Langkawi Sky Bridge is a curved suspension bridge on Mt. Machinchang. The 410-foot-long (125-meter-long) span hangs from a single pylon, 328 feet (100 meters) above the ground, offering excellent views of the jungle-covered mountains below and the Andaman Sea beyond.

So-called because of the 40-foot (12-meter at its center, Eagle Square (Dataran Lang sits beside Langkawi’s main port and is, therefore, the first thing you’re likely to see if arriving at the island by boat. The star-shaped square is home to several ponds, fountains, cafes, and plenty of duty-free shops that sell alcohol and souvenirs.

Oriental Village Langkawi is the home of Langkawi Cable Car (SkyCab), which transports you 2,326 feet (709 meters) to the SkyBridge at the summit of Mt. Mat Cincang. Located at the bottom of the mountain, this open-air complex features souvenir and retail outlets, galleries, rides, health spas, a hotel, and a huge lake at its center.

One of Langkawi’s southern islands, uninhabited Beras Basah Island (Pulau Beras Basah is known for white-sand beaches and blue waters: Travelers rarely venture into its forested interior. Activities on offer run from banana boat rides to parasailing, as well as snorkeling, while there are simple snacks for sale.

Tanjung Rhu has one of Langkawi’s most celebrated shorelines—and for good reason. Flanked by limestone cliffs jutting out into the Andaman Sea, the beach at Tanjung Rhu is breathtakingly attractive; the sand is as soft and white as any Thai island, its waters are crystal-clear and it affords some incredible views across the other Langkawi islands.

The beach is not the only draw for many visitors to Tanjung Rhu however, with many people heading further inland behind the shoreline and into Tanjung Rhu Village—home to some of Malaysia's most fascinating and diverse wildlife and natural landscape.

Tanjung Rhu Village is a place where visitors can immerse themselves in the beauty of Mother Nature. Monkeys, kingfishers and huge monitor lizards gather to greet visitors along the river banks, while eagles soar overhead. Elsewhere, the village’s fish farm restaurant serves up fresh seafood straight from the ocean.

Set in Padang Matsirat on the Malaysian island of Langkawi, Atma Alam Batik Art Village is a craft center dedicated to batik, a traditional wax-dyed cloth technique and ancient art form. The center is owned by an oil painter and a batik artist, who designed it to celebrate the tradition and showcase the creative art of batik in Langkawi.

Located at the southwest tip of Langkawi, Singa Besar Island (Pulau Singa Besar) is nestled between Beras Basah Island and Dayang Bunting Island. Singa Besar Island is home to over 1500 acres of dense rainforest, swaying palm trees, pure white sandy beaches, and some fascinating limestone formations.

Literally meaning "Big Lion Island", this undeveloped Langkawi island remains refreshingly untouched by humans and as such features no basic amenities or constructions whatsoever. Instead, Singa Besar Island is a natural haven for a variety of flora and a range of wildlife, from mouse deer and macaques to monkeys and eagles – the latter of which are a huge attraction on the island come their feeding time.

The gentle, clear waters surrounding Pulau Singa Besar are ideal for swimming and snorkeling, with some unique species of fish and coral making for a fascinating underwater experience. However, many visitors choose to spend their time on Singa Besar simply lazing on the island’s soft sandy beaches and gazing out to those craggy limestone formations in the distance.

A young woman who died around 1819, Mahsuri is an important figure in Langkawi, and though it was only built in the 1950s, Mahsuri’s Tomb (Kota Mahsuri) is one of the island’s more meaningful tourist attractions. Besides the tomb, there’s a museum, a handicrafts shop, a theater, food outlets, a re-created traditional house, and a well believed to be magical.