Pulau Langkawi has several famous attractions that draw many visitors and tourists each year. All these attractions are also suitable for families and children to enjoy in this prime holiday destination. The most famous of these if probably the cable car ride, from the Oriental Village to the peak of Gunung Mat Cincang. Then there's the Underwater World, one of the largest marine aquariums in Southeast Asia. The Snake Sanctuary and Wildlife Park are other interesting places to explore and visit on Langkawi.
Cable Car to Mat Cincang Mountain
Located in the northern part of the island, visitors can take the cable car ride from the station in the Oriental Village. The cable car then heads up to the peak of Gunung Mat Cincang, a 800 m mountain, the second highest in Langkawi, riding along the world's longest single suspension cable. From the peak, there are observatory platforms to enjoy the dramatic and picturesque view of the Andaman Sea and surrounding landscape.
After paying for your ticket, visitors head for the first station where they ride the cable car up a steep incline along the mountain slopes. The cable car will stop at the second station, which is about 600 meters high. Along the way up, you'll notice the air getting progressively cooler. From the second station, you hop on to another car, which will careen along a cable hundreds of meters high up in the air, offering a magnificent view of the forest below. This is also the longest single suspension cable that you'll be travelling on in the world. Finally, you reach the last station, of which there are several platforms to enjoy the view, souvenir shops and even a cafe. A series of stairs will lead you to another peak from which there is a sky bridge connecting two cliff faces, offering an amazing view of the Andaman Sea and surrounding landscapes.
Underwater World
The Underwater World Langkawi located in Pantai Tengah is a magnificent marine aquarium that houses over 5,000 species of fish, mammals and reptiles. Visitors and tourists can walk through a tunnel surrounded by a vast aquarium on all sides teeming with corals, sharks, eels, sting rays and other colourful marine life. Children will also enjoy the mammal exhibits where they can see otters, marmosets, birds and penguins.
Wildlife Park
The Langkawi Wildlife Park was formerly a bird park, but has now opened up its grounds to exhibit many different types of wildlife, and not just birds. The zoo is located in Ayer Hangat, about 30 minutes away from the airport, on a 5.5 acre ground. In this park, visitors can expect to see various species of birds, mammals and even reptiles. For birds, there are over 150 species on display encompassing local and international species, from the 8 foot tall African ostrich to the smallest parakeet from Australia and majestic sea eagle to the gregarious macaw parrot. Children will adore the cute mouse deers, furry squirrels and cheeky monkeys on display. The park is open daily.
Crocodile Farm
Over 3,000 crocodiles of various species can be found in the crocodile farm located in the Datai Bay area, about 30 km away from Kuah Town. The farm breeds these dangerous animals for their skin and meat; the skin is fashioned into leather products such as purses and belts while the meat makes for some good steaks! Visitors can watch shows where performers execute stunts with crocodiles at certain hours daily. Crocodile feedings in their pens are also held in the late mornings. The souvenir shop has some interesting items for visits, such as stuffed baby crocodiles that make for a dramatic display. Tickets are priced at MYR10 for adults and children at MYR8.
Snake Sanctuary
The Snake Sanctuary is located off Tok Senik Resort and a short distance away from the Makam Mahsuri. Visitors and tourists can get close to slithery creatures and watch snake shows performed by trained staff, playing and dancing to aggressive snakes. The park has several hundred snakes of various species, from the reticulated python to the longest venomous snake in the world, the King Cobra. The snake park is located on top of a hill, consisting of a park with several snake enclosures situated in different spots and an air-conditioned complex with more snake displays in aquariums. Other than snakes, visitors can also see other types of reptiles such as lizards and turtles.
Telaga Ayer Hangat Hot Springs
Telaga Ayer Hangat Village, also known as 'Air Hangat', is a collection of hot springs in Padang Matsirat, near the Durian Perangin Waterfalls. The park has several pools of hot water of various sizes; some are covered and housed in private bath stalls. Like most places in Langkawi, there is a legend behind the hot springs. Centuries ago, a pair of giants that were fighting flung a pot of boiling water during the fracas. The site where the pot landed became the Ayer Hangat hot springs that we know today. Since the weather in Langkawi is really hot for most times of the year, most visitors would spend their time cooling down in the sea, unless a spell of heavy rains encourage a hot bath!
Taman Lagenda
Taman Lagenda is located a short distance away from the jetty in Kuah. It is a large park consisting of 50 acres with greens, flowers, shrubs and monuments. Various gardens with local flowers and ferns can be found adorning the park grounds, along with four artificial lakes and a man made beach. The park, as its name suggests, has a theme inspired by the various legends and myths found in Langkawi. On the park are 17 monuments that pay tribute to these legends that visitors and tourists can read about from the displays. The park is open daily from morning till night and is free to enter for the public.
Summer Palace
The Summer Palace is the remains of the set from the movie 'Anna and the King', which starred Hollywood actor Chow Yun Fatt and actress Jodie Foster. This historical movie about the Thai King was filmed in Langkawi. Visitors at the set can check out the various shops and food available, while walking among the pillars of the pavilion. The shops retail products from Thailand that encompass handicrafts and furniture. Traditional Siamese dance performances are also held throughout the day in the Summer Palace.
