The main town of Langkawi Island has duty-free shops, fresh seafood restaurants, and a waterfront with views of yachts at Eagle Square marina.
Kuah, the main town of Langkawi island in northwestern Malaysia, serves as the island's ferry gateway to the mainland. What was once a small fishing village is now the commercial center of Langkawi, with several duty-free shopping malls like Langkawi Parade MegaMall, waterfront restaurants serving fresh seafood, and landmarks such as the 12-meter Eagle Square statue and the Al-Hana Mosque with its intricate Islamic geometric designs and golden domes.
Getting to Kuah
Regular ferries connect Kuah to Penang Island and mainland Malaysia, with the journey from Kuala Kedah taking about two hours. You can fly into Langkawi International Airport, which has direct flights from Kuala Lumpur and other Malaysian cities. From the airport, take a 20-minute taxi ride to Kuah town center, or rent a car to explore the island independently.
Shopping in Kuah's Duty-Free Zone
Since 1987, when the Malaysian government established Kuah as a duty-free zone, the town has become a major shopping area on Langkawi. At Langkawi Parade MegaMall, you'll find more than 40 retail outlets and a food court serving local and international dishes. The Jetty Point Mall, next to the ferry terminal, sells electronics, imported chocolates, and spirits at tax-free prices. Keep your boarding pass or accommodation receipts, as customs officers may ask for proof of a minimum two-day stay when purchasing duty-free items.
Eagle Square and Waterfront
The 12-meter eagle statue at Dataran Lang stands near the ferry terminal. The square stretches along the harbor with walking paths, gardens, and covered rest areas where you can watch boats coming and going. Local residents use the waterfront paths for exercise and socializing, especially during early morning and late afternoon hours.
Al-Hana Mosque
The Al-Hana Mosque combines Uzbek and Malaysian architectural elements, with a central golden dome surrounded by smaller domes. The walls display Islamic geometric patterns and traditional Malay motifs. You can enter the mosque outside of prayer times to see the detailed carvings and architectural elements up close.
Langkawi Legend Park
This 50-hectare park contains 17 sculptures that tell stories from the island's folklore. You'll find explanatory signs in English next to each sculpture. The park includes several ponds with fountains, native fruit trees, and covered rest areas. Visit in the morning when temperatures are lower, typically between 23-27°C.
Local Food Scene
Fresh seafood is central to Kuah's restaurants, with many getting their daily catch directly from local fishing boats. Between Langkawi Fair and Jetty Point, you'll find food stalls selling Malaysian street food throughout the day. In the evening, seafood restaurants set up outdoor tables and display tanks of live fish and shellfish.
Best Time to Visit
Plan your visit between November and April when rainfall is minimal. Temperatures stay between 25°C and 32°C (77°F to 90°F) with clear skies, making it easier to walk through town and visit outdoor sites. The drier weather also means more reliable ferry services.
![Kuala Lumpur is the national capital and most populous city in Malaysia. The city covers an area of 243 km2 and has an estimated population of 1.6 million as of 2010. Greater Kuala Lumpur, covering similar area as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.5 million people as of 2012. It is among the fastest growing metropolitan regions in South-East Asia, in terms of population and economy.
Kuala Lumpur is the seat of the Parliament of Malaysia. The city was once home to the executive and judicial branches of the federal government, but they were moved to Putrajaya in early 1999. Some sections of the judiciary still remain in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. The official residence of the Malaysian King, the Istana Negara, is also situated in Kuala Lumpur. Rated as an alpha world city, Kuala Lumpur is the cultural, financial and economic centre of Malaysia due to its position as the capital as well as being a key city. Kuala Lumpur was ranked 48th among global cities by Foreign Policy's 2010 Global Cities Index and was ranked 67th among global cities for economic and social innovation by the 2thinknow Innovation Cities Index in 2010.
Since the 1990s, the city has played host to many international sporting, political and cultural events including the 1998 Commonwealth Games and the Formula One Grand Prix. In addition, Kuala Lumpur is home to the tallest twin buildings in the world, the Petronas Twin Towers, which have become an iconic symbol of Malaysia's futuristic development [Wikipedia.org] | Johor Bahru in Malaysia](https://humbo.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/place-photo/5ffa2ff19ed1ddb22d235d13/6xc_BMxB-z_thumb.jpeg)
