This Malaysian archipelago of 99 islands has a duty-free status. Its main island is the largest in Malaysia, with hilly terrain reaching 735 meters in elevation.
Langkawi is an archipelago of 99 islands off the northwest coast of Malaysia. Its landscapes include white sand beaches, dense rainforests, and dramatic limestone cliffs. You can ascend Mount Mat Cincang by cable car, walk across the curved Sky Bridge, kayak through mangrove forests, or unwind on calm beaches. The main island has duty-free status, making it popular for shopping.
Beaches and Water Sports
Langkawi's coastline has many calm beaches ideal for swimming and sunbathing. Pantai Cenang is an active stretch with soft white sand and clear waters. Here you can try jet skiing, parasailing, or banana boat rides. For a quieter experience, head to Tanjung Rhu beach in the north, known for its powder-fine sand and views of limestone islands offshore.
Kilim Karst Geoforest Park
The Kilim Karst Geoforest Park highlights Langkawi's unique geology. Take a boat tour through winding mangrove forests and past towering limestone formations. You might spot monkeys, eagles, and even dolphins. Telaga Tujuh, or Seven Wells Waterfall, has a refreshing natural pool for swimming after a short hike through the rainforest.
Cable Car and Sky Bridge
For expansive views of the island and sea, ride the Langkawi Cable Car to the top of Mount Mat Cincang. At the summit, walk across the curved Langkawi Sky Bridge suspended 660 meters above sea level. The 125-meter pedestrian bridge provides a panoramic view of the forested mountains and turquoise waters below.
Island Hopping
You can explore many of Langkawi's smaller islands through boat tours. Many visits include Pulau Dayang Bunting, home to a freshwater lake surrounded by limestone hills. You can swim in the lake or hike around it. Other stops often include Pulau Singa Besar to see eagles being fed and Pulau Beras Basah for beach time and snorkeling.
Local Villages and Markets
To learn about local Malay culture, visit some of the traditional villages on the main island. In Kampung Mawat, you can see how locals make handicrafts like batik fabrics. The Laman Padi Rice Garden museum teaches about the island's agricultural past through exhibits and a working rice paddy. For local cuisine and products, browse the night markets that pop up in different villages each evening.
![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)
