LANGKAWI CULTURE & HISTORY

Langkawi is an island of legends. Its name is believed to have originated from the abundance of eagles on the island: helang (eagle in Malay) and kawi (marble in Sanskrit), begets the moniker helang-kawi which was eventually toned down to Langkawi. The main settlement of locals is in Kuah, a dusty town noticeably beloved for its array of duty-free stores and Chinese seafood restaurants. Other popular areas include the Pantai Cenang and Pantai Tengah stretch, the quite strips of Pantai Kok and Padang Matsirat and the exclusive beaches of Datai Bay and Tanjung Rhu. No matter where you go on Langkawi you will find that myths and legends permeate its culture and history, so read up on them and familiarise yourself with the island’s most popular stories.

Today, Langkawi is probably the busiest island of Malaysia second to Penang. The landscape has changed dramatically along with the number of visitors. Gone are the old designs and drab colours of Langkawi; new buildings painted in bright colours project a vibrant and dynamic image. Roads are constantly being tarred and maintained, while new construction projects occur at an astounding rate.