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MY ATTRACTIONS OF LANGKAWI |
My Kedah |
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Langkawi Sights and Legends and Myths of the Isles |
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myMalaysiabooks shares with you the mystery
and secrets of the Langkawi isles,
Kedah Malaysia.
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Where to go in Langkawi |
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Langkawi is a land of myths and legends. Learn
about the many interesting myths of the land as you move around her
mystically beautiful 100 over islands (99 islands usually mentioned). The history of the Langkawi archipelago is
intricately entwined with her many local tales handed down by
word of mouth from generation to generation. Each tale relates
to some familiar local landform or inhabitants of the Langkawi
islands, giving reality to the stories told.
Langkawi, in
the State of Kedah was accorded
the status of a Geopark by UNESCO, on June 1, 2007 - the first in South-east
Asia.
(note: A geopark is a territory covering one or more sites
of scientific importance for its geological richness and also
archaeological or cultural value. The point of a geopark is to
conserve the area, educate people about the geological heritage
and provide sustainable economic development- theStar Malaysia )
Free Map of Kedah
Free Map of Langkawi
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Best Langkawi Sights and Associated Legends
of Langkawi |
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Pulau Langkawi or Island of Langkawi
The Kedah Annals (Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa) tells the tale of
the founding of the Kingdom ofKedah with mentioned of Langkawi island, as a hiding place of the Prince
of Rum and Princess of China. Raja Merong Mahawangsa became the first ruler of
Kedah.
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Legend
of
Merong Mahawangsa And The Geruda
 The annals tell about Merong Mahawangsa, an ambassador of the Kingdom of
Rum or Rome (believed to be part of the Byzantine empire). who escorted the
Prince of Rum to China to be married to the Princess of China. The geruda (a demigod), who felt that the union should not take place,
kidnapped the Chinese princess and her maid and hid them in a cave
believed to Gua Cerita, in Langkawi. He then attacked
the fleet carrying the prince. In the battle, the prince was swept
ashore on Langkawi and united with the Chinese princess. Meanwhile,
the Merong Mahawangsa landed with some surviving crew on the shores
of Kedah. Believing that the prince had died, he decided to settle
there and stared the settlement which grew to become the Kingdom of
Kedah. Raja Merong Mahawangsa became the first ruler of Kedah.
Gua Cerita (Cave of Legends)
In the legend of Merong Mahawangsa, first Hindu ruler of Kedah, the Princess of China hid from the geruda in these caves. The
rock formations are not only beautiful to behold but seems to portray shapes of mythical beings of the
island. Stories of the place is also related to the Langkawi Gedemai
- located north-eastern part of Pulau Langkawi.
Mahsuri Mausoleum Langkawi Island
was built in honour of the
legendary woman Mahsuri of Langkawi. There are cultural show held
daily here. It is located in the heart of Pulau Langkawi
Legend of
Mahsuri,
a Langkawi tragedy
The
most notable tale of Langkawi is that of Mahsuri, a beautiful maiden
executed after being falsely accused of adultery.
Mahsuri was beautiful and kind-hearted, capturing the heart
of many village lads. She soon caught the eye of the local chieftain.
Although he wanted to marry Mahsuri, he was unable to do so and
decided then to marry Mahsuri to his son Mat Deris. They soon
married and lived in harmony for months before Mat Deris was called
away on a mission. Meanwhile, Mahsuri also discovered that she was
pregnant.
During Mat Deris’ absence, a travelling troubadour, came to
the village. Out of kindness, Mahsuri offered him a place to stay. A
few months after this, Mahsuri gave birth to a baby boy. There are
several versions of how she came to be accused of adultery. The most
common version is that her jealous mother-in-law falsely accused her
of adultery because of Mahsuri’s popularity and jealousy of her
husband’s feelings for Mahsuri. The presence of the traveller in
her house and the baby also preyed heavily on the minds of the
villages. Upon hearing his wife’s story and village gossip, the
chieftain arrested Mahsuri and sentenced her to death without trail.
According to legend she could only be killed when her
executioner used the spear from her house. It is said that because
of her innocence, only white blood flowed from her body. As she lay
dying, Mahsuri cast a curse on the island - that Langkawi would not
be peaceful nor prosperous for seven generations. After Masuri’s
death, her husband and son moved to Phuket Thailand
As
incredible as it may seem, time passed slowly by for six generations
and it was only during the end of the 7th generation that
the island became a popular travel destination, attracting a wealth
of development projects.
Makam Mahsuri, a mausoleum, is built on Langkawi island to
honour the memory of Mahsuri. The decendents of Mahsuri who lives on
Langkawi or Phuket till today keep track of their ancestry.
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Langkawi Cable Car and Panaroma
Bridge, Mount Machinchang
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Mount Machinchang
 This
cable car project, takes visitors up to Gunong Machinchang
(Mount Machinchang) on the north-western part of Langkawi island.
The project is an engineering feat that integrates man-made
structures with the natural environment. A ‘must visit’ place on Langkawi island - but not recommeded for those afraid of heights.
The cable car takes you on a captivating journey from the Oriental
Village (a shopping centre) to Mount Machinchang, 708 metres above
sea level. This cable car service has the longest free-span line in
Malaysia and the world’s longest rope cable of 950 metres. At 700 metres above sea level is the Panaroma
Bridge.
This 125 metres long curved suspended walkway is one of the world’s
longest pedestrian bridges. It is impressive and aesthetically
beautiful showcase the ingenuity of an engineering masterpiece of
eco-design. It was awarded the Swiss Steel Prize 2005 for its design
in the use of steel and excellence in project planning and
execution. At the foothills of Gunung Machinchang (Macincang) is the Oriental
village, a place for visitors to shop. Visitors afraid of height can
shop here for duty free item and local handicrafts.
The two most
prominent mountains in Langkawi Gunong Machinchang and Gunong Raya
tell the tale of a feud between two families of giants.
Pulau Dayang Bunting (Isle of the Pregnant
Maiden)
Pulau Dayang Bunting is the biggest island just south of Pulau
Langkawi. Its a place to visit for nature lovers and for some water
sports.
Legend of Pulau Dayang
Bunting ....
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Other Attractions of Langkawi |
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Other
Sites
 Batik Art Village
(Atma Alam) is a privately owned batik showroom and art
gallery. You can see how a batik piece is created and buy batik
paintings or garments. It
is located at Padang Mat Sirat, near the airport.
Beras Terakar
(Field of Burnt Rice) Remnants of the burnt rice can be seen on the
sandy ground usually after rain. Location: Padang Matsirat.
Book Village
(Kampung Buku Malaysia) is part of the International Book Villages and Book
Towns movements and is the only one in
South-east Asia. Located at the foothills of Gunung Raya.
Location: Central part of Pulau Langkawi, about 7 km from Kuah.
Dataran Lang
(Eagle Square) Located the Kuah jetty. According to local folklore,
the name Langkawi is derived from the Malay word helang or
eagle.
Galeri Perdana
houses the archives of state gifts presented to Tun Dr Mahathir.
Location: Eastern
Pulau Langkawi,
at Kilim.
Kompleks Budaya Kraf Langkawi
(Langkawi Crafts Complex) is located near the hillside on the
northern coastal area of Pulau Langkawi, around Teluk Yu. A place to
buy handicrafts from all over Malaysia.
Legend Park located at Kuah
near the ferry terminal. Learn about the legend of Langkawia s you
walk here.
Underwater World is a large marine and freshwater aquarium, located at Pantai Cenang.
Durian Perangin Waterfall and Forest Park
is drained by Sungai Perangin (Perangin River), cascading down the
slopes of Gunung Raya in 14 levels of falls.
The forest is also filled with a variety of flora and fauna. A 5km track
leads you to the peak of Gunung Raya, the highest hill on Pulau Langkawi.
Gunung Raya
(Mount Raya) iAt about 881 m above sea level, this is the highest
mountain in Langkawi and is a favourite haunt for adventure and
nature lovers.
Telaga Tujuh (Seven Wells) - is good for hikers. It is a
beautiful waterfall that cascades down the slopes of the
Matchinchang range in seven pools. Hikers can have to hike to the
first pool and can also hike to the panorama bridge at the cable car
second station.
Other Interesting Sites in Langkawi
Taman Legenda (Legend Park Oriental Village, Summer Palace Langkawi
Langkawi Bird Paradise, Langkawi Crocodile Farm, Air
Hangat Village (Hot Spring Village), Gua
Kelawar (Cave of Bats), Kilim River cruise, etc
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Beaches and Islands |
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 Beaches on Langkawi
Pantai
Cenang and Pantai Tengah - most popular beach where many
hotels, motels, budget chalets, pubs and small shops are
located. A long stretch on the south-western part of Pulau
Langkawi, ideal for swimming, water sports, island hopping
(boat jetty nearby), etc The cruise liner stops at the
southern tip of Pantai tengah.
Pantai Kok - hotels, shops and marina located, ideal for swimming and
water sports
Pantai Pasir Hitam - black sand beach, a beach with a history of
black sand, a place for the curious tourist.
Pantai Tanjung Rhu - Where you
can walk to the nearby island at low tide. A beach and a place to visit nearby
island and Gua Cerita
Teluk Datai (Datai Bay) - 5
hotels and beach area on the north-western part of Pulau
Langkawi.
Teluk Burau - hotels and
beach area on the western part of the island near Mount
Matchinchang.
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Tourist Information and links |
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Travel
Essentials - Visa, Customs, Missions
Where
to Stay
Tourist Information Centres
- Main Office: Kompleks Pelancongan Negeri Kedah, Seksyen 20, Jalan
Raja, Alor Setar, Kedah
- Langkawi International Airport, Langkawi
- Langkawi Tourist Information Centre, Jalan Persiaran Putra, Kuah,
Langkawi
- Bukit Kayu Hitam Tourist Information Centre, Bukit Kayu Hitam
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