ICoMMS 2006: Legendary Island

Legendary Island (Langkawi Island)

Langkawi island is an archipelago of 104 islands lying in the north western coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The exact location of these tropical islands is at the site where the Straits of Malacca meets the waters of the Andaman Seas.

The largest of these islands is called Langkawi Island and is bigger than the Penang Island.The other islands in this group are Island of Pregnant Maiden (Pulau Dayang Bunting), Lion Island (Pulau Singa Besar) and Beras Basah Island.The smallest of these islands are atolls roughly the size of an ordinary house!

Langkawi is coined from the Malay words Lang and Kawi. Lang is a brown eagle and Kawi is a local manganese stone. The ancient fishermen must have seen eagles flying clutching the manganese stones! A giant monument of a brown eagle clutching the manganese stone greets all visitors to Langkawi near the Kuah Jetty.

The main tourist attractions of Langkawi Island is its virgin white sandy beaches. The beaches have very gentle continental slope and the water is crystal clear.

This island is unique in the sense that it has so many legend sand myths associated with it. Langkawi Island is therefore also called Pulau Lagenda or Legendary Island.

The most talked about legend is that of Mahsuri who is said to have laid a curse on this island for seven generations. Luckily the period of this curse is over now and Langkawi Island is fast becoming an internationally recognized tourist destination.

The government of Malaysia has declared the entire Langkawi Island as a duty free zone. Hence this island is also termed Duty Free Island. All goods sold in this island are exempted from government tax. Therefore this Legendary Island is a haven for the shoppers. You only need to stay in Langkawi for a minimum of 48 hours to take back home a reasonable amount of tax free goods.

Place of Interest

	Air Hangat Village is a new tourism concept that sees the redevelopment of the former tourist spot known as Telaga Air Hangat (Hot Springs) Distance: 45 Minutes Drive from Kuah Town Link: Air Hangat Village
	The Underwater World Langkawi, a marine showcase featuring both fresh and salt water fish and other forms of marine life, is a must-see attraction. Distance: 30 Minutes Drive from Kuah Town More Info: Underwater World
	Eagle Square is Langkawi's most prominent landmark for visitors arriving by sea. Situated near the Kuah jetty, the main attraction of the square is the magnificent statue of the reddish brown eagle majestically poised for flight. Distance: 3 Minutes Drive/20 Minutes Walk from Kuah Town More info: Eagle Square
	Langkawi Cable Car is located on the southwest coast of the main island, just a 30 minute drive from kuah town and only 15 minute form Langkawi International Airport. More info: Langkawi Cable Car