traffic lights
by Imbi
Langkawi Island is full of strange surprises but one thing which I notice was the traffic lights. The main traffic lights in town is not traditional traffic lights, it also shows the timer. You could see that when the signal will become red and when it will become green again. It was something strange for me.
Pack What You Want..
by morninglory
Weather: tropical with occasional showers. It can get really hot during the day around 30-34 degrees.
You don't really need jumper unless its rain..so just be on the safe side. Insect repellant. Medications available from town pharmacy or small kiosk at most beaches. If you love camping..yeah..why not bring your camp gear along.
History of Langkawi
by Azri_Azmi
Learning history can be considered as boring to some people. But learning the history of a place to you wanted to visit or visited is an interesting fact to learn about. As per Kedah's history about Langkawi :-
A legend told that Langkawi used to be a place to a vicious 'garuda' or monster bird that destroyed the convoy of Rom's Prince except the galley of Merong Mahawangsa.
While Cheng Ho or Zheng He, the famous Chinesse explorer during his exploration to Melaka (1405) stated in his book Langkawi as 'Lang-Ya-Kiao-Yi'.
In the history of Malay, Langkawi did being mentioned in chapter that Tun Jana Khatib who was being executed to death by the Sultan of Singapura (Singapore). He said to be vanished after the execution in Singapore and his body was found in Langkawi.
In 1621, a general of King Louis XIV, Augustin De Beaulieu landed in Langkawi. He noted that "on 17th August 1621, I reached Lanchui Island, local pronounces it as 'Lancachuy' and the Aceh called this island 'Pulo Lada'.
The opening of Penang in 1786 made negative impact to Ulu Melaka port.
Started from 1821, Siam repeatedly try to conquered Langkawi. And in 1841, with helps from the British East India Company, Langkawi was beaten by the Siam. The economy was bad and local relates this disaster to Mahsuri's cursed which she condemned Langkawi to suffer until her 7th generation.
Mahsuri's history happens somewhere between the year 1817 to 1821. Mahsuri is not a legend but it actual story and history has been added with myth and untrue facts making its a legend.
Tunku Abdul Rahman (Malaysia 1st Prime Minister) became Langkawi District Officer and made many developtment in Langkawi such as the setting up roads and constructing Langkawi jetty. He also initiated in preserving Mahsuri's tomb and promoting Mahsuri's History.
The declaration of Langkawi as a Duty Free Island in 1987 boosted Langkawi as a tourism island and opens Langkawi to the world. Today, with more than 65,000 population, Langkawi has been declared as a City of Tourism.
Ancient Tomb
by Imbi
The tomb is situated in the Mukim of Ulu Melaka, 13 kilo meters from Pekah Kuah. This ancient tomb was discovered in April 1975 by Ahmed Bin Bulat when he was digging the ground where he wanted to build his house. The tomb measuring 236 cm in length, is an old grave with Acheh tomstone. It is believed that it could be Achehnese settlement’s tomb.
Duty Free Island
by morninglory about Langkawi Fair Shopping Mall
Langkawi is a duty-free shopping heaven offering an attractive range of local and imported goods like perfumes and fragrances, cosmetics, leather goods, sports gear, ladies' accessories, confectionery, liquor and cigarettes. as above items from RM2 to hundreds depends on the items. Confectionery is quite cheap.