Langkawi island, endorsed as the 52nd global geopark by Unesco in 2007, has fast become one of the most popular tourist spots in Malaysia.
In addition to those highlighted yesterday, here are another five locations you should check out when you visit this iconic and mythical destination.
1. 3D Art Langkawi
3D Art Langkawi is touted as the second-biggest 3D-art museum in the world. Located within the vicinity of the Oriental Village, more than 100 interactive paintings are displayed across three storeys comprising some 2,000 sq m of exhibition space.
The works here are by international and local artists – including 23 Korean craftsmen – categorised by themed zones and workmanship types. Enjoy the aquarium section with true-to-life images of marine life; a safari zone portraying roar-in-your-face animalistic works; and the popular dream zone, which will mess with your mind – in a good way!
2. Kilim Geoforest Park
This unblemished nature reserve features myriad flora and fauna, fossils and caves, lagoons, beaches, and thick mangrove forests. Some of the mangroves here are over a century old, shadowed by stunning limestone rock formations. Keep your eye out for squirrels, mud crabs, monkeys and monitor lizards!
Kilim Geoforest Park, also known by its full name Kilim Karst, is brimming with ancient geological heritage, countless natural wonders, as well as a vibrant local community in Kilim Village.
3. Muzium Laman Padi
Rice museums might not be big on your list of must-do activities, but a pit-stop at Museum Laman Padi is worth the effort. As Langkawi is known as the rice bowl of Malaysia – the state being the highest producer of rice in the country – this museum opened in 1998 as a presentation centre for all things paddy-related, with the goal of being an ecotourism draw.
With artefacts on display and information widely available, this centre proudly highlights the social and economic significance of conventional paddy cultivation, and offers visitors a hands-on understanding of the techniques involved.
4. Kompleks Kraf Tangan Langkawi
The 13-ha Langkawi Craft Complex began operations in 1996 and is located on Jalan Teluk Yu in the sub-district of Bohor here. Visitors can admire the beautiful Malay architecture complete with Islamic components, while browsing through a wide variety of craft products by local artisans and small business owners.
If you’re a history buff, you should find the heritage museum and the museum of customs and marriage practices fascinating; and don’t forget to check out Dataran Tangga Seribu (literally “a thousand steps”) – an iconic tourist attraction at the complex.
5. Mardi Agro Technology Park
This massive park, which was opened to shed light on the use of innovation in Malaysia’s agricultural industry, is known for its commercial farms offering a wide variety of organic products.
Go on a ridealong tour around the area, check out the awesome selection of herbs, then take a break by feasting on the wonderful fruit buffet. Fun fact: the fruit farm here features more than 20 types of seasonal and non-seasonal tropical fruit trees, covering about 40% of the total area of the park – with starfruit, guava, citrus, mango, rambutan, pulasan, jackfruit and much more!
As a little bonus, before you leave, the park’s staff will gift you with a keepsake in the form of a palm-leaf “origami”. Cute!