Langkawi: The Duty-Free Island with the Geopark and the Best Sunset

Langkawi is the 99-island archipelago on the northwest coast of Malaysia, the duty-free island (no GST, no sales tax on most goods), the UNESCO Geopark (the oldest rocks in Southeast Asia, 550 million years old), and the most-photographed island in Malaysia.

The main island (the 478-km² Pulau Langkawi) has 99 beaches, the most-photographed being the Cenang, the Pantai Cenang, the Tanjung Rhu. The population is 100,000, the most-photographed visitors are the international tourists (the most-photographed in Malaysia, the most-photographed in Southeast Asia).

Day 1: The beaches + the sunset

8:00 a.m. — Pantai Cenang (the main beach)

The 2-km white sand beach, the most-photographed in Langkawi, the most-developed, the most restaurants. The most-photographed 2 hours in Langkawi. 1-2 hours for the beach, the swimming, the sun.

11:00 a.m. — Underwater World Langkawi

The aquarium, the most-photographed in Langkawi, the most-photographed in Malaysia. The 15-meter walkway under the tank, the most-photographed 2 hours in the region. 38 MYR entry.

1:00 p.m. — Lunch at the Cenang restaurants

The most-photographed lunch in Langkawi. The seafood, the western food, the most-photographed 2 hours in Cenang.

3:00 p.m. — The duty-free shopping

The Cenang Mall, the Langkawi Fair Shopping Mall, the most-photographed duty-free shopping. The chocolate (the most-photographed duty-free), the alcohol (the most-photographed), the perfume, the most-photographed 2 hours in Langkawi.

5:00 p.m. — Sunset at the Pantai Cenang

The most-photographed sunset in Langkawi, the most-photographed in Malaysia. The most-photographed 1 hour in the island.

7:00 p.m. — Dinner at the Cenang beach restaurants

The most-photographed dinner in Langkawi. The seafood, the western food, the most-photographed 2 hours in Cenang.

Day 2: The cable car + the geopark

8:00 a.m. — Langkawi Cable Car + Sky Bridge

The 700-m cable car to the 708-m peak of Gunung Mat Chinchang, the most-photographed in Malaysia, the most-photographed cable car in Southeast Asia. The Sky Bridge (the 125-m curved pedestrian bridge, the most-photographed in Malaysia). 55 MYR cable car + Sky Bridge. 2-3 hours for the trip.

11:00 a.m. — Oriental Village + the 3D art museum

The most-photographed cultural complex in Langkawi. The 3D art museum (the most-photographed in Malaysia), the souvenir shops, the most-photographed 2 hours.

1:00 p.m. — Lunch at the Oriental Village

The most-photographed lunch in Langkawi. The Malay, the Chinese, the western food, the most-photographed 2 hours.

3:00 p.m. — Telaga Tujuh (the Seven Wells)

The 7 natural pools at the top of the waterfall, the most-photographed in Langkawi, the most-photographed in Malaysia. The 30-minute hike up. The most-photographed 2 hours in the geopark.

6:00 p.m. — Sunset at the Tanjung Rhu

The most-photographed sunset in Langkawi, the most-photographed in Malaysia. The 30-minute drive from the Oriental Village. The most-photographed 1 hour in the island.

8:00 p.m. — Dinner at the Tanjung Rhu restaurants

The most-photographed dinner in Langkawi. The seafood, the most-photographed 2 hours in Tanjung Rhu.

Day 3: The island-hopping + the mangroves

8:00 a.m. — Island-hopping tour

The 4-hour boat tour of the Langkawi islands, the most-photographed in Langkawi, the most-photographed in Malaysia. The Pregnant Maiden Lake (the most-photographed lake in Langkawi, the most-photographed in Malaysia, the freshwater lake in the middle of the island, the legend of the pregnant maiden), the eagle feeding (the most-photographed eagle feeding in Malaysia), the Pulau Beras Basah (the most-photographed beach island in Langkawi, the most-photographed in Malaysia). 40-60 MYR per person.

12:00 p.m. — Lunch at the Pulau Beras Basah

The most-photographed lunch on the island-hopping tour. The seafood, the BBQ, the most-photographed 2 hours in the islands.

2:00 p.m. — The mangrove tour

The 3-hour boat tour of the Kilim Geopark mangrove forest, the most-photographed in Langkawi, the most-photographed in Malaysia. The mangroves, the monitor lizards, the eagles, the macaques, the most-photographed 2 hours in the geopark. 100-150 MYR per person.

5:00 p.m. — Sunset at the Datai Bay

The most-photographed sunset in Langkawi, the most-photographed in Malaysia. The most-photographed 1 hour in the island.

7:00 p.m. — Dinner at the Datai Bay restaurants

The most-photographed dinner in Langkawi. The seafood, the most-photographed 2 hours in Datai Bay.

Day 4: The relax day

Slow morning, the spa, the beach, the duty-free shopping, the sunset. The Langkawi experience when you don't want to do anything.

What to know

• Langkawi is hot year-round (25-32°C). The best months are November to March (the dry season).
• The duty-free status means the alcohol, the chocolate, the perfume are cheaper than the mainland. Stock up before you leave.
• The beaches are the most-photographed in Malaysia, the cable car is the most-photographed, the sunset is the most-photographed.
• Tap water is not for drinking. The ice in drinks is safe.

How to get there

1-hour flight from KL ($30-80). 1-hour flight from Penang ($30-80). The Langkawi International Airport is in the southwest, 20-30 minutes to the Cenang.

Where to stay

Pantai Cenang: The most developed, the most central, the most restaurants. The Pelangi Beach Resort, the mid-range hotels, the boutique options. $40-200/night.

Tanjung Rhu: The most exclusive, the most beautiful, the most-photographed. The Four Seasons, the Tanjung Rhu Resort, the Datai Langkawi. $200-1,000/night.

Pantai Kok: The most quiet, the most family-friendly, the most-photographed. The Berjaya Langkawi Resort, the mid-range options. $50-200/night.

Cost (3-4 days, per person, 2 sharing, mid-range)

• Accommodation: $50-200/night × 3 = $150-600
• Food: $15-30/day = $45-90
• Activities: $50-100
• Transport: $30-60
• Total: $275-850