5 reasons to go to Langkawi instead of Bali or Thailand

1. See nature untouched by man

After the filming of The Beach, the almost uninhabited island of Phi Phi in Thailand was flooded with tourists, which had a negative impact on the natural resources of this place. All the more I want to see truly wild landscapes in the tropical countries of Southeast Asia. On the Malaysian archipelago of Langkawi, which includes more than 100 islands, there are such corners!

Lake pregnant

Stopped on one of the four inhabited islands - go on a tour of the most picturesque uninhabited ones. Island Hopping Tour can be booked at any travel agency. In three and a half hours, you will be taken to several islands with stops.

One of the main points on the route is Pulau-Dayang. It is the second largest land area in the archipelago and the most popular natural attraction in Langkawi. The whole territory is a geopark, and the Lake of the Pregnant Virgin is its center of attraction. In shape, the reservoir really resembles a pregnant woman, and the healing power is attributed to the water, which helps with infertility. Yes, you can swim here. However, it is forbidden to move further from the pontoon more than 5 meters. Just soaking your feet in the water is also nice: fish live here, which are used for exotic massage in salons.

The lake is remarkable not only for legends: it is fresh, although it is separated from the sea by only a 30-meter strip of land.

Seven Wells Waterfall

A real miracle of nature can also be found on the largest island of the archipelago - its namesake Langkawi. In its south-western part, not far from the East Village (which is also worth visiting), seven springs form waterfalls that flow into one large pool. About 700 steps lead to the top of the cliffs, where the spring gushes from the ground. They are worth overcoming: the reward will be a panoramic top view of the tropical park and natural pools where you can cool off.

Pantai Cenang Beach

This place is also located on the island of Langkawi. It is worth coming here even with small children. After all, there is a gentle entrance to the water, and the coastline is so long that it is easy to find a calm and secluded place. True, it is difficult to count on absolute silence: the beach is located only 10 kilometers from the airport.

2. Live in the rainforest

The Datai Langkawi Hotel

Local flora and fauna can be seen not only on excursions. On the island of Langkawi, there are hotels in the thick of the rainforest. For example, The Datai Langkawi on the shores of Datai Bay. If you stay in a separate bungalow, you will see exotic nature in all its glory from the terrace. Monkeys, squirrels and several species of birds will become your neighbors.

The main thing is not to forget that the owners here are not tourists and the animals behave the way they want. Monkeys, of which there are a lot on the island, carry everything that they like. We do not recommend leaving unattended neither food nor things, much less expensive equipment.

Hotel Berjaya Langkawi Resort

And here you can live in a bungalow right on the water! Berjaya Langkawi Resort occupies a huge territory, and the rooms here overlook not only the ocean and jungle, but, for example, golf courses. The only thing that can darken your stay in this place is noisy events.

3. Walk one of the longest suspension bridges in the world

Sky Bridge on Mount Gunung Mat Chinkang on Langkawi Island

Come here early in the morning to avoid crowding: many tourists want to take the cable car up to 700 meters above sea level. Visitors are driven upstairs in the usual booths for groups of five or six. And if you don't like to save money, choose an individual booth with a transparent floor.

You can get off in the middle of the route, walk to the top point on foot and just admire the nature along the way. Or you can delve into the jungle about 2.5 kilometers from the funicular stop. There is the very picturesque waterfall Seven Wells.

Once at the top, enjoy the views from the Sky Bridge, a massive 125-meter structure that hovers over the green hills of Langkawi. In good weather, you can see the nearby elements of the archipelago, and sometimes even the neighboring islands of Thailand.

Linger at altitude until sunset for a soothing view of the setting sun. And don't be hungry: there is a cafe on the bridge with burgers and drinks from seasonal fruits.

4. Work in a rice plantation

Laman Padi Rice Culture Museum

Love oriental cuisine - be sure to include a visit to Laman Padi in your stay in Langkawi. The Rice Museum is a huge exhibition of crafts, photographs, illustrations, dioramas, tools related to the history of cereal cultivation in Langkawi. And also - in fact, a rice field, the harvest from which is served in the museum cafe. In the gardens on the territory there are also other plants - water lilies and medicinal herbs, so a stroll around Laman Padi will be interesting even for those who are indifferent to rice.

The main highlight of the excursion is participation in rice planting. Everyone is given a straw hat and, under the careful guidance of the farmer, they show how to plant this crop correctly. The sensation can be unpleasant because the bottom of the field is muddy. But if you are really curious about how the rice goes from the grain to your plate, be sure to try it with your hands. Sometimes it is much more enjoyable than it seems.

5. Feed the island's symbol - the red eagle

Langkawi mangrove jungle

The image of the eagle can be found everywhere here: from the shop signs to the huge monument in Dataran Lang Square in the island's capital, Kuah. After admiring the impressive views of the 20-meter structure, go on a live bird feeding tour. A tourist boat will take you to the mangroves in the northern part of the island. By the way, many owners of such ships will gladly arrange for you an individual trip to the bird habitat at a convenient time for you - for a fee, of course. So the natural attraction can be seen without an organized excursion with dozens of tourists.

Just keep in mind that it is worth planning such a trip early in the morning to get ahead of those who also want to see the eagles up close. In addition, during the day the birds are already full, so they do not flock to complementary foods. Before leaving, do not forget to grab the meat, divided into small pieces, otherwise there will be no spectacle. As soon as the treat touches the water, the eagles immediately rush after it almost vertically.

If you love extreme sports, ask the captain to drop you off on one of the uninhabited islands of the archipelago for a few hours. Here you can experience an indescribable feeling of fear and pleasure when the dream of a deserted island suddenly becomes a reality.

3 main questions about Langkawi

1. Which season is it better to go?

There are three seasons on the island. Highest - from November to Marchwhen the weather is most favorable for relaxation. The air temperature during this period rises to 30 degrees. The only disadvantage of such a trip is the large number of tourists.

April to August in Malaysia, the rains, though brief. Bad weather usually occurs in the afternoon and passes very quickly. If you want to save money on your vacation and don't like crowds of tourists - this is the perfect time for you.

September and October it can rain for several hours a day. But even during this period there is an opportunity to rest. If, of course, your dream is unity with nature, albeit not in the most comfortable conditions. After all, part of the tourist infrastructure is being closed for repair and renovation.

2. How to get there?

So far, there are no direct flights from Russia to Langkawi. Citizens of the Russian Federation do not need a visa to Malaysia, but it may be needed when transferring in another state - regular or transit. In order not to waste time and money on obtaining it, choose a country of transfer with simplified visa conditions or does not require a visa at all. For example, in Qatar, Russian citizens can spend 30 days without registration of any documents. It is enough to have a passport valid for at least another six months from the date of entry into the state, and a return ticket or to a third country.

3. How much food, transportation, housing cost?

1 Malaysian ringgit ≈ 16 Russian rubles

The choice of accommodation on the island is as wide as possible and for different wallets - from simple hostels to luxury hotels. In March, at the end of the peak season, you can find guesthouses cheaper than 500 rubles per night for two. We have already mentioned some of the options and advantages of accommodation, otherwise we recommend focusing on the reviews of tourists, including on the TripaAdvisor website. If you are not staying in a hotel with full board, allow at least 50 ringgit per day: this is enough to order food and drink three times in an inexpensive restaurant.

Transportation costs should also be taken into account in the budget. There are no buses or trams here, so be prepared to pay for a taxi (landing and each kilometer - about 7 ringgit, or 85 rubles) or rent a scooter, with which you will be much more mobile and can see more. For example, to get acquainted with non-touristy Langkawi, be sure to include visits to fishing villages in the itinerary. It is there that you can observe the life of ordinary people.