Overview
Once a remote hideaway for pirates, Langkawi has quickly emerged as one of the premier resort destinations in Southeast Asia. Langkawi actually refers to a group of some 100 islands, most of which are small and uninhabited, with the largest being Pulau Langkawi. The main attractions, of course, are the beautiful beaches and plush resorts, such as The Datai, Tanjung Rhu, and Pelangi Beach Resort. Malaysian officials have gone to great lengths to entice tourists by building a brand new airport and conferring duty-free status on Langkawi to attract shoppers. In addition to spending lazy days on the beach, vacationers can explore many of the nearby islands, visit several wildlife parks, or uncover the truth behind some of ancient legends surrounding Langkawi. A word of caution: Langkawi is not cheap, so be prepared to spend some cash.