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Interesting Facts
- Nearly 100 islands, most of which are quite small and uninhabited, are known collectively as Langkawi. Of that group, Pulau Langkawi is the largest. The name Langkawi hearkens back to the kingdom of Langkasuka, which means "the land of one's wishes."
- Once considered the "Best Kept Secret in Malaysia," Langkawi has recently made a huge effort to attract tourists. The island built a brand new airport and put up several world-class beach resorts, including The Datai, the Tanjung Rhu Resort, and Pelangi Beach Resort. Best of all, the island's development has been done in moderation so as not to spoil the pristine natural landscape.
- Kuah is the largest town in Langkawi, with a population nearing a whopping 14,000. The town's name, interestingly enough, means "Gravy" and refers to the legend of a broken engagement. A fight allegedly ensued in which pots, pans, and other kitchen items were tossed around until a large saucer was broken, spilling the contents all over Kuah.
- Given the fact that the majority of Langkawi's islands are uninhabited, adventurous tourists can't resist exploring the area's natural wonders. Of course, when we say "uninhabited," we mean uninhabited by people. Some of the islands contain quite a collection of rare and exotic animals, including macaque monkeys, giant squirrels, mouse deer, peacocks, great hornbills, and iguanas.
- One of the biggest tourist draws to Pulau Langkawi is the duty-free shopping that was implemented in the late 1980's. Most of the best deals can be found at the bargain shops in Kuah, where the Duty Free Port makes shopping the town's second-most popular pastime...behind sunbathing, of course.
- Langkawi has become one of the premier resort destinations in Southeast Asia. However, such premier status carries with it a hefty price tag. Langkawi is not for the budget-minded. Most of the resorts, restaurants, and recreational activities in the area are quite expensive. That's not to say it's not worth it, mind you. Simply be forewarned.
- In 1993, Langkawi came dangerously close to suffering its worst man-made disaster. A Danish ship carrying some two-million barrels of crude oil collided with another ship in the Strait of Melaka. Though oil began gushing from the supertanker, the spill fortunately drifted toward the Indian Ocean, away from the beaches.
- Unknown to many, Langkawi was actually the site of a Hollywood Film. In 1999 the motion picture Anna and the King, starring Jodie Foster, was filmed here. Langkawi was adorned with elaborate sets and made to look like Thailand, which was the film's setting. For political reasons, the Thai government wouldn't allow the movie to be made on its own soil.
- One of Langkawi's most popular attractions is Makam Mahsuri, which is the tomb of the young Princess Mahsuri. She was sentenced to death in the fourteenth century for adultery. As the story goes, the Princess always maintained her innocence, even unto death. What's more, upon being beheaded her blood supposedly turned white, which was a sign of her purity and innocence.
- Pulau Dayang Bunting is the second largest island in the Langkawi group. It's also known as the "Island of the Pregnant Maiden." Legend has it that the king's son impregnated a young girl named Telani. One of the local gods became so enraged that he turned the child into a white crocodile and turned Telani into a rock. As for the king's son, he was turned into an island (unto himself, presumably).
