With its natural beauty, sandy white beaches and clear tropical water is a paradise for sun, nature and sea lovers. It is a perfect place for those who wish to escape from the city to enjoy a relaxing, refreshing, back to nature holiday. The largest island of Langkawi itself, measuring about 478.5 sq km, is the only one with any real settlement. Almost as large as the island of Singapore, it is still very much undeveloped. Clad with jungles in the interior, it is fringed by lovely beaches scattered along its coast. The island is still very much a rural landscape with villages and padi fields. The archipelago of Langkawi contains 99 islands awaiting discovery and that is when the tide is high! At low tide, the islands can number as many as 104. Sanctuary of some of the most ancient rainforests in the world, they are teeming with exotic flora and fauna.

The island is steeped in legend, the favorite being the one of Mahsuri. Most of the development is in the main town of Kuah and in isolated beach resorts around the coast. The airport is located on this island as well hotel resorts, restaurants and shops. The two main beaches, Pantai Cenang and Pantai Kok, are on the island's western coast, with Pantai Cenang being the most popular as the venue for hotels and restaurants. Dotted along the northern coast are the more luxurious resorts. The most famous of Langkawi legends is the Curse of Mahsuri. Mahsuri was a beautiful maiden of Muslim Siamese descent.

As with admiration in some, there will always be jealousy evoked in others. Mahsuri's mother-in-law was insanely jealous of her beauty and popularity. She took the opportunity one day to rid Mahsuri as she accused her of adultery during the absence of her husband who had gone off to war. Adultery by local law was a sin punishable by death. Mahsuri was executed in public. As she pleaded for her innocence, the executioner plunged a 'keris' or dagger into her. To their surprise, Mahsuri's blood trickled white which signified that she was innocent but little could be done for her.

Soon after Mahsuri's premature death, the formidable Siamese army made an attack on the island. In desperation, the chief ordered the granary to be burnt down to prevent the storage of rice from falling into Siamese hands. The remnants of burnt rice can still be seen at this spot known as the Field of Burnt Rice especially after a heavy downfall that washes out the odd blackened grain or so. The curse is believed to have been the cause of the island's lack of development which lasted until the birth in 1980 of Aishah Nawawi, a direct descendant of Mahsuri, after seven generations.

If you're still hungry for more information, prices and review of range of hotels, transport, diving site, entertainment and nightlife of Langkawi Island has to offer, here you're on the right track to check on.
>> langkawi.island.my