LANGKAWI
Area: Malaysia


Location:
Almost 20 miles off the coast of Malaysia's mainland peninsula and the port of Kuala Perlis in the extreme NW of the country. A similar distance from S Thailand on the edge of its territorial waters.

Telephone code from UK:
60 4

Position:
The largest and most densely populated of a 104-island archipelago.

Description:
Langkawi is a tropical island with a largely unspoilt heartland characterised by virgin jungle, mangrove swamps, rocky outcrops and cascading waterfalls. Originally an area of fishing, coconut and rubber plantations, the island was awarded duty-free status in 1987. This successfully attracted various businesses and burgeoning international tourism, facilitated by the construction of a sizeable airport on the W coast capable of handling jets. On the SE corner lies the capital, Kuah, a small predominantly low-rise unsophisticated town boasting a couple of small shopping centres, a handful of hotels and a waterfront dominated by the island's only ferry terminal.

Suitability:
For those seeking unspoilt, often deserted beaches and extensive water sports, who are content with a relatively (thus far) unsophisticated infrastructure.

Accommodation:
Predominantly first-class self-contained resort-style complexes beside their own private, or at least secluded, beaches dotted all round the coast. Several simpler hotels and hostels for the budget-conscious and less affluent backpackers. Many of the latter camp on the numerous public beaches.

Shopping:
Duty-free status means that Kuah and some hotel emporia can offer significantly cheaper designer fashions, perfumes and electronic goods. Choice is not particularly wide, but visitors do not generally come here to bargain hunt. Traditional batiks, pewter and local jewellery are the normal souvenirs.

Beach:
Some of the world's most idyllic, secluded and photogenic stretches of soft white sand fringed by tall palms and virgin jungle. Many of the best bays are already occupied and maintained by the major resort-style properties. Water sports is one of the principal attractions with windsurfing, water-skiing, sailing, catamarans and snorkelling the most popular pursuits. NB: some beaches have banned motorised fun to protect coral reefs.

Entertainments:
Daytime: centred on the individual hotels for beach relaxation or an energetic array of water sports and leisure activities. See excursions. Nightlife: generally low-key and confined to the hotel complexes, some of which provide regular live music and unsophisticated discos.

Eating:
Not a great deal of sophistication outside the hotels. Kuah has a couple of international fast-food chains and a selection of very affordable Chinese, Malay, Indian and Thai restaurants with seafood in abundance.

Public-transport:
There is no island-wide bus service. Taxis and hotel minibuses provide affordable transportation and many offer reasonable half- or full-day hire charged by the hour for local excursions. Regular ferries and hydrofoils to Kuala Perlis on the mainland (approx 1 hour) and Penang (approx 2» hours). Daily flights to the capital, Kuala Lumpur (1 hour).

Local-excursions:
Sea fishing; jungle trekking; waterfalls; pewter factories and plantation tours. Crocodile farm. Numerous boat charters for round-island tours and island hopping.