Mahsuri's Tomb in Langkawi(Padang Matsirat Attractions)

 

Mahsuri’s Tomb is the crypt of the legendary Princess Mahsuri. Located in the village of Mawat, 12km from Kuah, it is also known as Makam Mahsuri. Most of the island’s natural attractions have fables attached in true Malay style and Mahsuri’s Tomb is probably its most famous legend.

The story begins with the beautiful Mahsuri, a maiden (or princess by some accounts) born over 200 years ago, who married the love of her life during a time of conflict with the Siamese. Her husband went off to fight in the war and her mother-in-law, jealous of her beauty, vengefully accused Mahsuri of adultery.

A Curse

Mahsuri protested her innocence but the village elders tried the young girl, found her guilty and sentenced her to death by stabbing. She was tied to a stake but when she was pierced with the ceremonial dagger she bled white blood, a sign of her innocence.

With her dying breath, Mahsuri cursed the island with seven generations of bad luck. Later the Siamese conquered Kedah and invaded the island – the inhabitants of Langkawi set fire to their staple crop and poisoned their wells in order to halt the advance of the invaders. Legend has it to this day traces of burnt rice can be seen in nearby Padang Matsirat (The Field of Burnt Rice) especially after torrential downpours.

Tropical Success

The legend of Mahsuri supposedly accounts for Langkawi’s relatively ‘newfound’ success and judging by its increasing prosperity, the island has survived the curse. Mahsuri’s Tomb (the site where Mahsuri died) was converted into a historical site: it includes Mahsuri’s shrine, a fenced-in white slab of marble that stands alone in a shady garden. Besides that, there is a reconstruction of a traditional Malay house, a theatre and a ‘diorama museum’ which houses some of Mahsuri’s jewellery and the weapon that killed her. There are also a few food outlets at Mahsuri’s Tomb and a well that is said to bless those who dip their hands into it with beauty.

A signpost about 10km from town directs you to Makam Mahsuri. About 17km from Langkawi International Airport, Makam Mahsuri can be reached in less than 20 minutes; heading east. The complex is accessible via the Padang Matsirat Road. Once you pass the Tok Senik Resort on your left, there will the junction to Makam Mahsuri Road – turn right and follow the road and you’ll easily be able to find the mausoleum. There are signposts in English and Malay to guide you.

Langkawi Cable Car or Panorama Langkawi Cable Car

The Langkawi Cable Car or Panorama Langkawi Cable Car is one of the major attractions in Langkawi Island, Kedah, Malaysia. It provides an aerial link from near Burau Bay Resort at Teluk Burau to the peak of Gunung Machinchang, which is also the location of the Langkawi Sky Bridge. The total length is 2.2 km (1.4 mi). It was officially opened in 2003.

Langkawi Cable Car is located just north of Telaga Harbour, Pantai Kok, with the entrance within 'ORIENTAL VILLAGE' - a theme shopping centre housing in 30 individually designed buildings showcasing Malaysian and Oriental architecture. It is located just north of the Langkawi International Airport, on the north-western coast of the main island of Langkawi. It is just an approximate 40 minutes drive from Kuah town and 15 minutes drive from Langkawi International Airport.

ATTRACTIONS

Base Station

The Base Station is located at the Oriental Village (at the foot hill of the Machincang mountain range). From the base, visitors will be taken up to the Machincang range via the Langkawi Cable Car on gondolas giving the visitors views of the surroundings forests, the Telaga Tujuh (Seven Wells) waterfall as well as the sea. The cable cars are closed weekly for maintenance.

Middle Station

                                                                                                     

An intermediate Cable Car station on the eastern ridges provides access to the eastern cliffs with its 3 vertical chimneys and the 360-degree views.

The journey from the Base Station to Middle Station will cover 1,700 meters in length and upon reaching the Middle Station at an elevation of 650m above sea level, visitors will be able to alight and walk up to the viewing platforms.

Top Station

A short walk up the stairs from the Top Station will take visitors to the two viewing platforms at the top of Gunung Machinchang.

A cafe at the Top Station offers refreshments and views with cool breezes, at 708m above sea-level is about 5 degrees Celsius (+/-) cooler than lowlands.

Some Facts for Langkawi Cable Car System

• Horizontal distance: 2079m
• Vertical rise: 680m
• Inclined distance: 2158m
• Haul rope diameter: 50mm
• Bull wheel diameter: 6.10m
• Passenger per gondola: 6 persons
• Design speed: 5m/sec
• Operating speed: 3m/sec
• Turn around trip time: 28 minute
• Hourly capacity: 700 passengers/hour
• Number of stations: 3
• Number of in-line towers: 2
• Height of Tower 1: 38m
• Height of Tower 2: 70m
• Longest free span: 950m (between Tower 2 & Middle station)
• Steepest gradient: 42 Degrees
• Construction period: 16 months (April 2001 - August 2002)
• Testing & Commissioning period: 3 months (August 2002 - October 2002)

Cenang Beach (Pantai Cenang)

Pantai Cenang Beach in Langkawi is the most popular place for travelers to visit. Well known for their complete infrastructure, the main beach stretches for about two kilometers with a wide assortment of accommodations and things to see and do. It is also located nearby the Langkawi Airport therefore getting here simply takes about ten minutes by taxi. As I have visited Pantai Cenang many times over the years, much has been improved in terms of lodging and shops which offer all kinds of services from mainstream shopping to travel agents.

The north part of Cenang Beach

Overall, the beach here is one of the most popular with many locals and foreigners due to the outstanding layout and accessibility. From the main Pantai Cenang Road, you just walk in about a hundred meters and you are on the main beach. A number of resorts, motels and guesthouses line the entire stretch so choices are abundant here. For the less pricy accommodations, they are located across the road inland. 

One of the beach bars at pantai cenang

Nightlife in Pantai Cenang is also touted as the best place to have a great time. A number of bars and restaurants offering a variety of choices in food and beverages are found scattered along the main road. From Italian right to your regular 'mamak' (Indian Muslim) stall, there are also seafood restaurants to fancy five star dining options here. While pubs or bars are well spread here, you will find a couple of them located right on the beach while most of them are further towards the end of the road here. 

As Langkawi is a duty free island, you can be assured of cheap prices for beers and liquors here. Most locals would be seen heading to Kuah town for the Langkawi Duty Free Shopping to buy loads of beer and then have barbecues and beach parties at Pantai Cenang.

A common hotel along pantai cenang

Beach lovers relax

Pantai Cenang Beach in Langkawi

Red Tomato at Pantai Cenang, Langkawi. One of the popular restaurants here

One of the must see views is Pantai Cenang in Langkawi from the plane just before you land. Make sure you are sitting on the right side of the plane for this. While staying here, you have the option to rent motorbikes, cars or bicycles to move around. Depending on how far you want to go around the island, you best double check. There are many restaurants of all sorts available here from Western, Chinese, Malay, Fusion right to halal Arabic food. Cafes and bars are also found along the main road but not as much as you would think. There are quite a number of convenient stores and a number of traditional massage centers here too. 

One of the main attractions called Underwater World is also found along this main road. If you go right to the end of Pantai Cenang, you will come to a junction and take a right and immediately left, it leads further in to more restaurants, hotels, resorts and cafes. A place to check out here would be the Sun Cafe or Matahari, a Malay styled restaurant. Traveling all the way in would lead you pass the Holiday Villa Resort, Frangipani Resort and at the end, Awana Porto Malai Hotel which serves as one of the boat jetties. 

Having been here many times over the years for work, I keep seeing much development being done only to make the place look more interesting. On my last visit, I came across a Cabin Hotel here which is made from container cabins. Quite different and reasonable. A visit to Langkawi Island will not be complete if you do not visit Pantai Cenang Beach.

Langkawi Bird Paradise

Opened in 2002, the Langkawi Bird Paradise is spread out over five acres and houses over 2,500 exotic birds from 150 species. The enclosed aviaries allow the birds to fly freely in settings approximating their natural habitats.

Visitors can spend up to two hours just strolling through the park, watching the owls, toucans, eagles, and hornbills cavort in the enclosed space. A 15-meter high man-made waterfall helps add to the verisimilitude of the tropical simulation inside the fully covered wildlife enclosure. At the end of the walk, you’ll find a souvenir store hawking knick-knacks patterned after the resident birds, as well as crystals from China and Brazil.

The Paradise is located on Lot 1485, Jalan Ayer Hangat, Kampung Belanga Pecah. Operating hours last from 9am to 6pm daily; the gate charges MYR 12 for adults, MYR 6 for kids.

Underwater World

Malaysia's largest aquarium is located right here in Langkawi - a gigantic white building that houses over 200 marine species, including assorted freshwater fish, giant rays, sharks, rock-hopper penguins, harbor seals, and a tankful of gigantic arapaima (an aggressive Amazonian freshwater fish).

The displays are separated into themed areas. The most popular area - the Sub-Antarctic section - features a "penguinarium" with rockhopper penguins bred right on the site; the Underwater World pioneered the breeding of rockhoppers in captivity. 




At the end of the exhibit, guests walk through a massive underwater tunnel tank where guests can see green turtles swimming alongside sharks and stingrays.

  

Underwater World is located at the southern tip of Pantai Cenang next to the Zon duty-free shopping center. The aquarium opens at 9:30am every day, and closes at 6:30pm on weekdays and 10:30pm on Fridays and weekends.