Langkawi

Langkawi is an archipelago of 99 islands in the Andaman Sea off north-west Malaysia, made a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2007. It is a duty-free island, so shopping is part of its appeal.

Its best-known experience is the SkyCab cable car up Mount Mat Cincang, and from there the Langkawi Sky Bridge, a curved bridge 125 metres long at 660 metres above sea level. In the north-east, Kilim Geoforest Park has mangroves and limestone cliffs, explored by boat.

The beaches vary: lively Pantai Cenang in the west, quiet Tanjung Rhu in the north, and Datai Bay between rainforest and sea. In Kuah, the main town, the Al-Hana Mosque faces the sea.

It is about an hour by air from Kuala Lumpur. We suggest three to four nights to rest after the city.