Joanna James
Many visit Langkawi for its beaches, charming vistas of nature and shopping. But the island also has its share of historical and cultural landmarks, and visiting them is a must.
The building has political significance as it was used by the 4th Prime Minister of Malaysia and his wife, they used it to house all the gifts they received during his tenure. The gifts were given to them by international political leaders, family friends and other distinguished guests. About 9000 gifts complete the collection housed in the building, and they are displayed in rotation. The collection is comprised of furniture, weaponry, decorative items, vases, bicycles and cars.
omb has a tragic story circulating it, according to historical records, there was a female who was wrongly accused of adultery and sentenced to death; the name of the lady was Mahsuri hence the tomb is named Mahsuri's tomb. It is a complex that houses the tomb as well as a museum that celebrates her life events. There's also a musical theatre where women clad in traditional costumes play folk instruments. Visiting the tomb is advertised by many Langkawi resorts, among them is Berjaya Langkawi Resort.
On the surface, it is just a place that displays handicrafts and artwork. However, inside the complex, there are different sections exploring religion, culture and heritage of the island; to that end, there are several dioramas and hand-crafted items. The site is comprised of the Islamic Museum, the Royal Museum, the Heritage Museum and Custom and Wedding Museum.
Unlike other museums, this is an open complex comprising of green paddy fields, a heritage museum, a spa and a couple of restaurants that serve traditional fare. There's a website with a guide available. Visitors can take part in rice planting where they stand knee-deep in water. The place is a must-visit as it showcases the agricultural side of Malaysia.
If you want to witness the site that was used by the locals to divert the Siamese away, visit the Field of Burnt Rice; it is actually the remains of the field that was burnt. The locals gathered the rice from all over the village and set them on fire. For the visitor's benefit, there are preserved samples of burnt rice that can be seen at the site.
The largest mosque on the island, Al Hana Mosque is open 24 hours. Its Islamic architecture is the fascinating feature of the place. The golden dome that tops the mosque is the main highlight, and the place is surrounded by towering trees.
If you've seen the movie that depicts the romance that sparked between an ordinary woman and the King of Siam, this is where it was filmed. There's nothing but remains of the set available today, but it's still a fascinating place. The Thai-style palace and Anna's house were so elegantly constructed by local and foreign workers. The site is found located next to Perdana Quay.
The best time to visit this Malaysian island is during the period between November and April when the weather is the perfect balance of rainfall and sunshine.
You can get there by sea or by air. If you are planning to travel by air: the airport on the island is Langkawi International Airport, and it caters to flights flown from Hat Yai, Singapore, Phuket, Penang and Kuala Lumpur. If you plan to travel by sea, there are many ferries and charters available.
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