Fable of a city and an Island -Kula Lumpur and Langkawi

As the old saying says Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder but for us backpackers or globetrotters it lies in our next port of call. The capital city of Malaysia Kula Lumpur or KL is a glistening city which is known for its skyscrapers and architecture. The most prominent and iconic landmark of the city is the Petronas Twin Towers which tops the bucket list of Things to do in Kuala Lumpur followed by the Golden Triangle which includes Bukit Bintang, KLCC and Chinatown. The city is vivacious and lively as it enjoys many festivals and events of many communities residing there. Whereas the beauty of Langkawi lies in its serene beaches and clear waters as lies on the northwest coast of Malaysia. The “Jewel of Kedah “ is an archipelago with a congregation of ninety-nine islands. The things to do in Langkawi list depends on the visitor’s garb. As it is certain to match the reason for visit for a thrill seeker, a history buff or a newlywed couple on their honeymoon. The main point of interest among many is the Langkawi Sky Bridge which is a snake-like bridge accompanied by the view of the Telaja Tujuh Waterfall and Gunung Mat Cincang. Go hiking as you ascend the Gunung Raya which is the highest peak of the island.

Petronas Twin Towers

Chalk out yourthings to do in Kuala Lumpur list as you visit the Petronas Twin Towers. This iconic landmark is an eighty-eight-storey building made out of chrome and steel and is joined at the 41st and 42nd floors through a fifty-eight-metre long and double-decker Skybrige also an observation deck with an awesome view of Kuala Lumpur. The Sky Bridge is the highest two-storey bridge at 170 metres above the ground whereas the observation deck which is located on the 86th floor of tower two has a height of 370 metres above the ground and has a miniature model of the towers as well as the city.

Skyview Deck KL Tower

Next up for things to do in Kuala Lumpur is the Menara KL which is located in Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve soaring high at 421 metres is the tallest telecommunication tower in South East Asia and the seventh tallest building of the world. The Sky deck is located at the height of three hundred metres above the ground with a panoramic view of the city’s skyline during the day and at sunset. Situated within the boundary of the KL Tower is the hundred years old Jelutong tree which is protected by a series of barricades. The tower also has an Islamic falak observatory.

Chinatown

Stop over at Chinatown which is a lively neighbourhood of Kuala Lumpur with oriental heritage and history. In tandem with things to do in Kula Lumpur is the hotspot for buying clothing, accessories and food with beautiful Buddhist temples, art galleries and coffee houses. Kasturi Walk is a street which is quite similar to Petaling Street and has a brim full of vendors selling wristwatches,  bags clothes and local foods like Malay Kuih and Chinese dim sum. Chinatown in Kuala Lumpur shines bright even after sunset as it seems to never sleep.

Batu Caves

The Batu Caves lie outside Kula Lumpur in suburb of Selangor where the tourist can glance at the limestone cliffs which are laced with caves and cave temples. The caves and temples are related to Hindu shrines which are considered as places of pilgrimage by many Tamil residents of Malaysia. Explore the local flora and fauna including the wild monkeys as well as the cave-dwelling bats. There are many rock-climbing opportunities with one hundred and sixty climbing routes. The caves are considered as “Malaysian National Treasure “ with the main attraction being the 140 feet tall Murugan statue which is the tallest in the world. For a better understanding of the caves, there is an audio tour also available.

Aquaria KLCC

Tick mark the next things to do in Kuala Lumpur destination the Aquaria KLCC. The aquarium is located at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre and is one of the largest aquariums of Southeast Asia with two hundred species of animals sprawled over sixty thousand square feet covering two levels and a ninety-meter-long underwater tunnel being the main attraction. The visitor’s journey through highlands, rivers and rainforests to coral reefs leading to the open ocean.

Langkawi Wildlife Park and Bird Paradise

Take it easy with this thing to do in Langkawi wildlife park and bird paradise which covers an area of five and a half acres with a recreated tropical rainforest habitat. It is home to some two thousand exotic birds of one hundred and fifty species. Some of the permanent residents which add to the glory of the park are canaries, ducks flamingos and peacocks with an element of surprise the walk-in aviary. The aviary has a fifteen-meter-tall manmade waterfall and a chance to feed and pet the birds which make the park a treat for nature lovers.

Kilim Karst Geoforest Park

Next on the checklist of things to do in Langkawi is to visit the Kilim Karst, Geoforest Park. The park is located on the east of Langkawi and takes around twenty minutes from Kuah Town. The geo forest has a collection of countless natural wonders and shelter to various species of flora and fauna as well as the local community of Kilim Village. Rocks found in the park are 490 to 370 million years old. The most incredible feature of the park are the mangrove and limestone forests with beautiful caves, coastal and island karst morphologies and rich flora and fauna.

Pulau Payar Marine Park

 The guidebook to things to do in Langkawi meanders to Pulau Payat Marine Park which is made up of four green emerald islands and is an ideal option for a leisure day outing. The marine park is a favourite among those who are keen on snorkelling and diving and waiting to discover the mysteries of the underwater. The enthusiast can easily reach the main island by riding on a speedboat or a catamaran from the Kuah Jetty. The islands are under the watchful eye of the Fisheries Department as they are not inhabited

Gunung Raya

The compass of things to do in Langkawi points in the direction of  Gunung Raya. Gunung Raya has an elevation of 881 metres above sea level with mesmerising view of the entire island. If folklores and legends are to be believed the mountain is considered to be the cursed form of Mat Raya the giant who once lived on the island. The rainforests of the mountains are famous for their fauna inhabitants which include white-bellied eagles, great hornbills, flying foxes and macaque monkeys. Those interested in trekking can easily ascend the peak via a tarmac road which joins it to Jalan Ulu Melaka.

Oriental Village

Drop your anchor of things to do in Langkawi at the Oriental Village. This is an Asian-themed park at the base of Mount Mat Cincang in Langkawi. This open-air tourist attraction is famous for its Sky Cab and Sky Bridge. The famous Tiger Exhibit of Langkawi is graced by the tigress Zanah. The best option to enjoy the theme park would be to ride on a segway while you come across musical performances, palm readers and martial art artists. The visitors here can also learn to fly kites or get themselves etched in time by getting their portraits done by local artists.