Langkawi
is by many people seen as Malaysia's tropical paradise. But is
it also for the average cyclist visiting Malaysia? I would say: YES. Langkawi
has much to offer in terms of general tourism, beaches, tropical jungles,
culture, diving but few realize it's a nice island to travel around on bicycle.
If you push it, you can cycle around Langkawi in one day but you
will not see too much. But for the serious cyclist, Mount Raya, Gunung Raya is a
serious contest but the reward is good too with some excellent views over
Langkawi.

Langkawi is a duty free zone but it doesn't mean it's rock
bottom cheap. And Malaysia is not particularly a cycling country. Many people
will either think you're crazy or admire you for cycling in the baking heat.
But like the rest of Malaysia, the roads, and especially the
smaller roads are in excellent condition and Langkawi is no exception.
Getting there and away
Langkawi is quite easy to reach for any cyclist. Coming from
Phuket and Krabi you have the choice to go to Hat Yai or Satun. Some prefer to
stay a night (or two) in Hat Yai and do some bicycle shopping in the two good
bike shops there before coming to Malaysia. Others choose Satun and take the
boat.
I have done both and both are easy to do. Satun is probably the
least interesting town to stay. More then an afternoon is a visit not worth,
even though in the are there are some quite nice villages to visit.
Hat Yai is more a typical bordertown where you can get almost
anything. And the border, Padang Besar, is about 50km away, an easy ride.
From Satun a ferry brings you direct to Langkawi, it takes about
1.5 hours.
See also this page. For the more adventurous cyclist, you can cycle from Hat
Yai to Yala and then Betong. From Betong to Penang is then only 110 km.
See this page
for details.

Sunset at Langkawi's Cenang Beach
If you decide to cross the Padang Besar border you have two
choices to go to Langkawi. The first is just across the border in Kuala Perlis
or a bit more south at Kuala Kedah.
Where to stay?
Most cyclist do not prefer to stay in expensive hotels. Around
Cenang beach the cheaper hotels can be found. But if you want a 5 star, no
problem. Top locations at Langkawi are the Datai
and the Andaman on the north west corner of the island with the Data Bay Golf
Club nearby. In the north east two great resort operate: Tanjung Rhu Resort and
the Four Seasons Resort.
I stayed at Cenang beach at the Malibest right at the beach for
RM 100 but cheaper is possible.
Kuah has a few hotels and although they seem to do attract quite
a few visitors, I would prefer to stay at the beach.
Diving
Langkawi hosts the only Marine Park on the West coast of
Malaysia: Pulau Payar. This little island is uninhabited and an excellent place
to start your Malaysian diving adventures. It's closer to Langkawi then to
Penang, so if you are interested in diving, you probably prefer to stay at
Langkawi.

Langkawi beaches
Bicycle shop
Langkawi has no longer a good bicycle shop. If you need special repairs, I
recommend Gary Yap's shop in Georgetown Penang.
216 Lebuh Carnavon (Carnavon Street)
10100 Penang
Telephone 04 2631688
What to see
As you can expect, there's plenty to do at Langkawi
-
Langkawi Underwaterworld
-
Langkawi cable car
-
Crocodile farm
-
Several waterfalls
-
Gunung Raya (Mount Raya)
-
Island hopping
-
Tombs
-
Wildlife park
-
Crystal yacht
And last but not least white sand beaches in blue waters with
spectacular views towards some of the 99 islands of which Pulau Langkawi is the
main one. But to me, cycling around the island is the preferable way to go. And
it's apart of the Gunung Raya mountain road almost all flat.
Back to the top of Langkawi
See
also our Cycling in Malaysia page
Back
to cycling in Malaysia
Back to Bicycle Adventures
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