MalaysiaLangkawi $$$$$ All Year Mostly Indoor
Museum

Langkawi Geopark Discovery Centre

Langkawi's UNESCO Global Geopark status attracts millions of tourists each year… but what does it actually mean? The Geopark Discovery Centre breaks down Langkawi's complex and ancient landscapes to explain its geological and environmental significance.

The main exhibit contains a series of colorful posters explaining how the island's geology sheds light on the earth's hidden formation process. Langkawi's 3 main geoforest parks, Kilim, Machichang, and Dayang Bunting, reveal insight into different windows of time, dating back 550 million years. No other place in the world can match Langkawi's geodiversity with 5 different rock formations including limestone, granite, and marble.

Moving on to local culture, the next posters reveal 4 main folklore legends relating to natural formations like Dayang Bunting's Pregnant Maiden Lake and Langkawi's 2 tallest mountains, Gunung Raya and Gunung Machincang.

A model mangrove habitat accompanies posters recreating the island's 120-million-year-old rainforest. Langkawi boasts unique flora and fauna from almost-extinct trees to rare butterflies and bird species. Examples of fossils discovered in Langkawi are also on display, including the islands mascot Trilobite, the ancestor of modern insects. A real-life mangrove sanctuary can later be explored opposite the center.

The final exhibit contains a state-of-the-art cinematic experience. A curved movie screen and 6 projectors show a 7-minute movie summing up the geological, cultural, socioeconomic, and environmental aspects of Langkawi, bringing everything together succinctly.

The Geopark Discovery Centre should be the first stop on any Langkawi itinerary. The rich information inside will take your sightseeing experience to the next level. Mangrove tours and even the Langkawi SkyCab take on a whole new meaning when you better understand the ancient landscapes and habitats surrounding them.

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Price

International: Adult: RM20 (USD$4.24), Child: RM10 ($2.12), MyKad holder: Adult: RM10 ($2.12), Child: RM5 ($1.06)

Time Spent

30-90minutes

Fitness level: Easy

Located within Kilim Karst Geoforest Park

Hours

9am-5pm7 days

Look Around

Signage near entrance - every photo has a storySignage near entrance - every photo has a story
Explanation of UNESCO Geopark statusExplanation of UNESCO Geopark status
Interactive screen with larger animated projected mapInteractive screen with larger animated projected map
Rock samples and explainationsRock samples and explainations
The legend of MahsuriThe legend of Mahsuri
Model mangrove forestModel mangrove forest
Cinematic experienceCinematic experience
Around the complex
Map of different Geoforest parksMap of different Geoforest parks
Explanation of Machichang Cambrian Geoforest ParkExplanation of Machichang Cambrian Geoforest Park
The Legend of Gunung Mat Chinchang and Gunung RayaThe Legend of Gunung Mat Chinchang and Gunung Raya
Geological & cultural posters
Fossil explanationsFossil explanations
TrilobiteTrilobite
Information on trilobitesInformation on trilobites
Coral fossilCoral fossil
Fossils
Mangrove sanctuary entranceMangrove sanctuary entrance
Wooden boardwalks through the forestWooden boardwalks through the forest
Mangrove nurseryMangrove nursery
Planting mangrove seedsPlanting mangrove seeds
Newly planted mangrove seedsNewly planted mangrove seeds
Mangrove sanctuary

Who Will Like Langkawi Geopark Discovery Centre

Nature Lover

Discover species of birdlife, butterflies, reptiles and plants native to Langkawi's 3 main geoforest parks. Equip yourself with the knowledge to fully appreciate the mangrove forests, limestone islands, jungles, and pristine beaches waiting around the island.

Culture Buff

Delve into the geological and historical significance that earned Langkawi its UNESCO Global Geopark status. Read up on 4 of the 7 main legends on the island and support local business by purchasing a batik painting at the giftshop.

Fun Expert

Get up close to Langkawi's geology with interactive touch screens, and hands-on fossil exhibits. Let the kids play in the educational children's room after exploring the main exhibits.

Retail Therapist

Visit the gift shop to purchase authentic souvenirs and gifts for family and friends back home. All items are locally made and contain raw materials that are sourced from Langkawi.

Insider Tips For Langkawi Geopark Discovery Centre

  • Pair your visit with a 2, 3, or 4-hour mangrove tour of Kilim Geoforest Park.
  • Visit the Mangrove sanctuary and nursery opposite the center and try to spot plant & animal species mentioned in the exhibits.
  • Plant a baby mangrove tree at 8:30am every Sunday. Bookings must be made through the Discovery Center.
  • The gift shop contains only locally made items. At least 50% of each item's raw materials must be sourced from the island. Items for sale include woven purses, notebooks and bags, batik paintings, honey from stingless bees, healing lotions, and adorable trilobite plush toys.
Locally made handicraftsLocally made handicrafts
Trilobite plush toyTrilobite plush toy
Gift shop

Video

Where Is It

Kampung Kilim, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah, Malaysia

Open map...

How To Get There

Car

Free • Large parking lot available near the jetty with overflow parking closer to the main road.

Driving directions... Map for car...

Motorbike

Free parking for scooters and motorbikes near the jetty.

Rideshare

Drivers pick up and drop off in the main parking lot.

Front entrance

What To Bring

Do:
  • Notebook to jot down interesting sites you want to see.
  • Cash for the gift shop.
  • Reading glasses if needed to clearly read the posters.
Don't:
  • Food and drink.

Tech & Photography

Wifi

Public wifi access: None

Photography

Photography allowed: Yesflash is ok

Tripod allowed: No

Selfie sticks allowed: Not encouraged

Best time to shoot: Anytime

Tips: Be sure to take photos of the informative posters and placards so you can refer back to them later - they are jam-packed full of insight into Langkawi's past.

Drones

Drones allowed: No

Bags

Backpacks allowed: Yes

Secured bag lockers available: No

Food & Drink

Several vendors selling local dishes like laksa and nasi lemak and Western options like burgers and fries are located in a food court near the main parking lot.

Backstory

Langkawi received UNESCO Global Geopark status in on June 1st 2007, becoming the 52nd UNESCO endorsed geopark in the world and the 1st in Southeast Asia.

The Geopark Discovery Center was constructed in 2019, with the aim to educate local and foreign visitors alike in Langkawi's unique geological landscape. It officially opened to the public in January 2020 having cost US$4m to construct. The building is a rare example of modern architecture on the island, yet takes a leaf out of nature's book, with inspiration drawn from the rock formations in the park.

The center is located beside the entrance to the Kilim Geoforest Park and jetty.

Etiquette

Do:
  • Be quiet while looking around.
  • Make room for other visitors to read posters.
  • Follow the designated route through the exhibits.
  • Listen to staff in the mangrove sanctuary.
Don't:
  • Touch the exhibits unless staff or signage says it's okay.
  • Take seeds or other items from the mangrove sanctuary.

Scorecard

Best Parts:
  • Easy-to-understand information considering rich diversity, complexity, and history.
  • Invaluable introduction to Langkawi enhancing the experience of further sightseeing.
  • Mangrove planting opportunities.
  • Gift shop with only locally made items for sale.
  • Suitability to all age groups with a children's room and cinematic experience.
Could Be Better:
  • No card payments accepted at gift shop.
  • Yet to package entrance fees with mangrove tours of Kilim Geoforest Park.
My itinerary Save View

Oh, you're so close

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