Jacinta Fabricius

Some of Langkawi's most beautiful sunsets are experienced over endless rice fields with towering mountains in the distance. Guests of Sunset Valley Holiday Houses have this exquisite scene as their backyard. 6 self-contained wooden homes allow you to taste traditional Malay village life without sacrificing modern comforts. Guests can also access shared areas including a barbecue area, and a swimming pool with views over rice paddies.

A temple with a towering golden Buddha statue would be a major tourist draw in most Southeast Asian cities. But in Langkawi, Wat Tham Kisap and its ornate statues are hidden down a quiet backroad, unbeknownst to many locals. The intricate and brightly colored temple complex is built into a limestone cliff, with a small cave located at the back the main prayer hall.

For Langkawi's best nightlife, you won't need DJs or overpriced drinks. Instead, immerse yourself in the sunset orchestra of chirping cicadas on JungleWalla's Rainforest Afterdark tour. Guests are escorted up Langkawi's tallest mountain to glimpse ancient plant species, timid dusky leaf monkeys, cheeky macaques, graceful oriental pied hornbills, and more. The nocturnal tour continues to a nearby recreational park to glimpse the rare sunda colugo, also known as the flying lemur.

Perhaps you’re craving a little quality time in the great outdoors. You may be intrigued by the idea of hiking but not sure where to start. As a beginner, hiking seems like a secret club with a complicated set of rules and specialized gear. We all started as beginners though, and I’m here to tell you, getting into hiking is not as hard as you think.

Wake up overlooking the turquoise waters and towering islands of Tanjung Rhu Beach from the comfort of a 5-star resort. Sandwich your day with walks along the powder-fine sandy shores to catch a golden sunrise and colorful sunset. Choose between the sea and the pool for a refreshing swim, or visit the luxurious Mandara Spa for a relaxing massage. You'll have to drag yourself out of the Tanjung Rhu Resort to explore the other beautiful sites of Langkawi.

Who says you can't have fun while eating healthy and ethically? Langkawi's first fully plant-based restaurant, Kolma uses pure, locally-sourced ingredients to make vegan-friendly bagels, burrito bowls, sushi bowls, nacho bowls, and more. Brunch options include colorful smoothie bowls with home-made granola in flavors like papaya and mango. At Kolma, you’re guaranteed to find delicious, dairy-free desserts with a range of cheesecakes, bliss balls, and other sweet treats.

With white sandy beaches, winding rivers, humble rice farms, and powerful waterfalls gushing down primeval mountains, photographers are spoilt for choice in Langkawi. Like many diverse landscapes, Langkawi's hues of blue, green, and every shade in between, are best experienced from a bird's eye view. Find out where to take the best aerial shots in Langkawi with this list of the best places to fly your drone.

Overlooking the rolling green landscape of the 99 East Golf Club, The Fat Frog provides a homey feel that welcomes diners all day long. The Fat Frog places emphasis on healthy eating with fresh ingredients and vegetarian options for several menu items. Curries can be served with either tempeh or chicken while burgers are available with veggie, chicken or beef patties. For dessert, coconut ice-cream is always on hand so dairy-free diners with a sweet tooth never have to go without.

For many years, teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) has been a popular way for people to work while traveling the world. The fantastic thing about TEFL is that it can be done digitally online, or psychically in-class.

Hidden on a quiet backroad behind Kuah Town, you may not expect to find this glistening gold-trimmed Buddhist temple. Wat Koh Wanararm is best known for its commanding statue of Guan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy carved into a section of limestone mountain. The white-grey statue is contrasted against colorful Tibetan pagodas in the main courtyard. Most visitors come to walk around the peaceful courtyard with intricate mosaics, zen gardens, and golden Buddha statues.

Every night of the week, night markets selling meals worthy of Malaysia's foodie reputation are held in various locations around Langkawi. The largest collection of food, clothing, and souvenir vendors gather on Wednesday and Saturday nights at Kuah Town Night Markets. Some stalls sell local produce like freshly caught fish or fruit and vegetables while others sell pre-prepared or hot cooked local meals, like fried rice, noodles, satay & dim sum.

Like the hottest tropical islands in Southeast Asia, Langkawi is blessed with white sand, palm-tree-lined beaches, and translucent-turquoise waters. Watersports and beach bars at Pantai Cenang, are one of the island's main draws, while Tanjung Rhu's secluded shores attract those longing to lounge in the sun. Whether your Langkawi bucket list includes morning swims, laying on the shore with a cocktail, or riding your first jet-ski, don't miss these 8 best beaches in Langkawi.

50-hectares of elaborate, landscaped gardens between Langkawi's mascot, Eagle Square, and Pekan Rabu Pier. The parklands are most famous for the 17 colorful larger-than-life sculptures depicting local legends and folklore stories. The park entrance features a stone wall portraying the tectonic plate movement that formed Langkawi and a map of the UNESCO-protected island. Also, in the parklands are shaded pathways, 4 man-made lakes, and a quiet sandy beach where locals come to picnic.

At the center of Langkawi's mountainous landscape sits Gunung Raya, the tallest peak at 881 meters (2,890 feet) high. Visitors can access the mountain’s summit via road or by climbing 4,287 steep steps, called Tangga Helang Seribu Kenangan, or Thousand Memory Eagle Stairs. Climbers are best positioned to experience Gunung Raya's impenetrable rainforest habitat, formed atop the 220-200-million-year-old granite foundation.

Although the Caribbean might seem more like a destination for couples, it is actually the perfect spot for a solo traveler. Warm seas, gorgeous beaches, incredible food, and an immensely welcoming and friendly culture, island hopping alone can be a rewarding experience. There’s an island to suit everyone, and opportunities everywhere to meet new people, make new friends, and have incredible experiences.

Stylish beachfront hotel, Dash, opens its infinity pool, bar, and restaurant to the public to become Dash Beach Club, the ideal place to sip cocktails and soak up the sun. So, don't worry if your Langkawi accommodation has no swimming pool, just splash over to Dash. By day, sit back in a cozy daybed then slip into the pool for a cocktail at the swim-up pool bar. Party up by night as the DJ arrives to pump up the beat and neon shades of pink, purple, and blue light up the pool and bar.