TripCanvas Editorial Team

TripCanvas Editorial Team

A collective of travel, food and adventure enthusiasts sharing stories about hidden gems and unexplored local attractions, aiming to showcase and help you explore the destination in its truest form.

Language

Visit the mighty Seven Wells Waterfall of Langkawi

Seven Wells Waterfall 1

Telaga Tujuh, locally known as the Seven Wells Waterfall, signifies the occurrence of seven wells that overflow into each other. Almost like seven natural infinity pools, they combine to give birth to one big waterfall. Located a short trip from Langkawi town centre, this collection of pools will take you back to your childhood days. 

The way uphill to Seven Wells Waterfall
The way uphill

How to get to the Seven Wells Waterfall

Like all things good, to truly enjoy the brilliance of the Seven Wells Waterfalls you have to go that extra mile. Rest assured, your walk uphill is worth it once you reach the top and slide into the higher pools. The exploration through the rainforest lets you experience the beauty of the place and get up close with nature.

The rocks polished and smoothened due to the flowing stream of water constitute to form a slide into the pools. After all the climbing and trekking, you can’t resist but slide into one of the shallow pools. Take a refreshing swim and soak into the beauty of nature. While the surrounding flora makes up for most of the view, you can also spot the blue waters of Buara Bay!

The water pools

The view atop and the adrenaline rush from the trek makes you realise why Telaga Tujuh occurs on every tourist’s list. But here’s a word of caution when you visit this waterfalls. It’s all fun and games until someone gets hurt, so make sure you take care while getting in and out of the pool. Also, look out for rocks near the cliffs as they can be very slippery. Hire a local travel guide to pay a visit to this natural wonder who can guide you at every step. With Locaguide you can hire a guide to explore the Seven Wells Waterfall. A perfect person to take care of all the needs and to ensure your safety throughout the trip. Also, keep the pesky monkeys, at a distance because they cause inconvenience to the climbers.

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Locale

Langkawi Cable Car: experience the steepest cable car ride in the world

steepest cable car 2

If you want to feel on top of the world, then riding the Langkawi Cable Car is a must! Also known as the Langkawi SkyCabs, the cable car ride offers a panoramic view of entire Langkawi and its surroundings. High enough to get a direct view of the waterfalls and flora, the cable cars also allow you to spot the wildlife on the island.

Langkawi Cable Car
Cable Car

The enthralling Langkawi Cable Car ride

Starting at the foot of Mt. Machincang, the cable car rides to the top of the mountain. It goes about 708 meters above sea level. The entire ride is split into two halves and you have the option of getting down at the middle stop.

The middle station allows you to walk till the viewing deck and get a closer look at the flora and birds around. And luckily, you can also see some wildlife catching up on their daily nap. If you want to try other activities then take the Sky trail and trek up from the middle station. The rewarding view at the end motivates enough to ensure that you complete the trek.

The Sky Bridge at Langkawi
The Sky Bridge in Langkawi

Further up, an unparalleled view of lush tropical forests and the surrounding ocean and islands will welcome you. You can see the bigger picture with multiple sites and monuments all visible in the same frame. Once at the top, walk along the Sky Bridge if you want a diverse view of the mountains. Later, indulge in a meal 700 meters above sea level. A perfect reason to just cherish the view for a bit longer, before you begin the ride down

A Guided Experience

When planning your Langkawi itinerary, add a pit stop at the Langkawi Cable Car for a thrilling experience. Build a personalised itinerary with Locaguide and talk to your designated local travel expert to make time for this activity. Ask your local guide to plan your day such that you do not miss the mountain view.

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Locale

Explore the protected Pulau Payar Marine Park

Pulau Payar Marine Park 3

The Pulau Payar Marine Park forms a protected area comprising of 4 uninhabited islands. The many opportunities that it offers to explore the marine world make it the best marine park. Located a short ferry ride from Langkawi, the park makes up for an ideal first underwater experience. Here, you can find the only coral reef garden near to Malaysia.  

You can either explore the sandy beaches of the Andaman sea or snorkel in the calm shallow waters. The water here is clean and pristine thus forming a perfect place to spot a whole bunch of underwater life. Swim with the black tipped baby sharks that stay near the seabed or spot the great barracuda, a resident to the area.

Pulau Payar Marine Park  diving center

Pulau Payar Marine Park diving center

Things to do and see at Pulau Payar Marine Park

A boat ride from Pulau Payar Marine Park’s jetty leads you to the island. The boat ride offers spectacular glimpses of the horizon and the sea. The best place to spot most of the marine life remains right under the jetty. And with the clear waters, you can spot several as you snorkel in the sea. Furthermore, the park has numerous diving spots where you can find specific kinds of marine life. So, pick a spot which shows you the life underwater that you haven’t seen before.

The barbecue pits on the shore come to your rescue if water does not please you. Cook your own scrumptious grilled food and savour at it while enjoying the setting sun and the beautiful sea waves. 

Blacktip shark
Blacktip shark

Places like these are best visited along with a local guide because they know the ins and outs of it. A local travel guide from Locaguide will help you plan and book a trip to the marine park. He/ She will also help you to get the underwater gear from reliable vendors. Make your visit to the Pulau Payar National Park a memorable one and keep it hassle-free with the help of a local expert. 

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Events

Witness the unique Langkawi squid challenge

Langkawi squid challenge 3

Watching someone fish can be quite boring, but watching over 25 teams trying to win a squid challenge may seem enthralling. A race which continues through the night and implies a whole different experience. The squid challenge held in Langkawi attracts people from across the globe. Some 100’s of kilos of squid are captured throughout the night. While planning your Langkawi itinerary make sure that you take into account the overstaying. Because watching and cheering multiple boat speed into the dark night forms a key highlight of the event.

Boat catching squids during the squid challenge
Boats catching squids

What happens in the squid challenge?

Starting at dusk, the sight of sea light up with the floodlights used on the boats makes it worth a watch. As the night progresses, you can see kilos of squid moved onto the shore and measured to declare the winners. Watch the locals use their age-old techniques to capture squid and compare them with foreigners’ method. The skills and different techniques set on display used to capture squids will leave you amazed.

A boat at the dusk
A boat at the dusk

Meanwhile, you can take part in cheering the fishermen along with the locals to see who wins the fiery competition. You can also walk around to try squids cooked in different styles and keep guessing who captures the most squids. Watching the men come back to shore to know their fate gets a lot of buzz from the beach. And everyone eagerly awaits the prize distribution. Almost every year a record stands broken, either in the kilo’s captured or the largest squid. Who knows, perhaps you get to witness a new record get made during the night?

For a long period, the community lived accustomed to it hence you cannot see the hype in the event. To obtain a part of this unique challenge, we recommend you to hire a local travel guide from Locaguide.  Your guide may give you access to the squid challenge and provide you with all the details. Whether to learn new things about the community or just for fun, Langkawi will never stay the same again!

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Events

Revel In The International Water Festival Of Langkawi

Water Festival Of Langkawi 2

On your Malaysia tour, do not miss the Langkawi Water Festival if challenges and water equally excite you. Started in 2002, this international water festival grew over the years to everyone’s liking. It includes multiple fun games and beach parties and food stalls that take you on a sensory roller coaster ride.

Take part in the water festival

As part of the festival, you can choose to participate in a wide range of competitions. Test your skills against the locals and other tourists from across the globe. Experience an adrenaline rush from kayaking between the islands or enter the sandcastle building competition to show your creative side. Get a chance to participate in an underwater treasure hunt or stay dry as you compete in a beach volleyball tournament. If you prefer something less strenuous, but still want to compete, then try your luck at the many fishing competitions. Also, set out to win the title of the slippery pole challenge.

Even if you do not wish to compete, the Water festival is still worth it. Witness some of the crazy activities, loud cries and fiery race among the competitors. Join in for the music and dance celebrations on the last day. You can also gorge on some yummy food available throughout the festival. The Water Festival definitely increases the number of things you can do in Langkawi. While at the festival make the festival a lasting experience.

To enjoy the festival thoroughly, we highly recommend you hire a local guide. He/ she will help you take part in the activities at the festival. Create a customised travel itinerary on a portal like Locaguide to include this event in your travel plan. By doing so, get easy access to participate in the event. Given the uniqueness of the event, this might become one of your favourite things to do in Langkawi!

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Locale

Detox at the natural springs in Ayer Hangat Village

Ayer Hangat Village 3

A short drive away from Langkawi’s Kuah town lies a scenic little village called Ayer Hangat. Ayer Hangat means Hot Water. Known for its naturally found saltwater hot spring, a dip in these waters results into multiple health benefits. The village denotes a complex built around the hot spring wells. It includes a hot water Jacuzzi, pond and spa and beautifully landscaped gardens.


Hot springs at Ayer Hangat

The various offerings at Ayer Hangat

The Ayer Hangat Village does not find a place on people’s must-visit list because it remains highly underrated. The hot springs offer the perfect setting for unwinding and letting go of any physical or mental stress. So, spending a whole day here almost equals to a spa getaway. Start off by soaking your feet in the hot spring wells and then take a dip in the Jacuzzi. Rich in mineral content, the spring water is known to heal skin irritations and joint aches naturally.

Gazebos to relax at Ayer Hnagat
Gazebos at Ayer Hangat

If you prefer foot reflexology instead of the Jacuzzi, then Ayer Hangat offers a variety of foot massage services — you also get to select one as per your liking. The gorgeous landscaped gardens also possess a reflexology pathway. Here you can take a walk and enjoy the relaxation that a foot massage would provide. Made of river stones of multiple sizes, the pathway contains a dry and wet section which seems quite relaxing to walk on.

Plan a trip to this unique attraction in Langkawi with Locaguide‘s customised itinerary planning feature. Discuss with your designated local travel guide on how to make the most of this visit. Opt to visit Ayer Hangat Village instead of a typical day at the spa and let nature spill its beans for you.

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CultureLocale

Get acquainted with local culture at Mari Mari Cultural Village

Mari Mari Cultural Village 4

A short trip from Kota Kinabalu, Mari Mari constitutes a village where the ethnic culture of the Borneo tribes is kept alive. The village houses five of the indigenous Borneo tribes, who continue to live in their old ways. Every tribe’s lifestyle, culture and history tell a different yet fascinating story.

The tribes of Borneo in their traditional costumes
The tribes of Borneo

You get a first-hand view of their way of life, work, customs, traditions and their clothing. Also, know what sets them apart from each other. Everyone who visits the village learns about the tribe’s rich past and ancient customs of the tribes. You can partake in each of the custom and activity to experience them personally. Every tribe showcases their hunting and survival skills to the tourists. Thus, altogether making it a fun excursion.

Things to do at Mari Mari Cultural Village

You can taste their traditional food, see how the dish is prepared and perhaps even try your hand at it. Moreover, while dining, each tribe will share with you how their tribe name came about and what it stands for. The experience of eating in an antiquated village will stay with you forever.

A traditional Rungus house
Traditional Rungus house

Spending half a day at the cultural village lets you explore activities each belonging to one of the five tribes. You can also sit back and enjoy the cultural performances or take part in them alongside the locals. The village surrounding remains a natural habitat of rainforest trees thus keeping you away from the city’s hustle and bustle.

A group of tourists observing traditional cooking
Group of tourists observing traditional cooking

Gain hands-on experience in traditional bamboo cooking, fire starting or play a game of Congkak(Malay game).

Furthermore, the experience of visiting the Mari Mari Cultural Village gets even better with a local travel guide accompanying you. Someone who can help you translate and understand the stories of the tribes and help you grasp the true essence. Find yourself a suitable local guide from Locaguide and plan a personalized itinerary with their help. Visit this cultural village with your guide and get a glimpse of tribal life in the Borneo islands.

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CultureLocale

Marvel at the Kota Kinabalu City Mosque

Kota Kinabalu City Mosque 1

Built to give the impression of floating structure, the Kota Kinabalu City Mosque is a must-see sight in Kota Kinabalu. Four minarets, a blue dome and a golden dome remain the striking features of the mosque. The Kota Kinabalu City Mosque closely resembles the Medina’s Nawabi Mosque and thus forms an architectural marvel in itself!

 

Kota Kinabalu City Mosque at dusk
Kota Kinabalu City Mosque at dusk

Things to do at the Kta Kinabalu City Mosque

A walk through the mosque lets you explore the intricately designed Arabic influenced architecture. Locally known as the floating Mosque, the true beauty of the mosque strikes when paddle boating on the man-made lagoon. 

The mosque hopes to incorporate the local community’s religious, social and economic aspects. A joint project of a fish farm stands incorporated within its grounds. It also houses four madrassas and a healthcare clinic for the community’s welfare.

Being a place of worship of the Islamic community you need to dress modestly with your head covered. It’s considered respectable if you remove your footwear at the entrance. Once you remove your footwear, wash your hands and feet before you enter the inner parts of the mosque. A non-muslim cannot enter during prayer hours, but the call to prayer is something you should stop and listen.

An aerial view of the Kota Kinabalu City Mosque
Aerial view of the Kota Kinabalu City Mosque

The locals may help you with the mosque’s history and also help you understand certain rituals carried out in the mosque. Especially a local travel guide can help you in this regard. You can find yourself a suitable travel guide from a portal like Locaguide. The guide will help you understand the cultural, historical and social significance of these beautiful structures.

Upon having your fill of the inside of the mosque, head out to watch the sunset over the city of Kota Kinabalu and the man-made lake. Just sitting around in the shade can calm you, allow you to deeply introspect and find some peace within yourself.

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Language

Experience pristine beauty at the Kinabalu National Park

Kinabalu National Park 1

The Kinabalu National Park

The Kinabalu National Park is a World UNESCO site. Home to over thousands of birds and mammals, the Kinabalu National Park features very high on everyone’s list of places to see in Malaysia. Moreover with multiple parts within the park, you can easily spend a whole day of your Kota Kinabalu itinerary at the Kinabalu National Park.

Kinabalu National Park

Things to do and see

If you hope to experience everything the park has to offer, start early and carry a change of clothes with you. You can choose what all you want to spend your time doing at the park, However we recommend you hire a local travel guide to help you find your way around the park easily. A travel guide from Locaguide will be able to advise you on how to experience the Kinabalu National Park in the best manner possible.

Interact with the cattle and sheep at the Desa Cattle Dairy Farm, as you feed the sheep and watch them frolic in the open fields. Watching the sheep fight to eat what you offer them and the others playing and grazing in the fields is therapeutic in its own way!

Next, head to the butterfly farm that has a spectacular variety of butterflies all around, surrounded by a variety of fauna present in the park. Moreover a walk through this part of the park allows you to see butterflies of every colour imaginable and you’ll be shocked to see how large a few of them can get!

Furthermore, the canopy walks at this park allows you to observe the flora and fauna the park has to offer along with a variety of landscapes. You can spend a good 2 hours, walking and exploring the park and still feel like you haven’t spent enough time in it.

Kinabalu National Park

As you walk around and explore more of the park, let the beauty of nature and the landscapes you just saw sink in and engulf you!0

Locale

Take a ride on the North Borneo Railway

North Borneo Railway 1

The Experience on North Borneo Railway

The North Borneo Railway takes you back into the history of Malaysia! Previously employed to transport tobacco from the centre of Malaysia to the coastal places. However, now, the railway serves as a means of transportation to the locals and tourists. But tourists who wish to spend time watching the countryside and enjoy a good bit of souvenir shopping take the train ride.

The North Borneo Railway
The North Borneo Railway

Departing at 9:30 am from Kota Kinabalu to Kinarut town, the train offers you a choice of local breakfast options. With breakfast, you can watch the train pass through the open fields, across the coastline and the city. At Kinarut, disembark the train and get ready to explore the town. A popular place for shopping, the town owns a selection of souvenirs shops and many options you can select from.

Things to do and see 

From Kinarut, the train further goes to Papar, where you can interact with the locals before heading back to Kota Kinabalu. On your way back, the North Borneo Railway tour offers you a meal for lunch. Furthermore, you can even get an opportunity to chat with the railway engineer. So, learn about the old wood fire engine restoration and know how the railway works. 

A bridge through which the Railway passes
A bridge through which the Railway passes

Do not miss the enthralling experience the North Borneo Railway ride offers. Get a glimpse and soak into the rich history of Malaysia or simply just chose to relax. You can also take a long ride to watch the gorgeous landscapes of the surrounding. No trip to Kota Kinabalu is complete without spending a morning aboard the North Borneo Railway. Thus, when in Kota Kinabalu, look forward to experiencing the city from a different perspective.

Not sure how to go about booking a trip on this historic train? Let Locaguide’s local travel experts help you out. Build a personalised Kota Kinabalu itinerary of your choice and consult with your guide on including this attraction.

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