Explore Pulau Langkawi

Unwind the clock of modern life. Unlock the door to a wonder of the world.

The name Langkawi is thought to have existed by the early 15th century. However, in the 16th century, the island of Langkawi was also marked on maps variously as Langa, Langka, Lansura, and Langapura.

There are many suggestions for the origin of the name Langkawi. According to one interpretation, Langkawi means island of the reddish-brown eagle, a Brahminy kite in colloquial Malay. The Malay word for eagle is helang (colloquially shortened to lang), and kawi is a red stone used as chalk to mark goods. This interpretation was used to create the landmark sculpture of an eagle as the symbol of Langkawi at Dataran Helang (Eagle Square) in Kuah.

Langkawi, a cluster of 99 islands separated from mainland Malaysia by the Strait of Malacca, is a district of the state of Kedah in northern Malaysia and lies approximately 51 kilometers (32 mi) west of Kedah. Only four of the 99 islands are inhabited: Langkawi (Pulau Langkawi, the main island), Tuba, Rebak, and Dayang Bunting.

Langkawi Municipal Council, officially known as the Tourism City of Langkawi Municipal Council (Malay: Majlis Perbandaran Langkawi Bandaraya Pelancongan, MPLBP) and formerly known as the Langkawi District Council (Malay: Majlis Daerah Langkawi) from 29 April 1987 until 23 March 2001, is the local authority of Langkawi.