History & Heritages
History and Legends in Langkawi
31 Dec 2019

All around the world, there are extraordinary stories - stories that once upon a time were believed to be true but are today limited to the sphere of ancient myths and legends, so thus Langkawi. Some of these stories have been lost in the mists of time, but some of them have been preserved in oral version, passed on word of mouth from one generation to the next. There is no way that we could prove that they are originate from history, but there is no doubt many mythological places are still of great cultural and historical significance to people. Here are the places in Langkawi that definitely worth a visit if you keep interest in history and legend.

Mahsuri's Tomb

Mahsuri's Tomb is the crypt of the legendary Princess Mahsuri, which have been preserved for posterity.. It is located at Kampung Mawar, which take a 20 minutes drives from the airport or 12km driving distances from Kuah town.  

The legend is probably the best-known legend in Langkawi. It begins with a pretty maiden who named Mahsuri, the daughter of Pandak Mayah and Mak Andak, who originally migrated from native Phuket, Thailand. Her Husband Wan Darus was a local warrior, who had join the war as soon after their marriage, leaving Mahsuri behind to fend for herself. It was during this time that Mahsuri innocently befriended a young traveller named Deraman. The village chief's wife, who was jeolous of Mahsuri's beauty, spread the rumours of Mahsuri being unfaithful to her husband. Eventually, Mahsuri was unjustly accused of adultery and executed by stabbing. During the execution, she had bled white blood which signifying her innocence. In her dying breath, Mahsuri cursed Langkawi to have seven generations of bad luck. Although the curse was not proven scientifically, many locals believes the legend to be true by citing the decades of failed crops  followed Mahsuri's death. After the seven generations have come to pass at the end of the 20th century, Langkawi then began to prosper as a famous tourist destination. - langkawi insight


As there is a museum at the tourist sport, visitors are able to view a recorded interpretation of the Mahsuri's legend here!


Mahsuri Tomb

Museum which collects the recoreded interpretation of the Mahsuri's legend

Opening Hours: Weekdays 8am-6pm
                             Weekends 8am-630pm
Location            : Kampung Mawar, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah

Lake of the Pregnant Maiden

Pulau Dayang Bunting is the second largest island in Langkawi's cluster of 99 islands, which features langkawi's largest freshwater lake named Tasik Dayang Bunting (Lake of Pregnant Maiden). 

The legend tells love story between Mat Teja and princess Mambang Sari. They had fell in love with each other at the first sight and happily married. Unfortunately, their child died shortly after birth. In intense sorrow, they decided to lay their son in the crystal-clear water of lake. The kind-hearted princess also blessed that all the barren women will be endowed with a child if they take a dip in this lake.


Lake of Pregnant Maiden with pontoon and kayaking facilities

Designated area for swimming at Lake of Pregnant Maiden

To reach the lake one has to get to the island via tour package first and take a short walk through the forest reserve on the island.

Opening Hours: subject to the to the tour packages
Locations          : Offshore and south of the Langkawi Island

Seven Wells

Located in the north-western corner of Langkawi, Seven Well is a geological marvel waterfall which also known as Telaga Tujuh. As the name implies, the waterfall is formed by a series of seven natural pools at different level of second highest mountain of Langkawi, Mount Mat ChinChang. It is situated at Pantai Kok Area and close to Oriental Village where the Cable Car ride take place.

Legend tells that the fairies used to be here for a refreshing dip in the clear mountain water. They left the Sintuk creeper, the leaves Malays used in purification ceremonies for a thousand years, as a gift for us. Anyone who found these used up Sintuk will be considered lucky. However, it was also believed that there is a jinx about the seven well. No one should go and look for the Sintuk. If one were to do so, he or she would be liable to meet an accident. So the advices of the elders in Langkawi to those who visit the wells is just go and see what can be seen and not to search for anything else that cannot be seen. – Legends of the Langkawi


 

Additional information:

Also, visitors must be cautious while enjoying waterfalls around the premises. Do not climb on rocks near waterfalls and use extreme caution when walking along riverbanks. These rocks are slippery from mist and algae.

Opening Hours: Open 24 hours
Location           : Mukim Padang Matsirat,, Jalan Telaga Tujuh, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah

Legends Park

A 50-arce park landscaped which exhibits detailing the myths and legends of the island. Featuring scenic gardens with bright local blooms and lush green plants, Legends Park houses 17 monuments that explain Langkawi’s colourful history and folklore. Storied portrayed include the legend of Mahsuri which stated above, and the story between MatChinChang and Raya that explained the origins of names of some of the best-known natural attraction in Langkawi. The park is located within walking distance from the Eagle Square and it has currently becoming one of the favourite site for local joggers.




Garden walkway at Legends Park


Main Entrance of Legends Park

Opening Hours: Open 24 hours
Location           : Langkawi Legend Park , Kuah 07000 Langkawi, Kedah