Cenang Beach

Langkawi’s main vein – may not be as rowdy as the Las Vegas strip but it is Malaysia’s most developed west-coast beach; its shores are a gorgeous mix of white sand, crystalline turquoise-blue waters and verdant palms.

Crammed with mostly budget to mid-range hotels, Pantai Cenang – located 25 km west of Kuah – is also home to more than a few high-end resorts. When the sun goes down a peculiar jumble of backpackers, expats, Asian tourists and families throng the main road to eat, drink and window shop.

PANTAI CENANG ATTRACTIONS

LANGKAWI UNDERWATER WORLD

Spread across nearly six acres, Underwater World Langkawi is one of the island’s best-known attractions. Located at the southern end of Pantai Cenang (almost at the border of Pantai Tengah), beside the Zon duty-free shopping centre, it is Malaysia’s largest aquarium. The huge white-washed structure houses more than 200 different species of marine and freshwater fish including harbour seals, rockhopper penguins, sharks, giant rays and the enormous Amazonian arapaima – the biggest freshwater fish in the world.

Once you enter the air-conditioned interior, Araipamas (the world's largest freshwater fish) can be seen in a medium-sized tank in front of the entrance door.
The complex is divided into three sections: Tropical Rainforest, Temperate and Sub-Antarctic. The Sub-Antarctic was probably the most popular section – the ‘penguin-arium’ houses cute little rockhopper and black-footed penguins that cause quite a few people to crowd around the exhibit to get a good look. Other highlights of the tourist-friendly Underwater World include an Educational Resource Centre, a cafeteria and a three-dimensional (3D) theatre – be sure to watch the short movie about Michael, a little prehistoric fish and his life before becoming a fossil. Lastly there’s a giant walk-through six million litre underwater tunnel tank which houses an extensive number of fish including sharks, giant stingrays and green turtles.

RICE GARDEN MUSEUM IN LANGKAWI

PANTAI CENANG ATTRACTIONS

The Rice Garden Museum is a gallery in Laman Padi with a collection of artefacts, photos, charts and tools on the history of rice cultivation in Langkawi. Set in Pantai Cenang, opposite Bon Ton Resort, it is divided into the Heritage Gallery, Paddy Gallery, Herb Garden and Garden of Variety.

Opened in June 1999, the Rice Garden Museum is a good place to spend an afternoon. The Heritage Gallery has a series of displays on the sequence of activities pertaining to rice planting; meanwhile the Paddy Gallery is a viewing deck with breathtaking views of a multi-tiered rooftop rice garden. The Herb Garden and Garden of Variety sections are places where you can actually try your hand at rice farming.

PANTAI CENANG HOTELs

The fine powdery sand beach at Pantai Cenang fringed by coconut trees and casuarinas, stretches for two kilometres and is lined with a mix of resorts, luxury hotels, chalets and restaurants. Popular during the peak tourist season, it makes a good base for exploring nearby islands like Pulau Rebak Kecil and Pulau Rebak Besar. Located at the south-western tip of Langkawi, about 18 kilometres from Kuah.

PANTAI CENANG NIGHTLIFE

WHAT TO DO AT NIGHT IN PANTAI CENANG

On the one hand, nightspots may not party on regardless of the hour like in Las Vegas strip but there are more than a few, mostly-sedate pubs where you can enjoy a cold glass of brew while you watch the sunset.Langkawi isn’t the place to come to for a nightlife scene of clubs, bars and pubs belting out skull-pounding techno electronica music. Still, Pantai Cenang, Langkawi’s most-happening stretch, boasts Langkawi’s best nightlife scene.
On the other hand, the strip does feature some of the finest places on the island to get your groove on. Liquor is cheap and you’re sure to wake up the morning after a bit whoozy due to all that duty-free booze.