Langkawi is an island and archipelago of islands located approximately 30 km off the coast of northwestern Malaysia. The islands are part of Kedah State, and Kuah is the largest town on the island.
Pantai Cenang is the main tourist beach, and the island was given a World Geopark status by UNESCO in 2007. The conservation areas have spared the island of rampant development, though there have been some proposed land reclamation projects, one of which is now going ahead.
This page is an ongoing list of projects for Langkawi. I also have a trip report for subscribers, so consider becoming a subscriber to support the site and gain access to the Langkawi trip report.
Langkawi Map
Langkawi Projects
Widad Langkasuka
Location: Near Langkawi International Airport.
Widad Langkasuka was a proposed new urban area in Langkawi Malaysia. The project by Widad Group Berhad involved constructing an eagle-shaped landmass of artificial islands in the bay next to Langkawi International Airport.
Read more about Widad Langkasuka.
Tropicana Cenang
Location: Lot 60177, Jalan Pantai Cenang, Langkawi.
Website: tropicanacenang.com.my
Tropicana Cenang is a 39-story tower that will feature a 5-star hotel and residence on Cenang Beach. This will be the tallest building on the island and in Kedah.
Sheraton Langkawi Resort & Spa
The Sheraton Langkawi Resort & Spa is the next stage of the Tropicana Cenang. It is the two smaller towers next to the main tower.
Sheraton Langkawi Resort & Spa news
Tropicana and Marriott ink to build Sheraton in Langkawi – [06/10/22]
“Tropicana Corp Bhd has signed a hotel management agreement with Marriott International to build a five-star 270-key Sheraton Langkawi Resort & Spa at Tropicana Cenang, Langkawi.”
The Nautilus Resort
Location: Cenang Beach, Langkawi.
The Nautilus Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton is a 250-room hotel project on Cenang Beach.
The Nautilus Resort news
Curio Collection by Hilton to debut in Malaysia with signing in Pulau Langkawi – [17/02/20]
“The Nautilus Resort is expected to open in 2023 with 250 rooms in the picturesque island getaway of Langkawi, marking Hilton’s debut in the destination.”
Langkawi City
Location: Kuah, Langkawi.
Website: langkawicity.com.my
Langkawi City is a new urban development on the waterfront of the town of Kuah.
Maha Tower
Location: Kuah, Langkawi.
Website: mahatower.com.my
News: skyscrapercity.com
Maha Tower is the centrepiece feature of the Langkawi City project. The 138-metre-tall monument features a sky deck overlooking the bay and town.
Langkawi Gateway (proposal)
Website: langkawigateway.com.my
Designers: Arte Axis Design Group
News: skyscrapercity.com
Langkawi Gateway was a proposed land-reclamation project spanning 1,100 acres off the east coast of Langkawi. The islands would have formed the shape of an eagle, though it is a separate project to Widad Langkasuka.
According to the website, Langkawi Gateway would be a “state-of-the-art entertainment and tourism hub featuring iconic malls, theme parks, hotels, resorts, beaches, water activities, and more. Langkawi Gateway also seeks to become a preferred medical tourism destination for medical research and treatment.”
Langkawi LRT
Langkawi LRT is a proposed maglev from Kuah Ferry Terminal to Cenang Beach.
Read more about the Langkawi LRT.
Langkawi New City (cancelled)
Langkawi New City (also referred to as Langkawi Square) was a proposed land reclamation project off the west side of Langkawi.
According to the developer, Ting Peh Khiing, the RM30 billion project was envisaged to be a Dubai-style development with 30,000 high-end condominium units, commercial centres, berthing facilities for ocean liners and yachts.
The project has since been abandoned, and the site is being used for the Widad Langkasuka project.
Langkawi New City news
Who’s this guy starting a Langkawi project three times more expensive than Putrajaya? – [06/06/18]
Can’t stop Ting from building dream city in Langkawi, but subject to approvals — PM – [01/06/18]
“The proposed RM30 billion Langkawi New City project is tycoon Tan Sri Ting Pek Khiing’s dream of building a city on the island, said Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.”
Massive Dubai-like reclamation project planned for Langkawi by Bakun dam’s Ting – [31/05/18]
Ting Pek Khiing to start RM30b Langkawi New City project – [31/05/18]
“The Langkawi New City project, expected to cost around RM30 billion, will be located on about 81 hectares of reclaimed land off the west side of the island.”
Photos of the model of Langkawi Square – [posted 11/06/17].
[Photo via hisham hassan.]
Langkawi news
Shunned by domestic visitors, tourism group warns Langkawi set to become ‘ghost town’ once again – [07/11/23]
Langkawi Development Authority targets RM1b investment this year – [12/02/23]
“Langkawi is targeted to receive investment worth RM1 billion in various forms of commercial investment including the construction of four- and five-star hotels, eco tourism products and shopping malls this year.”
Mahathir: Kedah should benefit from Langkawi developments – [31/03/17]
Langkawi risks losing Geopark status after Unesco ‘Yellow Card’ – [15/07/14]
“Malaysia’s widely promoted tourist island, Langkawi, is in danger of losing its Unesco Geopark status following the world body’s move to issue a “Yellow Card” warning because of the local authorities’ failure to abide by conservation and sustainable practice requirements.”
Langkawi given geopark status – [08/06/07]
“Langkawi makes history as the first Unesco National Geopark in South-East Asia.”
Wow
I was hitching in Malaysia in jan 1970 when i was picked up by 2 girls who were school teachers
I asked why and they said i looked interesting
They asked if I would like to go to Langkawi
Had never heard of it but I said why not
They took me to their fathers place on the coast who was the mayor
They got me on a fishing boat to the island
I slept on the verandah of the school and next morning met students who were on holidays
They invited me to join them for the day and they took me to the pools and looked after me
Got the fishing boat back that night thanked the mayor and the girls and next morning continued to the Thai border
An amazing couple of days
Different world then and a great Time to travel
Cheers
That’s an amazing story, you are lucky to have been able to travel in that era.