While the island of Langkawi is popular for its mythical wonders of Nature, such as its mountains, beaches, forest and waterfalls, modern technology is also a top tourism draw. Langkawi Oriental Village is a wonderful mixture of local culture and modern architecture. Upon hearing the name “Oriental Village”, you might think you are visiting a local traditional community or museum, but this theme park is far from that. You will be amazed to find out that Oriental Village is a contemporary village that promotes the wonders and beauty of Asian architecture.
Below are just a few of the many attractions inside the Village.
First in view is the Langkawi cable car that is located right at the entrance of the Village. The scenic cable car ride is always a highlight in any tour package to the island. From its Base Station near the entrance of the Village, the exhilarating ride takes you to the Machincang range for a majestic view of the surrounding forests, Andaman Sea, and Seven Wells Waterfalls. The Middle Station is 650 m above sea level from where you could now see the main island and its surrounding areas. From this height, you will be sitting in your gondola alongside soaring eagles, hornbills and other birds. The Top Station is at the peak of Mount Machincang, from where you could now see the entire archipelago, as well as the shores of Kedah and southern Thailand. Enjoy looking at the many strange but beautiful land formations and foliage of Machincang, which otherwise you could never see if not for the cable cars. This one-of-a-kind mountaintop experience begins at Oriental Village.
Walking further into the Village, you will see the Geopark Hotel Resort, a bright-yellow colored building surrounded by a flower garden and a few shops following classic English and French designs. At the center of the resort is a Chinese-like lotus fountain pond. Formerly called Oriental Inn Resort, Geopark Hotel is a well-known resort-hotel for its 30 cozy rooms, affordable price, and a great view facing Mount Machincang.
Besides the cable car and resort, another important reason why people come to the Village is duty-free shopping. There are about 30 duty-free shops that sell very cheap liquor, chocolates, tobacco and handicrafts, as well as branded leather goods and clothes. It is good to visit all the shops before making a purchase since a few items may be cheaper in another store. One of the most well-known stores here is the Zon Duty Free Shop.
As you continue to stroll around the shops looking for the cheapest items, you will be delighted to know that there are scattered benches where you can take a break and enjoy the cool breeze coming in from Machincang.
Finally, you can end your day by searching for the most delicious foods on sale. There are different restaurants offering international dishes, such as Japanese food at Mizumi Japanese Restaurant and Thai food at the Krathong Restaurant. If you wish to eat something less expensive, there is a food court that serves local dishes, which don’t taste bad at all.
The Oriental Village is along Barau Bay, about 25 minutes from the international airport and 45 minutes from the town of Kuah.
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