Langkawi Museums and Art Galleries

(Langkawi, Kedah, Malaysia)



Most people come to Langkawi for the beaches and the shopping, but there are several decent museums and galleries worth checking out to find out more about the islands' history and heritage. The Craft Cultural Complex in Teluk Yu is one of the main places to learn about Langkawi, with its four museums in one.

The Galeria Perdana is another top choice for culture, displaying a wealth of gifts to Mahatir Mohamad, the former Prime Minister. In addition, there is also an attraction devoted to rice cultivation (the Laman Padi Rice Garden), an open-air museum with a beach and lakes (Lagenda Park), and a modern art gallery (the Ibrahim Hussein Foundation).


Craft Cultural Complex (Kompleks Kraf Langkawi)

Address: Near Pantai Pasir Hitam, Langkawi, Malaysia, MY
Tel: +60 04 959 1913
Located in Teluk Yu and close to the Pantai Pasir Hitam beachfront, the huge Craft Cultural Complex is home to four separate museums and showcases the cultural heritage of Malaysia's islands. You can see live demonstrations of songket weaving methods, as well as reams of Malaysian handicrafts, while further exhibitions are dedicated to prominent locals and weddings. There is also a gift shop onsite selling various arts and crafts suitable for souvenirs.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 18:00
Admission: free

Galeria Perdana

Address: Kilim Village, Mukim Air Hangat, Langkawi, Malaysia, MY
Tel: +60 04 959 1498
The Galeria Perdana is one of Langkawi's top museums and features an array of displays in a stunning building. Visitors will find the Galeria Perdana located up in north-east Langkawi, in the village of Kilim. Inside is a collection comprising around 2,500 items that were gifts to former Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad (in office between 1981 and 2003). Many of the gifts were offered by foreign countries and include cars, art and furniture, as well as Ming vases decorated with his image, weapons and oriental treasures. Be sure to look up and admire the hand-painted ceiling, and take a stroll around the landscaped gardens surrounding the building itself.
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday - 10:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, children aged under 12 years old are free

Laman Padi Rice Garden

Address: Pantai Cenang, Langkawi, Malaysia, MY
Tel: +60 04 955 4312
Situated within the Pantai Cenang area, at the northern end, is this fine museum that tells all about the growing of rice on Langkawi. It features paddy fields and displays explaining everything that you could possibly wish to know about the local cultivation of rice. You can see workers planting and harvesting rice, and the views from the various lookouts are sublime. The Laman Padi Rice Garden is easy to find, being sited near to the Casa Del Mar Hotel.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 18:00
Admission: charge, children aged under 12 years old are free

Ibrahim Hussein Foundation Museum

Address: Pasir Tengkorak, Teluk Datai, Langkawi, Malaysia, MY
Tel: +60 04 959 4669
The Ibrahim Hussein Foundation Museum is a spacious art gallery lying next to the Pasir Tengkorak Beach, on the north-western side of the island. Containing a decent collection of contemporary art of the region, this modern gallery is a private venture by a passionate Malay artist and features some impressive multimedia pieces, offering something quite different to the endless wax-painted batik fabrics and similar. You can buy abstract paintings onsite for a reasonable fee.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 18:00.
Admission: charge, children aged under 12 years old are free

Lagenda Park

Address: Jetty Point, Kuah, Langkawi, Malaysia, MY
Tel: +60 04 966 7789
This beautifully landscaped park is something of an open-air museum and is located in the town of Kuah, where it boasts four lakes and many monuments. These particular monuments represent various myths and legends associated with the island, although the main attraction for most is the artificial beach and lakes. If you are short on time, or don't care too much about heading to one of the in-depth museums inland, Lagenda Park is your best bet for taking in a bit of culture and is especially suitable for families.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free