Shopping Langkawi

Langkawi is a duty-free island, which is why it attracts a fair number of Malaysians, who come on long weekends to stock up. Because of this, you'll see what look like ordinary supermarkets labeled as 'duty free' shops. Generally, there isn't much here to attract the international traveler.

Local products such as batik, crystal and marble are found in the many small shops and special outlets around the island. The biggest concentration of shops is an area of four or five square blocks in the middle of Kuah town.

Also in Kuah, not far from the ferry terminal, is Langkawi Fair, one of the newest shopping centers. The ferry terminal also has a sizeable number of shops.

Over in the other main town on the island, at Cenang beach, the Zone Shopping Paradise in the Underwater World complex is the island's other big shopping mall.

Two other centers worth mentioning are the Batik Art Village north of the airport and the state-run Kraf Kompleks on the island's north coast. Neither are really worth a journey, but are usually stops on any 'round island tour.

Oriental village near Burau bay at the west end of the island is an interesting collection of buildings in various oriental styles, housing a variety of shops. At least it did. At the end of May 2003, all the shops were closed as a result of some legal disputes. They are expected to reopen soon, but check before making a special trip.

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