Gunung Raya Langkawi

Gunung Raya Langkawi

Towering over all other features and formations of the Pulau Langkawi stands the Gunung Raya, majestic and awe-inspiring. Like most other aspects of Langkawi, this 881 meter high elevation is also shrouded in myths and legends. The natives believe that the Gunung Raya is indeed the petrified form of a giant called Mat Raya. They hold that Mat Raya was involved in a scuffle with another giant, Mat Cincang over the marriage of Mat Raya's son with Mat Cincang's daughter. Utensils and vessels were hurled at each other and caused a natural depression on the island called Kuah. Mat Sawar, a peaceable neighbor decided to intervene when the disagreement went on for days without solution. It was in the midst of this combat that all three turned into mountain formations and are aptly named Gunung Raya, Gunung Cincang and Bukit Sawar.

Gunung Raya is thickly forested and the dense tropical overgrowths make for excellent adventures. The forest also plays home to a variety of exotic birds and beasts such as the white-bellied sea eagle and hornbill. A motorable road leads up all the way to the peak which houses a museum, a park and the MEASAT Satellite Control Centre. The peak is essentially one of granite formations and commands a spectacular view of the surroundings. A ride from the base to the peak would take about 40 minutes and at the foothills is located the famed Gunung Raya Golf Club.

Book Langkawi hotels now