"The Craft Cultural Complex is located on the northern coastline of Langkawi Island in the vicinity of Teluk Yu, about 30 minutes drive from the airport or 45 minutes from Kuah town."
Nestled upon a hilltop in Teluk Yu, along the northern coast of Langkawi island is the Craft Cultural Complex which offers a wide variety of Malaysian handicrafts including delicate hand-drawn batik products and intricately carved silverware. The Craft Cultural Complex was created with the aim to maintain and promote Malaysia's rich cultural heritage, which is why you can also find a heritage museum inside the complex, where you can find displays of various handicrafts from different parts of Malaysia.
Take a closer inspection of the gorgeous silver and brassware in various shapes and forms adorned with motifs inspired by nature. Unique baskets of rattan, mengkuang and pandan leaves are woven in colourful ethinic designs. There are also fine woodcarvings with intricate patterns. Many of the beautifully and intricately handmade crafts that can be found here, are a result of the skill and creativity that have been passed down through the generations of artisans.
An ever popular favourite is the hand-drawn and printed batik with innumerable exclusive designs to choose from. Songket or silk material interwoven with gold and silver threads, the epitome of Malay design in the past and used for all official and royal functions, are also available here.
The ethnic tribes of Sabah and Sarawak are represented by the intricately woven baskets, beadwork and bamboo carvings with designs that are hundreds of years old. Pua weaving of the Iban tribe and Mogah textiles of the Bajaus displayed here might also catch your eyes. Purchase those mementos you'd like to bring home at Langkawi Craft Cultural Complex sales gallery.
The Craft complex is open daily between 9am through 6pm and admission is free. You can also drop by Pantai Pasir Hitam (Black Sand Beach) close by on your way to the Craft Cultural Complex. For more information, please contact the complex at 604-959 1913 or the Langkawi Tourist Information Centre at 604-9667789.
Last viewed - May 17, 2008
Getting there
By Plane
Langkawi's airport is called the Padang Matsirat airport, located about 20km from Kuah town. Daily direct flights from Kuala Lumpur are available via Malaysia Airlines (Tel: 603-78463000 or 1 300 88 3000). Optionally Air Asia (Tel: 1 300 88 9933) also has regular flights to Langkawi.
By Rail
Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) connects Kuala Lumpur to Alor Setar and Arau towns in Kedah. From these towns, you can catch a taxi or a bus easily to Kuala Kedah or Kuala Perlis respectively and catch a ferry to Langkawi. Please contact KTMB at 603-22747435.
Ferries are also available from Penang (Tel: 604-2631943
By Road From the North South Expressway (NSE), head north to Kedah and take the Alor Setar Selatan exit (Interchange 177) onto the highway headed to Teluk Kechai and on to Kuala Kedah where you can catch a ferry to Langkawi island. Alternatively, you can also catch ferries from Kuala Perlis further north, accessible via the Jitra Selatan exit (Interchange 181) via Kodiang and Kangar on trunk road K3. This route is longer at 48km from the NSE exit. The Craft Cultural Complex is located on the northern coastline of Langkawi Island in the vicinity of Teluk Yu, about 30 minutes drive from the airport or 45 minutes from Kuah town.
