The craggy hulk and grim face of the legendary Gunung Machinchang stands magnificent 708 metres above Burau Bay on the west and Teluk Datai to the north. This ancient granite outcrop has been there for a very long time, when the warping of the earth's upper crust over millions of years pushed it upwards to form today's Gunung Machinchang. Gunung Machinchang is about 40 minutes drive from Kuah Town and 20 minutes from the Langkawi International Airport. The exhilarating cable car ride to the top is well worth your trip.  The Langkawi Cable Car route links the Base Station at Oriental Village to the Peak Station on top of the mountain. The 20 minutes journey you take in a four-seater cable car silently ascends the altitude for a distance of 2.2 kilometres --  all the way hovering over the verdant forest canopy. You can break journey at the half way station, known as the Middle Station before re-boarding the cable car and continue to the peak station above. The 360 º panorama from the peak offers a breathtaking view of the islands, the rural lowlands and the seas as far as Thailand. Take in the great vista of hillside flora, a bird's eye view of the Telaga Tujuh waterfalls and an occasional glimpse of the wildlife, including the high-flying birds.

The air up here is crisp and much cooler than the sweltering lowlands. Early evenings are the best times to be at the top for another perspective of the Langkawi sunset. However, be sure of the time to go up lest you miss the dazzling fiery display that splashes the horizon with all shades of red until darkness claims the islands. There is a 2.5 kilometre mountain trail that links Telaga Tujuh to the Middle and the Peak Stations. If you chose to take this trail please be aware that it is a hard and arduous climb all the way. From the peak, you can walk a short distance down to reach the 125 metre-long Sky Bridge, which is suspended 700 metres above the lush forest vegetation below. The Langkawi Cable Car has won three international awards.

home