Most people would say if you are on a tight schedule or if you have all the time in the world to explore the nooks and crannies of Langkawi, you still need to make the Taman Legenda (Legends Park) your first stop. In a way this may just be the right thing to do because this 20 hectares (50 acres) park gives you a good insight into all the colourful legends associated with the islands. Of the many myths and legends, the fracas between Mat Raya and Mat Chinchang is the most dramatic and fantastic at the same time. It is said that the damage caused by their duel gave birth to the names of many of the places in Langkawi. This includes Gunung Raya, Gunung Machinchang, Kuah (said to have been formed when their struggle overturned a pot of gravy, which in Bahasa Melayu is "kuah"), Ayer Hangat, Tanjung Cincin, and Belanga Pecah.

Located about 400 metres from the Kuah Jetty Complex, this garden, with its four lakes, a lagoon and even a beach, visually depicts Langkawi's mythical and legendary heritage, which is at the core of the island's many attractions. A depiction in the replica of what is visualised to be Gondwanaland -- that land mass of which the Langkawi islands were part of about 500 million years ago, greets the visitor at the entrance to the park. A shaded tree-lined pedestrian boulevard leads from the entrance to the end of the park. Along the way you can check out the makings of the many legends that have been creatively immortalised in stone. Perhaps, the first attraction while making your way to the heart of the park is the giant grappling hands on a hill across the canal that runs alongside the boulevard. Taman Legenda is also a great place to rest and escape the afternoon heat.