Langkawi is the only existing place of the ancient kingdom of Lanasuka. The capital of Lankasuka was located at the bottom of Kedah Peak and the account of the place can be found in Chinese annals that date back to 500 AD. Liang Dynasty records suggest that the kingdom of Lankasuka was founded during the first century when the Hindu king Bagatta paid tribute to the Chinese kings of that time. Details of kings of Langkasuka can be found in many indigenous legends and fairy tales of Malaysia.

Tourism became popular as the government decided to promote the archipelago as a tourist destination. This decision was prompted by the fact that the Chinese dominated Penang had lost its duty free status and since then billions of Malaysian Ringgit was invested in the area. As a result of this the region was transformed from a island that boasted of fishing villages to a modern holiday destinations with state of the art harbors, hotels and resorts.

In Langkawi development has taken place mainly in the town of Kuah and in the beaches in the west and northern coasts. Besides these areas Langkawi even today is a largely rural area and you can see many paddy fields in the region.

Langkawi is famous for its legends and one of the famous legends of the island is the legend of Princess Mahsuri, who received a death punishment for adultery. Before dying she cursed the island and proclaimed that the island would remain barren for seven generation. Mahsuri's death was followed by the Thai invasion and the entire place was looted, plundered, people were slaughtered and all settlements were destroyed.

But now it seems that Langkawi has completed its seven generation and the development and prosperity achieved by the place bears testimony to the fact that the curse has been finally lifted.

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