A steep climb
Over two kilometres above rainforest to a summit beyond 700 metres.
RoB — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Marufish from Alor Setar, Malaysia — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Marufish from Alor Setar, Malaysia — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Marufish from Alor Setar, Malaysia — CC BY-SA 2.0
One of the steepest cable cars in the world: a gondola climbs from the foot of Mount Machinchang over rainforest millions of years old to a summit more than seven hundred metres above the sea, on a ride of over two kilometres. From the top the view runs across the islands scattered in the Andaman Sea, and on clear days the coast of Thailand shows on the horizon. Near the top station is the famous Sky Bridge, a curved suspension bridge hung from a single pylon high above a valley and one of the images most tied to Langkawi. You reach it by an inclined lift or a short trail, on a ticket separate from the cable car. The bridge can close in bad weather or for maintenance, so check on arrival. The basic cable car ticket for non-Malaysian adults is around RM 80 on booking sites and usually includes some of the Oriental Village attractions at the base; a glass-floored gondola costs more. It runs daily from half past nine to six, but starts at noon on Wednesdays for weekly maintenance. Go early, before cloud gathers on the summit and before the long queues, and bring a light jacket, as it is cooler at the top. The Oriental Village at the base has restaurants, shops and small attractions for children, so the visit easily becomes half a day.
Over two kilometres above rainforest to a summit beyond 700 metres.
A curved bridge hung from a single pylon over the valley.
Scattered islands, and Thailand's coast on clear days.
Oriental Village, Machinchang, Langkawi
Yes if the sky is clear: it is the island's signature image. If cloud is sitting on the summit, skip the extra, as you will see nothing from the bridge.
