Langkawi Trip - Gunung Raya

Before I begin elaborating about this place, I must say this is the WORST tourist attraction on Langkawi Island and this place has certainly losts it's glory due to bad management and maintenance.

If you are using a GPS, search for Jalan Gunung Raya and you should be able to locate the foot of this mountain. It took me another 40 minutes to arrive this place from Datai Bay. The roads up the mountain were quite narrow compared to Genting and Cameron Highlands and you have to use low gear and slow speed to ensure your car does not fly off into the cavern. Those with car sickness will definitely not appreciate this journey.

It took me approximately 1 hour of slow drive before i reached the peak. We had high hopes since the journey took so long!

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Sad to say we were quite disappointed. To get into the observatory deck, you have to pay an amount of RM10. Probably this is the only way to get fundings to maintain this rotting place.

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Ticket

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Worn down lobby

The only positives from this trip is that the weather is really cooling up here and the view is quite pleasant.

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However, sad to say, the hotel here is badly maintained and there is nothing much to see for the RM10 that we paid for. One website review mentioned there's a nice restaurant here but everything had been shut down.

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Dead hotel

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Unmaintained swimming pool

My friends and I left feeling bitter and somewhat slightly cheated after taking all the trouble and effort to get up here. Hopefully the Langkawi authorities will do something to revive this place back to it's former glory. Having said that, it's pretty hard to maintain this place as well since there's absolutely nothing to do on top. Oh well, at least I've visited this place before it dies for good.

Another alternative way to get up to Gunung Raya, is by walking. A good exercise for avid climbers.

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To those who plan to visit this place, I advise you not too, simply it's not worth the effort and time and the petrol burnt. If you want to enjoy the cool weather, you could alternatively go for the cable car.

Next: Langkawi Trip - Air Hangat Hot Springs

Comments

Kelsen said…
we travelled up there using bicycle, spent 3.5 hours but we shared a different experience compare to yours

the scenery at the other side of the hill(non-paying) was magnificent, we were starving and chilling upon arriving and the hotel staff brought us free ginger tea and we got free entrance to the tower when we dine-in in the tower

i will say this is one of the best place that you can catch the best view in Langkawi and living with the cloud
ZS said…
Dear Kelsen,

Good to see that they have improved on their services. Yeap the view is definitely one of the best!