Kuah

Kuah is the capital town of Langkawi, an island district in the state of Kedah, Malaysia. It lies on the western coast of Langkawi and serves as the island’s administrative and commercial center. The town hosts government offices, a concentration of hotels and shops, and serves as the primary gateway for visitors arriving by sea.

Kuah is known for its duty-free shopping, seafood markets, and waterfront views. The seafront near Kuah Harbor features the landmark Dataran Lang (Eagle Square), a statue of an eagle perched beside the harbor, which has become a symbol of the island. The town functions as Langkawi’s main transport hub, with the Kuah Jetty serving as the principal ferry terminal linking Langkawi to the mainland and other destinations. Road connections to the Langkawi International Airport and resort areas around the island also pass through Kuah.

Historically, Kuah developed as the island’s administrative and commercial center and expanded rapidly with the growth of tourism in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. In Malay, kuah means sauce or gravy, a general meaning unrelated to the town itself but sometimes noted in linguistic contexts.