Gunung Mat Cincang

Gunung Mat Cincang

Gunung Mat Cincang is probably Langkawi’s best-known mountain, aside from its neighbour Gunung Raya. At 850 m high, it is the second highest mountain in Langkawi and offers some pretty spectacular views of the island. It is home to the famous cable car that carries passengers 709 m above sea level to the apex.

Besides enjoying the spectacular views of the forested and craggy sides of Mount Cincang, on a clear day you can see all the way to the mainland and southwest Thailand.
Besides that, at the top of Gunung Mat Cincang you can also have some snacks and refreshments as there are food stalls available to your need.

The histories of Gunung Mat Cincang and Gunung Raya are deeply connected and firmly rooted in legend.

The story goes that once upon a time there were two giants named Mat Cincang and Mat Raya: though they were extremely close friends, one day at the wedding reception of their children, the two got into a squabble.

Each grabbed items nearest to them (pots and pans) to throw at the other. In the middle of the mêlée a number of famous spots around Langkawi were created. A pot of gravy fell in Kuah Town, thus resulting in its name (which means gravy in Malay), a bowl of hot water fell in Ayer Hangat (hot water) and a jar was broken in Belanga Pecah (broken crockery).

When the two giants finally came to their senses and realized what a mistake they had made by fighting with each other, they decided to atone for their mistakes by being turned into mountains. Mat Sawar, the mediator for the warring duo, was turned into a small hill (Gunung Mat Sawar) and placed between the two great mountains to ‘watch’ over them in the years to come.

Oriental Village at the foot hill of the Gunung Mat Cincang range is the base station (entrance) of Langkawi Cable Car.
 

Getting There

Gunung Mat Cincang is located to the north-west of the Langkawi International Airport (LGK), on the west coast of the main island of Langkawi. It is approximate 30 minutes drive from Kuah Town and 15 minutes drive from Langkawi International Airport (LGK).

For those looking to fly with a budget airline from Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi, there are daily flights provided by budget airlines like AirAsia, MYAirline and Batik Air Malaysia. There are daily direct flights from Singapore Changi Airport to Langkawi operated by Scoot.

There are also full-fledged airlines operating daily direct flights to Langkawi, such as Malaysia Airlines.

Taxi and shuttle services are available at your convenience from respective hotels. Car and motorcycle rentals are recommended for those possessing a valid license. Cars and motorcycles for rent are mostly available at the airport and hotels, all at reasonable and affordable prices.