Visiting Dataran Lang requires us to delve into the origins of the name "Langkawi" - there were many and the most popular one dissects the word into "lang" and kawi"; lang is short for helang (which means eagle) and "kawi" refers to a reddish brown stone.
Hence, it was inferred that the name "Langkawi" refers to reddish brown eagle! You can read a short description of the origin on the plaque placed at the grand archway of the tourist attraction.
Before we get to marvel at the majestic eagle right ahead of us, let us first take a look of this gigantic sundial sculpture that was installed this year!
13.5 meters tall and 5.5 meters wide (for the disc); "the sign" rest on a bed of granite stones that was estimated to "have been formed around 230 million years ago"!
Advancing forward to the ass of the helang.
Perched on a platform overlooking the bay, the impressive 12-meter tall sculpture looked like it was ready to take off and soar above the skies of Langkawi!
Initially, i was hesitant to visit as i felt it was an over-hyped man-made tourist attraction and time could be spent elsewhere. Thankfully, we did as the sculpture is the iconic symbol for Langkawi and best of all, admission was free!
This angle didn't show the eagle in its best light.
Dataran Lang is right next to the Kuah jetty that had ferries to/from Perlis, Kuala Kedah and Penang. Coincidentally, we would be taking the ferry the next day to visit Alex's auntie in the state capital of Kedah; Alor Setar.
Standing in front of the sculpture; seemed like a filming crew was just packing up. Since the square is open 24-hours, i read somewhere that the night view was just as spectacular with all the illumination.
Taking a picture of my travel mates with the eagle! Darn, Alex looked like an uncle in this picture; hope he will not ask me to remove the photo.
Me playing around with the eagle.
You can actually climb up slightly higher for a marginally better view of the eagle; closed up view of the claws and its butt. Hm.... how do we tell the sex of birds? Unlike male dogs and cats, we can't just tell by noticing the hanging jewels right?
Wah, the square was already in operation for 22 years and it appeared that the person gracing the opening ceremony is none other than the current prime minister of Malaysia; Dr Mahathir!
The sprawling square.
Should i know vehicles can be driven in; i would have done so! I am aware it belonged to the filming crew and likely could have sought permission in advance.
We heard sounds of popping and cracking when the vehicle moved off and as can be seen, the floor tiles had cracked into pieces under the heavy weight of the van! This is something i encountered often in my workplace and repair cost doesn't come cheap!
The two buildings on each side housed only stalls and i thought it was quite a poor use of space.
Selling mainly souvenirs, water and snacks, there's nothing that would excite a seasoned traveller. By installing air-conditioning, there's probably a better way to monetise the space; maybe a cafe, an ice cream parlour or even a decent restaurant with a sunset view of Eagle Square.
=====
Location
Eagle Square, Kuah,
07000 Langkawi,
Kedah, Malaysia
Map
As above.
