Mahsuri's Tomb (Makam Mahsuri) Tours

A young woman who died around 1819, Mahsuri is an important figure in Langkawi, and though it was only built in the 1950s, Mahsuri’s Tomb (Kota Mahsuri) is one of the island’s more meaningful tourist attractions. Besides the tomb, there’s a museum, a handicrafts shop, a theater, food outlets, a re-created traditional house, and a well believed to be magical.

The Basics
There is a charge to enter Mahsuri’s Tomb and the Kota Mahsuri complex, which are typically visited as a stop on a tour of Langkawi’s interior or historic Langkawi, or as an optional stop on a private tour. Visits generally include a look at the tomb, which is, in the Muslim style, flat and plain, and some time in the museum and traditional house. A guide can communicate Langkawi’s genuine belief in the Mahsuri legend.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Mahsuri’s Tomb will be of interest to travelers with a fondness for folklore.
• Kota Mahsuri is not a religious site and there’s no body in the tomb, so there’s no need to consider a dress code.
• Though flat, the complex has only partial wheelchair access.

How to Get There
Mahsuri’s Tomb stands in the village of Mawat, Mahsuri’s original home, around 8 miles (12 kilometers) west of the Langkawi capital of Kuah. It’s inland with no public transport, so many travelers prefer the convenience of an organized door-to-door tour or private driver/guide over the hassles of driving.

When to Get There
Kota Mahsuri is open from morning until early evening seven days a week. It’s not a routine stop for coach trips or on Langkawi tours, so, even in peak season, it’s rarely very busy. Fridays and Saturdays see cultural performances that retell the story of Mahsuri with colorful costumes.

Mahsuri’s Curse
According to legend, Mahsuri was a young woman wrongly accused of adultery and killed around 200 years ago. As she died, she put a curse on Langkawi, threatening seven generations of bad luck. Islanders believe it was the lifting of this curse that produced Langkawi’s success as a tourist destination and celebrate her for that reason.