Taking a walk in Dream Forest Langkawi allows visitors to experience various folklore tales related to the island. — Photo courtesy of Enfiniti
IN a world where folklore is often confined to the history books, one company is bringing Malaysia’s rich storytelling heritage back to life – one immersive experience at a time.
Through Dream Forest Langkawi, the award-winning creative company is reimagining ancient myths and legends, ensuring they remain not just preserved but deeply felt and experienced by modern audiences.
“At Enfiniti, we believe folklore isn’t just meant to be told – it should be experienced,” Puan Sri Tiara Jacquelina, the founder of Enfiniti, tells Sunday Star.
Recognising that oral traditions risk being forgotten in today’s digital age, her team set out to transform storytelling into something immersive and unforgettable.
Set within a 1.2km stretch of ancient rainforest, Enfiniti’s Dream Forest Langkawi’s experience blends traditional folklore with state-of-the-art technology, allowing visitors to walk through legends instead of just reading about them.
“We work closely with historians, cultural experts, and the local community to preserve the essence of each tale.
“But rather than simply retelling them, we use projection mapping, spatial soundscapes and interactive lighting to make them come alive."
Tiara: 'Folklore isn't just meant to be told – it should be experienced.' — Handout
As night falls, the rainforest becomes an enchanted world where myths unfold all around. Visitors may hear the whispers of Sang Gedembai, the guardian of Langkawi’s stories, or witness Merong Mahawangsa’s battle with the fearsome Garuda.
And instead of a passive museum-style exhibit, Dream Forest turns these stories into living, breathing experiences.
The initiative is not just about entertainment – it’s a cultural movement.
Dream Forest has become a hub for local artists, performers and storytellers, ensuring these narratives remain relevant for future generations.
School groups, local and foreign tourists, and even Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, have walked its trails, experiencing firsthand how technology can be used to preserve and celebrate tradition.
Anwar was so impressed that he called for more initiatives to promote tourism products related to legendary sites, history, local legends and myths to be enhanced to attract tourists to the country.
“I hope that more initiatives like the Dream Forest will be created and enlivened to strengthen the country’s tourism sector, as well as revive interest in the legends and history of the country.
“Langkawi is not only a beautiful island, but it is full of stories and heritage that deserve to be studied and worked on by current and future generations,” he was quoted as saying.
Tiara is also challenging the notion that augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are the only ways to modernise folklore.
“Dream Forest proves that you don’t need a VR headset to feel like you’ve stepped into another world,” she says.
By integrating technology seamlessly into the natural environment, the attraction enhances rather than replaces the physical storytelling experience.
Tiara hopes to expand the concept to other states, with each Dream Forest uniquely tailored to its region’s folklore.
“Every state has its own heartbeat, its own music, its own soul – so every Dream Forest will be different,” she says, mentioning future possibilities like Melaka’s Hang Tuah legends or Pahang’s Dragon of Tasik Chini.
Dream Forest Langkawi has already won five major awards in its first year, but its greatest achievement may be how it’s rekindling a love for Malaysian folklore.
“This isn’t just about preserving history. It is about making folklore a thriving part of who we are today,” she says.
