Pasir Gudang Kite Museum

Pasir Gudang Kite Museum or Muzium Layang Layang Pasir Gudang is the first of its kind in Malaysia. Once a windmill, it was renovated into a museum and gallery to be built as an appreciation towards the contribution of Malaysian and international kite flyers, the museum opened its door for the first time in Febuary 2002 during the 7th Pasir Gudang kite festival.

The museum housed a collection of more than 200 various types of traditional Wau, modern Wau and kites from all over the world. The kites which once roam the skies of Bukit Layang-Layang as well as hundreds of the traditional kite heritage of Malaysia is known as 'Wau'. It also houses a collection of vases.

In Malaysia, another definition for ''Layang-Layang'' is ''Wau''. Much was said about the origins of the word 'Wau', what most reliable is that it is derived from a thai vocabulary which means kites. ''Wau'' , enthusiasts however suggest that the word ''Wau'' originated from the sound derived from the ''hammer'' of the kite when in flight, forming the sound of ''wau, wau, wau'' in a rythmic pattern.

-There are three types of Wau, namely Wau Bulan, Wau Kucing and Wau Jalabudi

-The main features of the ''Wau'' are mainly characterised by its head, wings and tail sections

Wau Bulan

- Got its name from the crescent moon-like shape of its lower part

- Bigger than any other malaysian traditional kite

- 2.5 meters in width, 3.5 meters in height

- Usually decorated with large, strong colours

- Flown by men in the Malaysia state of Kelantan

- One of Malaysia's national symbols

- Featured on the reverse side of Malaysia's fifty-cent coin

- Logo of the Malaysia airlines is based on this kite

Wau Kucing

- Its design resembles a cat and is most apparent when seen from the back

- Has a 'hummer' attached to its top, which realeases a high pitched screeching noise similar to the sound made by cats

- The 'hummer' is used to frighten away evil spirits

- The 'hummer' is also used to forcast the weather

- Decorated with floral and plant motifs

Wau Jalabudi

- Its name is derived from a leaf found in Kedah called the 'budi' leaf

- Tail is similar to the 'budi' leaf

- The word 'jala' refers to the structure of the tail of Wau Jalabudi

- The basic shape and design is inspired by the outline of a women's body

- Produces a medium buzzing sound from a 'hummer' attached to its top when flown

- Similar in appearance to the 'Chula kite' originated from Thailand