Trifter

Malaysia has some of the largest and longest cave systems in the world. In this article, I’ll bring you for a short tour on the 8 most famous caves in Malaysia including the caves in Mulu National Park, which has been inscribed as a World Heritage site in the year 2001.

Batu Caves

Location

Kuala Lumpur, Selangor (3°14′N 101°40′E)

Why is it famous?

Batu Caves is actually a limestone hill consisting of a series of caves and cave temples. It is also one of the most popular Hindu shrines outside of India and is the main venue of the Hindu festival of Thaipusam in Malaysia.

Interesting things to do

Visit the cave temples, rock climbing, observes Thaipusam celebration (it falls on the 8^th of February for the year 2009), visit the relatively untouched Dark Cave, admire the flora and fauna.

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Perak Tong and Sam Poh Tong

Location

Perak Tong – 6 km to the north of Ipoh, Perak

Sam Poh Tong – 5 km to the south of Ipoh, Perak

Why is it famous?

Perak Tong (Perak Cave) is a temple built in 1926 by a Buddhist priest from China and beyond the altar, one can go up to the top of its hill to enjoy the panoramic view of Ipoh city. Sam Poh Tong, on the other hand, is said to be the biggest cave temple in Malaysia and was discovered in 1890 by a monk from China. The temple also has a large pond full of tortoises.

Interesting things to do

Enjoy the impressive work of art and faith with various Buddha statues placed among the stalactites and stalagmites, feed the tortoises with vegetables, enjoy panoramic view of Ipoh.

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Gomantong Cave

Location

Sabah Parks forest reserve, Sandakan, Sabah

Why is it famous?

The cave system is famous for its valuable edible swiftlet nests which can be made into bird’s nest soup. Due to this, the people here practice the ancient tradition of collecting swiftlet nests and the trading of such nests have started ever since 500 AD.

Interesting things to do

Observe the ancient tradition of bird’s nest collection, enjoy the flora and fauna including a wide variety of insects, birds and bats.

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Gua Nasib Bagus (Good Luck Cave)

Location

Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak

Why is it famous?

The cave houses the world’s largest underground chamber, the Sarawak Chamber. The Sarawak Chamber, the largest enclosed space in the world, is 3 times the size of the Big Room in Carlsbad Caverns National Park (New Mexico). It could hold up to 10 jumbo jets nose-to-tail in it.

Interesting things to do

Enjoy the wonders of Sarawak Chamber and multiple flora and fauna in the cave.

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Clearwater Cave

Location

Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak

Why is it famous?

It is the largest cave in South East Asia at 107km long. It also has an underground river which leads to other passages and caverns. Besides that, this cave also houses the largest windblown stalactite, measuring at over 1meter in length.

Interesting things to do

Adventure caving, enjoy the magnificent rock formation within the cave and the world’s longest underground stream

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Deer Cave

Location

Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak

Why is it famous?

This cave used to be frequented by a lot of deer, and that’s how it got its name. The cave is also the home to thousands of bats. Towards the other side of the cave opening, you will come across the beautiful “Garden of Eden”. At the southern entrance of the cave, you will be able to see a rock formation which looks like the famous Abraham Lincoln.

Interesting things to do

Free-tailed bat watching in the evening (millions of them)

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Wind Cave

Location

Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak

Why is it famous?

This cave is famous for its King’s Room, an impressive collection of stalactites, stalagmites, flowrocks, helitites and rock corals. Some of them look like totems and sceptres.

Interesting things to do

Enjoy the grandeur of King’s Room and also the cool breeze while you are inside the cave.

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Niah Cave

Location

Niah National Park, Sarawak (3° 48′50” N, 113° 46′ 53” E)

Why is it famous?

A 40,000 year old human skull has been found in this cave and there are rock paintings dated back to 1200 years ago.

Interesting things to do

Admire the ancient paintings of this prehistoric cave and also the bird’s nest collection during certain period of the year

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Gua Tempurung

Location

Gopeng, Perak

Why is it famous?

More than 3km long, it is one of the longest caves in Peninsular Malaysia and part of it has been equipped with electric lighting to allow visitors to admire the cave’s beauty. It is also one of the few accessible caves in Peninsular Malaysia (most of the caves are located in Sarawak and Sabah).

Interesting things to do

Cave tour and adventure caving

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There are other caves such as the Moon Cave, Lady’s Cave, Moonmilk Cave and other less well known caves in Malaysia. Some of these caves are only suitable for cave adventures and those interested should make sure they are accompanied by a certified caver at all time.

Enjoy the caves people. I’ve been to some of them and they are indeed some of the best wonders of mother nature.