Explore the most beautiful caves in Malaysia

Malaysia is a vast convergence of cultures, activities, races and food but there is something else about this humble Southeast Asian nation that many might not know about. Something a little under the surface: its caves. A sprawling collection of mysterious cave formations containing intriguing structures and wildlife can be found throughout the country. 

If you are an adventurous spirit with a knack for cave exploration, here is a list of some of the caves in Malaysia that are open to the public.

Batu Caves

Batu Caves is the focal point of the annual Hindu festival of Thaipusam, which attracts thousands of devotees and visitors. Usually held at the end of January, the procession begins on the evening before the Thaipusam Festival at the Sri Mariamman Temple in Kuala Lumpur city centre.

The procession more often than not, arrives at Batu Caves in the wee hours of the morning the next day; the entire celebration commences then and is a colourful event that lasts a total of eight hours. In the past the festival has attracted more than one million pilgrims, making it one of the largest gatherings in the world.

Gua Nasib Bagus

Situated in Gunung Mulu National Park, this cave has the largest natural underground chamber. Lubang Nasib Bagus is more than 600m long, 400m wide and 100 m high. The entrance fee is RM10 per person and is definitely worth the money for you will be able to splash in the cave stream.

The clean, clear and icy cold cave stream is sure to give your senses a major boost and leave you wanting for more. This keeps getting better and better. A cave where you can splash in before continuing your journey sounds like the perfect weekend getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Perak Cave

The Perak Cave is located in Ipoh and is a 6km drive along Jalan Kuala Kangsar to the north. It is also a religious landmark with the Perak Tong Cave Temple housed within its vicinity. It is known for the colourful murals as well as the Chinese calligraphy painted by Chong Yin Chat that adorn its walls. Various depictions of characters and events from Chinese mythology and Buddhist scripture can also be found in this fascinating attraction.

Deer Cave

Also set in the Gunung Mulu National Park of Sarawak, the Deer Cave stands out from the other caves due to its magnificent cave passage, commonly known as the largest in the world. There are a number of things that make this Garden of Eden so unique, including the aptly named Adam and Eve showers that shoot out 30m columns of water and the hundreds of thousands of bats that stream from its mouth every evening between5pm to 6.30pm. On top of all this, a quirky little Abraham Lincoln silhouette can be found hidden among the rocks.

Gua Gomantong

While Sabah is known all over the world for its Gunung Kinabalu, less is known about Gua Gomantong. Gua Gomantong is in Sandakan at the outskirts of Lower Kinabatangan. Gua Gomantong consists of two cave complexes namely, Simud Hitam which translates into Black Cave and Simud Putih which translates into White Cave. Local swallows are known to build the much prized nests here. The bird nest is said to restore youth and promote health when drunk in the form of soup. Gua Gomantong is the house of the best nests in the world. Some of the nests found here has price as high as RM7000 per kilo.

Swiftlets, bats, serpent eagles, bat hawks, and kingfishers are some of the inhabitants of this cave. With the entrance fee of RM5.00 this cave offers way more than what you pay for. At dusk, around 2 million bats fly out of the mouth of the cave while swiftlets fly into the cave. This spectacular changing of shifts is captivating and is definitely worth it!

See more: The best markets in Malaysia you need to know

Source Internet

Explore the most spectacular caves in Thailand

Decorated with the brilliant toned sanctuaries and immense places of worship of Buddha, Thailand is nation honored with perfect shorelines, rich culture and inviting subjects. Supplementing the wonderful amalgamation of the over a significant time span, stand these superb Thailand caverns which add to the magnificence of this Asiatic heaven.

Tham Khao Luang

Amidst the beautiful beaches and scenic beauty, rests the Tham Khao Luang cave which is one of the best caves to visit in Thailand. Just like many cave temples in the country, mystically this cave was also converted into a temple by King Rama V in honor of his predecessors.

It is an impressive cave stuffed with stalactite. Accessed via an array of steep stairs, this cave shrine is Rama IV's favourite. Deep inside the cave, there is supposedly a rock formation of Jesus on the cross. The central Buddha figure is sometimes illuminated by the sunlight glow that enters through the skylight.

Tham Lot

Another heaven for the experience searchers is the Tham Lod buckle which is arranged scarcely 40-minutes from south of Pai in Sappong. These holes hold incredible archeological significance for the teak boxes cut by the Lawa individuals, which are the reminiscents of thousand years. There are two different ways to investigate the buckle which requires the assistance of a specialist control.

Crazy Horse Cave

For the adventurous junkies, the crazy horse cave is the best place to start the caving journey. This cave has sheltered the live features of Stalactite and Stalagmite formations complementing the wide range of flora and fauna. A quick training session is given which is followed guided excursion through the caves.

Tham Chiang Dao

Explore the wonders of the limestone temple caves in Chiang Dao. There are over 100 caves in the complex that extend over 10 kilometres into the mountain range. Many of the caves have shrines, statues and Buddha images. There is a small entrance fee and to explore deeper into the caves it is expected that you hire a local guide to lead the way. Chiang Dao is also famous for its hiking trails.

Viking Cave

If you have ever wanted to feel like a part of a pirate crew then this place is perfect for you, although many people feel cheated because local operators sell this off as an entire day event. You are only allowed to view this cave from afar while the boat drives by.

Phi Hua To Cave

Locally known as the “big-headed Ghost cave”, this ancient place is one of the famous caves in Krabi. Located just close to the Than Bok Khorani National Park, these limestone caves are surrounded by Mangrove forests, while the interiors are adorned with prehistoric paintings.

Mae Lana Cave

Extended over a district of 12 kilometres in length, the Mae Lana buckle is viewed as the longest traversable collapses Thailand. There is a waterway framework inside the give in which is required to be secured by bamboo pontoons, much the same as local people. Not at all like different hollows, this one needs an expert manual for investigate the in-profundities of the give in.

See more: Explore the mysterious caves in Asia

Source Internet

Discover top 5 stunning caves in Malaysia

Malaysia is a vast convergence of cultures, activities, races and food but there is something else about this humble Southeast Asian nation that many might not know about. A sprawling collection of mysterious cave formations containing intriguing structures and wildlife can be found throughout the country. If you are an adventurous spirit with a knack for cave exploration, here is a list of some of the caves in Malaysia that are open to the public.

Batu Caves

Not only does this prominent place of worship in Malaysia attract thousands of worshippers, it also brings tourists (especially rock-climbing enthusiasts) from all over the world to witness its glorious limestone abutments. Here, you will find three main caves that house various temples and Hindu shrines; you will even find a massive statue of a Hindu God at the entrance. To enter the main cave, you will have to climb the famous 272 steep steps, after which, you will be rewarded with a scenic view of the skyline of the city centre. Along the way, you might also encounter a handful of playful monkeys, so remember to keep a close eye on your belongings.

Read more: Batu Caves, the must-see destination in Kuala Lumpur

Perak Cave

The Perak Cave is located in Ipoh and is a 6km drive along Jalan Kuala Kangsar to the north. It is also a religious landmark with the Perak Tong Cave Temple housed within its vicinity. It is known for the colourful murals as well as the Chinese calligraphy painted by Chong Yin Chat that adorn its walls. Various depictions of characters and events from Chinese mythology and Buddhist scripture can also be found in this fascinating attraction.

Deer Cave

Also set in the Gunung Mulu National Park of Sarawak, the Deer Cave stands out from the other caves due to its magnificent cave passage, commonly known as the largest in the world. There are a number of things that make this Garden of Eden so unique, including the aptly named Adam and Eve showers that shoot out 30m columns of water and the hundreds of thousands of bats that stream from its mouth every evening between5pm to 6.30pm. On top of all this, a quirky little Abraham Lincoln silhouette can be found hidden among the rocks.

Gua Nasib Bagus

Directly translated into English, the name of this cave reads “Good Luck Cave”. It is located in the Gunung Mulu National Park in Sarawak and is home to the world’s largest natural underground chamber. Gunung Mulu National Park is only accessible by flight and you will be charged an entrance fee of RM10 per person.

The colossal underground chamber of Gua Nasib Bagus, named Lubang Nasib Bagus (or the Sarawak Chamber) is more than 600m long, 400m wide and 100m high. It is so unbelievably large that it has been described as being capable of holding up to 10 jumbo jets nose-to-tail within its walls and 60m-high roof. Additionally, a cave stream can be found for a quick, rejuvenating splash in the clean waters of this amazing natural construction.

Gua Tempurung

A couple hours’ drive away from the capital of Kuala Lumpur, nestled on the outskirts of Perak, you will find one of the largest and most popular cave attractions in Peninsula Malaysia. Gue Tempurung offers a range of tours with varying levels of difficulty. Try your hand at a challenging trail through the murky lower levels of the large cave or take the easier route comprising platforms and bridges on the upper levels.

Either way, Gua Tempurung is a fascinating endeavour filled to the brim with captivating rock structures and intricate details. As a show cave, electric lighting and walkways have been installed for added safety and convenience. A fine “cave river” runs through a passage that stretches about 1.6km through the hill and three very large chambers include spectacular stalactites for visitors to gawk at.

Source Internet