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

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The ideal places to go surfing in Vietnam

If you have seen Apocalypse Now, you already know that you can surf in Vietnam. The country has over 3000 kilometers of beautiful coastline, and the best waves are found going down the South Central Coast. Here are the best spots to go surfing.

Nha Trang

Nha Trang is the next popular surf stop as you start moving south from Da Nang. This is a coastal city full of luxury getaways, high-rise beachside resorts, and expensive seafood. While Da Nang is the surfing capital of Vietnam, Nha Trang holds the title of being the diving capital of the country. That does not mean you cannot surf though, especially during Southeast Asian typhoon season (November to March). When the typhoons from the Philippines bring storms along the Nha Trang coast, you will find nice swells in the water that make surfing ideal for any level of experience.

Da Nang

Da Nang is the epicenter of surfing in Vietnam, thanks to its warm climate and long stretches of beach with great waves that break all year round. Surf season in Da Nang is around September to March, where average water temperatures are 80°F (27 °C).

My Khe Beach has a long sandy coast that stretches 18 miles (30 kilometers) southward from Da Nang center. The beach is the most popular area for surfing among expats and is growing in popularity among the locals. The conditions are perfect for beginners to learn the sport, but there are occasional dangerous rips for thrill-seekers. Nam O Point and Non Nuoc Beach are two other popular spots in Da Nang with high-quality waves to get your surf on.

Vung Tau

Vung Tau is a serious surf destination in Vietnam and only 55 miles (90 kilometers) southeast of Ho Chi Minh City, so it is a popular expat weekend getaway. Basically, the whole length of the beach is surfable, but instead of catching mediocre swells at the front beach, head over to the back beach. Many say that the back beach is one of the best surf spots in the whole country. It is about a two-mile (three-kilometer) long stretch of sand with numerous unnamed and un-surfed breaks. You will find the back beach past the “Rio” Jesus statue, to the right of the Pagode Island.

The beach-break waves are powerful and suitable for all levels of surfers, and it is best to surf them during the winter. The mornings are ideal because the wind is not so strong and the tide is low. When the wind is high, try some kite surfing.

Mui Ne

Mui Ne is one of the best places to kite surf in the whole of Southeast Asia, as there is a lot of wind, so the waves here are generally wind swell. That is, unless there is a monster storm somewhere close by, which can be pretty likely because, well, Vietnam.

Hon Rom Beach is the most popular beach in the city, and the waves here work best during October to May. The strip is also large enough to find your own spot to surf at, but a key to finding the best waves is to look for other surfers so you can join them. The best spot to surf at is Suoi Nuoc Beach, which is on the way to the white sand dunes. The waves here are best from July to October.

See more: Catch a glimpse of Vietnam

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Visit these cafes to escape the summer heat in Ho Chi Minh City

Green space and a cool atmosphere make these unique cafes in Ho Chi Minh City popular hideouts from the sizzling sun.

38 Flower Market & Tea House

This café on the busy Ly Tu Trong Street looks like a small garden in the heart of Saigon where fresh flowers can be found in every corner.

Thanks to its breezy, cool space, the café has become an ideal getaway amidst the scorching summer heat with real feel afternoon temperatures climbing to 41 degrees Celsius, or 106 degrees Fahrenheit.
Besides coffee, the drinks menu is also designed to help you cool down with various kinds of teas and juices. Prices start from VND30,000 ($1.31).

Nang Xanh Garden Café

Nestled down a small alley on Hoang Hoa Tham Street in Phu Nhuan District, Nang Xanh (Blue Sunlight) Garden Café catches the attention with its eye-catching interior décor with a tropical theme.
The shop is covered with green plants, giving customers a refreshing feeling. The café is open 24 hours a day.

Tron (Round) Bistro Café  

The café on Dinh Bo Linh Street in Binh Thanh District is a not-to-be-missed address for nature enthusiasts thanks to its green space and wall decor. Guests can enjoy drinks such as strawberry tea, coffee and juices, with prices starting from VND25,000 ($1.09).

See more: The best day trips from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Source: Internet