Gua Tempurung, Gopeng Perak (Caves)

Gua Tempurung

Gua Tempurung is a cave in Gopeng, Perak, Malaysia. It is popular among spelunkers, or caving enthusiasts. About 3 km long, it is one of the longest caves in Peninsula Malaysia. Part of it has been developed as a show cave with electric lighting and walkways and there are a range of tours of different lengths and difficulty. A fine river cave, the river passage runs about 1.6 km through the hill. There are three very large chambers and some spectacular stalactites and stalagmites.

Located in Gopeng, about 24km south of the capital city of Ipoh in Perak, this limestone cave is one of the largest in Peninsular Malaysia. Although not as big as Niah Cave and Mulu Cave in Sarawak, beginners to caving exploration will be glad to know that this cave is easy to explore. The tunnel of the cave runs from the east to the west covering a distance of about 2km under the limestone hills known as GunungTempurung and Gunung Gajah. It is made up of 5 large domes and is believed to have existed since 8,000 B.C., about 10,000 years ago.

It comprises of five huge domes with cielings resembling cocunut shells. Each of these domes has different calcium formations and marble there exist in differing temperatures and water levels. These caves are famous for its breathtaking gallery of stalagmites, stalactites and other amazing rock formation that are superb speleological wonders, found only in this part of the world. There are various tours into the caves being the main attraction here. These caves are located under the limestone hills and form tunnels that runs from east to west, nearly 1.9km in length. Visitors can experience these tours with specific requirements of prior preparation. Certain tours such as the River Adventure Tours require visitors to bring a change of clothes and shoes. Torch lights and safety helmets are available for rent. Other must bring A change of clothes, towel and shoes/sandals. Gloves and knee pads are highly recommended. Bring mineral water and other personal stuff in small backpack (you need not bring these into the cave. Leave them in your vehicle as you will need them only after the tour). Torchlight.

Optional:

1. Camera. Don't bring expensive ones. Put camera in watertight plastic or container. It is a good idea to put everything in water-proof plastic bags so items won't get soaked.

2. Caving helmet.

3. First aid kid.

4. Extra torches and back-up batteries.

Other Pointers

1. You don't have to bring food as there are stalls selling food, snacks and drinks outside Gua Tempurung.

2. Other facilities available include toilets, changing rooms, convenience store and prayer rooms (surau) for Muslims.

3. Please do not litter in and outside the cave area. It's a good idea for you to bring a garbage bag to put rubbish that you come across inside the cave. This way, you will help keep the environment clean.

4. Check equipment before entering the cave.

5. Heart patients and those suffering from claustrophobia should limit themselves to show caves. Inform your guide of any serious medical condition.

6. Cavers should be free from allergies related to limestone and bat guano.

URL:

http://www.ipoh-city.com/attraction/Gua_Tempurung/

Gua Teluk Kelawar, Lenggong (Caves)

Gua Teluk Kelawar, Lenggong

Gua Teluk Kelawar is located at the Bukit Kepala Gajah limestone complex, latitude 5° 07.44’ north and longitude 100° 58.60’ east, 76 meters above sea level. Located one kilometer from Lenggong, Perak, research was first carried out by the Malaysian Archaeological Research Centre until 1990. Later on, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) also carried out excavation works and found that the cave was used 11,000 to 6,000 years ago.

Many artifacts found at the site include tools and food deposits such as river snails, Brotia Costula and Brotia spinosa. There were also evidence of wild boar and deer, and this denoted that the environment was very much the same as today’s tropical rainforest.

Research also uncovered human remains (GTK 1) dated 8,000 years ago. There were also stone tools and food deposits at the site. The burial indicated that the Palaeothic era in Malaysia continued until early holosen, before they made pottery. Gua Teluk Kelawar also has protective features commonly found during the formation of limestone in Malaysia.

As such, early man (10,000 years ago) used the cave as a stop-point. Excavations uncovered stone tools, food deposits as well as animal bones, shells and pieces of pottery.
A human remain aged 8,000 years ago, named Perak Woman, was found at Gua Teluk Kelawar in 2004. She was 148 centimetres tall and was believed to have been 40 years old when she was buried.

Gua Ngaum, Lenggong (caves)

Gua Ngaum, Lenggong

Gua Ngaum is located at the Bukit Kepala Gajah limestone complex at latitude 5° 07.46’ north and longitude 100° 58.72’ east, 89 meters above sea level. This cave was discovered by researchers from Universiti Sains Malaysia in 1990, was named ‘Ngaum’. During its discovery, it was said that a leopard (harimau kumbang) had roared from the mouth of the cave. Archaeological findings uncovered evidence that the cave had been in use 7,000 to 6,000 years ago through discovery of food deposits, stone tools and broken earthern ware.

How to get there

By Road

Lenggong is located on Route 76 which links Kuala Kangsar with Baling. To reach it from the North-South Expressway (E1), exit the highway at the Kuala Kangsar Interchange (Exit 143). From there take Route 76 in the direction of Baling. This site is situated at the limestone complex at Bukit Kepala Gajah.

URL:
http://www.tourism.gov.my/en/places/states-of-malaysia/perak/gua-ngaum-lenggong--kuala-kangsar-perak

Gua Kajang, Lenggong (caves)

Gua Kajang, Lenggong

Gua Kajang is located at a limestone complex at Bukit Kepala Gajah. It is situated at latitude 5° 07.57’ utara and longitude 100° 58.87’ east, 76 meters above sea level. A huge part of the floor cave has been damaged due to guano harvesting activity and some parts of the cave walls have been drawn over with graffiti.

This was the first cave in the country to be excavated in 1917 by Evans, where urn fragments, stone tools; food as well as human bones were uncovered. Further research carried out by UniversitiSains Malaysia found evidence that GuaKajang had been used since 11,000 to 5,000 years ago. This cave may have also been used as living quarters and burial ground by the Paleolithics and Neolithics. A burial site was found with a Paleolithic human frame (GK1) dated 10,820 +/- 60 BP, buried in a fetal position with offerings of food and tools. Further one meter southeast, was found a Neolithic grave (GK 2) dated 7,890 +/- 80 BP, buried elongated position with food deposits, stone tools and earthenware.

This data provided an insight into the oldest earthenware found in the country and the continuation of the Paleolithic era since early Holosen, before the Neolithics arrived (found on the urn). Besides archaeological evidence, GuaKajang is also known for its unique cave formations, tunnels as well as stalactites and stalagmites.

How to get there

By Road

Lenggong is located on Route 76 which links Kuala Kangsar with Baling. To reach it from the North-South Expressway (E1), exit the highway at the Kuala Kangsar Interchange (Exit 143). From there take Route 76 in the direction of Baling. This site is situated at the limestone complex at Bukit Kepala Gajah.

URL:

http://www.tourism.gov.my/en/places/states-of-malaysia/perak/gua-kajang-lenggong-kuala-kangsar-perak

Gua Puteri, Lenggong (caves)

Gua Puteri, Lenggong

Gua Puteri is located at the Bukit Kepala Gajah limestone complex, latitude 5° 07.56’ north and longitude 100° 58.80’ east, 94 meters above sea level. The cave also has unique formations such as stalactites and stalagmites recorded to be in the shape of the Malaysian map, frog, a married couple, an elephant’s head, valance and other shapes. This also spurred a legend on the curse of Sang Kelembai. In actual fact, this is a natural process that shapes stalactites and stalagmites accordingly. 

GuaPuteri is a tunnel formed in Bukit Kepala Gajah. Paintings by the Negritos found in the cave are not pre-historic but have been made 100 years ago. There are no archaeological findings at the cave, but it is famed for its legends.

Two stalagmite formations found here are said to be of the guardians (prince and princess) of the cave. Locals pointed out that if the stalagmite were to be scaled over, people would fall sick. To this day, the various stone formations found at GuaPuteri include a married couple said to be cursed into stone by Sang Kelembai and a frog. 

This cave is among the most visited caves by tourists in Lenggong. The cave can be viewed through a special walkway built by the National Heritage Department.

How to get there

By Road

Lenggong is located on Route 76 which links Kuala Kangsar with Baling. To reach it from the North-South Expressway (E1), exit the highway at the Kuala Kangsar Interchange (Exit 143). From there take Route 76 in the direction of Baling. This site is situated at the limestone complex at Bukit Kepala Gajah.

URL:http://www.tourism.gov.my/en/places/states-of-malaysia/perak/gua-puteri-lenggong-kuala-kangsar-perak