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A view of Bario village, Sarawak
Discover the hidden wonders of the Niah Caves
Nature’s Treasures
Located on the northwest of Malaysia, Semenggoh Nature Reserve is known for its lush
greenery and home to an abundance of flora
and fauna as well as animal species. Lined with
ranges of vast hills and mountains, Sarawak
would make an invigorating retreat into the
wilderness away from the concrete jungle. With
more than forty sub-ethnic groups – each possessing a language, culture and lifestyle unique
to their own, Sarawak offers a rich history that
will definitely enthrall you. Developments like
the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy
(SCORE) to boost its economic growth have
produced results, which is a far cry since its
primitive years – an effort to match its façade of
luxuriant vegetation. Just a bus ride away from
the city of Kuching, trek in the Semenggoh Nature Reserve where tribes of Orang Utan thrive.
This is an opportunity to get up close with the
primates who had been orphaned or rescued
from captivity. It is highly recommended to
visit during the visit during the feeding sessions
between 9am to 10am and 3pm to 3.30pm so
as to catch a glimpse of these furry creatures.
Primates aside, the nature reserve is also home
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to a variety of bird species and other wildlife. As
the chirping of the birds envelops the serenity of the dense foliage, the overabundance of
nature’s masterpiece will make this visit a fortuitous one. Hop on a nature trail, which will
lead you through a host of gardens unique to
the reserve. When it was first founded, not only
does it serve as an important habitat for the
biodiversity, the reserve also served as a crucial
centre for the analysis of organisms and captive
breeding programmes for creatures that are on
the brink of extinction, many of which are at
risk of logging and poaching; and with a consensual goal of raising public awareness about
conservation. Having been a resounding success in its efforts to rehabilitate orang utans, the
centre now focuses on studying the behavior
and ecology of the primates. Be geared up for
an all-inclusive trip into the mangroves of Kuching Wetland National Park. Covering an area of
6,610 hectares, the park comprises of a broad
system of saltwater tributaries that connects
the Sibu Laut and Salak rivers. The park breeds
a diversity of fish and prawn species alongside
the wildlife such as Estuarine Crocodiles, Silverleaf Monkeys and the Adjutant Stork. Attributed
to its captivating ecosystem, the territory was
An Orang Utan eating a mature coconut at the
Semenggok forest reserve
New research hopes to save Irrawaddy dolphins from
extinction in the Mekong
gazette as a national park in 2002. Seated in a
river cruise while traveling down the main waterways, the surroundings present a wonderful
exposure to life in the mangroves. Depending
on the type of tour you embark on, some venture further out to the Santubong and Salak
River mouths where Irrawaddy Dolphins are
spotted while others maneuver through the
tributaries in the shadowy beyond in search of
the Proboscis Monkey, crocodiles and fireflies.
Caves Galore
For an otherworldly experience, grab your torch
and explore the enchantments of the caves indigenous to Sarawak, a scale so massive that
the frontiers have yet to be fully explored by
scientists. It may even take generations to locate the cul-de-sac of these caves as networks
are constantly being discovered. Walking into
the gargantuan cavity of the world’s largest
Sarawak Chamber will be the most titillating
experience that will fascinate and be imprinted
in your memory even in the years to come.
However, be forewarned, the cave poses as a
challenge to the most experienced caver and
trips are often cancelled owing to flooding at
Sarawak State Assembly building besides the Sarawak River
A birds eye view of the Baram River
The stunning agglomeration of cliffs, caves, people and wildlife of
Gunung Mulu renders this place a worthy visit.
Training along the Sarawak River
the cave’s entrance. For a more manageable
journey, explore the Fairy Caves in Kuching.
Named after a stalagmite structure which resembles the Chinese deity, Goddess of Mercy,
you will feel as though you are cast into an adumbral otherworld. It is an avid photographer’s
heaven to be enclosed in mosses of vegetation
and alluring tinges of brown and grey on the
rocks. Scale the walls of the cave to end the trip
with a gratifying experience. Whilst in Gunung
Mulu National Park, revel in the Deer Caves as
a crescendo of water plunges from the roof. Be
prepared to wade across meandering streams,
wedging between rocks, swim in subterranean rivers and enjoy the superlative beauty
and biodiversity that the reserve has to offer.
The stunning agglomeration of cliffs, caves,
people and wildlife of Gunung Mulu renders
this place a worthy visit. To get the most legitimate caving adventure, the much adored Big
Spaces Cool Streams which is one and a half
hour drive away from Kuching city, will make
an enduring memory. The paintings adorning
the walls will take you back primeval times of
the indigenous people. The natural structure of
the interiors is a spectacle like none the other.
Massive heights of calcite structures, streams
Get a feel of the local vibe while cruising the Sarawak River
and waterfalls constitute the grandeur of this
cave, offering a staggering view of nature’s
magnificent creations.
History
Aside from its stellar national parks and sweeping view of a thicket of herbage, Sarawak is also
lauded for their historical and cultural value.
Back in the city away from the tranquility of the
woodland lays a gem whose acclamation is
largely understated – the Chinese History Museum, situated on the Waterfront. Formerly the
headquarters of the Chinese Chamber Commerce in Sarawak, the museum now