Bucket List: Exploring Peninsula Malaysia's Longest Cave System

Malaysia, Perak, Gopeng, Exploring Peninsula Malaysia's Longest Cave System

This article was originally published in this blog in January 2017. I have always been fascinated with caves and this was actually my first visit to a natural cave system. While I would not say my first visit to Gua Tenpurung was an adventure of a lifetime, it was nevertheless a good introduction to caves for me as a novice and definitely worthy of a tick off my Travel Bucket List.

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Located in Gopeng in the Malaysian state of Perak, Gua Tempurung is one of the longest cave system in Peninsula Malaysia (a.k.a. West Malaysia). New to caves and caving? Gua Tempurung is a cave where beginners could breeze through with zero prior caving experience.

A natural opening allows some sunlight into the cave near its entrance, Gua Tempurung, Gopeng, Perak, Malaysia (2016)

History and Geography

Estimated at around 10,000 years old, Gua Tempurung is a cave system that runs under the limestone hills of Gunung Tempurung and Gunung Gajah. 

This is just a sign for visitors and is not the entrance to the cave, Gua Tempurung, Gopeng, Perak, Malaysia (2016)

Gopeng and Gua Tempurung are about 25km from Ipoh, the capital city of the state of Perak. The total length of this cave system is estimated to be about 3km and there is a subterranean river spanning about 1.6km that runs through it. The main trail spanning both openings of the cave is about 1.9km in length.

Information on the cave near the ticketing office, Gua Tempurung, Gopeng, Perak, Malaysia (2016)

Climate

Malaysia is a country located in the tropics near to the equator. Thus, the climate throughout the year is generally warm and humid. The rainy season typically runs from the months of October to February while the dry season is generally in the months between May to August. 

Getting There

There are no public transport to Gua Tempurung. Driving is the preferred method of reaching the cave. Depending on the road conditions and your driving speed, it usually takes between 45 minutes to 1 hour to reach Gua Tempurung from Ipoh.

Ample parking space is available near the entrance.

What To Expect

There are several really large chambers or caverns (a.k.a. domes) in the Gua Tempurung cave system. I read that there are 5 such caverns but I only counted 4 during my visit in December 2016. But I must add that I definitely did not explore all of Gua Tempurung during that visit. This may explain why I miss out on the 5th cavern.

The parts of the cave that are open to the public are generally well-litted and lined with well constructed and sturdy walkways and stairways.

Well-litted walkways and stairways make it easy and convenient for the general public to explore the cave, Gua Tempurung, Gopeng, Perak, Malaysia (2016)

Excavations uncover tools used by those who dwell in this cave in the distant past, Gua Tempurung, Gopeng, Perak, Malaysia (2016)

Illuminations from lights along the walking trail allow visitors to marvel at the geological structures of the cave system, Gua Tempurung, Gopeng, Perak, Malaysia (2016)

Illuminations from lights along the walking trail allow visitors to marvel at the geological structures of the cave system, Gua Tempurung, Gopeng, Perak, Malaysia (2016)

There are entrance fees to be paid before one is allowed into the cave. As in most tourist attractions in Malaysia, the entry fees for local Malaysians are lower than those for foreigners. 

Optional organised tours are available. These tours are generally divided between the "dry" tour and "wet" tours. Additional fees are payable to join these tours.

Types of available organised tours and their respective prices, Gua Tempurung, Gopeng, Perak, Malaysia (2016)

As the name suggest, the "dry" tours mean you will not risk getting yourself or even your feet wet. These are the easier tours with durations ranging from half an hour to 1.5 hours. What you will see in these "dry" tours are the large caverns filled with spectacular stalactites and stalagmites. Stalactites are large tapering structures which hang like icicles from the roofs of the cave. They are formed by dripping water which deposited calcium salts over the decades, centuries and millenniums. Stalagmites are the opposite of stalactites in that they rose instead from the floors of the cave and they are similarly formed via the the deposits of minerals deposited by dripping water. 

The "dry" tours can be achieved without a guide (thus saving on the additional tour fees) as long as one follows the walkways and stairways. During my visit, I did not pay for the guided tours. Instead, I walked along the walkways and stairways, following the trail.

As this is a cave, I would advise against talking loudly so as not to disturb the peace and tranquility of the location as well as to ensure that we do not end up making a nuisance of ourselves towards other visitors. ;-)

Stalactites, Gua Tempurung, Gopeng, Perak, Malaysia (2016)

Staglamites, Gua Tempurung, Gopeng, Perak, Malaysia (2016)

The more adventurous "wet" tours will require one to get all wet and dirty. The shorter "wet" tour last for about 2.5 hours while the longer tour will take around 3.5 hours to complete. For both these tours, torchlights (preferably the waterproof types) will be a necessity if you wish to marvel at the geological formations found in Gua Tempurung. Because the "wet" trails include walking and crawling through un-lighted areas, wading through waters and traversing steep and slippery slopes, joining a guided tour is necessary.

Do note that on Fridays, none of these tours will be available.

A group of visitors taking a short break along the subterranean river at the end of their guided "wet" tour, Gua Tempurung, Gopeng, Perak, Malaysia (2016) 

Opening Hours

Gua Tempurung is opened from 9am to 5pm everyday. Last entry into the cave is at around 3pm. If you are going to reach after 3pm, then you should plan to visit on another day.

The ceilings of the cave roofs can be quite low along some parts of the trails. Here, I can touch the ceiling. The simple "special effect" of this photo is done by standing straight and touching the ceiling with both my palms while being photographed and then vertically inverting the photo using a simple photo editing application, Gua Tempurung, Gopeng, Perak, Malaysia (2016)

Advices and Tips

Those joining the "wet" tours should bring along a change of clothing. There are public toilets at the entrance of the cave for you to change.

Wear light clothing as parts of the cave can be quite humid. 

For those who are not into the "wet" tours, a comfortable pair of walking shoes are all that is needed. No special training is required. Enjoy the views and geological splendours of Gua Tempurung with a slow stroll along the lighted walkways and stairways. Do not climb over railings for that Instagram photo as personal safety is paramount.

If you intend to purchase any items at the food and drink stalls near the entrance of Gua Tempurung, small change in cash is required. There are no ATM facilities in the area.

A nice huge pond located just before the ticketing office, Gua Tempurung, Gopeng, Perak, Malaysia (2016)

Large schools of freshwater fishes at the pond near the ticketing office, Gua Tempurung, Gopeng, Perak, Malaysia (2016)