14/08/2026

FRIDAY | AUG 14, 2026

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Seven captivating caves of Malaysia o Delve into dark depths carved out by time, elements

Kelam Cave, Perlis If you ever needed a reason to visit tiny Perlis, Kelam Cave, a former tin mine, might give you just that. A fairly accessible cave, it is located in the Wang Mu Forest Reserve, requiring a 30-minute drive from the state capital Kangar.

█ BY NOEL WONG YAN MING T HOUGH they are not to everyone’s tastes, caves are perfect destinations for travellers who enjoy adventuring during their holidays.

Magnificent works of Mother Nature, Malaysia is home to many magnificent caverns, most of which have existed for millennia! If you would like to go caving some time, preferably with some equally adventurous mates, do check out some of these caves.

The cave is divided into two sections, Gua Kelam 1 and Gua Kelam 2, with the latter possibly requiring visitors to get a little drenched thanks to a subterranean river flowing through. A wooden walkway runs through Gua Kelam 1, making exploration an easy task for visitors with children or elderly. Evidence of tin mining can be found

Imagine working here. – PIC FROM MALAYSIA.TRAVEL

throughout the cave and you might just be thankful your workplace is a boring old office rather than a dark, damp cave.

Kelawar Cave, Kedah Not to be confused with many similarly named caves throughout Malaysia, this one is

in Langkawi, requiring a 20-minute drive from Kuah town. Though relatively modest in terms of length, stretching just 60m, one of its two caves has a respectable height of 10m.

Within are the usual cave formations of stalactites and stalagmites, but what is more fascinating are the seashells embedded in the walls and ceiling. Long ago, the cave was likely inundated when sea levels were higher, explaining how these sea creatures ended up so far from the modern coastline. Thousands of insect-eating bats call the cave home, so do not mind the piles of guano on the ground.

A magnificent abode for early humans. – WIKIPEDIAPIC

Niah Caves, Sarawak Recognised by Unesco, the Niah Caves form part of Niah National Park on the west coast of Borneo. They hold great historical value as they are one of the earliest sites of human habitation in this part of Borneo. Rather than a single cave, the Niah Caves

are a network of interconnected caverns, located within a limestone mountain. If you have never visited any caves before, the Niah Caves are a good start as there are many established routes for easy exploration. Getting to the caves by road requires a 90 minute drive from Miri, or a two-hour drive from Bintulu.

Look out for seashells in the walls. – PIC FROM TRIP.COM

Mulu Caves, Sarawak Also declared a Unesco World Heritage Site, the Mulu Caves are a group of four caves, with Deer Cave and Lang Cave being the most prominent. Up until the 2009 survey of Son Doong Cave in Vietnam, the Deer Cave was believed to be the biggest in the world. With a height nearing 200m and a width spanning 160m, the cave is a lofty residence for millions of bats and the many more insects they prey on. Close by is the Lang Cave which houses many beautiful stalactites and stalagmites, which you must resist the temptation to touch! Getting to the Mulu Caves requires a 30-minute flight from Miri, or a 90 minute one directly from Kuching.

Tempurung Cave, Perak Did you know the limestone formations of the Kinta Valley once formed part of an ancient seabed? Though seawater has not flowed through here for aeons, the geological formations left behind remain, with Tempurung Cave being most prominent among them. The longest, largest limestone cave in West Malaysia, the cave consists of five dome-shaped chambers, which give the cave its name. Some parts of the cave are

West Malaysia’s largest limestone cave. – WIKIPEDIAPIC

highly accessible to the ordinary visitor, though options that involve crawling through an underwater river are also available.

Getting here from Ipoh takes about 30 minutes, assuming traffic is light, so it is a good stop for anyone putting up there.

A sight to behold. – PIC BY DAVE BUNNELL

Madai Cave, Sabah Though not as famous as the caves in Sarawak, the Madai Cave in Sabah is still worth a visit, requiring a 90-minute drive from either Lahad Datu or Tawau. Like the Niah Caves, the Madai Caves was called home by ancient humans, with burial sites and prehistoric tools found within its chambers. The cave is largely monitored and cared for by

Batu Caves, Selangor Compared to the other caves on this list, Batu Caves tends to see lots of visitors pouring

through, courtesy of its religious nature. Home to a Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Lord Murugan, the temple nestled in a limestone cave is a hub of activity especially during Thaipusam. Come any other day though

and ascend the 272 steps to reach the temple, and you will be rewarded with a good time spent admiring religious art and architecture. For the geologically minded, however, the Dark Cave, located on the 204th step, beckons and it stretches for over 2km. However, only 450m is open to the public, with 1km accessible upon request, requiring a guide to show you through.

Home of swiftlets. – PIC BY UWE ARANAS/CEPHOTO

the Ida’an community living around it, and its members often act as guides to tourists visiting the cave. Not to forget, the cave is a hub for swiftlet birds and if you drop by any time in April,

August and December, you might catch bird nest harvesters in action. Do be aware that the cave is also home to lots of creepy-crawlies such as centipedes and cockroaches, so watch where you step.

A sanctum of faith. – PIC FROM MALAYSIA.TRAVEL