Gua Tempurung, located 25km south of Ipoh near Gopeng, is probably the largest cave complex in Peninsular Malaysia. It has plenty to attract serious caving enthusiasts, adventure seekers or just the casual visitor.
History of the cave
To begin with, the entire area, known as the Kinta Valley, was covered by sea. Billions of microscopic marine organisms died and fell to the ocean floor, where their tiny shells were compressed into limestone.
Massive movements of the earth’s crust then lifted the ocean floor up from under the sea.
Finally, rainfall and flowing water worked their magic for the next 250 million years or so, carving sinkholes, chimneys and galleries from the limestone rock.
Meanwhile, millions of specks of calcium carbonate contained in drops of dissolved limestone coagulated at an infinitesimally slow rate to create the wonders of stalagmites and stalactites.
That’s why looking after the caves is everybody’s duty. If a piece of stalactite is broken off, it will not grow back in our lifetime. They grow at a rate of 2.5cm every 200 years on average.
Apart from limestone, the cave contains deposits of tin, marble and other minerals. There was some small-scale tin mining in the cave at various times over the past century. During the Malayan Emergency (1948-1960), communist guerrillas used the cave as a hideout and some of their graffiti is still visible on the walls.
In 1995, work began to turn the cave into a tourist attraction and steel and concrete staircases were put in place, viewing platforms and railings were added for safety and spot lights to illuminate the cave’s most attractive features.
Facts about Gua Tempurung
The total length of the cave is 4.5km although only 1.9km is accessible to the public. There is a 1.6km underground river.
The cave complex comprises five giant domes:
Golden Flowstone Cavern is 90m high and has a smoothed stone cascade that looks golden when the river is in flow.
Gergasi (Giant) Cavern has a 15m high column.
Tin Mine Cavern has the excavations left by earlier tin miners.
Alam (Universe) Cavern is 72m high.
Battlefield Cavern is littered with fallen stalactites and rock formations, including one called the Fallen Warrior.
Some of the domes are said to resemble coconut shells. Tempurung is the Malay word for coconut shell.
The karst hill above the cave is sometimes called Gunung Tempurung and is about 500m high. Its spectacular size and shape make it clearly visible from the North-South Expressway.
The cave is home to bats, especially during the mating season from March to May. Their droppings have created bat guano artworks on some of the dome ceilings.
Tours and ticket prices
APT Consortium, which manages the complex, offers different tours:
Tour 1 – Golden Flowstone
Duration: About 40 minutes
Times: From 9am to 4pm (last tour starts at 4pm)
This is a dry walk along concrete pathways and steel staircases as far as the Golden Flowstone cavern (Platform 3). There are many viewing galleries to admire the amazing rock formations. Rated as Easy. No guide required.
Tour 2 – Top of the World
Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes.
Times: From 9am. Last tour starts 3pm
This is also a dry walk but covers all five domes (up to Platform 5). More strenuous with many more steps to climb. Rated as Slightly Strenuous. No guide required.
Tour 3 – Top of the World and Short River Adventure
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes.
Times: From 9am. Last tour starts at 12 noon.
Minimum number of persons: eight adults
Participants will get wet as part of the return journey involves wading in the underground river. Rated as Exciting and Challenging. This is a ranger-guided tour.
Tour 4 – Grand Tour
Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes.
Times: From 9am. Last tour starts at 11am.
Minimum number of persons: 8 adults
This tour covers all five caverns and the eastern side of the cave facing the North-South Expressway. The return journey is by the underground river. Rated as Challenging and Strenuous. This is a ranger-guided tour.
The Wet River Adventure Tours (Tours 3 and 4) are subject to weather conditions.
What to bring
For the dry tours (1 and 2), wear a T-shirt and a pair of long trousers or shorts. It is quite hot and sticky in the cave. Wear comfortable hiking boots, shoes or sandals with a good grip.
Bring a camera capable of taking shots in low light conditions. A torch or headlamp would be useful but your guide will have one.
For the wet tours (3 and 4) you will need a change of clothing and a towel after you complete the tour.
Knee pads and gloves are recommended. You will need to waterproof your camera if you bring one. You will be provided with a helmet.
APT Consortium Sdn Bhd
Pusat Pelancongan Gua Tempurung
31600 Gopeng, Perak, Malaysia
Tel: (014) 220 4142
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @guatempurung.official
How to Get to Gua Tempurung
Gua Tempurung is easy to find. Leave the North-South Expressway at the Gopeng exit and after the toll gate turn left onto Federal Route 1 in the direction of Kampar.
After 5km, turn left at the billboard pointing to Gua Tempurung. It is another couple of kilometres from there. There is plenty of parking.
Tour information is correct at the time of writing. Do check for possible Covid-19 restrictions before heading for Gua Tempurung.
This article first appeared in Malaysia Traveller.