Sights in Niah Caves National Park
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Niah Caves National Park
The vast caverns of Niah Caves National Park are among Borneo's most incredible natural attractions. Located in some limestone hills about 3km north of Batu Niah town, the caves contain some of the oldest evidence of human habitation in southeast Asia: rock art and small canoe-like coffins (death ships) within the greenish walls of the Painted Cave indicate that it was once a burial ground, and carbon dating puts the oldest relics back 40,000 years. For accommodation there are simple and clean hostel rooms and private rooms along with a basic canteen at the park headquarters. Camping (camp sites around RM5) is another option.
Of course, the caves themselves are the real a…
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Great Cave
You'll pass under a limestone overhang before entering the aptly named Great Cave. This impressive cavern measures 250m across at the mouth and 60m at its greatest height. Ascend up to your left here and make your way to the back of the cave. The trail disappears down into the castellated gloom at the back of the cave, and you may find yourself thinking of Jules Verne's Journey to the Centre of the Earth or the city of Zion in the Matrix films.
The stairs and handrails are usually covered with dirt or guano, and can get very slippery in places. The rock formations are spectacular and ominous by turns as you slip in and out of the gloom, and when the sun hits certain overh…
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Painted Cave
After passing through Gan Kira, you emerge into the forest and traverse a section of boardwalk before arriving at the Painted Cave. It's easy to walk straight past the small fenced-off area by the cave entrance that protects the (now empty) death ships and the ancient paintings. A set of small travel binoculars are useful to make out the red hematite figures, as many have faded to little more than indistinct scrawls along a narrow 30m-strip at the back of the cave.
To return, retrace your steps (taking the steps up to your left to close the loop in the Great Cave).
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Visitors Centre & Museum
Walk from the headquarters to the jetty on the Sungai Niah, then cross the river in a small boat (departs on demand), before climbing to a small Visitors Centre & Museum , which has some interesting exhibits on the geology and archaeology of the caves. You can (and should) rent a torch (flashlight) here (check it before setting out - you'll need it if you want to go any distance into the caves).
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