Discover Sarawak’s great caves and ancient wonders

Story and photographs byRichard James Taylor

Published November 21, 2023

• 7 min read

The captivating Niah National Park in Sarawak is packed with natural beauty and profound historical significance. Adventurous travellers can immerse themselves in a full day of exploration through this unique and varied landscape.

The park is located on the Sungai Niah and is accessible from both Miri and Bintulu. A day at the park begins with a short boat ride across the Niah River, which brings you to a jungle trail that winds for several miles through ancient rainforests and dramatic outcrops of limestone karsts. From here, it is possible to explore the cave system, beginning at the Traders Cave, where for centuries birds’ nest and guano collectors harvested and sold their produce.

The trail winds around to the Great Cave, one of the most spectacular caves in Asia, boasting a dramatic 197-foot-high opening supported by enormous limestone columns and stalactites and stalagmites. With torches at the ready, it is possible to venture deeper inside towards Gan Kira, otherwise known as the Moon Cave, where beams of sunlight pierce through holes in the ceiling and light up the rock formations inside.

Go deeper still, and you will be rewarded with Gua Kain Hitam, or the Painted Cave, home to some of the world’s oldest prehistoric cave paintings showcasing images of human figures, animals and deceased souls travelling in boats on their final journey to the afterlife.

The caves are home to the region’s oldest human remains, including the so-called Deep Skull (now housed at Borneo Cultures Museum), confirmed to be at least 40,000 years old and the earliest evidence of Homo sapiens in the region. Niah National Park has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the most important archaeological sites in the world. 

This photo essay offers an insight into the key experiences that await travellers who are keen to venture into this wild pocket of Sarawak.

Plan your trip 
There are regular flights to Kuching from Heathrow via Singapore, Brunei or Kuala Lumpur. From here, take a one-hour flight to Miri and then a one-hour taxi to Niah National Park. For more information, visit sarawaktourism.com

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