Gua Tempurung, Gopeng, Perak

Time exposure makes for a brightened interior of Gua Tempurung (7 August, 2004)


Gua Tempurung is a massive limestone cave near Gopeng in Perak. The name Gua Tempurung literally means "cave of the coconut shell". It is one of the most extensive cave systems in peninsula Malaysia. Located near Gopeng in Perak, Gua Tempurung is accessible from the North South Highway by exiting the Gopeng Interchange approximately 25 kilometres south of Ipoh.

The length of the cave is about one kilometre, and can be covered within one and a half hours return journey, unless many stops are made. A subterranean river runs along the cave, presenting a unique challenge to adventurous spelunkers.

A seemingly unending flight of staircases takes spelunkers deep into the belly of Gua Tempurung. (7 August, 2004)


Different parts of the cave has been given delightfully colourful names. These include Desperate Passage, where active stalactite formations reach down to the stream. The cave was once used by the communist as a hideout between 1950 and 60, and even today, it bears graffiti left by them.

One section of the cave is known as Lee Meng's Hideout, referring to the Communist courier who was reported to have hidden there during the Emergency. Gergasi Cavern is so named for its sheer size. Alam Cavern has a slender stalactite called The Tongkat, while at The Battlefield, you find many fallen stalactities - the largest was named the Fallen Warrior.

Explorers of Gua Tempurung have the option of following the dry tour as well as grand tour, which require walking along the river bed and often in the water. Participants following the grand tour are advised to bring along a change of clothing as well as their own torchlights.

A set of ladders leading up the side of Gua Tempurung. (7 August, 2004)


The walkway takes visitiors deep into Gua Tempurung. (7 August, 2004)


Stalagmites soar up like spires in the cave. (7 August, 2004)


Formations on the ceiling of Gua Tempurung. (7 August, 2004)


Coral-like rock formations in Gua Tempurung. (7 August, 2004)


Continuous dripping from the top forms this cone-shaped stalagmite. (7 August, 2004)


Not-so-ancient wall painting at Gua Tempurung. (7 August, 2004)


Walkway leading out of Gua Tempurung and into natural sunlight again. (7 August, 2004)

Gua Tempurung is on the map of Caves in Malaysia

Back to Discover Perak mainpage; list of Caves in Perak and Caves in Malaysia

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Dear visitor, thank you so much for reading this page. My name is Timothy Tye and my hobby is to find out about places, write about them and share the information with you on this website. I have been writing this site since 5 January 2003. Originally (from 2003 until 2009, the site was called AsiaExplorers. I changed the name to Penang Travel Tips in 2009, even though I describe more than just Penang but everywhere I go (I often need to tell people that "Penang Travel Tips" is not just information about Penang, but information written in Penang), especially places in Malaysia and Singapore, and in all the years since 2003, I have described over 20,000 places.

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