Niah National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia

Niah National Park, Kuching Overview

Niah National Park, located in the Miri Division of Sarawak, encompasses of limestone caves and forms an archaeological site that attracts the interest of both history and nature lovers.

The Niah National Park is lush green with exotic vegetation and wildlife having innumerable activities for those that crave adventure. The National Park makes for a great exploration site as it holds human remains that are more than forty thousand years old.

It also gives a sneak peek into the iron age with primitive tools, pottery, jewellery and mats that are found in the caves. Niah National Park is a great site for bird watching, research, caving, sightseeing, wildlife observation and for a river cruise.

Niah National Park Attractions

There are two trails at Niah National Park which are worth seeing. Bukit Kasut Trail makes you witness amazing cliff vegetation clinging to limestone slopes. This trail is a bit steep as you tread all the way up to the slope. However, the view of the rainforest canopy from this vantage point is to die for.
Madu Trail near the banks of Sungai Subis which is a tributary of Sungai Niah is another beautiful trail. Here you will find plenty of wild orchids, bizarre mushrooms and giant pandanus plants.
A small pathway through the forest will lead you to the Painted Cave where one can find the famous Niah paintings which portray spread-eagled human figures symbolic of warriors and hunters, animals inhabiting the forest and most importantly longboats carrying the souls of the deceased on the dangerous journey to the land of the dead. The cave is tranquil and was used by in ancient times to rest.
The Great Cave is sandwiched by primary dense rainforest on both sides. A stroll along the plank walk will take you close to giant tapang trees, huge padanus plants, splendid orchids and tree fungi. Colourful birds, squirrels, lizards, butterflies and all manner of unusual insects and invertebrates are a common sight. Occasionally monkeys, flying lizards and hornbills can be seen.

How to Reach Niah National Park

Taxi: The easiest way to make it to Niah National Park is through a hired taxi. It takes one and a half hour to reach from Miri city. One way fare is most likely to cost around MYR 150.

Bus: Get on to Bus No. 33A from the city centre to Pujut Corner Bus Terminal. On reaching the terminal, take another bus either to Bintulu, Sibu or Kuching. Get down at Niah Rest Stop. For this route, the bus fare is MYR 15 per person. From this rest stop, hire a private taxi to Niah National Park HQ at RM 30 for one way.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit the national park is between November to February. The park maintains a temperate and dry climate during these months. Monsoons should be avoided as the place gets marshy making the trek along the trails difficult thereby cutting down on the thrill and enjoyment.