Tourist attractions in the Lumut area

Tourist attractions in the Lumut area
Saturday September 23, 2006

THE areas surrounding Damai Laut are rare ecological and historical treasures. Less than an hour away from the resort, these places provide visitors with the opportunity to explore some of the country's most exotic natural wonders. Educational, enlightening and above all else, fun - these tourist attractions are among some of Perak's best-kept secrets. Sightseeing tours can be arranged by Damai Laut and after a day of adventure, there really is no better way to relax than at the resort's Samsara Spa.


Bukit Larut Forest Reserve (Maxwell Hill)

The forest reserve comprises some 6,880 hectares of rugged granite mountains (known as Bintang Range). On it sits a colonial hill station surrounded by a lush, unspoiled forest and sprawling gardens, exotic flora, mountain birds and wildlife, offering visitors a panoramic view of the surroundings. Bukit Larut is Malaysia’s first and least developed hill-station resort. The captivating Lake Gardens and Taiping Zoo are located at the foot of the hill.


Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve

The mangrove and mudflat ecosystem is the country's largest single mangrove forest tract hailed by many ecologists as among the best-managed sustainable mangrove forests in the world.


Kuala Gula Bird Sanctuary

A roosting, feeding and nesting ground for the rare and endangered milky and adjutant storks, the sanctuary is also a “stopover” for more than 200,000 migratory birds from 50 different species between August and April yearly - a bird watcher’s paradise indeed! Common sightings include the redshank, lesser golden plover, greenshank, scarce Chinese egret and sandpipers.


Temenggor Forest Reserve

Fishing, jungle trekking, boating, camping and a visit to the orang asli settlement make this an adventure hotspot for those who love the great outdoors.

The massive Temenggor Lake, which spans the Belum and Temenggor Forest Reserves, is home to some 125 species of fish including the prized toman. More than 100 species of mammals, including elephants, rhinoceros, leopards, tigers, deer, wild boar, honey bears, tapir, civet cats and porcupines roam the forests while hornbills, long-tailed macaques, gibbons and giant flying squirrels are commonly seen perched on the giant trees.


Charcoal Production Factories

Discover how mangrove timber is turned into charcoal. The baking kilns are themselves impressive structures to behold. Each made from 23,000 bricks and covered with a mix of sticky, yellow clay, river sand and water, the kilns (each kiln has a diameter of about six to seven metres!) were built without any form of scaffold support.


Pasir Salak

Considered by some as the bedrock of old Malay architecture, Pasir Salak is famed for its intricately carvings and traditional wooden houses. A visit here can best be described as a journey through the pages of history. Look out for Perak's first British Resident J.W.W. Birch's memorial and the “Kutai Houses” (Perak traditional houses) located within the vicinity of Pasir Salak Historical Complex.


Kellie’s Castle

The legacy of Scottish planter William Kellie Smith, Kellie’s Castle is believed to have secret rooms and underground tunnels and is definitely worth a visit.


Pangkor And The Surrouding Islands

Island hopping, snorkelling, barbeques by the many secluded beaches that dot the Straits of Malacca and trekking through the small virgin jungles are just some of the many interesting activities available.


Bota Kanan River Terrapin Wildlife Con-servation Centre

The 8.5 hectares of river front land is the nesting habitat of river terrapins from September to March. At the centre’s breeding pool, hundreds of adult terrapins beckon.


Sea Turtle Sanctuary

You'll have a whale of a time at the turtle breeding sanctuary on a remote beach near Segari. Here, visitors can touch and see the creatures while learning about the centre's conservation efforts.


Gua Tempurung

Dating back to 8000 BC, the largest limestone cave in Peninsular Malaysia stretches for 1.9km and is made up of five huge domes. Each dome has different formations of stalagmites and stalactites. - The Star.

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