Gua Madu


Useful Information

Location: Kampung Batu Papan, 4 km from Gua Musang.
Follow D29 south, 350 m south of the hospital turn right. Drive through the village, at the southeastern end of the village, cross river on footbridge. 350 m/10 minutes walk.
(4.836658, 101.949698)
Open: All year daily 7-18.
[2023]
Fee: free.
[2023]
Classification: SpeleologyKarst cave KarstTurmkarst
Light: bring torch
Dimension:
Guided tours: self guided, D=30 minutes.
Photography: allowed
Accessibility: no
Bibliography:
Address: Gua Madu, Batu Village Board, 18300 Gua Musang, Kelantan, Tel: +60-9-9121788, Fax: +60-9-9121211.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then.
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History


Description

Gua Madu (Honey Cave), also Bua Batu Madu, was named after bees nests on the walls. The locals come here traditionally to collect honey, but similar to harvesting swallows nests, this job is quite dangerous. The cave is located in Kampung Batu Papan near Gua Musang (Fox Cave, Fox Hole), which is despite the name a village, not a cave. The cave has a spring and is thus managed by the Drainage and Irrigation Department (JPS). The entrance part is quite spacious and has a flat floor, paved and there is a reservoir for the drinking water. The visited part is also used by the locals for praying. It is a temple of sorts and there is also a tomb, it is open during the day.

There is also a small cave with stalagmites and stalactites, which is higher up in the cliff. There is a trail to the cave with some iron ladders at steep parts, and a clay footpath inside, the cave has no light. There are bridges leading to outlooks in other caves, but be careful, some are in a state of disrepair.

According to local lore this cave was used as a hideout by communists. It was a stopover and used to rest and replenish the supplies, locals were asked to buy goods including medicine. They also built storerooms inside which are said to still exist, but are not open to the public.

The small village Kampung Batu Papan in the secluded valley between karst towers has numerous caves all around the village. As the caves are not signposted it is a little tricky to find them. The cave is actually visited on day trips, so visitors are driven to the cave, it is recommended to book such a tour. It's also possible to stay overnight at the small village which has become a very popular bed & breakfast village.