MY · Pahang · 3.89°N 102.47°E

gua kota gelanggi

Limestone caves near Jerantut, with Stone Age finds and a kingdom said to be turned to stone.

Best time
March to October. Monsoon rain from November turns the trail to mud and makes the cave floors slippery. Start in the morning; this is a proper half-day outing.
How long
Half a day to 1 day
Getting there
About 2.5–3 hours' drive from KL: the Karak Highway and East Coast Expressway to Temerloh, then north towards Jerantut. The caves are about 25 km from Jerantut town, off the Maran road. FELDA has run them through Felda Residence Tekam, 10 minutes away, since 1998.
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MY · Pahanggua kota gelanggi3.89°N 102.47°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Limestone caves near Jerantut, with Stone Age finds and a kingdom said to be turned to stone.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingGua Kota GelanggiMY, Pahang
KLgua kota gelanggi
≈ 120 km from KL, as the crow flies

More than 100 limestone caves in the forest south-east of Jerantut, gazetted as a National Heritage site. Nine are open to visitors, linked by a 3.5 km jungle trail with fallen trees, tangled roots and a few tight squeezes. Archaeologists found a human skeleton, pottery and glass beads here in 1998, and locals have a story for every rock.

Makan

  1. Gulai asam rongJerantut's river-fish curry, soured with fermented perah or rubber seeds. Look for it at the Malay restaurants in town.Map ↗
  2. Patin masak tempoyakPahang's river fish in fermented durian gravy, in Jerantut or Temerloh.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. The jungle trail3.5 km of forest left deliberately wild: mud, fallen trunks, roots to climb and a wallow where wild boar bathe.Map ↗
  2. Gua SandingRock figures said to be a bride and groom, a woman leaning back, a bearded man, a child covering its face and a frog, all cursed to stone with the old kingdom of Kalang Kio.Map ↗
  3. Gua TongkatThe one cave you can drive to, and where the 1998 finds were made. Groups often have lunch in its shade.Map ↗
  4. The other cavesGua Balai, Terang Bulan, Penyu, Angin, Kepala Gajah, Gajah and Potret. Some say the Pahang warrior Mat Kilau hid out here; your guide picks the route.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Arrange a guide through Felda Residence Tekam before you come.
  • Wear shoes with grip, long trousers and leech socks, and bring a headlamp and plenty of water.
  • Sri Marathandavar, the big Murugan temple, is about 30 minutes south on the same road to Maran.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.