PERLIS STATE PARK — THE NORTHERN FRONTIER

Perlis State Park is located along the Nakawan Range, the longest continuous limestone hill range in Malaysia. Covering 10,800 hectares, the park borders Thailand’s Thaleban National Park, forming a vital trans-boundary conservation corridor. This is a landscape of dramatic karst formations, extensive cave systems, and a unique semi-deciduous "White Meranti" forest found nowhere else in the country.

BIODIVERSITY & ENDEMIC SPECIES

Due to its location in the transitional zone between the Sundaic and Indo-Chinese regions, Perlis State Park boasts a distinct variety of flora and fauna.

• The Stump-tailed Macaque: Perlis State Park is the only location in Malaysia where the Stump-tailed Macaque (Macaca arctoides) can be found in the wild.
• White Meranti-Gerutu Forest: A seasonal forest type that sheds its leaves during the dry season (January to March), creating a unique trekking environment unlike the typical evergreen rainforests of the south.
• Avifauna: The park is home to over 200 bird species, including six species of Hornbills and various limestone-specialist birds.

KEY ATTRACTIONS

• Gua Kelam (Cave of Darkness): One of the most famous caves in Malaysia, featuring a 370-meter long wooden walkway through a limestone cavern once used for tin mining.
• Wang Kelian Viewpoint: Situated at the border, it offers breathtaking panoramic views of the clouds and the Thai-Malaysian border landscape, especially during sunrise.
• Timah Tasoh Lake: A major stopover for migratory birds. From September to March, thousands of birds from as far as Siberia and China can be seen resting here.

GEOLOGY: THE NAKAWAN RANGE

The limestone hills are part of the Setul Formation, dating back over 500 million years. The park is characterized by "wangs"—enclosed valleys formed by the collapse of ancient cave systems—which now house isolated pockets of high-biodiversity rainforest.

GETTING THERE

Perlis State Park is approximately 35 km from Kangar, the state capital.

• By Road: From Kangar, head north towards Padang Besar via Route 7. Turn towards Kaki Bukit to reach Gua Kelam, then proceed uphill to Wang Kelian.
• Access: The Visitor Centre is located at Wang Kelian. Note that certain trails and caves require a guide and prior approval from the Perlis Forestry Department.

---

Experience Malaysia’s Premier Nature Destinations