Fairy Cave

General view of Fairy Cave



Introduction

Malaysian caves are filled with mystery and some of nature's most beautiful sculptures. Most of the caves in the country date back to the Stone Age while some caves in Sarawak are over 60 million years old.

Although major expeditions have been carried out by the Royal Geographical Society in London and the British Caving Research Association, many caves are still not fully explored and remain an alluring, enticing adventure for the nature tourist. Repeat visitors marvel at how a cave can change within months as the naturally humid Malaysian weather promotes faster stalagmite and stalactite formations.

General view of Fairy Cave





Fairy Cave

Not far from Wind Cave, flights of concrete steps lead up to a cave high in a limestone cliff just yard from the Indonesian border. Like the Wind Cave, there are plank walks so visitors can explore the passage. The cliff face also holds some outdoor adventure. Batman Wall has recently been opened up to rock climbers with routes of varying degrees of difficulty.

A century ago, Bau was the center for the big gold rush of Borneo. The elderly Chinese who are still around in Bau can relate the varied happenings during their time. When gold was gradually exhausted in the mid 1900s, the town has turned into a confined quiet township with small scale family businesses being transacted between the Chinese and the ethnic group in rural Bau, the Bidayuh. Of late, Bau spring to life with the influx of tourists especially from the Asian regions popularizing the Fairy Cave and the Wind Cave.

Located just north of Bau Town some 48 kilometers from Kuching, the Fairy aCaves lay majestically along the same range of limestone hilly range in the Serikin District. The cave is partly covered amidst the tropical rainforest along the slopes of the scenic limestone hills. Fairy Cave as the name implies possesses unusual stalactites and stalagmites formed over thousand of years to simulate Buddhist deities that attract groups of Chinese Buddhist and Taoist devotees and believers to them especially during Chinese festive seasons. Shrines are found sprouting from the cave entrance to the interior; at some instances with the joss sticks still burning showing the popularity of the cave to the locals.

Going Caving

General view of Fairy Cave


There are seasoned cavers who will be willing to act as guides. They may be contacted throught the Malaysian Nature Society and through various nature adventure operators. Tour operators will arrange packages on request. Most caving expeditions are day trips though a visitor can choose to stay overnight. No overnight camping is allowed in most caves but budget hotels are available around most of the cave districts.

Caving is normally done in the dry season which runs from March to October. Permits may be required when exploring some of these caves. These are available form the respective state forestry departments and cost from RM10 to RM40.

What to Wear and Bring

General view of Fairy Cave


For the recreational caver, all that is needed to explore adventure caves is a reliable guide, safety helmet for protection and a powerful torchlight.  More experienced cavers may want to bring their carbide lamps as well as harnesses, ascending and descending equipment and carabanners if they plan to abseil.

Tropical caves are not as damp as those in Europe and the Americas, but they are chilly at times especially during storms and heavy rain. A light jacket is also recommended.  As will all nature adventures, preservation and conservation of stalagmites, stalactites and all cave dwelling creatures are of utmost importance. In caves with known inhabitants, avoid flash photography as the light frightens the cave dwelling life forms.