"Its shafts and subterranean tunnels reached depths of between 450 meters to 650 meters, reputedly the deepest in South East Asia."
In the early 1900, Sungai Lembing was a hive of activities where businesses of every kind of mushroomed and prospered. The main activity then was tin mining. Sungai Lembing in fact boasted itself is having the second richest tin deposit in the world and the biggest underground tin mine in the world. Its shafts and subterranean tunnels reached depths of between 450 meters to 650 meters, reputedly the deepest in South East Asia. The mine was a complex of underground tunnels estimated to be some 322 kilometers long if joins together. Sungai Lembing was however abandoned when tin prices fell sharply during the late sixties, and the result, most of the town folks left for greener pastures.
Sungai Lembing can be reach from Kuala Lumpur heading east to Kuantan using West East Highway. It takes about 3 hours to reach Kuantan interchange. Exit from the here and follow the sign board to Sungai Lembing. It takes another 45 -60 minutes to reach the town. From Kuantan, take Indera Mahkota road and onwards to the Kuantan bypass. Follow the road sign (about 50km) and you be in Sungai Lembing in 1 hour.
Top Activities In Sungai Lembing
- Hanging Bridge
Sungai Lembing has a few hanging bridges to connect people from the other side of the river to the main town. 'Jambatan Gantung' means hanging bridge and it is used by the local to walk and you can even ride a motobike on this bridge. If you are planning on seeing the rainbow, you need to plan ahead and start on your journey early, as it can only be seen in the morning. It will take around 1 hour drive on 4W drive and another 45 minutes trekking to the fall. The trail is well-signposted and it will lead your way to the waterfall.
Contact Rainbow Waterfall Association : + 6014-828 2453
- Panaroma Hill
You can watch the sunrise at Panorama Hill. You need to climb the stair to the top of the hill to enjoy the scenery. It will take around 45 minutes walk on average. Tips : Bring your own torch light because there will be no lights along the way. Avoid going on weekend due to the large crowds.
Fee: Free Entrance
Contact Kuantan City Council: + 609-512 1555/ + 609-505 2666
- Gunung Tapis Park
It is about 16 kilometers away from Sungai Lembing. It provides excellent opportunities for the more adventurous to shoot the rapids on rafts. Camping sites are available for visitors, who can have side activities like jungle trekking, bird watching or simply soaking themselves in the natural hot-springs.
Contact Pesona Adventure Camp : + 6014 - 828 7121
- Charah Caves
The Gua Charah (Charah Caves) complex, along the Sg. Lembing Road about 25 kilometers away from Kuantan is hidden in the hills surrounded by the Pancing Plantations. About 1,000 meters above sea level, the complex is believed to be a site of early human settlement that dates back to prehistoric times. Eight separate caves make up the Gua Charah complex that spreads over an area of 92 hectares. One of them, Gua Buddha or Gua Gelap, is home to an 8.1 meter long statue of reclining Buddha. It was discovered by a monk named Tham Achran Sakatapunya in the 1950s. the others are Gua Batu Nesan Raja, Gua Pecah, Gua Gajah, Gua Tiga Beradik, Gua Puteri Bersikat, Gua Lubang Dalam and Gua Lubang Hidung. Gua Gelap is open to the public since 1972. Apart from the famous statue of reclining Buddha, the rock hills that house the cave resemble a bearded man, a couple with a child, and an eagle. These rock formations are believed to be landmarks that provide useful guides to sailors plying the area. Gua Charah is still surrounded by mysteries. Apart from the complex's unresolved origins, a mysterious 2-meter wide tunnel was recently discovered. Estimated to be between four to five kilometers long, the tunnel connects the cave to Bukit Pecah Batu.
- Sungai Lembing Museum
- Pasir Puteri River
- Sunrise Hill
- 3D Gallery Sungai Lembing
