Niah National Park (Niah Caves)

About this place

An archaeological site of world importance in the heart of the rainforest, inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List in 2024, whose limestone caves preserve more than forty thousand years of continuous human presence, among the oldest evidence of modern humans in Southeast Asia. A human skull found here in 1958, dated to around forty thousand years ago, drew wide scientific interest. Visitors walk about three kilometres along a boardwalk through the forest, past the Traders' Cave where collectors of birds' nests once traded their goods, into the Great Cave, whose immense mouth looks out over the forest and whose roof is hung with long poles that nest collectors climb to gather swiftlet nests. Beyond it lies the Painted Cave, where ancient red paintings of human figures and boats cover a wall and wooden coffins shaped like boats were found. Entry for foreigners is twenty ringgit per adult, plus a token fare for the boat across the river at headquarters, and online pre-registration with the Sarawak Forestry Corporation is required. The boardwalk is long and the steps inside the cave are damp, so bring a torch, non-slip shoes and water. It is about an hour and a half's drive from Miri, so allow a full day and start in the morning. You can pair it on the way with Lambir Hills National Park, closer to the city.