Niah National Park is located 110 km or about one and a half hour drive south-west of Miri city. Though Niah is one of Sarawak’s smaller national parks, it has the most unusual attractions - Painter's cave, Moon cave and the Great Cave of Naih. These caves were inhabited by human some four thousand years ago. I decided to visit the Niah National Park last week despite being told that it could be a very tiring trip. 
The Niah National Park Headquarters
Registration before the tour.
Crossing the river to get to the jungle trails. 
First stop - visit the Naih museum where the display of the burial items such as pottery, bronze bangles, beads and metal from the Great cave of Niah. Video recording or photographing inside the museum is strictly prohibited. 
A steep climb to reach Naih Great cave. 
Finally I saw some bright light as we were approaching the "Moon cave". This area was illuminated by the rays of light from the sun through holes in the ceiling of the cave - what a relief it was after spending some 20 minutes in the dark.
These were some of the spectacular sights of the beam following the sun movement.
From here, the next cave was the Painter's cave. This cave has drawings of humans and sampans along the walls. It is believed that these paintings were done by the cave people thousands of years ago.
I decided not to proceed to the Painter's cave. The plank walk staircase ahead seemed endless shrouded in darkness. Exhausted, I took a rest near the Moon cave with another visitor who also decided not to continue. 
After a good rest, we returned to the entrance of the Great Naih cave.
Posing for a picture before exiting from the cave. 
All the way down and out.
Passing through the Trader's cave. 
The last staircase to conquer before leaving the cave area.
A brief stop at this stall where handicrafts and cool drink could be purchased.
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The Niah National Park HeadquartersRegistration before the tour.
Crossing the river to get to the jungle trails. First stop - visit the Naih museum where the display of the burial items such as pottery, bronze bangles, beads and metal from the Great cave of Niah. Video recording or photographing inside the museum is strictly prohibited. It is about 3.5 km to the first cave entrance - via the plank walk with both sides covered by dense primary rain forest. 
Plank walk - all the way.
A Red Bodied Millipede. 
A local carrying a heavy load (presumably his monthly ration) back to his long house. 
A small cave along the trail. 
After a 50 minutes walk, we reached the entrance to the first cave. 
The Trader's cave - this cave was used by the by the bird nest's collectors in 1950. Traders from nearby towns would come to trade the product which lasted until the early 70's.
Part of the view of the Trader's cave.
Plank walk - all the way.
A Red Bodied Millipede. A local carrying a heavy load (presumably his monthly ration) back to his long house. 
A small cave along the trail. 
After a 50 minutes walk, we reached the entrance to the first cave. The Trader's cave - this cave was used by the by the bird nest's collectors in 1950. Traders from nearby towns would come to trade the product which lasted until the early 70's. Part of the view of the Trader's cave. 
A steep climb to reach Naih Great cave. Arriving at the west entrance of the Great cave of Niah. It has a floor area of almost 10 hectares and in some places, the roof reaches a majestic 75 metres above the floor. At the left hand side of the entrance, there is an archaeological site where human remains dating 40,000 years was discovered.
It was pitch black in the cave. A flashlight came in handy. 
Along the way, there were bamboo and rattan ladders leading from the wall to the ceiling. These were built by bird nest harvesters. Walking had become more difficult as we moved along the slippery wooden walkway.
It was pitch black in the cave. A flashlight came in handy. Along the way, there were bamboo and rattan ladders leading from the wall to the ceiling. These were built by bird nest harvesters. Walking had become more difficult as we moved along the slippery wooden walkway. 
Finally I saw some bright light as we were approaching the "Moon cave". This area was illuminated by the rays of light from the sun through holes in the ceiling of the cave - what a relief it was after spending some 20 minutes in the dark. 
These were some of the spectacular sights of the beam following the sun movement. 
From here, the next cave was the Painter's cave. This cave has drawings of humans and sampans along the walls. It is believed that these paintings were done by the cave people thousands of years ago. I decided not to proceed to the Painter's cave. The plank walk staircase ahead seemed endless shrouded in darkness. Exhausted, I took a rest near the Moon cave with another visitor who also decided not to continue. After a good rest, we returned to the entrance of the Great Naih cave. Posing for a picture before exiting from the cave. All the way down and out.Passing through the Trader's cave. The last staircase to conquer before leaving the cave area.
A brief stop at this stall where handicrafts and cool drink could be purchased..
It was a tiring journey but a worthwhile one. I am happy that I managed to visit a few caves.
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