Manjanggul lava cave (만장굴), Jeju Island, South Korea.

Introduction:

Manjanggul lava cave (만장굴 [유네스코 세계자연유산])  one of the world's largest lava tube is part of the Geomunoreum Lava Tube System which listed under UNESCO World Heritage site. The tunnel is formed 200,000-300,000 years ago when lava spill out from earth surface and the molten traveled, the path of the molten is what being left behind.. lava cave. From the total 7km of lava tube tunnel only 1km is open to public, other parts is unstable due to collapsed of ceiling. When someone entering Manjanggul cave, they will noticed how huge is this lava cave ( normally people need to kneeling or crawling  while visit others lava cave). The height of the tube is about 20m and some places is 24m wide. Temperature inside the cave is around 10°C -21°C ( comfortable temperature to me). Inside the cave we can see a varieties of lava formations, lava stalagmites, lava stalactites, lava flow-lines  lava raft, rugged wall, stone pillar and the lava tube tunnels. It take about 40 minutes to discover the cave and it end at the 7.6m high lava column which is known to be the largest column in the world.

Tips:

Wear jacket - water dripping from cave ceiling 

Warm shirt - temperature around 10°C -21°C( 50°F 69.8°F) inside the cave

comfortable shoe - uneven surface

torch light - although along the cave there is some light but some places is kind of dark

Tripod - a must if you want to take photos inside the cave (too dark need longer shutter speed) 

Attraction:

UNESCO Heritage Site, larva-tube cave, chilling environment, 

Contacts:

Address

3341-3, Gimnyeong-ri, Gujwa-eup, Jeju-si, Jeju-do 

제주 제주시 구좌읍 김령리 3341-3

Phone: +82-64-1330 

Operating Hours

Summer season 09:00~18:00 / Winter season 09:00~17:30

Admission Fees:

Adults - Individual 2,000 won / Group 1,200 won

Youths & Children - Individual 1,000 won / Group 600 won

* Group - 10 or more people

Nearby Attractions:

Seopjikoji ( a beautiful beach)

Seongsan ilchulbong ( scenery of mountain and sea must visit)

Trick Art Museum, jeju-do

Gimnyeong maze park ( I'm lost Here)

Panoramic view of Jeju Island seaside

References:

http://www.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264236

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manjanggul

Coordinates: 33.528713,126.77153

Map:

View Larger Map

Enjoy the photos, sorry for the blurry photos in the cave.. regret did not bring a tripod there. 

Inside the cave

 The entrance 

 park outside the entrance 

Gua Kelam ( Cave of darkness) , Perlis, Malaysia.

Introduction:

Gua Kelam ( Cave of darkness) located near to Kaki Bukit 36km from Kangar, Perlis, Malaysia , about 3km away from Thailand border. Its a natural cave system that stretched approximately 370m in the limestone hill.  During 1920's Gua kelam is famous for it tin mining industry and it also a important gateway for villager from Kaki Bukit and Wang Kelian to pass by. Now there is a man made pathway that build above the river in the cave to the other end. At the other end there is a secret garden, with pond, garden and staircases to another cave

tips:

contact Perlis forestry before go there, the door might be close

wear sport shoe for more comfortable hike

appropriate sport wear

Attractions:

Cave, wildlife, stalagmite, river, secret garden, hiking, etc. 

Contacts: 

Jabatan Perhutanan Negeri Perlis

Km 2, Jalan Kaki Bukit, 01000 Kangar, Perlis Malaysia. 

Tel: 04-9776626, 04-9765966 

Fax: 04-9767901

Email : forestry@perlisforestry.gov.my

Admission Fees:

Adult: RM1

Child: RM 0.50

Map:

View Gua Kelam in a larger map

inside Gua Kelam

 The entrance of Gua Kelam 

 Entrance of Gua Kelam

 The robust wall of Gua Kelam

 The dim lighting let you enjoy the atmosphere

 the beautiful Gua Kelam

 the sculpture in Gua Kelam 

 the river in Gua Kelam

 another end of the cave

The path to secret garden of Gua Kelam

 The pond at secret garden of Gua Kelam

 The staircases to another cave in Gua Kelam

 secret garden Gua Kelam

 secret garden Gua Kelam

 secret garden Gua Kelam

secret garden Gua Kelam

The "water park at the entrance"

Batu Cave, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Introduction:

Batu Cave Sri Subramaniam Temple (Tamil: பத்து மலை)  is located at the Gombak district about 12km away from Kuala Lumpur. The cave is one of the most popular Hindu shrines outside India, dedicated to Lord Murugan. It is the focal point of Hindu festival of Thaipusam in Malaysia. There is 270 steps of staircase to the cave, beware of the monkey, they are aggressive and  might rob your belongings . Inside the cave (natural chamber) is where the temple located, bright light pass through the top opening of the cave. There is some stalls selling souvenirs and drink in the cave. At the entrance there is hundreds or thousands of pigeon  around the ground waiting for people to feed them foods. Its a worth visit place in Kuala Lumpur.

Attraction:

Hindu Temple, religious place, monkey, cave, limestone 

Contacts:

Address: Jalan Batu Caves, 68100 Jalan Batu Caves, Selangor, Malaysia

Phone: 016-333-7328

Admission Fees:

Admission is free but if you go by car there is RM2 parking fees.

Map:

View Larger Map

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batu_Caves

Murugan statue at the entrance of Batu Cave

the magnificent light from the top of Batu Cave

the staircases 

beware of monkey 

The natural chamber of Batu Cave

The light lighting up the cave

Zion National Park, Utah, United States.

Introduction:

Zion National Park is located in the Springdale, Utah, United States. It covered a total of 590 km2, which is 24 km long and up to 800 m deep. Located at parts of  Colorado Plateau, Great Basin, and Mojave Desert regions, the park's unique geography allow for unusual plant and animal diversity. The unique life zones includes desert, riparian, woodland, and coniferous forest consists of canyons, buttes, mountains, mesad,rivers, monoliths,slot canyon and natural arches.  It take about 3 hours drive from Las Vegas, Nevada. 

Attraction:

Hiking, canyoneering, climbing, biking, photography, birds watching , natural arches, canyons, rock climbing 

Animals: Rock Squirrels, Cougars, Mule Deer,Coyotes, Jackrabbits,  Whiptail ,Gray Foxes, Collared lizards, Pinyon Jays,etc.

Popular hiking trails: The Narrows, The Subway, Angels Landing, and Kolob Arch.

Rock climbing trails:   Moonlight Buttress, Prodigal Son, Spaceshot, Touchstone.

Contacts:

Phone: 1-435-772-3256 

Fax: 1-435-772-3426

Address: Zion National Park, Springdale, UT 84767-1099

Fees:

WEEKLY PASSES

Weekly passes may be upgraded to annual passes within 7 days of purchase.

Private Vehicle: $25. Valid for 7 days.

Motorcycle: $12. Valid for 7 days.

Admits one individual on a private, non-commercial motorcycle to Zion National Park including both the Zion Canyon and Kolob Canyon areas. Any passengers pay the per person fee not to exceed the private vehicle fee of $25.

Per Person: $12. Valid for 7 days.

Admits one individual with no car to Zion National Park including both the Zion Canyon and Kolob Canyon areas. - typically used for bicyclists, hikers and pedestrians. Youth 15 and under are admitted free. 

Nearby attractions:

Glen Canyon Dam

Antelope Canyon

Horseshoe Bend

Bryce Canyon

Map:

View Larger Map

References:

http://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/hours.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zion_National_Park

Click on photo to ENLARGE

The magnificent view of Zion National Park Valley from a cave with melting snow waterfall fall on the right.The weather is still cold in the spring ( April ) but not cold enough to prevent the snow from melting. In spring there are many waterfalls around the park because of warm weather melting the snow.

Panoramic view of Zion National Park snow mountains

Panoramic view of Zion National Park at the car park

At the bus station, Zion National Park

panoramic view of the partly snow mountain 

The sign board to Zion National Park

The Zion National Park entrance

Shuiyuegong Temple 水月宫 oldest temple in Malaysia?

Shuiyuegong Temple 水月宫 (water moon temple) purportely to be the oldest Chinese temple in Malaysia, some people claimed it over 600 years old. It located at Pulai, Gua Musang ( Hakka village), one of the earliest Chinese settlement in Malaysia dated back  to 14th century, they came to Pulai for gold and settle down here for more than 600 years old ago. It just 15km from Gua Musang town, accessible by car, about 10 minutes drive.

CLick to Enlarge

 inside of the temple 

 one of the pot that made during Ming Dynasty 

 some of antique canons

pagoda, there is another temple opposite it, located in the cave called zi xia tong ( 紫霞洞)

 view from 紫霞洞