Backpacking & Outdoor adventures by ChingNengBin - Namaste! Everest BaseCamp 5,364m : 2025 > Gua Tempurung Cave Adventure by Penang Adventurers' Cub

2025 > Gua Tempurung Cave Adventure by Penang Adventurers' Cub

The Penang Adventurers' Club (PAC) organised a successful cave expedition at Gua Tempurung (椰壳洞) on August 10, 2025. A group of 34 PAC members were fortunate enough to participate in a 4-hour cave adventure of a lifetime. Even though it was completely dark for the last 2 hours, 3 local guides led us on a difficult walk that included negotiating river beds, crawling through a river tunnel, sliding down uneven slopes, and squeezing through a tiny body-fit tunnel.

The Tempurung Cave network is one of Peninsular Malaysia's longest and largest, stretching 4.5 kilometers. Only 1.9km of the 4.5km is available to guests, which includes a 1.6km underground river. These waters carved up the spectacular cave networks and limestone formations that you can see throughout the Gua Tempurung network.

Yes! We all sign up for the Gua Tempurung "Grand Tour," which consists of four levels that increase in difficulty gradually. Here's what it is like at each level, as well as the major challenges to expect.

10.08.2025 - Gua Tempurung Cave Adventure by Penang Adventurers' Cub.

Gua Tempurung ticket purchasing office's entrance.

Elyn Ong and Ching Neng Bin getting the Gua Tempurung tickets.

PAC members are putting on their crush helmets.

PAC members performing their warm-up exercises.

The tour guides advised us before the journey begins to guarantee a safe and enjoyable journey. Pay strict attention to the guides' advice to avoid any unfortunate incidents.

After the Gua Tempurung commanders' briefing.

Attendees: Elyn Ong, Ching Ching, ⁠Xiang Ling, Linda Cheah, Gina Lim, Ann Tan, ⁠Bee Bee (Ching Ching’s sister), Carmen Chew, Diu, Grace Lim, Irene Teoh, Irene Toh, Jeff Tan, KB Loke, Kedrick, Lau Cheng Keat, Lee Teik Toon, Lenny Chai, Leong Kah Keong(Yy Tan Husband), Leong Phong Yun(YY son), LH Tan, Lim Bee Theng, Lim Beng Bee, Lim Leng Yoong, Muah Bee Cheng, Ong Kok Kee, Ong Koon Kuang, Pauline Oung, Rizaudin Wahab, Tan Yiat Yong(Yy.Tan), Wong Teik Aun, Ziaoying, Yap shin (Gina's son) and Ching Neng Bin.

Entrance to Gua Tempurung.

Gua Tempurung Cave Adventure by Penang Adventurers' Cub.

A view of the Gua Tempurung cave's enormous opening.

Warm-up with a short, lit boardwalk and stairs section.

Warm up with a brief, well-lit boardwalk and stairwell section.

The boardwalk crosses part of the underground river, and the stairs lead to Platform 1.

The boardwalk crosses part of the underground river, and the stairs go up to Platform 1.

Warm-up with a short, lit boardwalk and stairs section.

The boardwalk crosses part of the underground river, and the stairs go up to Platform 1 (Mr. Bat).

The boardwalk crosses part of the underground river, the stairs up to Platform 1.

Gua Tempurung Cave Adventure by Penang Adventurers' Cub.

Platform 2 (Echo-Echo) is when the stairway dips down and up again where Platform 3 is.

At Platform 2, you will notice not just a perspective of where you will eventually end up, but also the words "Echo Echo." Some visitors would try to shout and listen for echoes.

Gua Tempurung Cave Adventure by Penang Adventurers' Cub.

The climb itself entails ascent and descent, as well as up and down flights of stairs. Some of these stairs are fairly lengthy, steep, and slippery. Most people will find it easier if they take it gently and hang on to the railings.

Gua Tempurung Cave Adventure by Penang Adventurers' Cub.

A picture of a lady's face on the cave wall.

A picture of a chicken drumstick and wings on the cave wall.

Gua Tempurung Cave Adventure by Penang Adventurers' Cub

Gua Tempurung Cave Adventure by Penang Adventurers' Cub.

The Gua Tempurung cave's stalactites and stalagmites.

Platform 3 (Golden Flowstone) is 90 meters high.

Platform 3 features something unusual known as the Golden Flowstones.

Platform 4 (Wind Tunnel) is located immediately before the wind tunnel's opening. It is not really a tunnel, but it is more enclosed than the preceding sections of the cave.

Gua Tempurung Cave Adventure by Penang Adventurers' Cub

Gua Tempurung Cave Adventure by Penang Adventurers' Cub.

Platform 5 (Top Of The World) is the final destination for tour 2.

Gua Tempurung Cave Adventure by Penang Adventurers' Cub.

Gua Tempurung Cave Adventure by Penang Adventurers' Cub. The final leg of the Grand Tour will lead you to a route that demands cavers to slide down their longest and steepest slopes, then through the smallest fissure in the cave system, and finally through their deepest and longest stretch of underground river. Travel carefully through the river, as the cave's roof is incredibly low and loaded with jagged and sharp edges.

Crystal formation on the cave walls at Gua Tempurung cave.

Names of some Chinese tin miners. From this point, after platform 5, we were in complete darkness until we exited the cave.

Names of some Chinese tin miners at Gua Tempurung cave.

The tools of Chinese tin miners at Gua Tempurung cave.

Gua Tempurung Cave Adventure by Penang Adventurers' Cub.

Sliding down an uneven slopes at Gua Tempurung cave.

Crawling down a hole in Gua Tempurung Cave.

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Walking down a cave tunnel at Gua Tempurung.

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Walking along an underground river in Gua Tempurung cave.

White marble at Gua Tempurung cave.

This is a cave scorpion we discovered in the cave.

This is a cave centipede we discovered in the cave.

This is another cave centipede we discovered in the cave.

Walking along an underground river in Gua Tempurung cave.

There are a lot of bats on the ceiling in this section of the cave.

Walking along an underground river in Gua Tempurung cave.

At the end of the first half of the Grand Tour, we all take a break at an open area.

Gua Tempurung Cave Adventure by Penang Adventurers' Cub.

At the end of the first half of the Grand Tour, we all take a break at an open area.

Gua Tempurung Cave Adventure by Penang Adventurers' Cub.

The return walk from the open area for the last and final activity.

Briefing on next activity: squeezing through a tiny, body-fit tunnel in Cave.

167 Part.1 The squeezing through a tiny, body-fit tunnel in the Cave.

168 Part.2 The squeezing through a tiny, body-fit tunnel in the Cave.

After the Cave's narrow, body-fit tunnel, it was a walk back to the entrance.

After the Cave's narrow, body-fit tunnel, it was a river walk back to the entrance.

Crawling along a small passageway towards the cave entrance.

Walking along the cave river to the cave entrance.

A big limestone along the cave river leads to the cave entrance.

Walking along the cave river to the cave entrance.

We finally saw daylight, and everyone arrived safely at the cave entrance.

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Ching Neng Bin 秦能斌

Ching Neng Bin worked at Public Bank for 35 years, starting as clerical staff in 1973 and retiring in 2008. He held various roles, including serving as the branch manager of Seri Manjung. During his tenure, he received several awards, such as the "25 Years Long Service Award" in 1998 and the "30 Years Long Service Award" in 2003. Ching is an avid adventurer who enjoys outdoor activities such as jungle trekking, rock climbing, kayaking, and off-road driving. He was 1 of ten Malaysians selected to join the Marlboro Adventure Team in the USA in 1994, where he participated in activities like white-water rafting and horseback riding. He also co-founded the Penang Adventurers' Club in 1976 to promote outdoor activities. Ching has documented his travels extensively, including a 30-day Trans-Siberian train journey in 2024, covering 9,938 km from Vladivostok to St. Petersburg. Ching Neng Bin's life is a blend of professional dedication, adventurous pursuits, and a love for documenting his experiences, making him a notable figure in both the banking and outdoor adventure communities.

Backpacking & Outdoor adventures by ChingNengBin - Namaste! Everest BaseCamp 5,364m

2025 > Gua Tempurung Cave Adventure by Penang Adventurers' Cub

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