300 miles up the
coast from Kuching, hidden in the forest of Miri is Niah National Park. The park spreads
over 3,140 hectares of peat swamp and dipterocarp forest and massive limestone outcrops
within which caves are concealed. Within the majestic enclave of the nearly 8,000 acre
Niah National Park lies caves that have been gazetted as historical monuments. The
limestone formation that is Niah Great Cave covers approximately 27 acres and is both a
world renowned archeological site and a tourist wonderland. A 40,000- year-old skull was
unearthed, along with a variety of tools, ornaments, and pottery of stone, shell and bone
construction dating from both the old and new Stone Age! Close to the Great Cave is the
Painted Cave (Kain Hitam). This cave was used by prehistoric man for religious and burial
purposes as evidenced by the boat-shaped coffins containing bodies of the dead. Wall
paintings of human like figures, rendered in thick bold stokes in red hematite cover some
32 meters. The collection of Bird's Nest is usually carried out between August to December
and January to March each year. This is one activity that attracts a lot of attention and
interest. Local gatherers climb up tall "ladders" to reach the birds' nests high
up in the caves. The nests are valued for the medicinal properties of the bird's saliva
binding the nest. Boiled with rock sugar, it makes a highly potent, not to mention
delicious brew! It is considered by many as a Chinese delicacy. More
on Cave Exploring
