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Gunung Gading National Park is a
beautiful expanse of mountainous rainforest is known for its numerous rare
plants especially the world's largest flower, the Rafflesia tuan-mudae (bunga
pakma) At full bloom this giant flower streches nearly one meter in width.
The park consists of rugged mounted peaks- Gunung Gading (the highest
point at 906 metres), Gunung Perigi, Gunung Sebuluh and Gunung Lundu.
These mountains provide a scenic backdrop to the nearby beaches at Pandan
and Siar.
 The
flowers can be found on specific vines like the Tetrastigma. The spores
settle on the host plant and develop into a bud which then becomes a
gigantic flower, brownish red in colour. It stays in full bloom for about
a week only. The main pollinator for this flower is the carrion fly. Plank
walks and jungle trails has been built close to where the Rafflesia are
commonly found, and allows the visitors to tour the park without damaging
the delicate ecosystem particularly the young Rafflesia budding all over
the forest floor. If the plant is flowering deeper in the forest, the park
staffs or trained freelance guides will take visitors to the site.
However, these unique plants bloom infrequently and have brief flowering
period. Visitors are advised to check with the Park Headquarters at Gunung
Gading National Park or the National Park Booking Office to find out if
any flowers are about to bloom or already in full bloom. even if there is
no blooming Rafflesia to see, swimming in the jungle streams, hiking the
jungle trails, and visiting the beaches and Lundu make the visit just as
worthwhile.
The waterfalls in the upper reaches of Sungai Lundu have become a popular
recreational destination for both local and foreign visitors. The more
adventurous visitors can take a hike right up to the peak of Mount Gading
which is 900 meters high.
Getting There
The Park is located 120 km from Kuching. It is just 5 minutes drive from
Lundu town, a pleasant little town in Southwest Sarawak or about 2 hour's
drive from Kuching. Visitors can choose either day-trips or overnight
stays when visiting the Park
Accommodations
There are two units of chalets; each contains 3 bedrooms and accommodate
up to 6 people. One unit of Forest Hostel with 4 rooms with 16 beds each.
As accommodation facilities in the park are limited, hotels in Lundu
Pandan and Siar Beach Resort offer alternatives. Beaches at Siar and
Pandan are scenic and provide swimming spots.
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