Gunung Keriang Recreational Park
Jan.09, 2010 in Kedah
Gunung Keriang
Location : In the district of Kota Setar, Kedah.
Coordinates of the park are N6° 11.336′ E100° 20.157′
You can access the Google Map here.
Coordinates of the park are N6° 11.336′ E100° 20.157′
You can access the Google Map here.
Natural Heritage Status: The elephant-shaped Mount Keriang or Gunung Keriang (217.92 m) crops out in the middle of Kedah’s plain. It is an ancient limestone hill that belongs to Permian (about 250million years old) and Early Triassic conodonts (Metcalfe, I., 1981a) from Northwest Peninsular Malaysia. Gunung Keriang is the southern most of the Chuping Formation Limestone. It was believed that the regression of the sea level by 2-3m (Khoo, 1996) lifted Keriang island into what we called Gunung Keriang.
Kamal et. al (assessed Mac09) classified at least 10 different rocks found in Gunung Keriang. This interesting diversity of rocks makes Gunung Keriang a unique geological natural heritage for further research and studies and ultimately be protected.
Kamal et. al (assessed Mac09) classified at least 10 different rocks found in Gunung Keriang. This interesting diversity of rocks makes Gunung Keriang a unique geological natural heritage for further research and studies and ultimately be protected.
Gunung Keriang Recreational Park Shape of the elephant’s head
Some of the caves in Gunung Keriang
Gazettement : Gazetted as Gunung Keriang Recreational Park and managed by Kota Setar City Council.
Accessibility: To the park: Depending from which part of Alor Star your journey begins, the park is located between 8 to 12 kilometers to the north-east of the state capital. Taxis are easily available for hire from Alor Setar to Gunung Keriang.
In the park: Walkway with railing to aid trekking on the hill slope. Ample parking space.
In the park: Walkway with railing to aid trekking on the hill slope. Ample parking space.
Trail to the summit of Gunung Keriang
Trails around Gunung Keriang
Affordability: Entrance to the park is free.
Parking fee: Free.
Trails are well marked. Ask the hawkers for guides. Guiding fee depend on your bargaining skills and the demand.
The park is well known and a popular crystals bargain centre. Prices of crystals range from RM1.00 to as much as RM35000.
Parking fee: Free.
Trails are well marked. Ask the hawkers for guides. Guiding fee depend on your bargaining skills and the demand.
The park is well known and a popular crystals bargain centre. Prices of crystals range from RM1.00 to as much as RM35000.
Level of Development:Plans are underway to develop Gunung Keriang into a mega tourist park. The Star (2008) reported that the state government has allocated RM100mil to develop the 60 hectares surrounding the Mount Keriang Recreational Park and it is listed as one of the 10 tourism destinations of Kedah.
Kedah JKR (Source: http://kedah.jkr.gov.my) listed the following development in the website:
1. Paddy Museum
2. Chalet
3. Science Centre
4. Water theme park and waterfall
5. Floating Restaurant
6. Boating activities
7. X-treme sport
8. Children park
9. Park centre
10. Train ride
11. Jogging track
12. Cave trail
13. Mountain trail
14. Horse riding
15. Mini zoo
16. Village
Kedah JKR (Source: http://kedah.jkr.gov.my) listed the following development in the website:
1. Paddy Museum
2. Chalet
3. Science Centre
4. Water theme park and waterfall
5. Floating Restaurant
6. Boating activities
7. X-treme sport
8. Children park
9. Park centre
10. Train ride
11. Jogging track
12. Cave trail
13. Mountain trail
14. Horse riding
15. Mini zoo
16. Village
Public facilities available at the park centre are car park, public toilet, children playground, campsite, man-made lake, gazebos and footpaths and hiking trails to the peak.
Also in the pipeline is the development of the crystal cave costing RM5 million includes decorative lighting and a lift to transport tourists to have a closer look at crystal rocks (Bernama, April 09).
Also in the pipeline is the development of the crystal cave costing RM5 million includes decorative lighting and a lift to transport tourists to have a closer look at crystal rocks (Bernama, April 09).
Man-made lake at Gunung Keriang Recreational Park
Popularity:Gunung Keriang Recreational Park is one of the major tourist attractions in Kedah. It was a popular tourist destination few years ago where busloads of tourists would arrive to hunt for crystals. According to a crystal salesperson, businesses are poor and estimated arrival to be less than 100 pax per day. The park has lost its shine due to the poor upkeep of the park and exploitation by unscrupulous traders.
The Gunung Keriang Recreation Park, Kedah is a perfect adventure destination for the whole family. A popular place for crystal exploration and other activities such as exploring the jungles, trekking, rock climbing and bird watching. There are several rock climbing routes established on the walls of Gunung Keriang.
There is a challenging trekking trail to the summit of Gunung Keriang (218 m) where a panoramic view of the Kedah’s plain of paddy fields and kampongs await.
The Gunung Keriang Recreation Park, Kedah is a perfect adventure destination for the whole family. A popular place for crystal exploration and other activities such as exploring the jungles, trekking, rock climbing and bird watching. There are several rock climbing routes established on the walls of Gunung Keriang.
There is a challenging trekking trail to the summit of Gunung Keriang (218 m) where a panoramic view of the Kedah’s plain of paddy fields and kampongs await.
Crystals for sale
Accommodation:(as at Mac 2009)Campers need to apply for permission from the city council before they are allowed to camp inside the park.
Under the new development plan, chalet facilities have been built and expected to be ready by the end of 2009 on the western side of Gunung Keriang.
Under the new development plan, chalet facilities have been built and expected to be ready by the end of 2009 on the western side of Gunung Keriang.
Threats: Excavation: Massive excavation, digging and dismembering limestone formations throughout the mountain has made a forestry ranger quoting as “Gunung Keriang is beyond salvage”. If the authorities have make detail studies, this mountain still retain interesting ancient limestone formations worth keeping for our future generation.
Garbage: Trash and rubbish are another great threat to the park. Irresponsible disposal of food wrappers, water bottles and food debris can be seen everywhere in the park.
Garbage: Trash and rubbish are another great threat to the park. Irresponsible disposal of food wrappers, water bottles and food debris can be seen everywhere in the park.
Mitigation:Enforcement by the municipal council and provide more rubbish bins with “monkey proof lids” at strategic areas.
Barricade the park and impose nominal fee to protect the park.
Impose fine for offenses of littering.
Only certain crystal caves be opened for excavation by locals while other could be opened for show cave tourism. Ex-crystal collectors should be recruited as cave guides.
Barricade the park and impose nominal fee to protect the park.
Impose fine for offenses of littering.
Only certain crystal caves be opened for excavation by locals while other could be opened for show cave tourism. Ex-crystal collectors should be recruited as cave guides.
Conservation: History: Liz Price (2002) cited T.Ward that described Gunung Keriang as known as Elephant Mountain or Gunung Giriyan (Giriyan actually rhymed with Keriang). T. Ward noted how the hill was surrounded by sea not too long ago. Today Gunung Keriang rises majestically above rice paddies, near the town of Alor Setar. A myth was told that Gunung Keriang was formerly a ship being cursed by Sang Gedembai (supernatural big foot) into rock. It was also said that this mountain rotates and that it was originally a cursed ship (Star, 2008). It was cursed by Sang Gedembai when he failed to get his wish to marry the princess in the ship. There are culinary utensils in the cave which were believed to be carried by the ship. Legend has been told that locals used to borrow the utensils for festivals. The myth is now part of the tourist attractions (Source: mykedah.org). The locals called Gunung Keriang as Elephant Hill as it resembles an elephant. It is also known as Crystal Mountain due to the sale of colourful crystals excavated from the mountain. Keriang is the malay name for the fruiting tree Eugenia pseudosubtilis found in northern peninsular. It has sweet juicy cherry-like eatable fruits. Gunung Keriang was a JKR Quarry during the 1980s. Scars from quarrying can be seen near the mini lake. In the website of Minerals and Geoscience Department Malaysia (assessed Mac 09) it was reported that Gunung Keriang has been identified as one of the potential geosites and a geological heritage report on the conservation of Gunung Keriang has been submitted to the authority in Dec 2008.
Fauna: There are 3 species of primate at Gunung Keriang – Dusky leaf monkey, Long-tailed Macaque and Pig-tailed Macaque. An interesting cross breeding between Long-tailed macaque and Pig-tailed macaque can be seen in this park that is worth further research.
Flora: Rich diversity of cave-associated flora can be seen. Gunung Keriang is notably a limestone hill that accommodates and retains some of the rare limestone plants.
Benefits to Local Communities: Local villagers involved in crystal business in the park. Some locals have made fortune from the crystal businesses in the export of crystals. During weekends, more stores can be seen.
Fauna: There are 3 species of primate at Gunung Keriang – Dusky leaf monkey, Long-tailed Macaque and Pig-tailed Macaque. An interesting cross breeding between Long-tailed macaque and Pig-tailed macaque can be seen in this park that is worth further research.
Flora: Rich diversity of cave-associated flora can be seen. Gunung Keriang is notably a limestone hill that accommodates and retains some of the rare limestone plants.
Benefits to Local Communities: Local villagers involved in crystal business in the park. Some locals have made fortune from the crystal businesses in the export of crystals. During weekends, more stores can be seen.
How to Get ThereUsing the North-South Expressway (E1) and exit at Alor Setar (Utara). Head towards west using K139 then join trunk road (1). At Pantai Johor, turn left crossing a bridge using route K2. Follow the road signs which will lead you to Gunung Keriang Recreational Park. It is about 10.5 km from the Expressway (E1).MAJLIS BANDARAYA ALOR STAR
Tingkat 8, Menara MBAS (City Plaza),
Jalan Kolam Air, 05675 Alor Star.
Kedah Darul Aman
Tel : 04-7332499 04-7332499
Fax : 04-7334377
Email : mbas@mbas.gov.my
Website : www.mbas.gov.myPejabat Daerah Kota Setar
Wisma Negeri Alor Setar,
Kedah Darul Aman
Tel : 604 - 732 2444 604 - 732 2444
Fax : 604 – 730 5498
Email : pdks@kedah.gov.my
Website : http://www.kedah.gov.my/
Tingkat 8, Menara MBAS (City Plaza),
Jalan Kolam Air, 05675 Alor Star.
Kedah Darul Aman
Tel : 04-7332499 04-7332499
Fax : 04-7334377
Email : mbas@mbas.gov.my
Website : www.mbas.gov.myPejabat Daerah Kota Setar
Wisma Negeri Alor Setar,
Kedah Darul Aman
Tel : 604 - 732 2444 604 - 732 2444
Fax : 604 – 730 5498
Email : pdks@kedah.gov.my
Website : http://www.kedah.gov.my/
Map to Gunung Keriang
Important Contacts
Tourist Information Centre
Kompleks Pelancongan Negeri Kedah
Seksyen 20, Jalan Raja,
Alor Setar, Kedah Darul Aman
Tel: 04-7312322 04-7312322 Fax: 04-7340322
Kompleks Pelancongan Negeri Kedah
Seksyen 20, Jalan Raja,
Alor Setar, Kedah Darul Aman
Tel: 04-7312322 04-7312322 Fax: 04-7340322
Jabatan Perhutanan Negeri Kedah
Tingkat 8, Bangunan Sultan Abdul Halim
Jalan Sultan Badlishah
05000 Alor Setar
Kedah Darul Aman
Tel : 04-7333844 04-7333844 Fax: 04-7310610
Tingkat 8, Bangunan Sultan Abdul Halim
Jalan Sultan Badlishah
05000 Alor Setar
Kedah Darul Aman
Tel : 04-7333844 04-7333844 Fax: 04-7310610
http://www.kedforestry.gov.my
Pejabat Pengarah Tanah Dan Galian Negeri Kedah
Alamat : Pejabat Pengarah Tanah dan Galian
Wisma Negeri Alor Setar,
Kedah Darul Aman
Tel : 604-7322644 Fax : 604-7322432
Email : ptg@kedah.gov.my
Website : http://www.kedah.gov.my/
Alamat : Pejabat Pengarah Tanah dan Galian
Wisma Negeri Alor Setar,
Kedah Darul Aman
Tel : 604-7322644 Fax : 604-7322432
Email : ptg@kedah.gov.my
Website : http://www.kedah.gov.my/
References
Department of Irrigation and Drainage (1989), Waterfalls of Malaysia, Design Dimension.
Plus (1996), Guide to Peninsular Malaysia, Tourism Malaysia.
http://kedah.jkr.gov.my/mgmt/management/Bulletin/gunung/ (Future development plan)
http://tourism.bernama.com/news.php?id=325698 (Development)
http://www.gsm.org.my (Geological Society of Malaysia)
T. T. Khoo (1996), Geomorphological evolution of the Merbok estuary area and its impact on the early state of Kedah, northwest peninsular Malaysia, Elsevier Science Ltd.
Liz Price (2002), Some 19th Century Visitors To Caves in Peninsular Malaysia
Kamal Roslan Mohamed, Basir Jasin & Che Aziz Ali (assessed Mac 09), Sekitran Pengendapan Batu Kapur Kodiang Di Baratlaut Malaysia.
Department of Irrigation and Drainage (1989), Waterfalls of Malaysia, Design Dimension.
Plus (1996), Guide to Peninsular Malaysia, Tourism Malaysia.
http://kedah.jkr.gov.my/mgmt/management/Bulletin/gunung/ (Future development plan)
http://tourism.bernama.com/news.php?id=325698 (Development)
http://www.gsm.org.my (Geological Society of Malaysia)
T. T. Khoo (1996), Geomorphological evolution of the Merbok estuary area and its impact on the early state of Kedah, northwest peninsular Malaysia, Elsevier Science Ltd.
Liz Price (2002), Some 19th Century Visitors To Caves in Peninsular Malaysia
Kamal Roslan Mohamed, Basir Jasin & Che Aziz Ali (assessed Mac 09), Sekitran Pengendapan Batu Kapur Kodiang Di Baratlaut Malaysia.
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2008/3/9/sundaymetro/19715306&sec=SundayMetro
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