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TOURING SARAWAK'S 2

Gunung Mulu National Park provides an amazing adventure with its astounding underground network of caves. The park claims the world's largest cave passage (Deer Cave), the world's largest natural chamber (Sarawak Chamber), and Southeast Asia's longest cave (Clearwater Cave). No fewer than 18 caves offer explorers trips of varying degrees of difficulty, from simple treks with minimal gear to technically difficult caves that require specialized equipment and skills. Aboveground is 544 sq. km (32G sq. miles) of primary rainforest, peat swamps, and mountainous forests teeming with mammals, birds, and unusual insects. Located in the north of Sarawak, Mulu is very close to the Brunei border.

Niah National Park, while interesting to nature buffs, is more fascinating for those interested in archaeology. From 1954 to 1967 explorers excavated a prehistoric site inside Niah's extensive cave network. The site dates as far back as 40,000 years, and is believed to have been continuously occupied until some 2,000 years ago. The Niah Great Cave, which contains the site, revealed sharp stone implements, pottery vessels, and animal and botanical remains. Near the mouth of the cave is a burial ground dating from Paleolithic times. The Painted Cave, also within Niah's cave network, is a magnificent gallery of mystical cave paintings and coffins that were buried here between A.D. 1 and AA). 780. While a visit to the park requires parks department permission, further information on the excavation sites can be obtained from the Sarawak Museum ( 082/244232; fax 082/24G-G80).
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