The visit to Sungai Klah then with officials from the Perak state government was to gauge the tourist potential of the place. It was indeed amazing as nowhere else in the peninsula does a hot water stream flow that far with water boiling from its source and even about half km downstream, it was still hot at 70 Celsius. There was also this huge pond in that area, which was boiling hot All these natural wonders then were surrounded by villages and plantations.
Today, Sungai Klah Hot Springs has evolved from a favourite local haunt to become an increasingly popular destination for tourists from all over the country, including visitors from Penang, Kuala Lumpur, and even Singapore.
Sungai Klah Hot Springs, which officially opened in December 2003 is in the Selim River area near Sungkai in Perak, about midway from Kuala Lumpur and lpoh along the North-South Expressway. Out of the highway at the Sungkai exit good signs will take you another 10km through oil palm plantations towards the towering mountains of Titiwangsa Range and the Sungai Kelah village, which lies close to the foothills.
As Sungai Klah is a new addition to the long list of interesting places to visit in Perak, not many people in the country are aware of its existence and on weekdays especially, you will find like I did, the place to be quite quiet I was told by the friendly staff that on weekends, it can get quite crowded and the place, which remains until 10pm, is packed with visitors until closing hours.
Today, the Sungai Klah area has totally evolved and from a green algae covered hot pond, there are now pools of clean hot water piped from natural springs. A main pool with water about 40 Celsius also has an artificial waterfall cascading down rocks, adding natural ambiance to the place.
There is also an area dedicated for visitors who wish to boil eggs in natural spring water This is the source of one of the many hot springs in this area with water seeping or flowing out of algae coated rocks at boiling temperature. Eggs are provided to visitors who wish to boil them here. According to the better informed staff at the resort, the algae from hot springs is good for the skin and if left to dry on the body, will help in making the skin feel softer.
Sungai Klah Hot Springs has about 500 springs with water channeled into pools for visitors to soak or swim. The water from the source is usually hotter then the boiling point and it has to be mixed with cold water before being channeled into the bathing and recreational areas.
Some of the springs here produce water with different types of minerals, lending different hues and even colours to the algae that proliferate in such conditions. There is even a pool with white algae and according to the staff, the water and algae all have different types of healing properties. Adding to the unique feel this resort offers is a manmade hot water waterfall with clouds of steam emanating from the plunging waters. The resort also has a spa complex where several walled enclosures allow families, groups, or individuals, to soak in small pools fringed by rocks.
There is also a reflexology path with hot water running through it. Wondering what happened to the small stream, I finally got to see it, now looking even more splendid with the area having been spruced up. A boardwalk from the resort now leads to the stream, which is still surrounded by greenery as it winds lazily through palm plantations further down.
Offering visitors the chance to threat themselves to rejuvenating natural hot spring bathe and relaxation, the Sungai Klah Hot Springs also provides adequate facilities for visitors and this includes a cafeteria where you will be able to get a range of delightful local threats and some Western fare, and the prices are cheap. There are ample parking facilities, souvenir shops selling a range of Malaysian craft and local sweets, prayer places for Muslims, as well as toilets, and showering rooms.
GETTING THERE
The Sungai Klah Hot Springs resort is about 10km from Sungkai. You must exit the North-South Expressway at Sungkai. Good signage’s will lead you to the resort.
OPENING HOURS
7:00am – 10:00pm daily
ADMISSION
Weekday : RM3 for adults and RM1.50 for children
Weekend, holidays and Night : RM5.00 for adults and RM1.50 for children.