Poring Hot Spring — Attraction in Borneo

Developed by the Japanese during the WWII, Poring Hot Spring is a nice place to relax your body, especially after hiking Mt Kinabalu ❤

• Opening hours varies from 8 am to 2/3pm (for the last entry), everything closing at 4pm

• Located ~40 km away from Kinabalu Headquarters, many hikers do this detour after hiking Mt Kinabalu to relax their body and relieve the muscular pain. It takes about 1h by car and there's no public transportation, but many tours include this stop on the tour

• The baths aren't very nice to be honest. But if you decide to go, there are inside and outside baths to choose from, which are available at an additional costs apart from the entry ticket of 50 RM (or "free" if you already went on Mt Kinabalu as you already paid the national park fee)

•  There is a small pool with cold water as well if you decide the hot water is not for you

• Apart from the hot springs, there are several other things to do in the area including a canopy walk which takes about 1h to complete (not for the fainted heart), a rafflesia garden (but there is rarely a flower in bloom), an ethnobotanical garden, a butterfly garden, a bat cave, and two waterfalls (Kipungit and Langanan).

• If you decide to stay overnight in the area there are several accommodations to choose from (the cheapest one, dormitory, starts with 30 RM per night). If you need more details and suggestions drop me a message.

• On the way to Poring hot springs you may notice some signs with rafflesia flowers. You should stop and check as there may be some flowers in bloom. Rafflesia is the biggest flower in the world and it cannot be planted, so finding one is truly a blessing for the eyes. • Kinabalu Park is the first established national park of Sabah and Malaysia's first world heritage site designated by Unesco in December 2000

• The flora of Kinabalu Park (where the Hot Springs are as well located) is one of the richest and most diverse in the world, with a high level of endemism. It is actually home to many species of plants, mammals, birds, some of which are endangered or vulnerable

• If you're looking to discover more of this amazing national park, looking for some adventure or just want to be alone on a trail for a few hours, Poring hot springs has a nice trail for you.

• While Kipungit waterfall is close by and relatively easy to reach, Langanan waterfall is only for the well equipped hikers as it's not an easy or relaxing trek. It is located 3860 metres from the entrance, it may be slippery if it rained and there are leeches as well! I got a few myself, one actually bit me and I had to remove it by pulling it out, which made me bleed for a while. I had to use a cream with antibiotics to ensure it won't get infected. So be prepared with long socks and a lot of repellant spray on, or wear leeches socks. But once you reach the waterfall all the pain will be forgotten. A majestic view, a serene atmosphere, a remote place. This route is not much transited especially during weekdays, so let somebody know where you are heading for safety reasons. Get a lot of water and some snacks too. But most important, get ready for the adventure. Keep your eyes and ears wide open and embrace nature. Hidden treasures can be discovered If you look deeper into the forest.

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Here are some pointers for the hot springs which should be useful if you are visiting as part of one of the many day trips here.

What to wear? First of all, bring your swimwear and a towel. You can still dip your feet in the hot springs if you don't bring your swimwear but you don't get the full experience.

If you're planning to explore the grounds or go across the treetop canopy walkways, bring decent footwear. Trainers will be ok. Flips flops not so good.

What to do? As soon as you arrive you'll find the springs area. There are hot and cold springs here, mostly public bathing spots, but you can get a private rooms in which to enjoy the springs which cost 20rm per hour.

Beyond the springs you'll reach a bit of a trail. The first stop is the canopy walk which requires an ascent up quite a few steps; this left a few people in our group quite tired and sweaty (I was very sweaty) but it's perfectly achievable for most people if you take your time. The walkways are perfectly safe although like any rope walkway, they do wobble a little, but they provide a good view over the area from heights of 42m. If you're scared of heights, this might not be for you. Be aware that there is a 5rm charge to take photos on the canopy. That's 5rm per camera that you wish to use while up in the canopy.

Walk a bit further on from here and you'll reach a small waterfall and natural pool. We took a dip in this pool and enjoyed the small fishes nibbling our feet. I'd suggest using the toilets at the treetop canopy entrance to get changed into your swimwear and then walk the 400m to the waterfall. This pool is very refreshing and was the perfect place for us to cool down on what was a very humid day. Surrounding the pool you'll find lots flora and fauna (specifically, we saw butterflies, lizards and fungi) to capture on photos.

Beyond this waterfall there is a bat cave and the much larger waterfall but we didn't get to these areas. Then larger waterfall is 3km away which the Mt Kinabalu and Poring hot springs day trips don't really allow for.

Facilities I found the toilets and changing rooms to be pretty basic but adequate. Clean enough and perfectly functional.

There is also a shop that sells light refreshments (drinks, ice cream etc) and souvenirs.

Overall I'd have liked to have spent longer here but the tour bus had a schedule to stick to. The canopy tour is good but if you find yourself wanting to see more flora and fauna while also experiencing the hot springs, I'd maybe skip the canopy tour and enjoy the hot pools, the waterfall and maybe check out he bat cave which I sadly...

We had a great time and I'd say you can't miss it if you're visiting the area! That is not to say there weren't some areas for improvement though.

Pros: Beautiful canopy walk was probably the highlight for us! Gorgeous views out over the jungle treetops and an easy hike through lush jungle. I did get a leech but that's what you get in borneo I guess!

Fun little butterfly garden with beautiful butterflies and some other cool insects to see like huge stick insects.

Nice friendly service at the hot springs, and the water was properly hot (not just lukewarm like at some springs).

The setting was very pretty in the jungle and we really enjoyed the sound of the birds and insects while we soaked in the tub.

Cons:

Totally weird hot pool design! It is individual tubs, not a big pool. I guess that is fine, but you have to fill it when you get there- it isn't already full. Problem is the tub takes a good hour to even fill enough to bother getting in at all, and would take two or more hours to actually fill! Just be prepared to sit and relax while you wait. We played cards and just enjoyed our time but if you were in a rush, very frustrating I'm sure.

The tubs also had no seats in them but were quite deep. So you sit on the bottom which isn't super clean, and then you can't see out! You just sit in this little hole and look at the wall and the people with you lol. Just kind of odd not to have a bench in there like a hot tub would usually have.

The tub area isn't very pretty despite being in a gorgeous jungle location - they made way too many tubs and kind of paved everything.

Changerooms are quite old and outdated and not very clean.

The snack and drink shop could sell things you want to buy - I would rather have a beer or ice cream or something on a hot day than Maggi cup noodles.

You have to pay a park conservation fee of 50rm per person for foreigners just to enter - then pay your entry for the hot pools, canopy walk etc. on top of that.

Anyways despite all that we had fun and would totally...