Gua Charas Panching Kuantan — Attraction in Pahang

Gua Charas is a cave temple near Panching village, hidden in a palm oil plantation about 25km west of Kuantan. A 400millions years limestone masiff that towers around 300 meters high, the hill has a large cave chamber accessible by steps from the foot below. Inside, a reclining Buddha statue is housed at the end of a large rib cage-like passageway, along with smaller altars placed at random recesses along the walls. Lit by lamps, interesting limestone formations can be viewed along the statues, the ground wet at some parts from dripping water, a natural feature of such landscapes. Open daily from 9am till 5pm, small ticket and parking fees are charged on visitors. It is recommended to visit during noon when sunlight enters the cave for nice photo effects. Some shirtless Hindu priests were washing an altar and a black pillar named Jala Lingam, representing the deity Lord Shiva. Nearby, statues of an elephant and a monkey were kneeling before a Buddha while towards the rear of the cave, another holy man was attending to a modestly sized Reclining Buddha statue. Between 11am and 12noon we can see the sun light thru caves hole reach Buddha face. It is not the most attractive reclining Buddha in Malaysia but the fact that it was constructed in such a setting is impressive. Every corner of the caves you can see the water dripping and real lively caves which we called stalagmite and stalactites. It’s really huge caves would say 4 to 5 times bigger than Batu Caves. I was amazed with the way they build the path way and some of the shrine with just depend on rope and public help. The temple was well clean and I was blessed when reached the temple around 11am with Abhishegam continue with prayers at 12noon. Those who really wanted see the temple and caves please try to reach by 11am. Note: Please do not touch any of caves stones especially when it’s wet which will...

We had to walk several flights of Iron stairs to reach the cave entrance which was about 50 metres above the start of the stairs at the car park.

This cave was no more in its natural state compared to my first visit in Aug 2014 when we had to use a torch light to reach the reclining Buddha at the end of the longish cave. Now the cave was lighted up, the ground concreted at most parts and provided with concrete ramps. Nonetheless, the cave was a beauty to enjoy in its splendour - large and longish with its stalactites and stalagmites and high ceiling.

There were stalagmites that were interpreted to look like the monkey god, Guan Yin and other deities. Aside from the sleeping Buddha, more statues of the Buddha had been added. One of the Hindu priests at the entrance said sunlight illuminated the sleeping Buddha through a hole above the cave during the period from end April to October. Somewhere in the middle of the cave was a...

Visited on 1/8/2017. Need to go off road for this place not much signage but Waze could just bring you in easily. The view from far is nice and tempting to give it a go.

Parking fee is RM3. Entry donation of RM2 per pax is compulsory. Need to climb more than 100 steps of uneven stairs to reach the cave entrance.

Entrance is nice and windy. Good place to chill after the ascend. The cave is under construction so the view down into the cave is messy. The cave walls has been scribbled badly which are unpleasant to look at. Very disappointed that the cave is not properly taken care of. No proper signage of the rocks which resembles something. So we were walking cluelessly.

If you are here for prayers then this is maybe a place for you. Else, if you are here for sight seeing, then it is a no. The view from the outside is beautiful enough. The view in the inside tainted our impression of the beautiful cave on...