Niah National Park, Archaeological site in Sarawak, Malaysia.
Niah National Park is a nature reserve in Sarawak with rainforest, limestone hills, and several caves, of which the Great Cave with its enormous entrance is the most famous. The park covers about 3,180 hectares and features elevated walkways that allow visitors to explore the cave interior safely.
The area was explored in the 1950s and 1960s and produced findings of major importance, including a skull dated to around 40,000 years ago. These discoveries showed that the region was occupied very early and ranks among Southeast Asia's oldest sites with evidence of modern humans.
The Painted Cave displays ancient red artwork showing human figures, animals, and boats that reveal what people once believed about the spiritual world. These images tell us how communities understood life, death, and the connection between them.
The park is reachable from Miri by taxi or bus; visitors must cross the Niah River by boat to reach the caves. Exploration happens along secure walkways, and it is wise to wear comfortable shoes and watch your footing since the ground can be uneven.
The Penan, native people of the area, have gathered swift bird nests from the caves for centuries, harvesting them as a valued food source. This ancient practice continues today and shows how communities adapted to life in these limestone formations.
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