Happy Chinese New Year One Malaysia

Happy Chinese New Year! It is the year of the Tiger! Coming once a year, the New Year brings a time to celebrate and share excitement with others. Happy Chinese New Year! Celebrate and enjoy good fortune.

Johor - Gunung Ledang

Mount Ophir, or more commonly known by its Malay name, Gunung Ledang, is a mountain situated in the Gunung Ledang National Park located in Ledang District (northwestern Johor), Malaysia. The summit is located between the border of Muar and Malacca. Standing at 1,276 m (4,186 ft), with a clear trail leading to the peak, the mountain is a popular destination among amateur climbers. Mount Ophir is also the 64th highest mountain in Malaysia and arguably the most climbed mountain in the country, despite it having one of the higher climbing fatalities in the region of South-East Asia. Camping on the mountain has been forbidden after the death of campers who were crushed by falling trees in separate incidents.

A resort at the foot of the mountain was opened in the recent years. Called Gunung Ledang Resort, it offers decent accommodation and adventure programmes. However, the access to the top of the mountain can only be made through the National Park office, which is a few kilometres away from the resort. The trail from the resort has been closed due the death of campers.

Johor - Gunung Lambak Recreational Forest

Gunung Lambak, 510m above sea level, is located 5km from the town of Kluang. If you are lucky, you might be able to spot fruit bats migrating to the mountains. They can only be spotted at certain times of the year though. Mount Lambak is an easy climb as there are pathways and wooden bridges there to help make climbing easier. The recreational forest located at the foothill of Mount Lambak is a favourite picnic spot for many visitors. Toilets, benches, resting sheds and other facilities can be found there. You can go to the river near the waterfalls and enjoy a refreshing dip in the waters there. Enjoy the view at the summit before heading back down the mountain. Do take note as trekking can be exhausting so it is recommended only to those who is fit to trek. Also for that reason, people have come here to enjoy a good trekking.

Johor - Gunung Belumut

The Gunung Belumut is an isolated mountain (1010 m) about 25 km east of Kluang. There is a well-maintained Recreational Forest on the slopes of the mountain, and the roadsign even annouces a waterfall there. But the river has not more than some attractive rapids. To go there, follow the road nr 50 from Kluang to Mersing for about 15 km and turn right. The water from the river is crystal clear and there were quite a number of visitors. You can follow a path along the stream for some distance. It is also possible to climb the mountain from here (guide compulsory). But there is more to see! We had heard about the Sg Yong falls nearby, and a stall owner could give us accurate directions. Not easy to find! After about 15 km from the main road, you will pass a bridge. Just after the bridge, do not turn right to the Park but go straight for 3.81 km, through palm oil plantations. Park your car and take the clear trail to the right. The Sg Yong falls consist of seven tiers. The falls go down a narrow gorge. Extreme care has to be taken, because the rocks are quite slippery.

Johor - Gunung Arong

Gunung Arong Recreational Forest lies 17 km from Mersing and 22 km from Endau along the Mersing-Endau road, Gunung Arong is a tranquil lowland forest with crystal clear waters, offering a refreshing retreat for visitors. This forest of towering and shady trees and natural setting offer a refreshing retreat for visitors.

There are popular picnic spots by the riverside, a garden, campsites, and meeting halls and a well equipped playground. Jungle trails are also provided for the more adventurous visitors. Other facilities include rest shades, dressing room, toilet and tree-top huts. Jungle trials are also provided for the more adventurous visitors.

Johor - Endau Rompin National Park

Located on the Johor-Pahang border, this 2½-century-old extensive lowland forest is home to several rare and endangered species. This park is popular with conservationists and nature lovers who enjoy the wildlife and virgin environment. Endau-Rompin National Park is made up of a lush, pristine tropical rainforest.

Covering an area of 48,905 hectares (800 sq. km), it is the second largest national park in the Peninsula after Taman Negara. With rock formations dating back some 248 million years, Endau-Rompin is mostly hilly with some prominent sandstone plateau. It also happens to be the watershed of several rivers such as Endau River, Selai River, and Jasin River.

As the forest had only recently been established, access to it is quite difficult and entry to the park requires a special permit from the National Park (Johor) Corporation, which only entertains requests for research and fishing limited to designated areas only. However, it would be well worth the effort in attaining a permit to this park as it is the home and sanctuary of the largest population of the rare Sumatran rhinoceros. The spectacular Livistona Endauensis fan palms can also be found here.

There are two entry points to the park, Kampung Peta and Nitar. The former is located 56km from Pahang The visitor would have to traverse through rubber and oil palm plantations, as well as dense jungle along dirt tracks to the base camp. From Nitar, a Felda Plantation scheme, the park can be reached after an 8 hour boat ride along the Endau River. Kampung Peta is also the most remote Orang Asli (aboriginal) settlement in Johor.

Part of Endau-Rompin's attraction is that the park is intrinsically tied up with numerous legends and myths handed down through the years. One such legend is that of Upih Guling, which is located midway to the Buaya Sangkut waterfalls.