A natural hot spring is like a long heated sigh of the Earth that brings warmth to the dwellers on the planet. This phenomenon occurs when water that seeps into the Earth is warmed up by geothermal heat, also known as the heat from Earth’s interior, and emerges again to the Earth’s surface, forming a natural hot spring.

Since ancient times, it is believed that water that flows from the hot springs have several therapeutic healing effects that can cure ailments, such as rheumatism, arthritis, insomnia, spinal injuries and fractures, and respiratory concerns.

As long as the Earth breathes true, there will be at least one hot spring in every continent, and even at the depths of the ocean. In Malaysia, hot springs have also become famous tourist destinations. Although we may never have one that reaches the fame of those in Iceland and Japan, we can always compensate with a touch of Malaysian culture.


1. Sungai Klah Hot Springs, Perak
Reputed to be one of the best managed hot springs in Malaysia, this hot spring spot has about 6,000 visitors every weekend from the Klang Valley, as well as from neighbouring states and countries, such as Singapore, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Australia and the Middle East.

Sungai Klah Hot Springs is nestled inside of the FELDA plantation, is located 200 feet above the sea level at the foothill of the Titiwangsa Range, the backbone range of Peninsular Malaysia. Upon arrival, visitors get to meet face-to-face with the serene and lush forest patches, and clear cold mountain streams that surround the vicinity.

Sungai Klah also boasts as the ‘hottest point’ in Malaysia with a hot spring temperature that reaches 102°C! This hotspot has been converted into an Egg Boiling Pool, where visitors can swing by with baskets of eggs to boil. It has been said that the eggs taste different for absorbing the mineral properties of the hot springs. In 2006, they have also achieved the world’s egg-boiling record whereby 50,480 eggs were boiled in 43 hours.

There are private Jacuzzis for quiet rejuvenating sessions that goes at RM25 per hour (normal size) and RM50 per hour (superior size). You can also take a walk at the water reflexology, where the jutting stones under water can help in the body’s blood circulation.

You can also choose to book a room at one of their five villas for a night or two, if you don’t think one day’s enough to get the gist of things. There are rooms going at RM450 per night onwards, so do book them early to avoid disappointment.

Sungai Klah Hot Spring is located 10km away from the town of Sungkai in Perak. Get to the nearest PLUS Highway and head for the Sungkai toll exit. After the exit, turn left at the junction, and travel 1km along the trunk road before turning left. Follow the signage to Sungai Klah Hot Springs Park and you will pass by Sungai Klah FELDA village before reaching here. The journey from Kuala Lumpur to Sungkai is approximately 70 minutes.

Entrance fee is RM9 for adults, and RM6 for children. For reservation of private pools and accommodation, kindly call +6 05 4414 493.

2. Poring Hot Springs, Sabah
Go au naturelle to the depths of Sabah, where Poring Hot Springs lay.

Situated 40km northeast of the Kinabalu Park headquarters, the spring is known for its therapeutic and soothing baths that contain sulphuric minerals to help sores and aching muscles. It is a favourite spot for Mount Kinabalu climbers for revitalisation after an arduous ascent, whereas the natives look up to the spring to have curative powers.

Surrounding Poring Hot Springs are plenty of hidden treasures tucked away for visitors to discover.

Half an hour down the trek is the Kipungit Waterfall, where the cool and refreshing water is too inviting to resist. Shaded under canopies, enveloped with the sounds of crashing water, and probed amongst beautiful rocks, Kipungit is an ideal place for families and friends to spend a lazy afternoon.

A must-visit is the Poring Canopy Walkway. 157.8 metre at length and 41 metre above ground level, take a stroll amidst the canopy of the Menggaris tree, which is the King of the Forest and enjoy the natural habitat that keeps the Sabah’s heartbeat alive.

There is the butterfly farm, which is Borneo’s first one to feature a garden, nursery and hatchery for research and education purposes, as well as preservation of endangered species; The Poring Orchid Conservation Centre with the largest living collection – a bragging 1,200 species – of the Sabah Orchid and other rare endemic wild orchids; and a tropical garden, where the flora and fauna calls the shots and we happily obliged to the beauty of nature.

The best way to get to Poring Hot Spring is via chartering: RM65 per way from Kinabalu Park, and RM200-RM300 from Kota Kinabalu. Poring also offers accommodation for visitors who wish to stay over. You can ring up +6 088 878 801 for more information.

3. Wet World Hot Spring Pedas, Negeri Sembilan
More than 60 years ago, it is believed that locals have discovered the Pedas Hot Springs while grazing their cattle, when the hot water caused the cattle to jump away in fright. During the Second World War, Japanese army were said to have camped nearby the hot spring, using the therapeutic water to treat injured comrades.

Fast forward to 60 years later, the particular area in Negeri Sembilan is now a recreational water park that is catered for visitors of all ages.

Wet World Hot Spring Pedas is the first hot spring water park in Negeri Sembilan, and it is located beside the main road to Rembau.

There is a public hot spring pool and private hot spring facilities with natural sources that goes up to about 27°C-34°C. Ambushing the hot spring is a water theme park with two giant slides that take you through twists and turns before chucking you into the swimming pool. There is also a manmade canal, where visitors get to relax and bask under the sun. Pedas also provides a special pool complete with slides and floats for children to keep them safe and sound from harm’s way.

Wet World Hot Spring Pedas is located 15km from Seremban, along the old trunk road headed to Tampin. Alternatively, if you're using the North South Expressway, you just need to turn off at the Pedas-Linggi exit and follow the road signs to Pedas. Entrance fee is RM5 per adult, and RM3 per child. For more information, please contact +6 06 685 8027.

4. Air Hangat Village, Langkawi
They may not have the fame Sungai Klah does, or the natural habitat of Poring, or the luxury of Pedas, but what Air Hangat Village in Langkawi has is beyond skin deep – they have the legend.

Literally translate as ‘hot springs’ in Malay, Air Hangat Village came to be with an ancient legend of two feuding families, Mat Cincang and Mat Raya, who threw jugs, pots and pans at each other. One of the jugs, which was filled with boiling water, fell on the ground and immediately, a hot spring gushed out of the spot that the village now stands.

The village is located 14km outside of Kuah Town, and it has been renovated with a 3-tier hot spring fountain, complete with an 18 metre hand-carved river stone mural that depicts the legend of Air Hangat.

Other than the four hot water pools, Air Hangat Village has an entertaining line-up of cultural dances, traditional sports and games, live displays of Malaysian and ASEAN customs, and demonstrations of traditional Malay arts and crafts in the making, such as batik-painting and congkat-playing. Not only that, visitors can also purchase these arts and crafts as souvenirs in their souvenir shop. There is also an in-house theatre restaurant, where you can try out fine cuisines from Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand.

To get to Langkawi, hop on a plane from Kuala Lumpur. There are direct flights via Malaysia Airlines daily that land at Langkawi’s Padang Matsirat Airport. You can also get to the island from Penang, Kuala Kedah and Kuala Perlis.

For more information about Air Hangat Village, get in touch with them at +6 04 959 1357.

5. La Hot Springs, Terengganu
Whilst Sabah’s got Poring Hot Springs, Terengganu’s got La Hot Springs.

Located in Kampung La and at the foot of Gunung Tebu, La Hot Springs is the gateway to the Gunung Tebu Forest Reserve, a popular destination amongst adventurers, who seek for various tropical flora and fauna, and explore rock tunnels, streams and rivers.

The warm waters from the hot springs flow down an inviting stream that reaches the temperature of 45°C-49°C. It contains natural sulphur that many believe have healing properties. Thus, visitors, especially those afflicted with skin ailments, flock to this spring in search for a cure, and many have remerged feeling anew.

The rocks around La Hot Springs are one of the attractions. There is Batu Bahtera (Ship Rock), a 20 metre high rock with a 15 metre long passage that leads curious souls to the other side. Proceed further for another 20 minutes or so and you will come upon Sungai Misteri (Mystery River), literally translates as ‘mysterious river’. It is named as such because it disappears into a large hole near Sungai Ping.

There are breathtaking waterfalls in close proximity with La Hot Springs. Lata Tembakah Waterfall is located about half an hour’s drive away from the hot springs, and it is one of the most beautiful waterfalls to grace Malaysia with its picturesque 7-tier cascade. Lata Belatan Waterfall is located at the foot of Gunung Tebu, and also the kick off point for climbers about to conquer the mountain. Lushful greens of its tropical forest line the waterfall, and there are plenty of flora and fauna trailing alongside the refreshing sound of the cascading waters. Last but not least, the Lata Berangin Waterfall, with a majestic fall of 50 metre, is an ideal resting spot for the jungle-trekkers.

To get to La Hot Springs, it is a 100KM drive from Kuala Terengganu to Jertih, and another 30KM from there to Kampung La. Another 9KM will take you to the hot springs.

For more information about the hot springs and the surrounding attractions, contact Tourism Malaysia Terengganu at +609 622 1433/1893.