Literally translated, Gua Musang means ‘Fox Cave’. Don’t worry as foxes do not prowl the streets; Gua Musang is merely the name of a town in Kelantan that has been getting more and more popular due to the opening of various roads and rails into the town that was once quite secluded. In the earlier days, Gua Musang was a logging town. It is commonly known as the crossroad from the west coast to Kota Bharu. The town in divided into two parts – the old town and new town.
One of the places of the interest of Gua Musang is its railway station. The railway station is one of the biggest contributing factor in the development of Gua Musang. Before 1980, the only way into Gua Musang was via train. Even today, the trains are still running and many people and goods are being transported this way. In fact, it is the center of activity in this remote town as people are using these trains to commute to nearby towns and villages. There are also vendors who displays all kinds of goods on the railway platform itself, something rather unique you will not be able to find easily. The platform also has several stores and cafes that cater for the small snacks and breakfast like the local favorite, nasi lemak. Inside the platform, there is a small aquarium showcasing ikan kelah, a protected species of fish from the nearby Sungai Relau.
Gua Musang also houses the famous Kuan Yin Temple or also known as the Water and Moon Temple. The temple is said to be the oldest temple in the country. The temple has a large court yard where many religious events are held. The temple also has a path which leads to the Galas River. The older generation describes the river to be a fast flowing river, but today, the river is more like a collection of small pools without fast flowing water. During the goddess Kuan Yin’s birthday, this temple is filled with devotes from all over Malaysia. If you are lucky enough, your visit to this beautiful may coincide with this religious event.
This little town is located in the middle of limestone hills and caves which have attracted the likes of many cavers and rock climbers. The nearest hill which also so happens to be an attraction here is the Bukit Gua Musang, where the name of town came from. Bukit Gua Musang is a barren 105m high hill of rocks. It has a huge deep cave running through the hill. The climb itself is not too difficult and at the peak of the hill, you will get a picturesque bird eye view of the town itself.
As mentioned before the town is quite strategically located in the heart of Peninsula Malaysia. Travelers that travel over land often take a regional bus or minibus that have a stop in Gua Musang. For example a popular minibus network runs from Taman Negara to Cameron Highlands or Kuala Besut (for the boat to the Perhentians). People book this minibus in advance and the trip often costs less than RM100. You disembark the minibus during a rest stop in Gua Musang, before boarding the next minibus for the 2nd part of the leg. This bus can be booked through Han Travel (located in Chinatown, KL), through Cameron Secrets (in Cameron Highlands) and through Watercolours (Perhentian Island).
Gua Musang is a great place for people who enjoy the simple life nature has to offer. Surrounded by beautiful hills, forests and such, a vacation here will definitely ignite your senses and make you leave your worries of the city behind.
