If you enjoy visiting caves, some of the most spectacular in the world can be found in Malaysia. Limestone caves can be found all over Malaysia; those in Peninsular Malaysia are not comparable in size to those in Sarawak, but are no less interesting.

The caves are home to many exotic creatures - whip spiders, long-legged centipedes, cave crickets, cave racers, blind catfish, and the trapdoor spider of Batu Caves, to mention but a few. These life forms are totally dependent on the birds and bats that roost here; that's why scientists are recommending that tourism to biologically-rich caves be controlled to minimise impact on the rare and delicate cave fauna and formations.

The world-renowned Gunung Mulu National Park in Sarawak has some of the most spectacular caves to be found anywhere. Here is the world's largest natural

cave chamber (Sarawak Chamber), allegedly large enough to hold 40 jumbo jets; the world's largest cave passage (Deer Cave), a mighty 90m high and wide; and the longest cave in Southeast Asia (Clearwater Cave), with a 107km long passageway.

Also in Sarawak, the caves in Niah National Park offer a similarly thrilling if less strenuous experience. Here are found some of the oldest burial sites in Southeast Asia, iron-age cave paintings, and luminous rock formations.

The peninsula's longest cave system is in Perlis near the Thai border. Gua Kelam 2 is 3.6km long, and well-maintained. Further south, near Ipoh, the caves of Perak Tong and Sam Poh Tong contain Buddha statues and religious cave murals. Nearby, the Gua Tempurong massif, a splendid example of the tower karst phenomenon, has a 1.9km-long river passageway. The caves are softly lit to highlight the spectacular cave formations.

Just 12km from Kuala Lumpur are the easily accessible Batu Caves, also the site for the Hindu festival of Thaipusam. Less well-known, but more interesting to cavers, are the Dark Caves. The passageway extends 2km inside, and supports cave fauna such as bats, centipedes, cockroaches, crickets and snakes. Educational or adventure tours can be arranged through the Malaysian Nature Society.

In the jungled hills near Kuantan in Pahang state are the Charah Caves, with a large 9m-long Buddha statue carved from the bedrock. Peaceful and serene, these caves are worth a visit; some of the caves and gorges may be explored on your own, but a guide is recommended.

Elsewhere in the peninsula, there are significant limestone caves in Ulu Kelantan and Langkawi. In Sabah, the Gomantong Caves are famous for the large amount of quality bird's nests collected. You may be able to see local people collecting these nests using bamboo ladders and poles. Other fascinating caves here are the Madai Caves, with a labyrinth of passages and underground stream, and the Sapulut Caves, located in remote jungle near the Indonesian border.