By ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

With photo contributions from Edwino S. Fernando, Sahlee B. Barrer, Pamela Rebloa, and Julia Sang.

Gunung Mulu National Park

The Park covers 52,865 hectares; 100 km inland from the coastal port of Miri in Sarawak, Malaysia.

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Deer Cave Entrance (2015) by Edwino S. FernandoASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

A World Heritage Site and an ASEAN Heritage Park

The towering limestone mountains, vast cave passages, centuries-old rock formations, lush forests, and amazing array of wildlife, are testaments to the rich geological, cultural, and biodiversity heritage of the Gunung Mulu National Park.

Clearwater Cave 1 (2015) by Pamela RebloraASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

The park is known for its karst features, which are among the most studied tropical karst in the world. Intricate cave systems can be found within sandstone and limestone mountains in the park, highest of which is Gunung Mulu at 2,376 metres.

Clearwater Cave 2 (2015) by Pamela RebloraASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

Outstanding rock formations and intricate cave systems

World class caves are among the most defining features of the park. These include Deer Cave, the largest cave  passage in the world; Clearwater Cave, the biggest cave in the world; and Sarawak Chamber, the world’s largest underground chamber.

Deer Cave Trail Bats (2015) by Edwino S. FernandoASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

The caves serve as the roosting areas of millions of swiftlets and bats.


Bats are probably the most famous residents of the park, which exit en masse in awe inspiring formations from the Deer Cave each afternoon.

Green lizard (2015) by Gunung Mulu National ParkASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

Unique Fauna

Free-tailed bats; wrinkled-lipped bats; Savi’s pygmy shrew, the smallest mammal in the world; wrinkled hornbill; regal python; Philautus sp., a frog that breeds only in the fluid of the pitcher plant; Bornean gibbon; Bay cat; Clouded leopard; and Rhinoceros hornbill.

Green viper (2010) by Gunung Mulu National ParkASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

Tree branches (2015) by Edwino S. FernandoASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

Habitat Types

On Gunung Mulu, multi-storied mixed lowland dipterocarp forest occurs up to an altitude of 800 m. Other habitat types include the lower montane forest, upper montane forest, limestone forests, lowland alluvial forest, tropical heath forest, peat swamp. and riparian forest.

Begonia melinauensis (2015) by Julia SangASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

The park has a wide range of soil types and altitudes, resulting in the identification of 17 vegetation zones; over 3,500 plant species; 8,000 fungi; 1,500 flowering plants;
and 170 species of orchids.

Salacca rupicola (2015) by Edwino S. FernandoASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

Flora of Gunung Mulu National Park

Gunung Mulu National Park is considered one of the richest sites in the world for palms, with approximately 111 species and 20 genera recorded.

Other flora include 1,700 species of liverworts and mosses, and 442 species of pteridophytes.

Walkway along the Deer Cave Trail (2015) by Edwino S. FernandoASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

Learn more about Gunung Mulu National Park

AHP logo by ACBASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

ASEAN Heritage Parks

ASEAN Heritage Parks (AHPs) are protected areas of high conservation importance that provide valuable contributions to safeguarding ecosystems and biodiversity. 

AHPs provide a window to the world, showcasing a wealth of biodiversity that is uniquely ASEAN.

Credits: Story

With photo contributions from Edwino S. Fernando, Sahlee B. Barrer, Pamela Rebloa, and Julia Sang.

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