Located in the Kuala Krai district in Kelantan, the small town of Dabong holds an extraordinary array of wonders that will blow you away. The town of Dabong is surrounded by hills in the north, south, east and west, giving you glorious views as you travel into the town. The town is encompassed by forest and mountainous areas that are rich in natural resources.
Dabong is home to the highest waterfall in the Southeast Asia region. If you are looking for a natural getaway then look no further as Dabong is here to satisfy all your nature needs with hidden spots for your visit. The trip that you take to Dabong is one for the books. Climb aboard the train to Dabong to capture beautiful moments of open paddy fields, tall trees and farm animals that you spot along the way.
Start your trip to the exciting town of Dabong by climbing aboard the KTM. The train takes you on a 3-hour journey from Wakaf Bharu to the Dabong station. An exciting and spectacular journey stretching over 165 kilometres awaits. The best seat to book for your train ride is the window seat as it will give you the opportunity to glance out at the evergreen nature that you pass by. As you get comfortable in your seat, lay back and soak up the phenomenal views of Kelantan.
Throughout the 3-hour train ride, revel in the extraordinary views of jaw-dropping landmarks such as limestone hills, thick jungles, thriving paddy fields and traditional village houses. Get your cameras ready to capture these once-in-a-lifetime views as a remembrance of your trip to Dabong. If you are feeling peckish on the train, fear not as there is a small cafe aboard that serves light snacks for you to purchase.
Start your second day at Dabong with a breath of fresh air by taking a drive up to Gunung Stong. Make a stop at the Gunung Stong viewpoint which is a platform where you get to see the hill in all its glory. Strike a pose at the Gunung Stong signage with the majestic view of the hill in the background.
For all the hiking lovers out there, try your hand at hiking up Gunung Stong along the trails that have been prepared. The best time to hike up the hill is in the morning so that you will reach the peak of Gunung Stong by midday. Hikers usually start their journey up the hill from Baha’s Camp. Once you reach the peak of the hill, hikers are required to descend until they reach the trail to Gunung Ayam which is 2652 feet above sea level.
After your hike up Gunung Stong, cool your body down by the Jelawang Waterfall which can be seen from the Gunung Stong viewpoint. The Jelawang Waterfall or what is sometimes known as the Stong Waterfall, is known to be the highest waterfall in Southeast Asia. The Jelawang Waterfall can be found at the Gunung Stong State Forest Park. The waterfall stands 300 metres high and can be spotted from the entrance of the park. Dip your toes in the cooling waters of the waterfall and bask in the glorious sun that shines down.
Save your third day at Dabong to tour the hidden sites of Dabong. Head to Gua Ikan to explore one of the many caves in the area. Gua Ikan is said to be over 200,000 years old.
Travel through the cave to view the outstanding wonders it holds. Inside the cave, a small stream flows through with several small rock formations for you to climb to get to the other side of the cave. There is also ample lighting in the cave to guide you through your expedition. At the end of the cave, you will be greeted by luscious greenery that encompasses Gua Ikan.
After your trip to Gua Ikan, make your way to the Lata Kertas waterfall. This waterfall area is perfect for you to kick your feet up and relax among Dabong’s natural beauty. Many visitors who drop by the waterfall set up picnic spots to enjoy a small meal by the gushing waters.
Unfortunately, swimming is not allowed at Lata Kertas due to the strong current the water has. Nevertheless, Lata Kertas is still a must-visit spot for the glorious ambience that surrounds the area.
End your trip to Dabong with a train back to the city of Wakaf Bharu. Hop on board the train to capture the exceptional views of Dabong once more. Be sure to keep an eye out for things that you missed out on from your first ride to Dabong such as farm animals that graze on the open fields along the way. Large plantations of oil palm trees also can be seen throughout your journey back from Dabong. Sit back and relax as the train takes you on a phenomenal journey once again.