Taman Negara

Taman Negara
IUCN category II (national park)
View of Sungai Tembeling from atop the Canopy Walkway

Location	Malaysia
Nearest city	Kuala Tembeling
Coordinates	4°42′N 102°28′E / 4.700°N 102.467°E / 4.700; 102.467Coordinates: 4°42′N 102°28′E / 4.700°N 102.467°E / 4.700; 102.467
Area	4,343 km²
Established	1938/1939
Governing body	Department of Wildlife and National Parks

View over the canopy

Taman Negara was established at the Titiwangsa Mountains, Malaysia, in 1938/1939 as the King George V National Park. It was renamed to Taman Negara after independence, which literally means "national park" in Malay. Taman Negara has a total area of 4,343 km² and has a reputation as the world's oldest tropical rainforest, estimated to be more than 130 million years old.^[1]^[2] Despite the reputation, the title of "oldest tropical rainforest" more accurately belongs to the Daintree Rainforest in Queensland, Australia, estimated to be between 135 million years old ^[3] and 180 million years old.^[4]

Taman Negara encompasses three states, Pahang, Kelantan and Terengganu, each with its own legislation. The Taman Negara Enactment (Pahang) No. 2 of 1939 is enforced in the state of Pahang, the Taman Negara Enactment (Kelantan) No. 14 of 1938 in the state of Kelantan and the Taman Negara Enactment (Terengganu) No. 6 of 1939 in the state of Terengganu. The enactments have similar contents.

Taman Negara Pahang is the largest at 2,477 km², followed by Taman Negara Kelantan at 1,043 km² and Taman Negara Terengganu at 853 km².

Canopy walkway

The park has been developed into a famous ecotourism destination in Malaysia. There are several geological and biological attractions in the park. Gunung Tahan is the highest point of the Malay Peninsula; climbers can use Kuala Tahan or Merapoh^[5] as their departure point. Taman Negara is the home of some rare mammals, such as the Malayan tiger, crab-eating macaque, Malayan gaur (seladang) and Indian elephant. As well as birds such as the great argus, red junglefowl, and the rare Malayan peacock-pheasant are still found here in some numbers. Tahan River has been preserved to protect the Malaysian mahseer (ikan kelah in Malay), a type of game fish.

Others attractions found near Kuala Tahan (Park headquarters for Pahang) include a canopy walkway, Gua Telinga (cave system), Lata Berkoh (rapid). Visitors can enjoy the tropical rainforest, birdwatching or jungle trekking (e.g. Tenor Rentis) and the river views along the Tahan River.

All visitors to the park must get permits from the Department of Wildlife and National Parks.

Transportation

Entrance at Kuala Tahan

Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM)'s KTM Intercity and Express trains stop at Jerantut railway station. Visitors to Taman Negara can disembark here.

Local tour operators arrange transportation from Kuala Lumpur to the entrance of the Park at Kuala Tahan. This will involve a 3-hour bus journey followed by a 2.5 hour river boat ride to Kuala Tahan. Entrance permits and park tours are often included in the package.

By bus

Kuala Lumpur

From Kuala Lumpur, buses to Taman Negara National Park leave from Bangunan Mariamman, Jalan Hang Kasturi-nearby Pasar Seni Transportation Hub.(GoKLCityBus).Daily departure at 8.30am including public holiday. 3hrs traveling time from Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Tembeling Jetty and after that another 3hrs boat ride upstream to Kuala Tahan.

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Taman Negara National Park.

Taman Negara travel guide from Wikivoyage
Tourism Malaysia - Taman Negara
Department of Wildlife and National Parks
Jerantut KTM Railway Station

National parks of Malaysia

West Malaysia	Endau Rompin Gunung Ledang Islands of Mersing Penang Taman Negara

East Malaysia	Bako Batang Ai Bukit Tiban Crocker Range Gunung Buda Gunung Gading Gunung Mulu Kinabalu Kubah Kuching Wetlands Lambir Hills Loagan Bunut Maludam Niah Pulong Tau Rajang Mangroves Similajau Talang Satang Tanjung Datu Tawau Hills Tiga Island Tun Sakaran Tunku Abdul Rahman Turtle Islands

ASEAN Heritage Parks

Brunei	Tasek Merimbun Heritage Park

Cambodia	Preah Monivong National Park Virachey National Park

Indonesia	Gunung Leuser National Park Kerinci Seblat National Park Lorentz National Park

Laos	Nam Ha National Protected Area

Malaysia	Gunung Mulu National Park Kinabalu National Park Taman Negara National Park

Myanmar	Alaungdaw Kathapa National Park Indawgyi Lake Wildlife Sanctuary Inlay Lake Wetland Sanctuary Khakaborazi National Park Lampi Island Marine National Park Mein-ma-hla Kyun Wildlife Sanctuary Nat Ma Taung National Park

Philippines	Mount Apo Natural Park Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary Mounts Iglit–Baco National Park Mount Kitanglad Range Natural Park Mount Makiling Nature Reserve Mount Malindang Range Natural Park Timpoong and Hibok-Hibok Natural Monument Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park

Singapore	Bukit Timah Nature Reserve Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

Thailand	Ao Phang Nga National Park Kaeng Krachan National Park Khao Yai National Park Tarutao National Marine Park

Vietnam	Ba Bể National Park Chư Mom Ray National Park Hoàng Liên National Park Kon Ka Kinh National Park U Minh Thượng National Park

Association of Southeast Asian Nations Centre for Biodiversity

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