Poring Hot Spring
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Poring is a small town 19 km east of Ranau and 39 km east of Mount Kinabalu in the state of Sabah in Malaysia. It is mainly visited for the Poring Hot Spring and Nature Reserve which houses both open-air and private cabin baths whose water contains sulphur that is known for its skin-curative properties. The natural hot spring is perfect to soothe tired and aching muscles after the long climb up Mount Kinabalu.
Get in
Public buses from Kinabalu Park are available but make only one trip daily. Alternatively take a taxi from Ranau at about RM30 for the ride (thus, travelling in a group this can be cheap). From Ranau there are very few, if any, public buses making the run to Poring.
For those who are self-driving, the Hot Springs are accessible via Ranau. The road is sealed with adequate sign posting. There is ample free parking inside the main entrance.
An entrance fee is charged to visit the Hot Spring Park, with further charges for attractions within the site. It's quite a tourist trap...
Get around
- Just walk
See
- 1 Butterfly park. A short walk within the park en route to the canopy walk (entrance fee). Note this closes at 4pm, earlier than the rest of the park.
- Rafflesia keithii. The world's largest flower known to reach almost a metre in diameter. Its bud takes a full year to grow until it finally blossoms, but then withers after only one week in bloom. The interior of the blossom smells like rotten meat, attracting flying insects that then pollinate it. RM30 additional to hot springs entrance fee.
- Bird watching.
- Wild monkeys.
Do
- 1 Poring hot springs. Bathe in the Japanese-style baths. The thermal pools are available as open air style tiled baths with taps to fill with fresh water. For those who are modest or are wanting privacy, enclosed baths inside little chalet-like shelters are available. There is also a small water pool/slide which is used by locals as a bathing area, it is closed on Mondays for cleaning after the weekend. A small shop is available for cold drinks.
- 2 Poring Canopy Walk. Experience a bird's eye view of the surrounding rainforest from about 30 metres above the ground (entrance fee & camera fee). The walking path from the ticket booth to the beginning of the canopy walk is about 500m up hill and is moderately aerobic. It is a circular route.This pathway is not suitable for those who have mobility restrictions. If you are afraid of heights then do not attempt this Canopy Walk. The canopy walk is enjoyable,if you are tall you need to take extra care as the rope hand rails are very low. There are no guides or enforcement of how many people walk on the canopy at any one time.
- Trekking. For those keen to explore, trek through the lowland forest 13 km to the waterfall. The nearer pool is 8 km. You do not need a guide for either trek.
Buy
A souvenir shop located in the Resort.
Eat & Drink
There is nowhere to eat except a small drinks/shop. Bring your own or eat in Ranau /Kundasang or back in KK.
Sleep
- 1 Sutera Sanctuary Lodges, Poring Hot Spring & Nature Reserve, ☏ +60 88 878 801. Sutera Sanctuary Lodges manages the various accommodation facilities and the food and beverage outlets at Poring Hot Spring & Nature Reserve. Best rates on official website start at MYR 104.35.
- 2 Lupa Masa, ☏ +60 19 8020 549, lupamasaborneo@gmail.com. Opened in late 2010, Lupa Masa rainforest camp has expanded the sleeping options in Poring. Located approximately 20 minutes' walk from the Sabah Parks entrance, Lupa Masa is set in the forest with a waterfall. Nights are spent in simple stretcher hammocks or mattress with mosquito net. Electricity is supplied by a private hydro electric system. There are no roads to the place. RM90 for first night, RM70 for consecutive nights.
- 3 Ernah Lodge, ☏ +60 88-876 421. Basic guest house with accommodation ranging from dorms to family rooms. RM30-RM130.