October 2, 2011 at 12:00 pm
A recent article has breathed new life into a popular tourist destination in Terengganu. Lake Kenyir is the largest man made lake in Malaysia, created after Kenyir River was dammed in 1985. It is a popular tourist destination, although locals have mixed impressions of it, with many city slickers preferring other destinations like Genting Highlands.
The article mentioned that a floating exhibition centre is being planned for Gua Bewah at the lake, since the discovery of skeletal remains in the cave network was made. The floating centre is projected to have an escalator that will lead visitors down to the cave, if a proposed safety study finds that such a device is feasible and safe enough to be built. The cave is believed to be more than 1,500 years old, and local authorities believe that there is tourism potential in the rich historical artifacts found within the cave.
A floating exhibition centre is currently being planned for Gua Bewah at Lake Kenyir
Looks like another interesting destination is coming up soon. At least this time visitors do not have to do the climbing themselves, unlike Batu Caves.
Interesting thought – What would you think if the stairs at Batu Caves was replaced by an escalator?
Read the full article below:
The Terengganu government is considering building various facilities, including a floating exhibition center, to get more people to visit Gua Bewah in Tasik Kenyir, where the skeletal remains, believed to be those from the pre-historic age, were found.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said said the floating center, which would have an escalator to the cave, would cost about RM15 million.
However, a study would have to be carried out to ascertain its safety, he told reporters after opening a seminar and exhibition on archaeology here Sunday.
Also present at the function were State Tourism, Culture, Arts and Heritage Committee Chairman Datuk Rahin Mohd Said and the State Museum director Mohd Yusof Abdullah.
Ahmad said Gua Bewah, believed to be more than 1,500 years old, had the potential to attract tourists, especially foreigners, because of the rich historical artifacts found in it.
In a related development, Ahmad said a study should be carried out on Bukit Jong Berlabuh in Kijal, Kemaman, following the discovery of sea cells in the cave to determine whether the location of the cave was previously an ocean.
Source: Bernama
Photo (c) Mohd Tarmizi
I think Tourism Terengganu could spend that RM15 million on so many more great things to improve tourism around Lake Kenyir. The current tourists this wonderful destination attracts are probably not interested in escalators or whatever, they are interested in the authentic attraction itself. Having to walk a few stairs should be no reason to skip this attraction. I would prefer to keep Kenyir as the amazing eco-destination it currently is. This place will only lose its beauty if people start modernize the area.
I’ve been to Kenyir on numerous occasions; and every time I fell in love with it again. We even have a pretty nice item on Lake Kenyir at our website.
Regards,
Ilya Houben
Webmaster of Wonderful Malaysia
Building an escalators will spoil the nature beauty of Lake Kenyir, which it is renowned for. Are we going to replace all suspending bridges with steel bridges? It is best to keep this place as natural as possible
From what I understand about this project, the caves might be underground and/or underwater, hence the escalators. But you do have a good point there edmund, using the latest in technology is not always the best thing