Gunung Gading National Park, Kuching

23 October 2015

Gunung Gading National Park, Kuching: In search of Rafflesia Tuan-Mudae

Gunung Gading National Park has a very special star attraction - the Rafflesia, the world’s largest flower. There are thought to be 17 species of Rafflesia, some of which may

already be extinct. Three species are found in Sarawak - the Rafflesia Pricei, Rafflesia Arnoldi and Rafflesia Tuan-Mudae, which is actually a type of Arnoldi. Only one species, Rafflesia Tuan-Mudae, is found at Gunung Gading. It has no specific flowering season and it has no roots, leaves or stem. The Rafflesia is a rare flower with a short flowering period, It takes nine months to mature and flowering lasts only 4 or 5 days before dying. When in bloom the flower gives off a nasty smell which attracts flies and other insects.

How to Go:

Gunung Gading National Park is within reach of Lundu town, only 1.5 km and pedestrian path from Lundu town leading to the junction of the Park (yellow colour) is well maintained. If you are coming from Kuching City, you may use Kuching - Batu Kawa - Lundu road (this road is good for novice driver - if you decide to drive) and popular road for those from Kuching to Lundu town vice versa. If you are coming from Petra Jaya area, you may use new coastal road; Lundu - Sampadi Road (this route is more adventurous and need good driver to manouvre - crossing the river using the diesel ferry and 7 narrow, singled lane bailey bridge).

You may rent a car, motorbike, using charter van, public van or registered Travel Agency to ferry you Gunung Gading National Park, alternatively, Sarawak Transport Company bus service Kuching-Lundu road route which can be board at the Kuching Sentral Bus terminal at 4th. Mile Penriseen Road or you can take Bau Transport Company bus which could be board at Jalan Masjid Bus terminal to Bau Bazaar and from there to Lundu Bazaar, from Lundu Bazaar you can either hire a taxi or van to take you to Gunung Gading National Park which is just about half an hour journey.

Lundu - Sampadi Coastal Road:

Inside the Ferry, every vehicle will be charged only RM1.00 for the Ferry Service. There are 3 lanes inside the ferry; for safety reason, the practice is the vehicle in middle lane will first roll out follow by either left or right lane vehicle.

There are 2 ferries operated, each for the either end of the disembarkation and embarkation point.

Narrow and single lane steel bailey bridge.

Immediately arrived at the end of Lundu - Sampadi Road, turn right to Lundu town.

Kuching - Batu Kawa - Lundu Road:

Local kuih or cakes and biscuits stalls by the Malay soon after the Batang Kayan Bridge at Kampung Stunggang Melayu, it is almost a sin not to buy and have a taste of this local delicacies....the aroma and taste is wow..wow...

Road signage to Gunung Gading National Park, from here, only take about 3 minutes' driving.

The ticketing booth of the Park, register yourself and pay the entrance fee here.

Around the Park Facility:

The administration building of the Park. You will have to get details of the Park map / trails from this office before proceed in search of Rafflesia or jungle trails or accommodation in the Park.

Rafflesia Tuan-mudae:

The journey in-search of Rafflesia:

One of the location for Rafflesia Tuan-Mudae entrance site.

The trails for in-search of Rafflesia tuan-mudae.

The trails leading to one of the rafflesia site.

The process of Rafflesia Tuan- Mudae:

The dramatic Rafflesia flowers are the largest single flowers in the world; the leathery petals can reach over 90 centimetres across. Rafflesia is a parasite that depends completely upon its host; the majority of the plant’s tissues exist as thread-like strands entirely within the host’s cells. These host plants are vines of Tetrastigma spp., and the Rafflesia plant is itself not visible until the reproduction stage when flowers first bud through the woody vine and then open into the magnificent spectacle that is world-renowned today. The flowers can take up to ten months to develop from the first visible bud to the open bloom, which may last no more than a few days.

The enormous Rafflesia flowers are believed to be pollinated by flies; alighting on the central disk flies crawl underneath it where they come into contact with the sexual organs. the flowers have a strong smell of rotting flesh but it is unclear whether this acts to attract flies or is merely a by-product of the decaying petals, which reduce into a black slimy mess after around four days.