www.nst.com Malaysia’s smallest state, Perlis is home to the Nakawan Range, the longest expanse of inter-linked limestone hills that sweeps along Perlis’ northwestern boundary with Thailand.
Its highest peak, Gunung Perlis, also marks this international border and is said to offer good views of Thailand, Perlis and Pulau Langkawi.
The 36km limestone range forms scenic views, either looking down to Perlis from the top or as a grand backdrop to picturesque paddy fields. It also promises exciting caving activity with caves that range from easy, walk-through caves to difficult, more treacherous ones.
Coming together with this is the Perlis State Park which is made of two forest reserves — Mata Ayer and Wang Mu — and the small district of Wang Tangga.
Perlis State Park bears another unique feature. Unlike rainforests elsewhere in the country, it has distinctly separate wet and dry seasons, as a result of the southwest and northeast monsoons.
Dry months stretch between October and April/May.
Since it shares the climate and weather of the Burmese-Thai region, the park is not covered with tropical rainforest. Instead, it is predominantly covered with semi-deciduous white-meranti gerutu seasonal forest which drops its leaves during the dry season to preserve water.
This forest is more open, with lower treetop canopies throughout the layers of vegetation types, though it only supports fewer dipterocarp species.
Perlis State Park and Nakawan Range are favourite spots for adventurers who love Nature and scholars eager to learn more about the unique features of both places. |