Bukit Tabur

Bukit Tabur, or Tabur Hill, is a magnificent limestone ridge that is, surprisingly, relatively unrecognised, despite being located in the immediate vicinity of Kuala Lumpur. The foot of the limestone ridge can be accessed through Taman Melawati, a residential area, at the entrance of the Klang Gates Dam. Bukit Tabur is also considered the longest crystal quartz outcrop in the world, making it a truly priceless geological wonder.

As the ridge is pure rock, it supports a unique type of dry limestone forest characterised by vegetation and plants that grows on nutrient-poor areas in little soil or none. Climbing up the hill, visitors will be greeted by over 250 species of small coniferous-like trees, shrubs, creepers, orchids and moss. In fact, there are five endemic species of plants here, all of which are threatened by development and human activity. Also, beautiful crystal quartz formations that used to be seen along the trail have been chipped away by irresponsible visitors and climbers, eager for souvenirs.

Running in a semi-circle at more than 14 km long and 200 meters wide, this natural monument is made of pure quartz, but its most prominent section is the middle 5 km span that lies behind Taman Melawati all the way to the National Zoo. This section consists of several peaks that can easily be traversed via a few trails, including the most popular path running from from the Klang Gates Dam.

The sheer size of the ridge provides a dramatic backdrop to Kuala Lumpur City and an accessible destination for limestone hill exploration. Photographers often climb up here to get a landscape shot of Kuala Lumpur as well. Other than plants, the ridge is also home to many different types of mammals (including the rare mountain serow), birds, insects and other wildlife.

While trekking here, dusky langurs can often be spotted making a ruckus among the trees while wild boars frequently dart away at the sound of footsteps. Scorpions and snakes will occassionally cross your path on a lucky day. The diversity of wildlife here is simply amazing for such a harsh rocky environment, making it all the more valuable as a conservation area.

On the peak of Bukit Tabur, you get an amazing vista of the Klang Gates Dam and surrounding mountains; look the other way and the city of Kuala Lumpur greets you in the far distance, along with the ugly views of soil erosion and construction sites enroaching on the immediate slopes. Despite the enormous eco-tourism potential and geological value of Bukit Tabur, little protection has been accorded till today for this piece of natural heritage. Development continues to climb up the slopes of this quartz ridge, until one day, Bukit Tabur becomes a barren rock fit for human urbanisation.