Magical. That was how Heleen Van Assche described her family holiday experience at the Kinabatangan river in Sabah a few years back.
While on vacation in the state, the global traveller had taken the chance to visit the second longest river in Malaysia.
“It’s difficult to capture this experience in words. It was magical and moved us deeply, we’ll never forget it! Definitely one of the highlights of our Malaysian travels,” Van Assche wrote in the blog The Global Wizards.
During their time there, the family had gone on a river cruise to spot wildlife along the river banks.
Wildlife watching is one of the most popular activities for visitors to the 560km-long Kinabatangan river. A cruise along the river usually passes through a diverse range of habitats such as dipterocarp forest and mangroves.
Such high-biodiversity habitats make the Kinabatangan river one of the top wildlife watching destinations in South-East Asia.
According to Van Assche, the family managed to spot four of the “Borneo Big Five”: The orang utan, proboscis monkey, salt water crocodile and hornbill.
“Unfortunately, the pygmy elephants never revealed themselves to us. The guides said they hadn’t been around for a few weeks,” she wrote.
Van Assche also waxed lyrical about the morning sunrise river cruise at the Kinabatangan.
“The morning fog creates a mystical atmosphere,” she wrote.
If anything, magical and mystical are great adjectives to describe river tourism, or river-based tourism. And Malaysia certainly has its share of mighty rivers.
Another popular river here is the Rajang in Sarawak, which bears the honour of being the longest river in the country. Travellers often remark that the views along the river are simply breathtaking, especially during sunsets.
However, the concept of river tourism is still largely untapped by tourism stakeholders in Malaysia.
It’s something that was discussed by Universiti Malaysia Kelantan’s Velan Kunjuraman and his fellow researchers in a conference paper.
“Rivers can be seen in many parts of Malaysia (but) unfortunately, it’s not considered as one of the potential places for tourism,” they wrote in the paper titled River Tourism: A New Tourism Product For Malaysia.
The researchers added that Malaysia benefits from a rich ecosystem that would complement river tourism.
“Abundant natural resources are the key element for Malaysia’s tourism development and rivers can be a part of tourism along with ecotourism,” they explained.
Their conference paper highlighted Pergau river in Kelantan as a case study. The researchers found that Pergau river was less polluted and was used by the local community on a daily basis.
“However, the natural beauty of the river is not appreciated; and thus, the potential as a tourism destination is not fully utilised,” they said.
While tourism stakeholders have yet to fully tap into the potential of rivers in Malaysia, that hasn’t stopped travellers – both local and international – from discovering some of the mighty rivers in the country.
At Taman Negara in Pahang, for instance, visitors often take a cruise along the mighty Tahan river to Lata Berkoh.
Rivers in Malaysia also tend to attract adrenaline junkies with its offerings of adventure-based tourism. The Kampar River for example, is one of the best sites for white water rafting in the country.
It has over 20 rapids that vary from Grade 2 to Grade 3+ along a 7km-long journey.
White water rafting can also be pursued at other spots such as Kiulu River (Sabah), Kuala Kubu Baru River (Selangor) and Ulu Slim River (Perak).
If you can’t get enough of the rivers in Malaysia, there are many other scenic rivers to discover in other countries. We tracked down some of the mightiest and most unique rivers around the world.
Stretching an impressive length of 4,472km, the Lena is the longest river in the Russian federation. This great river originates from a tiny lake in the Baikal Mountains and flows up north, before emptying south-west of the New Siberian Islands.
Travellers who cruise along this waterway can see the enormous Lena Pillars that stand at approximately 100m tall. These rock pillars are reddish-brown in colour and are located along the banks of Lena River in the far east of Siberia.
One of the most magnificent attractions Europe has to offer is the Danube. It rises in Germany’s Black Forest and flows through 10 countries before emptying in the Black Sea.
This waterway offers tourists a unique glimpse of Europe as it cuts through four major cities: Vienna (Austria), Budapest (Hungary), Munich (Germany) and Prague (Czech Republic).
Cruising on the Danube here will allow you to marvel at scenic old-country villages, medieval castles, historical museums and many more.
Located in the Colombia National Park of La Macarena, Cano Cristales is perhaps the most magical river in the world. Dubbed the “river of five colours”, this enchanting wonder undergoes a dramatic transformation annually.
From mid-June to November the Cano Cristales turns into a “liquid rainbow”, featuring vivid hues such as yellow, green, blue, black and red. It sounds mystical, but it is actually a natural occurrence.
This metamorphosis is the result of a combination of algae, mineral deposits and a red plant called the Macarenia clavigera on the riverbed.
Due to its peculiar yet stunning appearance, this river draws in thousands of tourists worldwide annually.
Experience being in a real-life Jumanji film as you tour this mighty river. Flowing through Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Bolivia, and Brazil, the Amazon river offers adventurous travellers a wide selection of attractions and activities.
Excursions are never-ending in this mighty wonder. Tourists who wish to explore the 7,062km basin by themselves can rent a kayak and marvel at various plants and animal species.
Otherwise, check out the other interesting activities including jungle walks, zip-lining and piranha fishing.
Bring ancient history to life and partake in a cruise at the Nile. For centuries, this river has been vital to the development of many ancient civilisations, especially Egypt. It stretches at an impressive length of 6,695km and is known to be the longest river in the world.
Winding its way through the border of 20 different countries, this magnificent waterway has a plethora of cultural and natural attractions to offer.
From breathtaking views of the pyramids of Giza to thrilling close encounters with wildlife, the Nile is sure to leave you mesmerised.
Imagine gliding across an endless emerald stream and getting a clear view of colourful pebbles whisking beneath the surface as your boat speeds past. This is what travellers will experience as they cruise along the turquoise-blue waterways of River Umngot in India.
Dubbed by India’s Ministry of Jal Shakti as one of the cleanest rivers in the world, this iconic river has become a hotspot for tourists around the world. It is located in the lively city of Meghalaya and serves as a natural division between Khasi and Jaintia Hills.
This waterway is straddled on either side by beautiful botanical life.
If you’re looking for an exciting way to tour the great nation of China, then try the Yangtze River.
Originating from the rocky mountains of Qinghai, this mighty basin flows 6,300km through major cities across the country before depositing itself at the East China Sea.
Known to be the longest river in Asia and third longest in the world, it is no surprise this astonishing river houses some of the world’s most picturesque landscapes. Travellers who tour this waterway will be able to enjoy a variety of scenic areas, from deep valleys and gorges to spectacular cities like Nanjing and Shanghai.
One of the must-see attractions along the Yangtze is the Three Gorges – Qutang, Wu and Xiling – located somewhere towards the middle of the river. The Three Gorges run 311km long, starting at the Baidi City in Chongqing, and ending at the Nanjing Pass in Hubei.
It’s hard to pin this river to just one country as it’s actually trans-boundary. Snaking its way through six different countries, this basin will grant you an abundance of landscapes unlike any other.
The Mekong starts from Qinghai in China and grows rapidly as it flows through Tibet and Yunnan (also China). It covers a distance of 4,909km and is renowned for its remarkable biodiversity. To date, scientists have discovered over 20,000 plant species and 2,500 animal species along this river.
Aside from its natural wonders, the Mekong is home to Cambodian fishermen, Tibetan monks, Myanmar traders and Thai farmers. Exploring this marvellous wonder means exploring the unique cultures of South-East Asia.
It is the longest river in South-East Asia, and seventh longest in Asia.
Located approximately 76km northwest of Puerto Princesa on the coast of Palawan, the Philippines, lies one of the longest subterranean rivers in the world. The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park features a unique basin that rises underground and flows directly into the West Philippines Sea.
Upon reaching the river’s cavern, you will be greeted by eye-catching rock formations wrapped in greenery. Cruising here will allow you to see various wildlife (bats are especially popular).
Surrounded by spectacular limestone karst landscapes, turquoise water and distinctive aquatic life, Puerto Princesa draws in hundreds of tourists monthly.
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