Poring Hot Spring in Sabah. — Photo: STEPHANIE LEE/The Star
So, you've seen our list of popular 6 popular hot springs around the world. Well, Malaysia has its fair share of hot springs too, as the country does have inactive volcanoes, and also extinct ones. Most of the hot springs are small, but there are a handful that have been turned into proper resorts and parks.
Here are some of the more notable ones you can pay a visit to.
Hugely popular with locals, Poring is located in the highlands, near the Kinabalu National Park in Ranau. While the sulphuric water is natural, the rock tubs and swimming pools are mostly man-made. The tubs come with faucets that allows you to control the water temperature and flow.
Also located in a rainforest, the Suria Hot Springs is a great place for families, although it does tend to get fully booked during school holidays. Yes, this resort doesn’t allow day visits so you would have to book at least a one night’s stay here to enjoy the hot spring and cool pools.
Located within a water theme park in Ipoh, the Lost World Hot Springs features multiple natural hot spring pools. Of course you would need to buy a ticket to the park to be able to enjoy the hot springs here, but once you enter you can use the pools at any time of the day.
The Kampung Panchor Hot Spring is nestled in the rainforest, about an hour’s drive from the state capital, Kuching. The pools here are covered so you can still soak in the water even if it rains.
This is the country’s only salt water hot springs, located on the island of Langkawi, near the town of Kuah. The resort is designed to look like a traditional Malay village, with a backdrop of padi fields. These salt water pools can be found in only two other countries around the world.
A popular place with families, the Jasin Hot Springs has existed for over a century. Today it is a recreational park where visitors can soak in the tubs and swim in the pools, enjoying the benefits of the natural mineral water.
Discovered over 40 years ago, the natural pools of the La Hot Spring in Jerteh, Terengganu is a major tourist attraction in the state. The hot water flows down the slopes and collect in a large pool, where visitors can soak. However, the temperature of the water does tend to run high (up to 60°C) so be careful not to burn yourself.