Gunung Liang: Nepenthes & Wildlife Photo-hunt With Chien Lee

Gunung Liang East and West, or simply Gunung Liang / Mount Liang, are two close proximity peaks in Perak, close to the border of Pahang. The hike to Gunung Liang is typically done via Sungai Dara, either as a long 9-12 hours dayhike (return), or a 2D1N hike and camp.

There are two trailheads / starting points to reach Gunung Liang, both (20+km away) starting from Slim River town region but greatly differ in difficulty. The most common one is via Sungai Dara closer to Behrang Ulu town (~9km & ~1,730m elevation). The other trailhead is at Sungai Slim trailhead, which is much more challenging and is usually used only by Trans Slim hikers.

On this trip, we did a 3D2N Gunung Liang trip via Sungai Dara. This was a special arrangement for the well-known wildlife photographer and biologist, Chien C. Lee, on his mission to photograph a special specimen of nepenthes that grow on Mount Liang peak, for his final photo collection for his ‘Fatal Attractions’ exhibition. The ‘Fatal Attractions’ exhibition (free admission!) is currently being showcased at GMBB’s Darkroom Gallery. Also in our group were the great nature photographers, Gawen Breteche, Chin, Hairul, Lucy & Hani from TRCRC.

Gunung Liang Permit & Guide

A permit and a registered mountain guide are compulsory to hike Gunung Liang. As it is compulsory to get a guide, you won’t be able to apply for the permit through the Perak Forestry online portal, but from the portal you can find the name list of guides you can engage to get your permit sorted.

For our guide, we first engaged with Ms Salina (a.k.a Jejak Sizuka, MGP-A1164) but she had another oversea trip, so she referred us to Mr Azami (+6019 565 2061, MGP-A1095) to guide us during the trip. We paid RM1,260 for the 3D2N guide service fee for our group, this includes permit and hiking insurance.

Gunung Liang East & West - Day 1

8.15am: Parked at Gunung Liang trailhead (195m) after the water treatment plant, we started our climb towards Mount Liang.

(+4)8.19am: Walking towards the water dam, we turned left onto the trail before the dam gate.

Pancake mushroom

(+9)8.28am

Fungi

Passing by a small stream.

Lush green rainforest with sunrays piercing through the forest canopy.

(+66)9.34am: Stream crossing.

(+6)9.40am

(+33)10.13am: A big tree.

(+15)10.28am

Kem Lubuk Hantu (575m)

Kem Lubuk Hantu Gunung Liang river crossing

(+5)10.33am: We arrived at Lubuk Hantu campsite. There’s a wide area for camping and a fast-flowing river next to the campground. The name ‘Lubuk Hantu’, literally translated to ‘Ghost Waterhole’, is believed to come from an incident in the 1970s, where some locals saw a ghostlike image of a man in a fine suit on the rock next to the river.

A large blood-sucking leech on a leaf, waiting for passing animals (or humans) to latch on.

Gunung Liang Kem Lubuk Hantu river crossing

11.19am: After an early lunch break at Kem Lubuk Hantu, we continued our climb.

(+17)11.36am: The trail gets steeper as we move closer to Kem 7-E.

More interesting floras.

(+17)11.53am: A junction to Gunung Behrang / Gunung Liang.

Beware of spiky plants.

(+7)12pm

Love these green palms canopy!

(+36)12.36pm

(+47)1.23pm

(+54)2.17pm: Last push towards our campsite in the pouring rain.

(+26)2.43pm: At last, all of us arrived at the 7-E campsite while it’s still raining heavily.

Kem 7-E (1,395m)

As we set up the tarp under the pouring rain, a huge katydid decided to take cover under the tarp with us.

After the rain stopped, we let the huge katydid hang on the ropes so we didn’t accidentally squash it.

A two-minute steep descent from Kem 7-E is the water point. It’s also the last water source to Gunung Liang peak.

Oh, I should mention there were many biting sandflies around Kem 7-E. Look at the bites I got (taken on the last day before leaving camp)! So you should cover your limbs or bring a strong repellent.

Dinner time after bath!

Gunung Liang East & West - Day 2

10.28am: Next morning, we started our climb towards Gunung Liang peaks from Kem 7-E. Chien and Gawen have departed earlier to start their Nepenthes hunt.

(+7)10.35am

(+15)10.50am: Catching our breath under the big boulders.

(+8)10.58am

We found some beautiful trilobite beetles along the trail.

(+58)11.56am

Lichen

(+24)12.20pm: An opening with a view. Blocked by the clouds is the peak of Gunung Behrang.

(+25)12.21pm

(+9)12.30pm

Gunung Liang West (1,933m)

Finally, we arrived at the first peak of Gunung Liang, marked by the toppled beirut. Chien and Gawen were already on their 101th shots of Nepenthes.

Gunung Liang West summit view with nepenthes pitcher plants

The view from Gunung Liang peak, with several nepenthes (pitcher plants) of unique species found around here.

The one that made it into Chien’s ‘Fatal Attractions’ exhibition at GMBB. Try looking for this plant when you visit the exhibition!

The other nepenthes, lighter in color but probably the same species. Notice the bristle-like hairs on the underside of its lid?

We set up a tarp to have lunch at the peak.

Gunung Liang East (1,933m)

From Gunung Liang West, it takes less than 10 minutes to Gunung Liang East. There used to be a mixed idea of which is east peak and west peak. It is now fixed and accurate based on the actual direction on the compass: You reach Liang West (open sky grassy peak) first, and then Liang East (mossy forest peak).

Foggy mossy trail to Gunung Liang East peak.

Gunung Liang East peak beirut.

Back to Gunung Liang West peak beirut.

Back at Kem 7-E: Night Jungle Walk & Wildlife Photoshoot

After dark, Chien and Gawen decided to walk around the campsite to look for nocturnal creatures, so I tagged along.

With their keen eyes and experience in the forest, we spotted quite a number of interesting tiny treefrogs and insects. (The photos below are taken with my phone. Check out Chien’s 和 Gawen’s galleries for the real professional shots!)