The Hot Springs

It was a good ride to revisit the Hot Springs, see all of them once again. Check their current state of condition and how the locals have treated these places, and then prepare an article using Hot Springs as a theme.

Hot springs are generally found in regions of young volcanic activities. Surface water seeps through cracks and passageways to an area below earth surfaces and also an area of high temperature. Usually it is a region surrounding a magma reservoir that has recently solidified but still hot.

There, the water is heated, become less dense and rises again to the surface through cracks and fissures. This whole process could also be describe as occurring in thermal areas where the surface of the Earth intersect the water table. Size of the Hot Spring, or rates of discharge and the final temperature depends on factors such as: -

The rate at which the water circulates through the underground channel ways. The amount of heat supplied at depth and the extend of dilution of the heated water by the cool ground water nearer the surface.

Kuala Lumpur had a famous hot spring right in the fringe of the city. Today with development extending beyond the previous city fringes, it is a wonder that anybody would ever know that such a places exited. Perhaps it is only the name of the vicinity “Air Panas” that reminded residents of that touristy spots. However besides this spot in Kuala Lumpur, the state of Selangor is not short of Hot Springs, most very close to the city areas.

There is this second Hot Spring that is still within its border, at its fringe in Selayang. 

This place is along the Federal Route 1 going north to Rawang.

At its last turnpike before ascending the hills to Templers Park, watch out for an enclosed area with a green color gate on the left if you are going of town.

The hot Spring lies inside a storage yard set up in a vacant land by the city hall.

There are 3 circular pools carefully prepared by the city councils to tap the rising hot water. It is also interesting to note that one of them oozing out clear water while the other 2 pools, the chalky appearance of the water persisted all the time.

As it is very close to urban area, the crowd at the site seldom diminishes. 

 On weekends family are seen there using the pools in the manner they deem fit.

Besides having proper ponds to tap the warm water, there is no other fixtures or building. The surrounding land is bear and reminded visitors that it is a wasteland.

Moving on to the next spot, along the northern approach road to Genting Highlands, there is this township of Batang Kali.

About 6 kilometers out of town and following one of the many rural roads there is this signboard.

The main spring supplies a fairly large volume of water.

There is the usual bath area, enclosed change rooms and toilets.

A striking fact is that this place is located in a perfect natural setting. Orchards all round the Hot Spring area.

Scene of a rural place without houses usually brings out a sense of remoteness and calm. If you look beyond the parking area, you could see the rolling hills and Genting Highlands in full view towards the horizon. The road leading to the place is well maintained paved. It may be too narrow for many urban folks but the lush countryside on both flanks make up for its handicap.

Just before turning off to Ulu Tamu, this 2 X 18 holes golf course is under construction. So for those who love quietness and tranquility, better see the place now, as this well kept secret will not stay long.

Next stop. Some kilometers further north of Batang Kali, there is this better known Kerling Hot Spring. The place is about 2 kilometers away from the New Village. This approach to this place is better marked with signboard along the Federal Route 1 to prompt visitors of the turn off point.

Just follow the way into the “New Village” and continue along the service road. From a paved road, after the housing area this service road will change into a dirt road. Farmers, workers in the rubber estates and timber trucks will be passing by this track, bringing out huge logs.

The track after a short distance will be running parallel to the Kerling River.

A kilometer off road, another sign will lead visitors to an open car park. The Hot Spring area has been upgraded gradually and now it is seen as a shallow square swimming pool.

A well constructed bridge takes visitors over the river to the rest area and hot spring pool.

However the lack of follow through and inadequate maintenance have left many visitors disappointed about the poor state of affairs.

From the district north of Kuala Lumpur, let us switch to the area down south.

Just some 18 kilometers out of Kuala Lumpur in the Ulu Langat district, there are 2 areas in this vicinity having Hot Springs.

First, the public bath at the 10^th milestone. This is a small area within an unattended orchard that the locals have erected bathing enclosures for people interested in something special to cleanse their body. It is well frequented by those who believe in the medicinal value of the water from Hot Spring.

In our latest visit to the place, the area is fully developed and the source of the spring destroyed.

Moving along the same road and 3 kilometers later, there is the Dusun Tua youth training center. At the corner besides the river a raised structures was constructed to store the rising hot water. Then the whole area is landscaped to reflect the unusual effects. There is a square pond to hold the warm water, perhaps to allow swimmers to take advantages of the gifted warm water, then surrounded by a garden with more pools holding back the cooled water before it flows out to the nearby river.

The garden and the structure are still there; the water from the spring has decreased although there is water still flowing out of this raised structure.

Perhaps the spring has found other outlets in lower elevation to discharge its water. This is evident by the unusually large amount of steam surrounding the bank of the river.