Gopeng used to be a bustling tin mining town till the collapse of the industry in the 80s but of late, its popularity is picking up again as the area where it is sited is picturesque with limestone hills and caves, rainforest clad mountains with gushing waterfalls and numerous mining ponds which now serve as idyllic spots for outdoor recreational activities.
And amidst its serenity sits a peaceful getaway called Gopeng Rainforest Resort where one can spend adventurous or idyllic moments amidst the tropical rainforest clad hills.
According to Janice Heng, 54, owner of the resort, she and her husband David Poon visited the area six years ago for a holiday and were so charmed by its beauty that they decided to leave their hectic lives behind and open a resort on the jungle. Janice was a pharmacist while David was a mechanical engineer specialised in plastic moulding before venturing into the hospitality industry.
Their resort has bloomed since and sees guests from the capital and also Singapore as well as Europe. Many local groups from companies and government departments also choose this resort to conduct their team building trips.
One of the advantages of this resort is that you can bring your own tent as there is a camping site here but Janice advises to include insect repellents in your bag.
There are 10 cabins with basic mattresses and blankets and wall plug-in allows you to charge and use your communication devices.
Janice said other facilities includes a multi-purpose hall, a fruit orchard, car parks, electricity, piped water, clean toilets, bathroom, BBQ sets, kitchen and a natural stream also flows through the resort.
Visitors at Gopeng Rainforest Resort don’t care about the basic facilities as the aim to come here is for jungle adventure with a reasonable place to sleep and good food to eat after an energy sapping day.
Good food it certainly is as Janice is a fantastic cook who infuses both Malaysian Chinese and authentic Malay food into her menu and the results never fail to please.
Among the exotic items in the very traditional meals served here include Sambal Ikan Rebus, Rebung Tumis Ikan Bilis, Sayur Manis Ikan Masin and tapioca.
There are plenty of outdoor adventures that can be arranged through Gopeng Rainforest Resort and this includes a three day long jungle trekking, caving, waterfall repelling, visits to Orang Asli villages, tours to Rafflesia flowering areas at Ulu Geruntum, and the most sought after activity is white water rafting at Sungai Itek.
The Orang Asli people that live here are from the Semai tribe and their villages display neat thatched houses on stilts made almost entirely of bamboo.
Some of them work as guides for the several resorts that have sprouted over the last two decades in the tranquil valley spot where two young and turbulent rivers merge.
Long Baru, 54, is one of them and Janice refers to him as her best nature dictionary in the resort. He has worked 10 years as nature guide at other resorts in the vicinity before joining Janice and her team.
Kak Uji is another senior guide who has four grandchildren. She said she is very fond of both Janice and David as they never disrespect or forget the natives who helped build the resort.
“They have never neglected us and always offered us job opportunities, especially part time jobs to the teenagers and this has made us feel appreciated,” she said adding that the couple are great nature lovers whom she believes and trusts will play a big part in helping preserve the natural environment in the area for as long as they can.
One of the visitors met at the resort recently is Mako Sato, hailing from Japan who enthusiastically said how thrilled she was to be in the natural surroundings andadded that the little Orang Asli houses were very unique.
“I am so lucky and fortunate to be able to walk with Kak Uji and had a fantastic time with up close experiences and views of unique plants and trees as we passed along the cool, clear, gushing river,” she said.
“I hope David and Janice will continue to give their very best to the resort, because it is the perfect retreat and getaway from the bustling cities,” she said.