Poring Hot Springs

What the baths are like

The springs come out at 49 to 60°C and are channelled into tiled tubs and pools. Sabah Parks points out that this is the natural spring temperature, not a bathing temperature, so follow staff instructions before getting in. The water is sulphurous.

There are three ways to soak. Open-air tubs sit in rows outside, and you fill your own from a tap. Enclosed bath rooms give you a private tub for an hour, in Standard and Deluxe grades. Then there is the slide pool and rock pool for children.

The biggest complaint in 2025 and 2026 reviews is time. The hot water flows slowly, and several visitors say an open tub takes an hour or more to fill. An April 2026 reviewer said a shared tub fed by a slow tap and hose can take one to two hours, or never fill. If you are short of time, pay for an enclosed room. In August 2026 one visitor found the pool water much colder than expected, so if you want a hot soak, plan on a tub rather than the pools.

Facilities and current closures

The canopy walkway, 43 m above the forest floor according to Sabah Parks, has been closed for major maintenance and upgrading since 30 July 2025. Sabah Parks still listed it as closed in October 2026, and September 2026 reviewers found it shut. The slide pool was closed in October 2025, and one of its slides was out of use in March 2026.

There are changing areas, lockers (RM5 for the day) and a restaurant. A June 2026 reviewer found the changing areas wet, with no benches and little privacy, an August 2026 reviewer called the washrooms and shower rooms dirty, and a March 2026 visitor found no free lockers. An October 2025 reviewer called the restaurant overpriced, so bring snacks and water.

Walks and other things at Poring

• Kipungit Waterfall: about 10 m high, a 1 km walk of around 15 minutes. The path is wet with exposed roots and is not wheelchair-friendly.
• Langanan Waterfall: over 120 m high, 3.4 km each way, around 2 hours of trekking through lowland forest. The bat cave is on the same trail, about 30 minutes from the entrance.
• Butterfly farm: daily 9am to 4pm.
• Rafflesia: viewing costs RM15 for Malaysians (RM30 international) when a flower is in bloom nearby. Blooms are not guaranteed.

Best time to go

Come early. The gate closes to new visitors at 3pm and the hot spring area closes at 5pm, though a March 2026 visitor was told it closed at 4pm and a July 2026 visitor was allowed to stay until 4.30pm. Arriving in the morning leaves time for a tub to fill and for the Kipungit walk.

A bit of history

The name comes from a Kadazandusun word for a local bamboo. Japanese troops occupying Borneo during the Second World War dug out and developed the springs. The site was neglected after the war and development picked up again in the 1970s.