Exploring Sarawak Chamber, Borneo’s vast underground hall

Generated by DALL·E

Deep in the Malaysian jungle lies a place even seasoned travelers rarely mention. It isn’t a lost city or a forgotten ruin, but a colossal cave chamber known as the Sarawak Chamber. Its scale is so staggering that some compare the interior to a space capable of holding dozens of Boeing 747s — a notion that sounds almost unbelievable, yet it captures the feeling this natural hall inspires.

Where it is and how it was found

Sarawak Chamber sits on the island of Borneo, in the state of Sarawak, within Gunung Mulu National Park. Enveloped in dense greenery, the approach unfolds like a true expedition: hours on forest trails, a night under canvas, then a demanding route over water and rock. A guide is essential — and only prepared travelers are admitted.

British explorers discovered the cave in 1981. It lies hidden inside another cavity — Gua Nasib Bagus, whose name translates as the Cave of Luck. The label proved fitting: the chamber they uncovered turned out to be one of the most expansive underground rooms on the planet.

How big is it?

The dimensions of Sarawak Chamber defy everyday sense:

  • about 600 meters long,
  • roughly 400 meters wide,
  • approximately 80 meters high.

To grasp the scale, think of a football field — many would fit inside. While some estimates liken its volume to space for up to 40 Boeing 747s, Guinness World Records gives more modest numbers — roughly eight such planes placed in a row.

How did it form?

This giant hall is the handiwork of water over immense spans of time. For millions of years, underground flows gradually dissolved softer rock, carving out vast voids. In the end, nature shaped a cavern that feels like an underground amphitheater.

How do you get there?

Reaching Sarawak Chamber isn’t a weekend stroll. First come several hours through the forest, then a night in camp, followed by a strenuous mix of wading and scrambling. At times you swim; at others you climb slick rock. Stamina, fitness, and proper gear matter here. Those who make it to the end describe the experience as unforgettable.

What’s inside?

Inside, the mood is singular. Silence seems almost tangible, the walls dissolve into darkness, and footsteps fade into the vastness. Cool, humid air, the faint drip from somewhere deep within, streams and stone columns — together they create a powerful sense of scale. Bats live here alongside rare insects adapted to total darkness.

Scientists have carried out laser scans of the Sarawak Chamber to determine its measurements precisely and confirmed that, by area, it ranks among the largest on Earth.

Why it matters even if you never go

You don’t have to be an adventure hiker to be impressed by a place like this. Sarawak Chamber is a reminder of the astonishing forms nature can create without human hands. For scientists, sites like this help explain the processes that shape our planet; for everyone else, they offer a rare glimpse of mystery and grandeur.