Tanjung Kubong Tunnel and Other Sights in Labuan Malaysia
If history and mystery interests you, then Labuan is one place in Malaysia which you must not miss. Labuan is a Federal Territory of Malaysia and consists of 7 islands, Labuan island is one of them.
Tanjung Kubong Tunnel in Labuan
The northern tip of the Labuan Island, Tanjung Kubong has a must see site steeped in history and with many mysteries yet to be solved. A couple of centuries back this place flourished in coal mining activities.
The mining activities started in 1847 under the supervision of British authorities and went on for 65 years. Good quality coal was transported from these mines and exported through Victoria Port.
Today what remains of this once active and important trade site are a maze of underground tunnels, deep wells, and corroded cables. The 8 mile long rail track, a vital connection then, built by British authorities to transport coal from mines to port doesn’t exist anymore. Shreds of that rail track are all that remains today.
After a series of tragedy at the mine, it was shut down. Port Victoria too lost its glory and is now an unused site. The series of tragedy there provided a good background for stories real and unreal ones.
Chimney Tower – Punil
The Chimney Tower, known as “Punil” by the locals, has mysterious history because its usage or purpose is not known yet. It was built in1890s. Even though it looks like a chimney there were no traces of smoke to confirm that it was used as a chimney.
Historians have concluded it was either built as a ventilation shaft, lighthouse or bell tower. The structure has a strong foundation on limestone rock containing rich kaolin or porcelain clay.
Chimney Museum
Uniquely named, chimney museum, it has exhibits related to the tower and not chimneys.
- Ground floor of the Chimney Museum exhibits the history of coal mining at Tanjung Kubong from 1847 to 1911.
- Gallery located at the first floor displays the conservation works of the Chimney tower.
- Several artefacts used by miners.
Labuan Bird Park
Yet another sight to see around Tanjung Kubong Tunnel in Labuan is the artistically designed 3 domed structure – the Labuan Bird park. It is set up amidst thick growth of trees and flowering plants, providing the perfect natural ambiance for the birds.
It is a great place to see different species of birds without the usual difficulty of tracking them down in their natural habitats.
If you are the adventurous type you can venture in to one of those tunnels there, explore and find the exit. A nearby well will provide you with more adventurous opportunity. It is ten feet wide, 100 feet deep with doorways to more tunnels at the bottom of the well.
Just one word of caution: many of the tunnels are unexplored yet, so don’t overdo anything in excitement lest you get lost there!
How to Reach Labuan Island
Labuan Island can be reached by air and by boat. You can take flights to Kota Kinabalu and then take ferry from there. Alternately you can take the daily ferry service from the mainland Kampung Menumbok to Labuan Island. It takes 3 hours by ferry from KL Malaysia.
sounds like a really interesting place..
An anonymous chimney. How funny and strange!
Thanks for this neat post.
you lead us to wonders, you faery!
Warm Aloha to YOU
from Honolulu
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A great article. I am delighted.
Very interesting.
It is fascinating indeed. Would love to go there some day.
Cheers!
Himanshu Nagpal | Being Traveler
Being Traveler
I agree with George — I'm not adventurous or brave enough to explore, but it does sound fascinating!! Hope your week is going well, Indrani!!
sounds lovely, I am not very well traveled and tend to go somewhere, like it and go back.
Lainy
I'm not sure I'm adventurous enough (or brave enough) to explore the tunnels. But it dos sound like an interesting place to see.
informative!
Interesting place with an equally interesting history. Nice article Indrani.
Nice write-up prompting the readers to long for a visit to the place. Venturing into the tunnels as suggested by you may however turn out to be disastrous as we may end up in a 'maze of no return'. How then do we read your next blog? 🙂
and Now i want to see these also 🙂
and yes i will keep in mind the tunnels dont want to get lost now 🙂
Bikram's