To many local residents borne during the time of the British administration, Templer's Park was indeed an exciting destination. Situated just after the fringes of Kuala Lumpur town, it was a sanctuary in the tropical jungle. Legends had it that there was a natural swimming pool inside the jungle, where few had ventured. The real Templer's Park that they knew was a small picnic area beside the river where the road passed by.

Narrow strip of land -river/road i.e.Templers Park		Look entrance  to  Templers Park -no signage!

Then the scene changed. The place opened up. Just 2 kilometers away, there  was this state of the art waterfall area with 7 waterfalls - Kanching Recreational Park.  More dramatic and larger space for the adventurous. At the same time, the land where Templer's Park had its entrance was developed. Now that little picnic area, looked like part of an urban car park. Nevertheless, this area continued to attract crowds over the weekend. The space on the opposite bank of the river is now Scout Jamboree Camp. Latest - the Jamboree Camp is now the National Service Training Camp.

No Park sign but car park sign -faded		Sign at the walk up road into the Park

A Trail map! Giving to you all the details

Souvenir I found - an antique signage for trails and also a scene from Car Park

The way into the pool and waterfall area.

The picture shows the upper segment of the stream above the picnic area.

On the many occasions that we were there, we were impressed by the cleanliness of the park area. Some scene very unusual of Malaysia.

The car park was large enough for about 20 cars and was about 100 meters away from the main road. From the car park, a paved road took visitors to the swimming pool.

The road was about 600 meters long and should take less than 20 minutes. See the cleanliness and no littler can be spotted.

The side of the pool was tiled while the floor was that of the original river bed. Periodically, this pool would be emptied for the sunken leaves and debris to be cleared

This area was fully equipped with toilet facilities, change rooms and canteen. if you had not reached here and see for yourself, you would not imagine its setting up. Just wondering the hesitation and the talk by urbanites that the place was in the wilderness.

Public were not encouraged to stray into this sensitive place, however they were not forbidden either. Just 200 meters upstream from the swimming is the official water catchments area. Obviously, authority knows that they will have a hard time keeping the water clean, when holiday makers bath in it.

The track continued to be broad and in very good condition. perhaps due to the regular traffic of trekkers leaving the hidden waterfall. The final destination of this waterfall was about 3 kilometers upstream.

 But behold, if you are looking for opportunity to climb waterfall, or loves the opportunity to practice your skill in photographing waterfall, there was this waterfall after the swimming pool. This small waterfall was however well hidden by the foliages and in the darkness of the deep ravine. Immediately after the water intake. Just on last shot of us doing some bird watching at the area of the swimming pool.

Despite of the fact that there is now a better organized outdoor destination of Kanching nearby, and that more and more housing estates are stifling this picnic destination, the area of the pool remains intact.

The picnic area and the swimming pool lies in a water catchments area. It is in a valley of its own and insulated from the surrounding housing estates. This place is indeed haven for those who do not like driving a long way. One catch though, on non-working days, the crowd is quite bad. You should choose a personal off day to make your visit.

 

This is the normal crowd. We were always the early bird - passing the pool before 9.00 am. On our way out by noon, the crowd was there.

Though I show you some views from the river. Remember this is a water catchments area. Not only it has to be clean but the surrounding -pristine too.

 

Can you make out the clarity of the water? As seen from an angle in the morning sun.

Now, looking down into the river bed. Don't forget - the vegetations looks natural as well.

Now you have seen pictures of that hidden swimming pool in Templers Park. It is very easy to be there and to convince you further, log on to more pages about this place.

1] You can visit this supplementary waterfall page -just click here

2] There is another page on Templer's Park as a birding site.