MACHINCHANG PEAK GEOSITE

The peaks of Gunung Machinchang are iconic to the Machinchang Cambrian Geoforest Park and is the second-highest peak on Langkawi (708 m). The Machinchang Mountain Range consists of Machinchang Formation sandstone. the oldest rocks in Southeast Asia (550-500 million years. The uniqueness of the Machinchang landscape is derived from the uplift process of the seafloor, resulting in a gently dipping sedimentary layers, followed by prolonged erosion by rainwater. The prolonged erosion process resulted in ridges with sharp peaks and valleys (hogback).

The sandstone layers at the top of Machinchang produce a special habitat for sandstone forest dominated by Syzygium attenuatum, Eurycoma longifolia, bamboo climber (Dinochloa malayana), pitcher plants (Nepenthes sanguinea) and Tiny bubble-nest frogs (Raorchestes parvulus). Most of the trees here are stunted, with gnarled stems and waxy leaves as an adaptation to porous soil and poor nutrient conditions. This landscape that looks as if being chopped, inspired the myth of the fight between two giants, Mat Chinchang and Mat Raya. In the end, Sang Gedembai cursed them into Gunung Machinchang Mountain and Mount Raya. The peak of Machinchang is part of the Machinchang Cambrian Geoforest Park geotrail and is also the main tourist attraction due to the breathtaking 360° viewpoint that can be accessed via the world’s steepest cable car.