The Painted Cave: Where Ancient Walls Demand Attention

By Rachel Yeoh

August 2025 FOR ART'S SAKE
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“ADA BUAYA TAK?”[1] my travel companion casually asked the boatman. “Eh, jangan panggil nama dia. Nanti dia akan timbul,”[2] he hushed.After a one-minute ride to get across the teh tarik-hued river, the journey to catch a glimpse of the 1,200-year-old cave drawings at what is known as Painted Cave, originally known as Kain Hitam Cave, began. However, I did not expect to journey 2.8km on a slippery boardwalk (it rained the day before) before reaching Trader’s Cave, the first in...

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Rachel Yeoh

is a former journalist who traded her on-the-go job for a life behind the desk. For the sake of work-life balance, she participates in Penang's performing arts scene after hours.

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