Gaharu Tea Valley Gopeng

Gaharu Tea Valley is an agarwood plantation just outside Gopeng, Perak and has become something of an agro-tourism destination.

Agarwood (also known as gaharu in Malay or oud in Arabic) is an aromatic resinous wood which forms inside aquilaria trees when they become infected with a certain type of mould.

Agarwood is highly prized for its powerful, exotic fragrance as well as its medicinal and health-giving properties. Its popularity in Middle Eastern and Chinese cultures and its high commercial value has led to agarwood becoming rare and endangered in the wild.

This 300 acre project, with over 200,000 organically cultivated trees of various ages, is helping to conserve the aquilaria species.

The project began around 1992 and has since become Malaysia's largest gaharu plantation.

Gaharu Products

The tree has multiple uses and various products are made in their factory and sold in the Gaharu Retail Shop which is located onsite at the plantation.

Products include:

Gaharu Tea
Gaharu Cookies
Gaharu Instant Noodles
Gaharu Soup Mix
Gaharu Nougat
Gaharu Oil/Fragrance
Gaharu Wood Chip

Health Benefits of Gaharu Tea

It is claimed that tea made from Gaharu leaves can help reduce blood sugar levels, lower blood pressure, improve sleep quality, treat hangovers, constipation, flatulence, gout and asthma. Anti-cancer and anti-aging properties are also claimed.

I tried a small cup in the retail shop. The taste is not bad!

Tour of Gaharu Tea Valley

For RM10 you can take a one hour guided minivan tour around the estate (kids ages 4 and above pay RM5)

There are three stops on the tour. Firstly the Hilltop View & Cafe with a mock cave entrance which provides visitors with a fine view over the plantation.

Another highlight is the Hugging Park where you can hug the trunk of a mature gaharu tree which is believed to be auspicious.

Lastly is Lovers Park & Waterfall where the branches of centuries-old trees have become intertwined like lovers embracing.

You will also see a swiftlet farm on the estate. My guide told me that gaharu trees give off a natural mosquito repellent which means there are very few mozzies here. That is good for humans but not so good for swiftlets who like to eat mosquitos.

Great Wall of Gopeng

The plantation is surrounded by a high crenellated wall designed to resemble the Great Wall of China.

The wall serves the practical purpose of keeping out intruders who might try to steal the valuable agarwood or wild animals that might cause damage.

Other activities here include the HOGA Time Tunnel explaining the history of agarwood trees and of this project, an Agarwood Gallery and of course the gift shop.

A 10 year old aquilaria tree can contain agarwood worth RM 25,000 so they are worth protecting. Who says money doesn't grow on trees!

When I heard about that, I decided to purchase a 3 foot high gaharu sapling to plant in my garden. Seedlings were on sale for RM38. From RM38 to RM25,000 in 10 years seems like a good investment but I need to find out the method of inducing the particular mould to produce the valuable resin.

How to Get to Gaharu Tea Valley

Address:

LOT 9840, MUKIM SG. TEJA

31600 GOPENG, PERAK MALAYSIA

Tel : 05-3511 999

Fax : 05-3511 996

GPS Coordinates: N 04°27'30.00"

E 101° 11'26.40"

Find the roundabout in the centre of Gopeng, in front of Gopeng Heritage House. From there take the road to Kg. Sungai Itek. Follow the signposts for Gaharu Tea Valley which is a few minutes drive away.

You can find a map on Gaharu Tea Valley's Facebook Page.