This place is not just a man made water theme park with beautiful Mayan architecture, gargoyles, and water canals, but is surrounded by 400-million-year-old natural limestone hills which offers a unique, breathtaking view.

Built by Sunway Group four years ago at a cost of RM60 million, this theme park is well-designed with many unique features. It has many different "playgrounds" and is certainly an added attraction to the popular Sunway Lagoon theme park in Kuala Lumpur.

It is a perfect escapade for family and city slickers who want to have a short break away from the city and enjoy the outdoor elements from man made beaches, to hot water springs, theme park rides - both wet and dry, a tiger valley where you get to see the wild beast roam freely, and beyond that jungle trekking, caving and tunneling activities.

Start the journey at Waterfall Beach Garden, a landscaped beach with waterfalls and white sandy beaches where you can massage your toes in the sand. Here you can have a light snack as you enjoy a broad overview of the theme park, before you decide to head off for more Lost World adventures.

For a start, why not grab a float for a single person or two, and jump into Adventure River , Asia's longest man-made river ride with a wave generator in the water park section.

Hold onto your tube as you float along the river past ancient ruins and gargoyles with water spraying features. This bumpy water ride will give you a sense of the surrounding as you admire the beautifully landscaped garden with sculptures, and rugged limestone hills in the background.

If you think this is adventurous wait until you try out the other extreme water park rides. For instance, Tube Raiders is one of the most extreme where you climb up a flight of stairs and whizz your way down giant slides, twisting and turning around bends at breakneck speed.

There are four tubes to choose from. The most "enjoyable" ride is a black tube which gives you a sensation of falling in total darkness.

Next is Cliff Racer, another giant slide with huge drops in the middle which drives you forward at top speed. When you think you cannot go further, you're rocked gently down to earth by the strategically risen slides ends.

To soothe your body and for a well-deserved rest, take a dip in Tambun Hot Springs, a natural spring-fed pool with warm earth temperature - a perfect way to relax and unwind before you head off for more action ahead.

Situated next to it are the Jungle Wave Bay, a wave pool for relaxing and just soaking in water; and Explorabay - a kids only zone with smaller slides and large interactive play area with tipping mine buckets, water cannons, spraying elephants, water curtains, and fountains.

If wet `n' wild is not your thing, or you need an extra dose of adrenaline rush, then head to the dry park section where you get to enjoy additional rides like: The Giddy Galleon - a perfect family ride that delivers a brand new experience for fun seekers; Dragons Flight - a thrilling swing chair ride which gives you an aerial view of the park; Perak Parade - a children's carousel with good old fashioned fun with horse rides, and Stormrider - an adrenaline-pumping ride with fast and furious swings.

If those rides leave you weak at the knees, it is time to catch the Adventure Express - the Lost World Train that takes you on a big circle around the park, past majestic ruins, surging water and wild tigers!

Yes, one of the unique attractions here is the Tiger Valley where you get to see the wild animals roam freely in their enclosure, and perform stunts during feeding time. There are a total of eight tigers, formerly circus animals abandoned by their owners, when they could not afford to fly them back, and were subsequently adopted by the theme park and now given the best possible care by experienced trainers.

But the real adventure lies beyond the periphery of theme park in the form of jungle trekking and caving activities. A short walk past the Needle of Tambun - a unique vertical rock formation that looks like a pencil from a distance will lead you to Gua Anak Datok. This airy cave with with stalagmites and stalactites and a high ceiling, with bats nesting in crevices, is a view to behold.

In fact there is even more to see if you have the courage and stamina to climb up further the limestone hill to reach a cave which can accommodate up to 1000 people.

Of course "the mother of all" adventure is the six-mile tunnel, a hidden secret a short distance away from the park. Here you have to swim across a small pond, making sure your electronic equipment are safe and dry as you reach the tunnel entrance - a narrow black hole with chest deep water.

The tunnel is pitch dark, so you have to be armed with powerful torch with at least three hours of battery power to get in and out of the cave which will whet the appetite of the most adventurous people.

You have to tread carefully finding your footing amidst rocks and running water. As you walk through this tunnel, you will see natural crystal formation on the walls, and baby stalagmites. The tunnel widens as you get deeper. Disturbed by the sound of movements, occasionally bats will go berserk and fly above.

After about two hours walk to nowhere, suddenly you reach the end of the tunnel leading to a hidden paradise of lush tropical forest with plants and clear water stream. Rest here for awhile before proceeding back the same route you came from.

Back at Lost World, find a comfortable spot near the Needle of Tambun and set up tent, where you get to sleep in the great outdoors underneath the moon and stars with crickets chirping in the background, under the shadows of the limestone hills of Tambun.

Lost World of Tambun is proud to announce their new attraction, The Lost World Petting Zoo. Covering an area of 80,000 sq ft, a unique petting zoo has been created within the natural jungle, against a backdrop of limestone hills. Here is a place for recreation and learning for visitors of all ages; a place where families can spend time together interacting with the animals. For many children, and adults too, this is a unique opportunity to appreciate animals from a closer perspective, to be at one with animals of their choice, and at the same time have an enjoyable experience. The Lost World Petting Zoo has been created at a cost of RM6 million in an area of jungle formerly called Monkey Valley. There are 4,000 animals and 55 species of animal at Lost World Petting Zoo.

The Lost World of Tambun certainly offers a unique experience beyond the thrills and spills of a theme park, with the opportunity of being in the heart of nature to witness something wonderful and irreplaceable.

Opening hours:
Mon-Fri: 11AM-6PM
Sat-Sun, school/public holidays: 10AM-6PM
Closed on Tuesdays, except school/public holidays.

Entrance fee:
RM30 - Adult
RM24 - Child below 12
Free - Child below 90cm

Group packages are also available with minimum number of 30 persons - advance booking is required.

If you want to spend extra time at the Tambun Hot Springs, it is opened until 9pm every Friday and Saturday with an additional ticket price of RM5 per person.