gunung ledang

Gunung Ledang redirects here. For the 2004 movie, see Puteri Gunung Ledang (film).
For the ghost town in California, see Mount Ophir, California.
Mount Ophir
Gunung Ledang

Waterfall on Gunung Ledang
Elevation
1,276 metres (4,186 feet)
Location Peninsular Malaysia

Range
Titiwangsa

Coordinates
02°22′27″N 102°36′28″E2.37417°N 102.60778°E

Mount Ophir, or more commonly known by its Malay name, Gunung Ledang, is a mountain situated in the Gunung Ledang National Park located in Ledang District (northwestern Johor), Malaysia. The summit is located between the border of Muar and Malacca. Standing at 1,276 m (4,186 ft), with a clear trail leading to the peak, the mountain is a popular destination among amateur climbers. Mount Ophir is also the 64th highest mountain in Malaysia and arguably the most climbed mountain in the country, despite it having one of the higher climbing fatalities in the region of South-East Asia. Camping on the mountain has been forbidden after the death of campers who were crushed by falling trees in separate incidents.
A resort at the foot of the mountain was opened in the recent years. Called Gunung Ledang Resort, it offers decent accommodation and adventure programmes. However, the access to the top of the mountain can only be made through the National Park office, which is a few kilometres away from the resort. The trail from the resort has been closed due the death of campers.

Origins of its name
There are a few popular opinions regarding the origin of the mountain's name. According to one opinion, ancient history points to the mountain being the site of rich gold deposits, luring traders from as far as Greece and China. The name ‘Ophir’ itself is thought to have originated from the Hebrew language. In the 14th Century, the Chinese seafarers plying the Straits of Malacca called it ‘Kim Sua’ meaning the ‘Golden Mountain’. Another source said that the Javanese during the period of the Majapahit empire named the mountain ‘Gunong Ledang’, which means ‘mount from afar’.
Legend of Gunung Ledang
Main article: Legend of Gunung Ledang
There is a popular Malaysian folklore which told of a Princess with magical powers who resided on the mountain. She was wooed to be the wife of the then Sultan of Malacca, Sultan Mahmud Shah. However, she set impossible conditions for him as a means to reject his proposal.
The first condition was to build two bridges . . . one of silver and one of gold. For which he switly constructed, having all the nation to participate.
The second was to fill a tempayan (large earthen water-barrel) full of blood from mosquitoes. For a second time, the nation participated in this seemingly impossible task and succeeded.
The third and final condition, was for him to gather a bowl of his sons blood. The Sultan was put into a state of dilemma; and after long days and restless nights of consideration, he stepped into his sons room in the night, with a dagger in one hand - and a bowl in the other.
He approached his sons sleeping body, and as he drew close, the image of the Princess appeared before the Sultan and said to him that she could not possibly marry a man willing to wound his own son. And then she vanished, never to be seen again.
Folklore has it that the gold and silver supposedly found on the mountain are attributed to; and a testament to this story.
Hang Tuah and his companions were also learning their silat martial arts here on the top of this very mountain with a silat guru, Adiputera.
Gallery

Gunung Ledang is located on top of this spaceborne radar image of Muar district.
Information of Gunung Ledang at beginning of hiking trail.