Destination Guide
BORNEO'S SARAWAK
Top Highlights, Tours, Hotels, and Experiences

Kuching, the capital of Sarawak, is simply unique. No other city in Malaysia has such a romantic and unlikely history. To make the most of your visit you must put on your walking shoes, take to the streets (and the water), and join in. Like all towns and cities in Borneo, the focal point of Kuching and the reason for its existence is the river. Hiring a sampan to meander slowly up and down the Sarawak River is the best way to get your first impression of Kuching. From the river you will see picturesque Malay villages (kampungs), a golden-domed mosque, a Victorian fort, a whole street of 19th century Chinese shophouses and an imposing wooden-roofed palace, all set against a background of distant mountains. Kuching’s city centre is well preserved and very compact; virtually everything that is worth seeing can be reached on foot or by sampan. The narrow, bustling streets are crammed with shops selling all manner of goods, from the mundane to the exotic. There are ornate Chinese temples, many fine examples of colonial-style architecture, a beautiful waterfront and a number of interesting museums, including the historic Sarawak Museum. You can try local delicacies such as deer meat and jungle fern, drink a glass or two of tuak (local rice wine), or feast on a vast array of seafood dishes. Kuching has an unusual name - the word means “cat” in Malay. There are a number of stories as to how this name came about, but it is unlikely that it has anything to do with cats. The two more likely explanations are that it derives from the Chinese word kochin, meaning “harbour,” or that it is named after the mata kuching or “cat’s eye” fruit, a close relative of the lychee that grows widely here.

The Headhunters’ Trail follows the route of Kayan
headhunting parties who dragged their war boats through the rainforest to raid the inhabitants of the Limbang river system. A boat journey to Camp 5 is followed by an 11.3 km trek through a very remote rainforest area, with a good possibility of wildlife encounters. Trekkers then take another boat for an overnight stay at an Iban longhouse, followed by a further 1½ hr boat ride to Medamit to catch the van for Limbang. The trek can also be done in reverse, starting at Limbang. Either way, it offers a fascinating route into or out of Mulu National Park.

Gunung Mulu is Sarawak’s largest national park (544 sq km), and also Malaysia’s first World Heritage Area, a status it was awarded in 2000. It is most famous for its limestone cave systems, including the world’s largest natural chamber (the Sarawak Chamber), the world’s largest cave passage (Deer Cave) and the longest cave in Southeast Asia (Clearwater Cave). The park’s main attractions are the four show caves, all readily accessible by wooden walkways and paths. Other fascinating sights and activities include; a bat observatory; a rainforest canopy skywalk; adventure caving trips to some of Mulu’s less accessible caves; the challenging Mulu Summit climb, the spectacular Pinnacles trail, and the historic Headhunter’s trail through remote rainforest scenery.

Hawaii Beach is located at Kampung Bakam, a 15 minute drive from Miri. The entrance is in the village next to the bus stop, and a wooden footbridge leads to the palmfringed beach.

Miri is Sarawak’s second largest city and the gateway to the state’s fascinating northeast region. A rapidly expanding business and commercial centre and the home of Sarawak’s oil industry, Miri is located in Northeast Sarawak close to the Brunei border. In recent years Miri has become a major tourism gateway and
the jumping-off point for some of Sarawak’s worldfamous National Parks, including Niah Caves, Gunung Mulu, Loagan Bunut and Lambir Hills. Other interesting possibilities include the remote Bario Highlands and the mighty Baram River, as well as a number of excellent offshore dive locations. The city has an excellent range
of hotels in all price categories and a wide
selection of food outlets. Combine this with vibrant night-life, bustling native markets, a number of popular beaches nearby and even a top class marina, and Miri makes an ideal base
for exploring the National Parks, the offshore reefs and the other natural and cultural attractions of Northeast Sarawak. It is also a great place to relax for a few days after the rigours of jungle trekking.

Sibu is the largest port and commercial center in the Rejang Basin and the gateway to Central Sarawak. Sibu is a thriving modern town with a vibrant center and a bustling, crowded waterfront. To visitors, Sibu feels more down-to-earth than relaxed Kuching. The mighty Rejang, almost a mile (1,600 km) wide, is the dominant feature of the town, and a room with a river view is highly recommended for vibrant impressions of waterfront life. The river is a source of constant activity, with ocean-going vessels manoeuvering delicately between speeding express boats, battered river launches and tiny sampans. Rejang sunsets can be truly spectacular. Sibu is not only fascinating on its own; with its excellent road, air and river transport links it is also the ideal jumping-off point for exploring the whole Rejang Basin, from the coastal town of Mukah to the furthest reaches of the Upper Rejang, over 600km upriver.

Niah National Park provides some interesting and impressive sights. The area was a major centre of human settlement as early as 40,000 years ago, and features one of the world’s largest cave entrances, Palaeolithic and Neolithic burial sites, and iron-age cave paintings. The surrounding area is covered in dense primary rain forest and is home to many species of plants and wildlife. Even today, the caves remain important for local communities, with birds nest and guano collection providing valuable employment and income. Niah Caves is a very pleasant place to spend a few days, although most of the major attractions are accessible to the day visitor. The park was nominated for UNESCO World Heritage Status in 2010 and is currently awaiting approval.

Dalat and Mukah villages not far from Sibu are home to one the lasts and well-preserved burial totem poles of the Melanau people. Known in the past as a symbol of wealth, rank and sovereignty, the Jerunai is a burial pole made out of the wood from Belian trees, which are known to withstand extreme weather and torrential rain. These hanging poles were reserved only for aristocrats and took years to be completed. The skeleton of the deceased were placed inside the pole. The ritual included binding a live slave on top of the pole leaving her die of thirst and starvation on the pole. The slave, usually an orphaned teenage girl, would be chosen for the human sacrifice, so that she can accompany the aristocrat in the afterlife as their servant.

Before the construction of the Bengoh Dam, the Bengoh Valley used to be almost impossible to reach for tourists. The area remains a pristine haven of natural beauty. Local residents often refer to it as the "Sarawak Jurassic World," highlighting its untouched wilderness and breathtaking landscapes. Only an hour drive from Kuching, the journey to Bengoh Valley typically begins a boat ride across the dam, offering panoramic views of the surrounding scenery. Upon reaching Kampung Sting, visitors can enjoy a simple lunch before setting off on a trek to explore the valley's attractions. The highlight of the jungle is the Susung Waterfall, renowned as one of the most beautiful in the area. After a 30-minute hike, visitors are treated to the mesmerizing sight of the waterfall, perfect for capturing memorable photos. At the end of the day, stay at at the village and sleep above the clouds.

The Sarawak Regatta is one of the oldest sporting events in Malaysia, inaugurated by Rajah Sir Charles Brooke in 1872 as a diversion from inter-tribal conflicts. It takes place on the Sarawak River in Kuching, usually in late August or September, and is the social and sporting highlight of the year. In the early days, longboats and war canoes raced one another, but nowadays there are categories for dragon boats, modern rowing craft and even power boats, water skiers and jet skis. There is a ‘Tourist Race’ for visitors who are not afraid to get their feet et, where guests can try their hand at longboat paddling, assisted by a few ‘ringers’ from the local boating fraternity.

Gawai Dayak is a festival celebrated on the 1st and 2nd of June every year by the Dayak communities of Sarawak. More than just a demonstration of indigenous culture for tourists, Gawai Dayak is celebrated with genuine joy and enthusiasm in every village and longhouse, with urban Dayaks returning home for the festivities. Weddings take place, singing and toasts fill the air, and families are reunited with one another. In the great Malaysian open house tradition, visitors are most welcome. The festival begins on the evening of May 31st with traditional music and ritual to keep the spirit of greed from ruining the festivities. The festival head or Tua Gawai then sacrifices a chicken to show thanks for a good harvest, followed by dinner and an informal party with much dancing, singing, and drinking, The party continues in the same vein for the next two days, or even longer if the rice wine stocks hold out.

One of Malaysia’s best-known and most iconic cultural attractions, Sarawak Cultural Village is a unique award-winning living museum offering an exciting and informative introduction to local cultures and lifestyles. Nine authentic replica buildings represent every major ethnic group in Sarawak; Bidayuh, Iban and Orang Ulu longhouses, a Penan jungle settlement, a Melanau tall-house, a Malay town house, a Chinese farmhouse and pagoda. Each is staffed with members of their respective ethnic groups, in traditional costume, carrying out traditional activities. Every house has a “storyteller” who is an expert in describing and interpreting traditional cultures and lifestyles. After touring the village, visitors can enjoy a multi-cultural
dance performance in the village’s own theatre, or even take dance, music and craft lessons. There is also a good ethnic restaurant and handicrafts shop on-site.