Welcome to Sarawak
Situated in Malaysian Borneo, Sarawak is the largest state in the country. Its
colourful history under the rule of the White Raj'ahs, rich tapestry of cultures
and superb natural attractions make it a mesmerising holiday destination. Many
heritage buildings in Kuching, the capital city, reflect its rich past. An
eco-adventure land, Sarawak is great for trekking, caving, mountain climbing,
kayaking, biking, rafting and diving.
The state has a wide range of accommodation to suit all budgets and preferences.
There are international-standard beach resorts, jungle resorts, star-rated
hotels as well as longhouse-style resorts. Budget accommodation is widely
available. Take your pick from the variety of cuisine, from local delicacies to
Continental fare.
Places of Interest
Kuching Waterfront This 900m long esplanade, with landscaped surroundings
and eateries, is a popular place for locals and foreigners alike. Places of
interest here are The Square Tower, Sarawak Steamship Building and Chinese
History Museum. A nearby attraction is the ornate Tua Pek Kong Temple, reputed
to be the oldest in the city.
Main Bazaar This is the oldest street in the city. The shophouses here
enjoy immense popularity for the bewildering variety of items, from ethnic
crafts, textiles to bamboo mats and pottery. Take home exquisite souvenirs of
your visit!
Sarawak Museum Sarawak Museum is hailed as one of the finest in Southeast
Asia. The Old Wing, designed in the style of a Normandy town house, houses an
exceptional ethnographic collection. Within the grounds are an Aquarium,
Botanical Gardens and Heroes' Memorial.
Sarawak Cultural Village An award-winning attraction, Sarawak Cultural
Village showcases the diverse lifestyles of the state's ethnic groups. Visit the
authentic dwellings and view their crafts, household items and musical
instruments. The lively cultural performance is a major highlight here. Sarawak
Cultural Village is the venue of the annual Rainforest World Music Festival.
Semenggoh Wildlife Centre Enjoy the amazing experience of standing close
to orang utans in their natural habitat. Watch them swing gracefully as they
make their way here during the feeding times. Other attractions include an
arboretum, fernery, botanical garden and fruit orchard. Matang Wildlife Centre
provides the opportunity to view animals in enclosures.
Cat Museum Welcome to a world dedicated to cats! Touted to be the world's
first, the Cat Museum pays tribute to these adorable felines with a range of
exhibits, photos, statues and souvenirs. Kucing means 'cat' in Malay.
Damai Beach is a major vacation spot, with some of the state's best beach
resorts. Enjoy a wide range of water sports activities at the resorts. Tours can
be arranged to see the rare Irrawaddy dolphin. Other popular beaches include
Siar, Sematan, Penyok, Bandung in Kuching as well as Luak Bay and Hawaii Beach
in Miri. The National Parks of Bako, Similajau and Tanjung Datu also boast
beautiful beaches.
Textiles and Crafts Take a mesmerising journey to explore Sarawak's textiles
and crafts. The Textile Museum and Pua Kumbu Museum are themed attractions
showcasing Sarawak's handwoven fabrics. More textiles and other handicrafts can
be seen at Sarakraf Pavillion and Sarawak Handicraft Centre.
Sunday Market in Satok Browse through a profusion of goods from
handicrafts, flowers, local snacks to traditional delicacies. The bustling
atmosphere and colourful cornucopia of things makes a trip here enjoyable.
Bako National Park Sarawak has many national parks, each teeming with a
wealth of flora and fauna. Bako National Park is the state's oldest, and home to
the rare long-nosed proboscis monkeys, long-tailed macaques and various other
animals. It serves as an excellent introduction to the rainforest.
Kuban National Park The world's largest collection of palm trees, rare
ferns and wild orchids are the main attractions here. The enclave is further
enriched with waterfalls and crystal-clear rivers. It is a favourite location
for day trips.
Gunung Gading National Park Beautiful cascading waterfalls, rare foliage
and a chance to see Rafflesia, the world's largest flower, are the highlights
here.
Mulu National Park This UNESCO World Heritage Site offers spectacular
attractions. Gunung Mulu has the world's largest cave chamber and the world's
most extensive cave system with razor sharp limestone pinnacles.
Tanjung Datu National Park Breathtaking vistas of rolling hills and
waters teeming with corals are remarkable attractions here. Adventurous visitors
can head to the nearby Telok Melano village for a delightful homestay experience
Niah National Park
Experience the awe of standing at the archaeological site of 40,000 year-old
human remains in this park,
Similajau National Park A bird-watchers' paradise, enthusiasts can see some 185
species of birds and 24 species of mammals. Lucky visitors may spot dolphins and
turtles in the sea.
Lambir Hills National Park The park is home to an incredible diversity of
plants, trees and insects, some that are yet to be identified.
Loagan Bunut National Park A natural marvel here is its large natural lake
that is said to dry up and disappear during dry seasons. The Talang and Satang
Island National Parks are turtle sanctuaries while Batang Ai National Park
offers more jungle adventure.
Longhouse Visits Go on a river safari to visit the indigenous communities
who live in longhouses along the Lemanak, Rejang, Skrang and Batang Ai Rivers.
Watch how crafts are made or join in the cultural dances.
Golfing
Enjoy a round of golf in a pristine rainforest setting. Major golf resorts
in Sarawak are situated in Kuching, Damai, Padawan, Miri, Sibu and Bintulu.
Diving Diving enthusiasts should not miss a trip to Miri, to explore one of the
richest reefs in Malaysia. Belais Reef and Luconia Shoals are among the popular
dive sites in the South China Sea.
Bario Lying at an elevation of 1,000m, Bario in Kelabit Highlands is home to the
Kelabit people, touted to be among Borneo's best farmers. Visitors will be awed
by their culture and lifestyle.
Getting There
Kuching International Airport is the main entry point into the state. Sarawak is
easily accessible by frequent short-haul flights from the Kuala Lumpur
International Airport (KLIA) in Peninsular Malaysia. Visitors can also fly in
from the Kota Kinabalu International Airport in Sabah as well as other major
cities in Malaysia.
Useful Contacts
Tourist Police Unit Tel: 6082-250 522
Kuching Visitors' Information Centre Tel: 6082-410 944/2
Miri Visitors' Information Centre Tel: 6085-434 181
Sibu Visitors' Information Centre Tel: 6084-340 980
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