Sarawak: Mysterious, exotic, romantic.
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Sarawak, known as Land of the Hornbills (Bumi kenyalang), one of the two Malaysian states on the Island of Borneo is endowed with one of the richest and diverse ecosystems in the world. The largest state in Malaysia, Sarawak boasts of magnificent ancient rainforests, colourful marine life, rich cultural heritage and wild landscapes to ultra modern cityscapes. Even its history overflows with interesting facts and a rich heritage. The breathtaking blend of experiences which awaits makes Sarawak an exciting destination sought after by many.

Geography
Located on the island of Borneo, Sarawak is is bounded on the north and north west by the South China Sea, the north-east by Sabah and the Sultanate of Brunei, and towards the south by Kalimantan, Indonesia. Covering an area of 124,449 sq km, Sarawak is the biggest state in Malaysia. Sarawak's highest point is Gunung Murut (2,434 metres). Sarawak also has the longest river in Malaysia, the Batang Rajang.

Tropical rainforest accounts for more than 70% of Sarawak's total land mass, providing homes for not only exotic species of plants and animals, but for the myriad ethnic groups indigenous to the area. Overflowing with natural treasures no longer seen anywhere else in the world it is home to one of the world’s oldest rainforests, dating back to the Stone Age.

Kuching, the capital of Sarawak, is located on the banks of the Sarawak River. Sibu, Sarawak’s second largest town located along the banks of Rejang River is a bustling trading spot. The town is also the main staging point for upriver safaris to the longhouses of the Kayan and Kenyah. Bintulu is a quiet and serene town about 30 minutes from Sibu. Miri another major town in Sarawak is also known as the ‘Oil Town’ because there are some 624 oil wells around. Some of the most popular national parks are in Miri. The remarkable Gunung Mulu National Park, the famous Niah Caves National Park and one of the world’s most diverse rainforest, the Lambir National Park, are located here.

History
Sarawak had orininally been a loosely governed territory under the control of the Brunei Sultanate in the early 19th century. James Brooke became governor of Sarawak in 1841 and was appointed Rajah by the Sultan of Brunei in 1842, when the territory comprised only the western corner of what later became the state of Sarawak, around Kuching. The Brooke dynasty or the “White Rajahs” ruled Sarawak for a hundred years and during that time, greatly expanded the territory.

The Japanese invaded and occupied the island of Borneo in 1941, cocupying Miri and Kuching for the duration of the War until liberation by Australian forces in 1945. Sarawak became a British colony on July 1, 1946 when the Rajah formally ceded sovereignty. Sarawak became an autonomous state of Malaysia in 1963.

Today Sarawak is home to 28 ethnic groups; each with its own distinct language, culture and lifestyle. The Ibans form the major ethnic group on this land, the Chinese, are the second largest ethnic group while the Malays, also form a large portion of the population. Other significant groups include the Bidayuh, Melanau and other native tribes of Sarawak. While a large percentage of Sarawakians live in cities and towns a significant proportion still live in traditional longhouses and in rural areas of the state. Sarawakians practice a variety of religions, including Islam Christianity, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism and Animism.

Getting There and About
Major towns and cities in Sarawak are very well connected with modern port and airport facilities for international and domestic links. Travellers from other parts of the world can get to Sarawak via Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Brunei or Hong Kong. Malaysia Airlines operates regular flights from the Kuala Lumpur to Kuching and Miri. AirAsia offers regular flights to Kuching, Sibu, Miri, Bintulu and its destinations keep increasing. Domestic airports or airstrips are also found at Sibu, Bintulu, Kapit, Belaga, Marudi, Limbang, Lawas, Bario, Long Seridan, Ba Kelalan, Long Semado and Long Lellang. The national airline also flies direct from Singapore, Hong Kong, Taipei, Seoul, Tokyo, Bandar Seri Bagawan in Brunei and Pontianak in Kalimantan to Kuching.

There are two water transport systems in Sarawak i.e. the International and coastal shipping system and the Riverine transport system. In the former, the main ports are in Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu and Miri as well as Senari Port, at Kampung Senari. The latter Riverine transport system is of great significance to a large section of the population living in the interior and along the coast as it is an important means of transportation for passengers and goods. Sarawak has a total of 55 navigable rivers of which the Rejang, the longest river in Malaysia, is the most important. Sarawak also boasts an economical yet efficient express boat service that connects the various coastal towns as well as inland rural areas inaccessible by road.

The Trans-Borneo Highway connects Kuching to all major cities in Sarawak as well as the neighbouring state of Sabah through Brunei. The road system within the State is being constantly upgraded and the public transport system improved to cater to increasing traffic.
Most major towns and cities offer a variety of public transport services including buses, taxis and limousine services. Bus services are also available for those travelling within the state or even internationally to parts of Indonesia and Brunei.

Heritage Discovery
Sarawak State Museum
The Sarawak Museum built in 1891 in the unique structure, built to resemble a Normandy Townhouse at Jalan Tun Haji Openg has been extended. Exhibits include a reconstruction of the prehistoric settlement at Niah Cave on permanent display. Other notable exhibits include the history of Sarawak, a reconstruction of native longhouses, tribal art, Malay and Chinese artefacts, and local flora and fauna. Behind the Sarawak Museum there is an aquarium, and a picturesque landscaped garden.

Astana
The Astana situated along the northern bank of the Sarawak River was built in 1870 as a gift from Rajah Charles Brooke to his bride Margaret. Today, it is used as the official residence of the Yang Di-pertuan Negeri of Sarawak, or official head of the state. While you are not allowed into the premises you can wander around the beautifully landscaped gardens.

Fort Margherita
Fort Margherita was built by the Brooke in 1879 and named after his wife Ranee Margaret. Built on a hill overlooking the Sarawak River and situated on the north bank opposite the fast expanding town centre, the fort was well equipped to protect the capital from riverine invasions. It was converted into the Police Museum in 1971.

Colonial District
In the Colonial District, there are many old architectural monuments that survived World War II. The Courthouse, which features ironwood roofs, was built in 1874. In 1833, a clock tower was added, and the Charles Brooke Memorial constructed in 1924. Another structure called the Pavilion Building was built in 1907. The Sarawak Steamship Building was built in 1930 and now houses a tourist information centre and souvenir stalls. With its distinct columns and arches, the Round Tower at Jalan Tun Haji Openg was built in 1931. Meanwhile, the Bishop’s House was built in 1849 for Borneo’s first Anglican Bishop.

The Grand Old Lady (Well No.1)
The Grand Old Lady is the very first oil well in Malaysia located on top of Canada Hill in Miri. While the well is no longer operational it is a protected historical site. An observatory platform gives visitors a great view of Miri.

Arts & Cultural Exploration
The Cat Statue & Cat Museum
A magnificent statue of a cat stands at the junction of Jalan Pandungan, Jalan Central Timur and Petanak Central Market. It is symbolic of the capital’s name, which means ‘cat’ in Malay. This famous landmark was unveiled in 1988 to celebrate Kuching’s declaration of city status. The Cat Museum located on Bukit Siol, houses more than 2,000 cat artefacts and memorabilia.

Chinese Museum
The museum building itself holds historical interest being built in 1912 and having served as a court for the Chinese community from 1912 to 1021. Converted to a Museum in 1993 it now displays exhibits which showcases the rich history of Sarawak’s ethnic Chinese groups.

Sarawak Cultureal Village
The Sarawak Cultural Village, about 40 minutes by road from Kuching at Pantai Damai and Santubong, is also known as the ‘Living Museum’. It was set up to preserve Sarawak’s cultural heritage. Here you will see models of houses that represent every major group, such as the longhouses of the Iban, Bidayuh and Orang Ulu, a Penan hut, a Melanau tall house, a Malay house and a Chinese farmhouse. Every building has members of the various ethnic groups dressed in their traditional costumes and carrying out their traditional activities like processing sago and making handicrafts. They will also perform their traditional dances for visitors..

The Sarawak Craft Council provides the leadership required in developing handicrafts in Sarawak. Threads from all over Asia are woven into ethnic Sarawakian crafts. Local craftsmen keep the legends of each ethnic group alive. Wood carvings, beadwork, weaving basket work, ceramics, are all made by the local people, are now becoming famous throughout the world for their artistic uniqueness.

The Sarawak Cultural Village also has a theatre where you can enjoy multi-cultural dance performances. Restaurants and handicraft shops are also handy if you need to grab a bite or get some souvenirs.

Sarawak Longhouses
Longhouses offers a glimpse into a way of life that is in many ways a model for communal living. The most accessible longhouses belong to Sarawak's Iban tribe (also called the Sea Dayaks) and are situated off the Skrang, Lemanak, Batang Ai and Rejang River areas.

Kuching Main Bazaar
The oldest street in the city is also the Main Bazaar which is considered an ‘antique arcade’. Made up of a row of old shophouses with old-fashioned facades dating back to 1864 here you will find a bewildering array of handicrafts and other local specialities.

Kuching Mosque
Completed in 1968, it was built on the site of an old mosque built in 1852. The mosque's magnificent gilded domes rise high above the city's skyline making it one of Kuching's most striking landmarks. Its majestic silhouette can be seen for miles around.

Bintulu Mosque
A modern uniquely designed mosque sits in beautifully landscaped surroundings. A striking feature is the man-made gushing waterfall adorned by fountains which enbance the serenity of the Mosque which has aptly been named ‘Masjid Assyikirin’ or Gratefulness to God.

Tua Pek Kong Temple
This magnificently decorated temple is located at Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman. It is believed the temple was built in 1843 but according to official records, its existence was only recognised in 1876. The oldest Chinese temple in Kuching, it is most busy during the Wang Kang festival each year, which commemorates the deceased.

Coasts & Beaches
Santubong and Damai
The Santubong Peninsula about 35 minutes by road from Kuching is a popular retreat for locals with its white, sandy beaches and crystal clear waters. Visitors can also trek to the summit of Mount Santubong (810 metres) or go bird watching. Buntal Village in the Santubong Peninsula is one of the best places for bird watching as it is an important stop for migratory birds between the months of October and March.

Damai, Sarawak’s premier beach resort area, offers all kinds of leisure activities such as water sports, jungle trekking and cultural presentations. Damai boasts of a primary rainforest, an Arnold Palmer-designed golf course, delicious food in restaurants perched on stilts along the shore, a ‘living museum’ and a luxurious beach resort. Damai is also one of the best places to watch the rare Irrawaddy dolphin, particularly in the Santubong, Salak and Buntal estuaries.

Other beaches include Pantai Siar (about 90km from Kuching), Pantai Semantan, Pantai Penyok and Pantai Bandung. These beaches are excellent for swimming, snorkelling and other sea sports and activities.

Pulau Satang Besar
Pulau Satang Besar, located north of Kampung Telaga Air, is a designated turtle sanctuary that protects green turtles..

Cool Retreats & Eco Adventures
Sarawak is heaven for nature lovers. It is famous for its numerous fabulous national parks, wildlife reserves and other natural treasures. You can choose to have a thrilling adventure holiday or a fun-filled relaxing trek in these locations.

National Parks
Gunung Mulu National Park
Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak’s only World Heritage Area, is 52,000ha of mountainous equatorial rainforest with incredible caves and a world famous bio-diversity ‘hotspot’.

Mulu possesses some of the largest and most spectacular caves in the world. The best known is Deer Cave, the World’s largest cave passage, where every evening a spectacular flight of 2 million bats stream out of the cave. Lang Cave has unique stalactites and stalagmites while Clearwater Cave has the longest cave passage in Southeast Asia. It also has a subterranean river, which is navigable by boat.

The Park has over 3,500 specialized orchids, pitcher plants, palms and gingers which include rare species only found in Mulu. There is also a large diversity of fauna species that include deer, monkeys, giant porcupine, civets, all of Borneo’s hornbills and a staggering number of insect species.

Walking trails around Mulu range from an easy wander along plank walk trails to the extremely challenging 4 day trek to the Mulu Summit and the climb to view the famous Pinnacles, the 45-metre high, razor sharp limestone spikes towering above the surrounding vegetation mid-way up the shores of Gunung Api, shaped and carved over millions of years by natural elements. The 480 metre long Mulu Canopy Skywalk offers better opportunities for observing wildlife while the ‘Night Shift’ tour with a park guide is the best way to spot animals that excel in camouflage.

Gunung Gading National Park
Gunung Gading National Park is about five minutes by road from the town of Lundu in Southwest Sarawak. Its star attraction is the world’s largest flower, the Rafflesia. This park was opened to the public in mid 1994 and is a conservation zone for the rare bloom.

Batang Ai National Park
The Batang Ai National Park, which covers more than 24,000 ha is the site of the Batang Ai Hydroelectric Dam. It is also the home to Orang Utan, gibbons and hornbills.

Baku National Park
Gazetted as a national park in 1857, Bako is Sarawak’s oldest national park. It spans about 2,742 ha and is located about 37km from Kuching. Bako is one of the smallest parks in Sarawak but it is known for its extraordinary variety of plant and wildlife species. One of its main attractions is its incredible variety of fauna. Almost every type of vegetation found in Sarawak can be found in Bako.

Long-tailed macaques, silver leaf monkeys, the rare proboscis monkeys, the Oriental Small-clawed Otter, the Hairy Nosed Otter, the Borneo Bearded Pig, the Sun Lizard, the Grass Green Whip Snake, flying lemurs, pangolins and Wagler’s Pit Viper are some of the residents here. At sunset on Teluk Assam beach near the park headquarters, you will see hundreds of swifts flying around their nests near the rocks. There are also more than 150 species of birds here.

Similajau National Park
Similajau, located 20km northeast of Bintulu offers a host of activities from trekking to bird watching to coastal and river cruises. Opened to the public in 1995, the park’s wide-open spaces are perfect for seeing some of the 185 species of birds such as hornbills and eagles. There are also more than 20 species of mammals, including wild boars and macaques. Guides will show you where huge estuarine or saltwater crocodiles laze in the sun and where green turtles come ashore to lay their eggs.

Niah Caves National Park
Niah Caves is best known for the discovery of prehistoric human remains dating back to 30,000 years ago. It is also one of the birthplaces of civilisation. Painted Caves is the place to go if you would like to get a closer look at prehistoric art on its walls. Even primitive tools used to harvest bird nests were found here.

The park covers more than 3,140 ha and has a big cave known as the Great Cave as well as some smaller grottos. While here you can also indulge in exploring the numerous jungle trails, visiting Iban longhouses and mountain climbing.

Niah Caves National Park is reachable by road from Miri or Bintulu. It takes about two hours to reach Batu Niah from Miri and approximately three hours from Bintulu. The final journey is a short boat ride to the park’s headquarters.

Other Natureal Treasures
Semenggoh Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre
The Semenggoh Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre situated 30km south of Kuching is a temporary home for Orang Utan primates orphaned or rescued from captivity. These highly intelligent animals are trained to live independently at the centre before they are released into the surrounding forest reserves.

Matang Wildlife Centre
The Matang Wildlife Centre is located in the Kubah National Park, 35km from Kuching. It is home to endangered wildlife species. There is also an Orang Utan training programme here which teaches the primates how to survive in the wild. In addition, the centre provides shelter for other displaced animals like sun bears, sambar deer and civets. It also houses three large bird sanctuaries that are home to sea eagles, hornbills and many other birds found in Sarawak.

Jungle trails include the Pitcher Trail (two hours), the Sungai Rayu Trail (about three to four hours), the Sungai Senduk Trail (one hour) and the Sungai Buluh Trail (two hours). There are also picnic spots, accommodation facilities, a car park, a small canteen as well as an information centre located here.

Gunung Sabis
Another important archaeological research site is Gunung Sabis, where Palaeolithic and Neolithic tools and human remains were found in 1873. Artefacts of cave dwellers from 40,000 years ago were also found here.

Jong Crocodile Farm
At the Jong Crocodile Farm, only an hour’s drive from the city you can see crocodiles up close. The Farm also houses a small zoo.
 
Events, Fiestas, Fairs and Festivals
Gawai Dayak
The harvest festival which gives thanks to the gods and spirits for the bounty of the land is celebrated by the Dayak, which generally refers to the Iban, Bidayuh and the Orang Ulu communities in Sarawak. The native rituals involve the elders performing traditional rites involving communication with the spirit world, ancestral worship and feasting with friends and family of the whole community dressed up in their traditional costumes. Tuak (rice wine) and an array of traditional food are generously served in every longhouse.

Celebrated mid year on June 1 and 2, unofficially the festivities begin during the last week of May and continue through mid-June. In Kuching, celebrations start a week before with colourful street parades and cultural activities. Gawai Dayak is one of the best and the most interesting time to visit Sarawak as you can see and sample the lifestyle and its festivities.

Kaul
The Melanau community festival or Kaul which appeases the spirits of the sea, land, forests and farm, celebrates the end of the rainy season and the start of the fishing season in late March or early April. The festival is celebrated on different days in the many Melanau settlements along the coast. The Tibou, the death defying 20-foot high swing, is one of the highlights of Kaul, where you see youths dive from a high bamboo scaffolding to catch a swinging liana rope as it reaches the height of its arc. Kaul is a colourful festival with highly decorated boats, beach games and lots of delicious Melanau food.
 
Sarawak Regatta
The Sarawak Regatta involves expert boatmen proving their prowess in a battle of speed to the heart thumping beat of ‘war’ drums. It is an offshoot of the Baram Regatta held on the Baram River which involved a contest between huge war canoes to settle rivalries without resorting to bloodshed.

Culinary Delights
In terms of food, Sarawak has many of its own unique and delicious specialties. Sarawakian specialties include Umai, a traditional Melanau dish that is a spicy salad of raw marinated fish, lime and shallots and a popular Iban delicacy called Pansoh Manok, which is chicken cooked in rice wine in bamboo. They also use the same technique to cook fish. There are also two popular types of crispy jungle fern called midin and paku pakis.

Some of the finest seafood can be savoured in Sarawak. Local fish comes prepared in a wide range of ways - steamed, fried, baked, curried, grilled or with sambal - a mild, spicy mixture of Malay origin, made up of onions, dried chillies, candlenuts and belacan (prawn paste). Crabs, prawns, lobsters, clams, squids, oysters and bamboo clams are equally plentiful and fresh.

Dining outlets which include coffee shops, food centres, as well as restaurants. Five-star hotels in Kuching and Miri have fine dining outlets offering both western and oriental cuisine. The open-air hawker stalls offer the most scrumptious food at amazingly low prices. You can even treat yourself to dinner under a canopy of stars on a river cruise.
 
The Sunday market, which starts from Saturday afternoon and lasts till Sunday is a very busy fruit and vegetable market, where many local producers offer tropical produce for sale. In the evening you can sample local fare at the many stalls which offer delightful local dishes.

Shopping
Shopping in Sarawak can be a highly pleasurable experience. From one end to the other Sarawak has much to offer the visitor. Popular local items include totems, bead necklaces, intricately woven baskets, masks and woven products. A few items, especially antiques, require permission from the local government before they can be taken out of the country.
Kuching is probably the best area to shop for local artefacts. There is also an open air market which sells almost everything under the sun situated North bound of Kuching City, at the open air parking lots of Jalan Rubber & Jalan Nanas. It only operates during weekends from Friday evening to Sunday evening. In Miri, Pasar Utama and Pasar Tamu, wild and jungle products markets offer opportunities to mingle with the locals and savour local delicacies.
In Lembangan Market in Sibu, considered one of the most vibrant night markets in the state, you will get a real state of the State. Over 700 stalls along the river offer all kinds of local delicacies and jungle produce including flying foxes, squirrels, snakes, fruits and ferns and lots more.

Entertainment and Nightlife
Both Kuching and Miri have great nightlife. The many hotels in these two cities house pubs, lounges, and discotheques. Many hotels also offer live-band entertainment and karaoke lounges are also popular. Outside the hotels, more karaoke lounges and nightclubs can be found.

Rainforest World Music Festival
This annual Music festival is a unique event which brings together renowned musicians from all over the world and indigenous musicians from Borneo. The enchanting melodies of ethnic music against the backdrop of the rainforest in the Sarawak Cultural Village is an entrancing experience.

Miri Jazz Festival
A recently created event, the Jazz festival brings together all different genres of Jazz from the world over to the northern city of Sarawak in an outdoor festival. The easy laid back atmosphere of the city is an ideal backdrop for the intimate strains of Jazz from Europe, Australasia, Africa and Asia.

Tourist Information Centres
Kuching Visitors’ Information Centre
Tel: 082 419 944/2

Miri Visitors’ Information Centre
Tel: 085 434 181

Sibu Visitors’ Information Centre
Tel: 084 340 980