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Sarawak
Land Of The Hornbill
When it comes to natural beauty, Sarawak has it all. Perched on the northwestern edge of the exotic island of Borneo, Sarawak is the largest of Malaysia's states and is literally quite unlike any other place on earth. An amazing variety of wonders await visitors who come to Sarawak. Home to over 30 different ethnic groups, long sandy beaches, and an incredibly large natural world with a rich history makes Sarawak one of the most popular tourism spots in Malaysia.
Sarawak is popularly known as 'The Land of the Hornbills' in tribute to the majestic-looking hornbills found in the state. Considered as a messenger from the spirit world by the Iban community, an indigenous group, hornbills are central to many Iban ceremonies, beliefs and even traditional dances.
The History
Sarawak's history dates about 40,000 years ago. Remains of a pre-historic civilisation including stone-age tools, artifacts and skull fragments of a 'Niah Man', aged between 35,000 and 40,000 years old, have been discovered at the Niah Caves, located at the northernmost corner of the state. Around 7th or 8th century AD, when traders form China, Japan, India and Arabia plied the maritime route, the early Sarawakians traded using beads, pepper, and swiftlets' nests-found in the roofs of the Niah Caves-as trading currency. The two spectacular cave parks, Mulu and Niah have both been put foward for nomination as World Heritage Sites. Currently, only Gunung Mulu National Park has been declared a World Heritage Site. Places listed under the World Heritage Site list are given technical and emergency assistance under the World Heritage Fund, benefiting the site itself, the public, and foreign and local experts in various fields.
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Harmony in Diversity
Sarawak is also home to more than 30 ethnic groups living together in perfect harmony. For an insight on the lives and culture of some of these major ethnic groups in Sarawak, a visit to the Sarawak Cultural Village is a must. The village contains replicas of ethnic houses for the viewing pleasure of visitors. Major ethnic groups are the Ibans, Chinese, Malay, Bidayuh, Melanau and The Orang Ulus.
Accomodation
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Places of interest
For travelers who prefer to laze under the sun, Sabah offers glorious tropical beaches with activities such as swimming, snorkeling, or just simply relaxing on the beach. These beaches are located on five different islands near Kota Kinabalu and are something not to be missed by visitors.
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Kuching
Nestled on the banks of the Sarawak River, the capital, Kuching, retains the old-world charm of its romantic past.
The river is the focal point of the town and features a graceful, European-style esplanade -The Kuching Waterfront - with views across to the Astana (the palace) and Fort Margherita. For another perspective on the town, hire a boat and float down the river either by day or night-the sunset is fantastic.
The narrow, bustling streets near the river are crammed with ornate temples, markets, historic buildings and traditonal Chinese shophouses selling local handicrafts. Kuching also lays claim to nine museums, many within walking distance of each other. Approximately 35 km from the capital of Kuching lies the picturesque fishing village of Santubong boasting some of the finest beaches in Sarawak.
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The Natural Wonders of Sarawak
Scattered national parks throughout the land allow visitors easy access to Sarawak's natural treasures where the proboscis monkeys, the famous bearded pigs, silver leaf monkeys and long tailed macaques can be seen. These huge parks are also home to an enormous range of fauna including the carnivorous pitcher plants, sundews, wild orchids and the Rafflesia, the largest flower in the world.
In addition, the Niah and Gunung Mulu national park situated close to Brunei houses the Niah Caves containing prehistoric remains dating back 40,000 years. There are also quite a lot of National Parks scattered in Sarawak such as : Bako, Similajau, Kubah, Lambir Hills, Gunung Gading, Batang Ai, Tanjung Datu and Loagan Bunut National Park.
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Gunung Mulu National Park
Mulu Caves National Park is home to one of the longest networks of caves in the world. Here lies the world’s largest underground chamber, the Sarawak Chamber, capable of accommodating forty Boeing 747 airplanes.
In Mulu, you will also find the world’s biggest cave passage, Deer Cave, which can fit five cathedrals the size of Saint Paul’s in London. Another key attraction is Clear Water Cave, the longest cave in Southeast Asia. The massive caves here are home to millions of bats and cave swiftlets that swarm out into the jungle in great clouds every evening at dusk!
The outdoorsy type will be pleasantly surprised by some of the best examples of tropical limestone weathering in the world, including enormous razor-sharp pinnacles, deep-cut canyons, appropriately named The Pinnacles. There are tough but rewarding multi-day hikes available from the resort. A guide and porter are recommended.
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Sarawak Cultural Village
Known as the 'Living Museum', the Cultural Village was set up to preserve and showcase Sarawak's cultural heritage. Located at Pantai Damai, Santubong, just 32km from the state capital, Kuching, it is the perfect place to get introduced to local culture and lifestyle.
Sprawled across 17 acres, there are about 150 people living in the village, demonstrating traditional daily activities from Sarawak's diverse tribes like the processing of sago and the making of handicrafts. They wear traditional costumes and also put on dances for visitors.
The village residents provide information on their various traditional cultures and lifestyles. You can see replicas of buildings that represent every major ethnic group in Sarawak; longhouses of the Iban, Bidayuh and Orang Ulu, a Melanau tall-house and a Chinese farm house among others.
The village also has a theatre, where you can enjoy multicultural dance performances. Besides this, there is a restaurant and handicraft shop. You can even get married at the Sarawak Cultural Village, in traditional Iban, Malay, Bidayuh or Orang Ulu style.
The Iban longhouse has separate rooms placed side by side, all of which open to a long communal hall, used for leisurely activities like wood carving and basket weaving.
Guests are often invited to attend nightly ceremonies and drink a potent rice wine, tuak, which the Iban make themselves. Comfortable guesthouses are also available for visitors.
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The Grand Old Lady
One of Sarawak’s most important historical monuments. MIRI WELL No. 1 - The Grand Old Lady - struck oil on 22 December 1910. Grand Old Lady is not a frail figure of an old woman but Miri's Number 1 oil well, the first cable-tool oil well in the country, a 'mother' who milked a poor country to a prosperous nation.
This landmark is about 30 meters high, Located on top of Canada Hill overlooking Miri, it attracts locals to enjoy the scenery or jog on the well-designed path.
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The discovery of oil in 1910 on Canada Hill has a significant place in the history of modern Miri. Canada Hill is where the oil industry in the Sarawak started, with the successful drilling of well Miri-1 in December 1910.
The growth of the oil industry has helped to transform Miri from a small fishing village at the turn of the 20th century into a modern and prosperous town in the 21st Century.
The first derrick constructed was affectionately called 'The Grand Old Lady' and produced oil for 62 years. Next to the Grand Old Lady, the Petroleum Museum exhibits photographs and information on the petroleum industry.
In joint venture with Shell Malaysia and Petronas, has built a museum-cum-information centre. At the rear of the museum, the parking lot serves as a vantage point overlooking Miri town below.
The view from Bukit Telaga Minyak is rewarding because the panorama not only include the whole town comes but also the Miri-Brunei border, the offshore oilrigs and the refineries in nearby Lutong township.
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How to get here?
Sarawak is big and, by otherwise high Malaysian standards, its roads are poor, making planes the most convenient way of getting around. For example, it's about 1 hour from Kuching to Miri by plane (full fare RM164), but a butt-numbing 14 hours by bus (RM70).
By air
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Malaysia Airlines and budget airlines AirAsia provide frequent flights between Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu and Miri.
The rural air service is operated by MASWings, which took over the network from FlyAsian Express (FAX) on October 1, 2007. Flights use Fokkers and Twin Otter aircrafts. Fokkers flight cover Kuching, Sibu, Miri, Limbang and Mulu National Park while Twin Otter planes link Kuching, Sibu, Miri and Lawas with rural towns and longhouses like Mukah, Marudi and various settlements in the Kelabit Highlands like Bario, Bakelalan, Long Seridan, Long Lellang, Long Banga and Long Akah.
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By bus
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Most cities in Sarawak are now linked by express buses although travelling times can be long because of the distance. Companies include Vital Focus Transportations Sdn. Bhd., which operates Suria Bas, PB and Borneo Highway express buses, and Biaramas.
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By boat
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Express boats run from the coast inland along Borneo's larger rivers. They are generally faster than buses and cheaper than planes. Popular routes include Kuching-Sibu (4 hours) and Sibu-Kapit (3 hours).
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Local transport
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Most cities have local buses and taxis serving not only the city centres and their surrounding
suburbs but also adjacent rural districts.
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