About Sarawak Cultural Village

Tucked away on the foothills of legendary Mount Santubong, 35 km away from Kuching is Sarawak's fascinating cultural showcase, the award winning "Sarawak Cultural Village".

This living museum depicts the heritage of the major racial groups in Sarawak and conveniently portrays the respective lifestyle amidst 14 acres of equatorial vegetation.

Here, it is possible to see Sarawak's ethnic diversity at a glance. The handicraft is both bewildering and tempting, including the Kain Songket (Malay cloth with gold inlay), Pua Kumbu (Iban housewives textiles), Melanau Terendak (sunhat), Bidayuh tambok (basket), Iban parang (swords), Orang Ulu wood carving and Chinese ceramic.

The 45-minute cultural performance of songs, dances and entertainment is something you will not want to miss out during your visit to Sarawak.

source: http://www.scv.com.my/main.asp

tourist destination in Malaysia: Sarawak Cultural Village, Sarawak

tourist destination in Malaysia: Sarawak
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.

-source: tourism malaysia

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tourist destination in Malaysia: Niah National Park, Sarawak

tourist destination in Malaysia: Sarawak
Niah National Park

Over 400km up the coast from Kuching, hidden in the forests of Miri, are the Niah Caves. The park covers a vast swathe of 3,140 hectares of peat swamp, dipterocarp forests, as well as the massive limestone outcroppings within which the giant Niah caves are concealed. The caves consist of one big cave (The Great Cave) and some smaller caves.

In 1958, archeologists discovered evidence of human occupation of the caves dating back some 40,000 years. Rock paintings were found in what has become known as the Painted Cave, and the discovery of several small canoe-like coffins (death ships) indicate that this site was once used as a burial ground.

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tourist destination in Malaysia: Sarawak

tourist destination in Malaysia: Matang Wildlife Centre, Sarawak

tourist destination in Malaysia: Sarawak
Matang Wildlife Centre

The Matang Wildlife Centre is about 35km from Kuching. Located in Kubah National Park, this large enclosed area of rainforest is home to endangered wildlife. There is a training programme here that teaches Orang Utans, who have been orphaned or rescued from captivity, how to survive in the wild. Visitors will be able to see lots of Orang Utans here, especially during feeding time. Besides these adorable primates, there are also Sun Bears, Sambar Deer, Civet cats as well as three large aviaries that house Sea Eagles, Hornbills and other birds in Sarawak.

Jungle trekking is also possible as there are four jungle trails here, the Pitcher Trail (takes about 2 hours), the Sungai Rayu Trail ( about 3 - 4 hours), the Sungai Senduk trail (about 1 hour) and Sungai Buluh trail (about 2 hours). Picnic spots, an information centre, accommodation facilities, a car park and a small canteen are available at the park HQ.

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tourist destination in Malaysia

source: tourism malaysia

tourist destination in Malaysia: Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak

tourist destination in Malaysia: Sarawak
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.

Key Tips

Arrive at the viewing platform in front of Deer Cave by 6 pm to witness the fantastic spectacle of countless bats exiting the cave, headed out for a night's prowl of the jungle. Set your camera to ASA 800 to capture the 'show' sharply as flash won't work in this situation.

How to get there

By Air
Malaysia Airlines operates three daily flights from Miri into Mulu (30 minute flight). Recently, an airline called FAX, which is a subsidiary of Air Asia, has started flying to Mulu as well.

By Boat
You can also take the express boat from Kuala Baram (three hours) to Marudi. From Marudi, take a commercial express boat to Kuala Apoh or Long Panai on the Tutoh River (a tributary of the Baram River). The express departs Marudi at noon daily and returns to Marudi in the early morning of the next day. The trip takes about three hours.

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source: tourism malaysia

tourist destination in Malaysia: Lambir Hill National Park, Sarawak

tourist destination in Malaysia: Sarawak
Lambir Hill National Park

Lambir Hills is very popular among ecologists and researchers. Just a sample 52 hectares of the park's 7,000 hectares revealed 1,050 different species of trees, and each tree supports 1,000 species of insect life!

Ecologists think there are many plant and insect species in the park still waiting to be discovered. This ecological wonderland is one of the most accessible of Sarawak's national parks, just a 30-minute drive from Miri. In your eagerness to get to Mulu or Niah you should not miss out on a visit to Lambir. Its forest is home to gibbons, tarsiers, bearded pigs, flying squirrels, deer and 157 types of birds and the beautiful clouded leopard.

You will see the wildlife as you wander the park's forest trails. The longest and toughest is to the top of Bukit Lambir (465 metres) but the superb view of the rainforest below makes the climb worth the sweat.

There is a 40m tall tree tower on the trail from which you can get a close-up view of the pulsating life of the rainforest canopy. The Park is also ideal for birdwatching.

Its close proximity to Miri makes the park ideal for a day visit, but if you want to study the wildlife at leisure, overnight accommodation is available at the park headquarters.

Key Tips

Bring your swimsuits because the park has some great, and easily accessible, swimming holes at the base of some waterfalls. It's the best way to cool off from the humid jungle.

How to get there

By Road
The park is easily accessible, being only half an hour's drive away from Miri. The Park headquarters is close to the Miri-Niah road. Just get on the Bintulu and Bakong bus in Miri. You may opt to join an organised trip departing Miri in the early morning and returning after lunch. Arrangements can also be made for overnight stays upon request. Alternatively, you can charter a taxi for the day

Who to contact

For more information, please contact Sarawak Tourism Office Tel: +6082-246 575 / 775 Email: mtpbkch@tourism.gov.my

Accommodation Overview

There is a resthouse available at the park. Alternatively, the city of Miri, with its complete range of accommodation, is just 45 minutes away.

Accommodation Booking

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source: tourism malaysia

tourist destination in Malaysia: Gunung Gading National Park, Sarawak

tourist destination in Malaysia: Sarawak
Gunung Gading National Park

Gunung Gading National Park is a beautiful expanse of mountainous rainforest only two hours away from Kuching. Located near Lundu, a pleasant little town in south-west Sarawak.

Initially, the park was a closed conservation zone for the spectacular Rafflesia, the largest flower in the world that can grow up to one metre in diameter. However, after extensive environmental impact studies, the National Parks Department decided that Gunung Gading is a treasure that should be shared with the public.

It was therefore opened to the public in 1994. However, Gunung Gading National Park remains closely watched by the National Parks Department to ensure that visitors will get the best opportunities to view the flowering Rafflesia without causing any damage to the young buds and other flora in the surrounding area.

A plank walk has been built close to where the Rafflesia is commonly found, making viewing possible when the plant is in bloom.

Jungle trails lead to streams, cascading waterfalls and the mountains, with one path taking trekkers to the summit of Gunung Gading (906m). The rugged mountains within the Park provide a scenic backdrop to the nearby town of Lundu, and the beaches at Pandan and Siar.

Key Tips

November to January are the peak blooming months for the Rafflesia.

How to get there

By Bus
The Park is just five minutes' drive from Lundu town or about a two-hour drive from Kuching. You can take an STC (Sarawak Transport Company) Lundu Express Bus or Bus No. 2B from Kuching City to Lundu town centre. From there, take a Pandan bus and ask to be dropped off at the park. Alternatively, charter a taxi for the day.

Who to contact

For more information, please contact Sarawak Tourism Office Tel: +6082-246 575 / 775 Email: mtpbkch@tourism.gov.my

Accommodation Overview

A hostel, chalets, and camping are available.

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tourist destination in Malaysia

source: tourism malaysia

tourist destination in Malaysia: Batang Ai National Park, Sarawak

tourist destination in Malaysia: Sarawak
Batang Ai National Park

Gazetted in 1991, Batang Ai National Park shelters many protected animals. It also serves as a water catchment area for a huge artificial lake, creating the Batang Ai Hydro-electric dam. The lake extends up to the Engkari and Ai Valleys, where the scenery complements an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity.

Because of the limited facilities available within the park, the best way to see it is by arranging to be part of a longhouse tour, where you'll get a chance to meet natives of the Iban tribe and discover how they live in their communal house and how they interact non-destructively with nature.

Key Tips

A visit to the longhouse is a great experience, especially since the Ibans are such hospitable and lively people.

How to get there

By Road
Batang Ai National Park is a few hours' drive from Kuching. If you go with a tour, your transport is included.

Who to contact

For more information, please contact Sarawak Tourism Office Tel: +6082-246 575 / 775 Email: mtpbkch@tourism.gov.my

Accommodation Overview

Besides the 5-star resort in the park, operators can organise stays at nearby Iban longhouses.

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source: tourism malaysia

tourist destination in Malaysia: Longhouse Tours, Sarawak

tourist destination in Malaysia: Sarawak
Longhouse Tours

A holiday in Sarawak is not complete without a visit to the longhouses that are the traditional dwellings of many of the natives here such as the Iban, Bidayuh and Orang Ulu. A longhouse is a terraced street of separate dwellings covered by one roof. A tuai rumah (headman) is the head of the longhouse. Every family has their own separate bilik (room). Communal activities are carried out on the ruai (verandah). Male visitors will spend a night on the verandah whereas female visitors are invited to stay in the bilik or room.

Longhouse communities normally wear practical clothes like jeans and T-shirts. They only wear their traditional costumes during festivals like Gawai Dayak or the Iban harvest festival and also during weddings. Tour groups are normally greeted with a glass of tuak or rice wine and a welcome dance. After that, they will tour the longhouses and will be entertained by various cultural performances. You are usually invited to join in the dancing. Visitors can spend a night at the longhouses or in a nearby guesthouse.

Key Tips

If you do decide to stay overnight at a longhouse, just be aware that you'll have very little privacy. It is a communal experience.

How to get there

By Road and River
The distance to your longhouse depends on where you're going, but a common programme, run out of Kuching, picks you up at your hotel for the 2-hour drive to a jetty by a major river. After that you may go up or downriver by longboat for one or two hours to reach the longhouse.

Who to contact

For more information, please contact Sarawak Tourism Office Tel: +6082-246 575 / 775 Email: mtpbkch@tourism.gov.my

Accommodation Overview

The highlight of this tour is an overnight stay at a traditional longhouse.

More Info

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source: tourism malaysia

tourist destination in Malaysia: Bako National Park, Sarawak

tourist destination in Malaysia: Sarawak
Bako National Park

Sarawak's oldest national park was established in 1957, covers a modest 27 sq. km., and is about 37km from Kuching. It's known for its extraordinary natural scenery, habitats, plants and wild life. Its most significant feature are secluded coves and rugged rocky headlands with magnificent steep cliffs that overlook the South China Sea.

The sea spray, wave action and the wind have also carved out magnificent sea arches and sea stacks at the base of the cliffs, some rearing above the waves like a mighty serpent's head. The attractive sandstone formations appear pink with iron patterns on the cliff. Further inland, waterfalls tumble down into freshwater pools in a tranquil and idyllic jungle setting.

Key Tips

Bako is famous for being the most accessible place in Sarawak to see the rare, human-looking proboscis monkey.

How to get there

By Road
Petra Jaya Bus No.6 and regular minibuses go from Kuching to Kampung Bako, a picturesque fishing village. Alternatively, taxis to Kampung Bako.

By Boat
From there you have to charter a boat to the Park HQ from the booth at the jetty. The boat ride is an adventure in itself, with the skilled and experienced boatmen riding the surf at high speed, to the delight of most visitors.

Who to contact

For more information, please contact Sarawak Tourism Office Tel: +6082-246 575 / 775 Email: mtpbkch@tourism.gov.my

Accommodation Overview

There are mountain huts, public toilets and washrooms, a canteen, an information centre and video shows. Application for permits and reservations for accommodation can be made at the National Parks and Wildlife Office in Miri. The phone number is (+6)085-436637

Accommodation Booking

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source: tourism malaysia

tourist destination in sarawak, malaysia : Jalan Satok Sunday Market

tourist destination in Malaysia: Jalan Satok Sunday Market

This vibrant Sunday market along Jalan Satok, comes alive Saturday afternoon when local traders from the outskirts of Kuching peddle their wares.

Catch a glimpse of the fat squirming grubs, sieet, or unique wild ferns "midin" and other jungle produce sold in makeshift stalls by the roadside, or simply on empty rice sacks lain on the ground.

The place truly comes alive with a riot of colours, smells and dialects as the locals converge to buy their weekly produce.

Traders sell handicrafts, clothes, fresh produce, food and drinks and much more. This is also an excellent excuse for picture taking opportunities.

Take an outing to the market, and be prepared to face a bevy of smiles, fierce haggling and friendly faces in the true Sarawakian warmth and charm.

how to get there

By Foot or Taxi.
The Jalan Satok Sunday Market is at the junction of Jalan Satok and Jalan Palm, opposite the Miramar Cinema.

By Bus
Buses 4a and 4b from the Matang transport Company bus station on Jalan P. Ramlee or from the post office go to the market. It is a 5 minute bus ride.

who to contact

For more information, please contact Sarawak Tourism Office Tel: +6082-246 575 / 775 Email: mtpbkch@tourism.gov.my

tourist destination in Malaysia

source: tourism malaysia

tourist destination in sarawak

Sarawak - Land of the Hornbills

The name 'Borneo' has long meant magic to travellers, and if you skip Sarawak, you'll miss something special. The state has a superb system of national parks, beautiful beaches and a diverse thriving tribal culture whose hospitality to strangers is unmatched. Situated on the north-western coast of Borneo, the Land of Hornbills beckons the visitor with its rich rainforests, intricate weave of rivers, pepper plantations, and the diverse cultures of its indigenous people.

Sarawak shares its borders with Indonesia's Kalimantan province in the south and Brunei and Sabah in the north-east. Sarawak is Malaysia's largest state, covering an area of 124, 450 sq.km. with one of the most pleasant cities in all of Asia, Kuching, as its capital.

Two-thirds of its land is covered in rainforests and its population of 1.7 million is made up of 23 ethnic groups. Sarawak's indigenous peoples have a strong sense of identity and have made their mark in government, education and the media. A unique history has given Sarawak a character of its own, distinct yet very much a part of Malaysia.

source: tourism malaysia