Gateway to Borneo Campaign
Have you heard the news? Sarawak launched its "Gateway to Borneo" campaign at the ITB Berlin in March 2024! We are positioning ourselves as the premier entry point to Borneo and hope to welcome a whopping 4 million visitors in 2024. We even have a new "Sarawak More to Discover" (SMTD) destination logo to complement this awesome initiative. It's time to pack your bags and head over to Sarawak to discover more.
Welcome to the Land of Enchanting Diversity
The plane descends towards Kuching International Airport and a group of tourists eagerly awaits their first glimpse of this enchanting land. Peering out of the windows, the lush green canopy and the stretching rainforest beneath them greet them with a breathtaking sight. The stunning landscape with winding rivers that gracefully carve their way through the dense forests sets the stage for the awe-inspiring adventure in Sarawak.
A warm welcome from a local host marks the beginning of a journey filled with unique experiences. From thrilling hikes through pristine rainforests to serene cultural visits and indulging in exotic dishes, Sarawak offers diverse, immersive experiences that will leave a lasting impression.
Kuching City: Where the Adventure Starts
Historic Carpenter Street in Kuching City
Fabric seller at Main Bazaar, Kuching City
The journey begins at the Main Bazaar, a bustling street where vibrant textiles, intricate handicrafts and exotic spices vie for attention. The narrow lanes echo the lively banter of vendors showcasing their wares and engaging in friendly haggling with customers.
They wander down Carpenter Street, a historic thoroughfare lined with charming shophouses. The scent of freshly brewed
kopi-o
(coffee) wafts from the doorways of quaint cafes. The tantalizing aroma of freshly cooked kolo mee and laksa fills the air as they indulge in the local cuisine. They relish every bite of the springy noodles, savour the rich laksa broth and delight in the sweet, refreshing ais
kacang
cendol (local ice cream).
The back lanes of the Old Courthouse along Plaza Merdeka and Kai Joo Lane feature stunning street art, perfect for capturing Instagram-worthy photos. Clicks, snaps, our travellers are captured in the images marking their presence.
As the sun sets on Kuching, the lively atmosphere at the Waterfront is palpable as they take in the harmonious coexistence of the natives, Malays, Chinese and Indians. On a tranquil sampan ride towards the sunset, the stunning contrast between the vibrant greenery of the lush forests, modern cityscape and old shophouses is mesmerizing. The charming traditional kampung houses add to the picturesque backdrop.
Culture and Culinary Heritage
Sarawak Cultural Village where the Rainforest World Music Festival is held
On the way to the beaches, our travellers stop at the Sarawak Cultural Village to explore traditional houses representing Sarawak's cultures. They are dazzled by the villagers' amazing stories, mesmerized by their exquisite crafts and treated to multi-cultural shows. The aroma of bamboo rice cooking over an open fire is a feast for their senses.
The village restaurant serves exotic tribal food such as umai(raw fish with lime), manok panso(chicken cooked in bamboo), daging tepus beef (beef with wild ginger), ikan asam pedas (fish with brinjal),bandong tutok (squashed tapioca leaves), labu masak lemak (pumpkin with coconut milk) and
paku belacan (wild fern with prawn paste).
Manok Pansoh, Chicken cooked in Bamboo with tapioca shoots.
Midin Belacan (Stir-fried Wild fern cooked in shrimp paste and garlic)
At the bustling weekend Satok Market (Medan Niaga Satok), located on the north bank of the Sarawak River, they sample exotic fruits like rambutan and mangosteen. A selection of jungle produce, including wild durians, pisang
tanduk, tapioca roots and river clams is laid out on tarpaulin sheets on the floor.
They cross the nearby reconstructed Satok Pedestrian Suspension Bridge to reach the south bank. The locals used the old bridge to connect both sides of the river when land transportation was scarce. Its transformation into a modern engineering marvel has made it a beloved tourist destination.
The day ends with a food tour of Gala City and Premier 101, where they indulge in various local culinary delights and desserts.
Nature’s Bounty: Breathtaking Landscapes and Creatures
Tanjung Datu National Park, a nature’s haven accessible by boat from Sematan
The next few days are a whirlwind of experiences as the group ventures deep into the heart of Sarawak's untamed wilderness. They explore Bako National Park where lush rainforests, rugged cliffs, sandy beaches and diverse wildlife coexist. They also cruise down the Santubong River, keeping their eyes peeled for proboscis monkeys swinging through the trees, crocodiles lounging on the riverbanks and rare Irrawaddy dolphins splashing around in the water.
Plus, they kayak along the crystal-clear waters of the Semadang River, surrounded by lush rainforest and incredible scenery. They stop by the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre to witness the incredible sight of orangutans swinging gracefully from tree to tree. These gentle giants were rescued from captivity and now call Sarawak's jungles home.
Tanjung Datu National Park is a natural paradise that can only be reached by boat from Sematan. It is an ideal location for our travellers to stay overnight, as the park boasts massive rainforests, pristine beaches and thriving coral reefs. Visitors can enjoy sunbathing, snorkelling and hiking while exploring the park's wonders. While walking along the rainforest trails, they come across the colossal Rafflesia flower and elusive hornbills, iconic wildlife of the region. Exotic birds welcome them with sweet melodies.
Subterranean Wonderland and Highland Paradise
Mulu National Park, a wonder of caves and pinnacles
Our intrepid travellers fly to Miri to explore the captivating Mulu Caves and the breathtaking Bario Highlands.
Gunung Mulu National Park is nestled deep within the lush rainforests of Sarawak. They descend into the cool darkness of the Mulu Caves, where stalagmites and stalagmites stretch like ancient sentinels. A local guide shares fascinating tidbits about the cave’s formation, the delicate ecosystem and the mysterious creatures.
As dusk settles, they witness a spectacle unlike any other: the bat exodus. Thousands of bats emerge from the cave’s mouth, their wings creating a rhythmic hum. It’s a mesmerizing symphony of flight against the twilight sky. Cameras click, capturing this fleeting moment.
Joining the Miri Pinnacles and Park helicopter tour, our travellers soar above the dense canopy. The Mulu Pinnacles—a cluster of razor-sharp limestone peaks jutting dramatically from the forest—come into view.
The route includes a sky view of Miri’s beautiful seashore, stilt villages and interior longhouses.
The adventure continues on a 14-seater MASwings Twin Otter plane to Bario Highlands, which provides a unique experience. As they fly over the vast land at a low altitude, they enjoy breathtaking views of the verdant rainforest, winding rivers and logging roads.
The plane gently touches down in Bario, a highland village perched amidst emerald rice terraces. The villagers welcome them, eager to share their way of life.
Several longhouse-style guesthouses with wide verandas offer panoramic views of the Kelabit plateaus. The locals serve lemang, sticky rice cooked in bamboo and tuak, a potent rice wine. They swap stories by the communal fire, laughter echoing through the night.
The following day, they trek to the Kelabit Highlands. Mist clings to the hills, revealing glimpses of terraced fields and ancient stone megaliths. Before leaving, the villagers give them a bag of the famous Bario rice as a gesture of hospitality.
A Festival Before Departing
Bung Bratak Heritage Centre. Photo Credit - Ismail Bin Roslan
The Bidayuh ladies and mens, with their enchanting costumes Photo Credit:Dayung and Dali Bidayuh
Attending a festival is an essential part of the trip, and the travellers join the Bung Bratak Day festival at the Bung Bratak Heritage Centre (BBHC), which offers visitors a chance to experience the vibrant festivities of Bidayuh culture. The event features traditional Bidayuh cultural performances, music and traditional games. It's free and comes with delicious ethnic food.
As the travellers board their plane to return home, they carry cherished memories of Sarawak. In this land, culture, adventure, nature, food and festivals come together in perfect harmony. They have captured some stunning moments and are excited to share them on social media. #GatewaytoBorneo
#SarawakMoreToDiscover.