Traditions have been a very significant part of Sarawak’s heritage and identity for many years with its generations-old customs dating back to the Brooke era. One of such is the annual Sarawak Regatta Festival which will be held at the famous landmark the Kuching Waterfront, a favorite of both locals and visitors for entertainment, food, and music. This year’s festival will be held from the 3rd to the 5th of November just along Kuching’s Waterfront with lots of exciting and fun-filled activities for you and your family. 

The Sarawak Regatta is a boat race event which is held in various cities along the majestic Sarawak River participated by individuals from various government departments, Sarawakian villages, and neighboring cities. Its main purpose was to promote unity and encourage interracial interactions, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Cheer on your favorite teams in this exhilarating battle for the grand esteemed title of ‘Raja Sungai’, King of the River.

There are other exciting activities taking place on land as well in conjunction with the Kuching Waterfront Festival. You are spoiled for choice of food with the many Sarawakian Kitchen booths where you can feast on traditional delicacies as you spectate the games. There will also be a Craft Bazaar for you to shop handicrafts as a memento to remember this event. Get hands-on experience of weaving and crafting your own handicrafts with the guidance of experienced artisans at workshop booths. This is a good opportunity to support local businesses as these booths are occupied by SMEs selling authentic ‘made in Sarawak’ products. This could also further enhance the tourism industry besides introducing the local arts and crafts across the globe and hopefully one day bring our arts and crafts to the world stage.

Step into a world of glamor and color at the Peragaan Busana (fashion show) held during the festival. This event showcases works by up-and-coming designers with hopes of bringing recognition to their ideas of a fusion of rich culture and modernism. It aims to propel the local fashion industry to greater heights on a larger global scale. For enthusiasts of fashion, design, and culture, the Peragaan Busana would be the highlight for festival-goers. You can also explore and expand your horizons by learning to appreciate the hard work of local designers and to value local designs.

An entertainment-packed day awaits you at the festival with live acts by various talents. From competitions like Kids’ Talent Night, Festival Gendang, and Battle of the Bands to cultural musical performances such as theatrical plays, Sound of Borneo: Rhythm of Sarawak as well as native martial arts presentations, there is something for everyone to enjoy. We do encourage locals and tourists alike to find some time to drop by and enjoy the festivities to have a once in a lifetime experience which should not be missed.

What started off as a boat race has evolved into a celebration in honor of Sarawak’s unique ethnicities and talents. Don’t miss out on this festival for an experience of culture. As a revered local gem, we kindly request that all visitors help maintain the cleanliness of the area by disposing of their trash correctly and prevent littering during the event. Together we make Sarawak a more liveable and thriving city in years to come. For more information on the Sarawak Regatta, visit https://regatta.sarawaktourism.com/ to read more about the tradition’s history and its previous year’s events.

The Mid-Autumn Festival, otherwise referred to as the Mooncake Festival, in an annual celebration held to mark the end of the autumn harvest festival.

The festival has been observed since over 2,000 years ago. It is celebrated annually on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. For 2023, the auspicious festival falls on the 29th September when the moon is at its fullest and brightest. 

The celebrations kick with a family dinner where families gather together to signify reunion and completeness. After the dinner, the younger population will light up colourfully decorated handheld paper lanterns and stroll around their compound or parks to accompany the moon viewing. 

More elaborate celebrations would include Chinese dances, Chinese Opera and puppetry, among others. The highlight of the festival, however, are the mooncakes which are often exchanged as gifts. 

But how did this festival and its association with mooncakes come about? The festival is centred around the love story of husband and wife, Chang Er and Hou Yi.

The story goes that ten suns rose in the sky together one year, leading to great disaster. Hou Yi was a great archer who managed to shoot down nine of the suns. He was rewarded an elixir of immortality by an immortal who admired Yi’s skill. Yi, however, did not yearn for immortality without his wife Chang Er so he chose to let her keep the elixir.

Peng Meng, one of Yi’s  apprentices, knew this secret. So, on the fifteenth of August in the Chinese lunar calendar, when Yi went hunting, Peng Meng broke into Yi's house and forced Chang Er to give the elixir to him. She refused and swallowed it instead. She then flew into the sky and chose the moon for her residence. When Yi came back and learned what had happened, he felt so sad that he displayed the fruits and cakes Chang Er liked in the yard and gave sacrifices to his wife. People soon learned about these activities, and since they also were sympathetic to Chang'e they participated in these sacrifices with Yi.

In the historical context however, mooncakes were used in the Ming revolution to pass messages around secretly under the guise as gifts during the Yuan Dynasty. This tactic led them to their victory in their liberation from the Mongols. 

The mooncakes from back then have since taken on several new forms. The traditional mooncake has a flaky, sometimes chewy pastry exterior and will have various types of filling. Some may fill their mooncakes with sweeter, floral elements while others might prefer to insert meat to make it savoury. The most common fillings would be lotus paste, red bean paste, black sesame paired with melon seeds, nut slices or a whole salted egg yolk.

Modern mooncakes now come in an array of forms and flavours. Some are spherical, others made of jelly or glutinous rice. You may find these contemporary versions with traditional fillings though newer flavours such as tea flavoured pastes, ice-cream, bird's nest, abalone and ginseng are gaining in popularity.

Feel free to celebrate with locals at public gatherings if you happen to be travelling in Kuching around the time of the festival. Well known gathering places include the Malaysia-China Friendship Park, MBKS compound, Kuching Waterfront and Traffic Garden.

The festival is celebrated by Sarawakians of of different ethnic backgrounds so do not hold back and make sure to join in on the celebration for this year with the public events happening around the state.

You can find the different events taking place in Sarawak at https://sarawaktourism.com/TourismApi/images/post/1223/tourism.pdf

Try the different mooncakes available and share them with those who are with you. If you would like to read up on any other festivals celebrated in Sarawak, please visit https://sarawaktourism.com/.

Discover Sarawak the world’s most exotic island with a reputation of its wealth in culture, wildlife and greenery. The Bornean state has grown to become a popular location for adventurers as there is much to explore amongst its 124,450 square kilometres filled with mountainous scapes and forestry. In this article, we would like to take the opportunity to introduce a few national parks for travellers who would like to come over for a relaxed retreat and make the most of their time with nature during their time in Sarawak.

Gunung Mulu National Park

The land of hornbills hosts one of the four Malaysian UNESCO heritage sites called Gunung Mulu National Park in the city of Miri. One of the activities which we would highly recommend to visitors is to take a boat ride through the Clearwater Cave and the Deer Cave of the approximately 60-million-year-old park. As the most studied tropical area in the world which is incredibly wealthy in biodiversity, visitors should expect to encounter Sarawak’s iconic bat exodus and other incredible flora and fauna around the area. This park also houses The Sarawak Chamber, the largest known cave chamber in the world. With the hot weather, we suggest travellers consider dividing their exploration over the span of two to three days. The various accommodations available within the vicinity makes it extremely convenient for guests to make reservations with options ranging from a five star hotel to authentic longhouse experiences offered by the locals.

Niah National Park

Another park you can trek through whilst in Miri is Niah National Park which has been labelled as one of the world's most significant archaeological sites. This national park was nominated for UNESCO World Heritage Site on 30 Jan 2023 with the results expected to be announced in 2024. This park has the backstory of being the regional birthplace of civilisation and the site of discovery for the most dated human remains in Southeast Asia. When you visit this treasured heritage, be sure to allocate some time for the Niah Cave Complex to see ancient artifacts that have been preserved for over 50,000 years as well as the evolution of relationship between humans and its lush rainforest. You would also get close up views of cave paintings and the archaic wooden boat-shaped coffins that have been left behind by Niah’s prehistoric inhabitants.

If you are touring through the southwest regions of Sarawak, take a chance to roam through the Sarawak Delta Geo Park, the 6th national geopark, under the national Geopark Development Programme. The alluring nature of this geopark has also granted it the consideration to receive a nomination as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for 2025. You are sure to be entertained as the park is filled with attractions spanning across Kuching, Siburan, Bau and Padawan. There is no need to rush as you observe the various architectural heritage, musical instruments, weapons and food which have been nurtured by the current multicultural society of Sarawak. Have a small road trip around the grounds of the geopark to attractions such as gushing waterfalls, wildlife centers, mountains, caves and beaches. Visitors can also anticipate the sightings of Bornean endemic creatures such as orangutans, proboscis monkeys and fairy rock geckos at some of these stops.

You will find countless destinations around the geopark but here is a list that we believe you should include in your route. For locations such as beaches, waterfalls and chances of encountering the seasonal bloom of the Rafflesia, you should visit Santubong National Park, Kubah National Park and Gunung Gading National Park. If you have the intention to have animals as your main focus, there are several wildlife centres spread out around the Geopark such as Matang Wildlife Centre, Semenggoh Wildlife Centre, Talang Satang National Park, and Borneo Happy Farm. Additionally, you may visit educational centres such as the live museums of Sarawak Cultural Village and Borneo Tribe Village, or Borneo Cultures Museum which is known as the 2nd largest museum in Southeast Asia. However, if you are looking for a one-stop for all of these features, our best recommendation would be the Bako National Park.

Sarawak has much to offer especially for those who find comfort amongst serene nature. The state is consistently making efforts in the preservation and sustainability of natural habitats that hold national importance and value. You can lend a hand now in the mission to protect the unique flora and fauna of Sarawak by helping Niah National park reach its petition goal at https://campaign.niahnationalpark.my/ or discover other national parks around the state at https://sarawaktourism.com/.

Kuching achieved the status as Malaysia’s first-ever Creative City of Gastronomy in Malaysia back in November 2021 and lives up to the title with its abundance of traditional food bazaars and indigenous ethnic cuisines. As the most populous city in the state, our food heritage is extremely diverse with multi-cultural influences originating from the 31 Sarawakian ethnic groups. This means that we have food that caters to people from all backgrounds and religions, including our Muslim friends. Enjoy these eateries which have Halal certifications as recommended by the Sarawakian Islamic board

Start off your journey by enriching your taste buds with iconic Sarawak cuisine, head straight to Serapi Corner located at the Rich Commercial Centre at Batu 7. At this restaurant, you will have the chance to order all the Sarawakian must-try dishes that are typically listed in food blog recommendations; Sarawak Laksa (rice noodle drowned in a spicy broth), Mee Kolok (savoury egg noodle with sliced meat served with bowl of soup on the side), Crispy Tomato Mee (Crispy egg noodles, fish cakes, vegetables and meat slices coated in an appetising tomato sauce), and Midin Belacan (wild Sarawakian fern stir fried with an authentic Malaysian shrimp paste). Serapi Corner also serves other Peninsular Malaysian cuisines in their extensive range. 

Arguably the most popular hub for seafood fanatics in Kuching is Topspot Food Court in Jalan Padungan. Customers can enjoy a vast seafood selection for affordable prices. Some unique Sarawakian seafood dishes are buttered fish fillets, salted egg crab, cheese baked prawns and steamed fish. Alongside that, you may enjoy refreshments such as whole coconuts and sugarcane that is freshly squeezed. The two stalls which we would strongly recommend are Ling Loong Seafood and No. 25 Bukit Mata Seafood Centre. 

Next, Babaganoush in Pending Kuching is a perfect option for those who would like to comfortably share a feast with friends and family. This restaurant offers Malay and halal Chinese cuisine but they are most reputed for their seafood selections in the menu. Some special dishes that are recommended when dining here are the crispy oyster pancake, obor-obor (jellyfish leg umai), fried fish roe and salted fish fried rice. Do not fret if you or anyone else you are dining with has a seafood allergy as the rest of their menu also received great reviews from experienced diners.

You can find Bumbu Cabe a short drive away if you are craving for some Indonesian Sundanese cuisine instead. Spicy food lovers are sure to trigger their taste buds at this place as the chefs do not cut back on the spices in their dishes. Their sambal is so well loved that you might have previously spotted some of their homemade sambal products sold elsewhere. If you are not a fan of spicy food, you can leave a remark for the kitchen or have a pick at their non-spicy options. Some of their most popular dishes would be their crispy fried whole tilapia fish, nasi liwet ayam taliwang (Spicy Grilled Chicken with coconut milk infused rice) and Crispy Bayam. 

For the native flavours of Sarawak, it is highly recommended for travellers to eat at Lepau Restaurant at Jalan Ban Hock as they brand themselves as a Sarawak Ethnic restaurant. Their menu consists of dishes inherited from the Orang Ulu and Dayak ancestries. Most customers favour their variety of dishes which include their Manok Pansuh, a chicken dish which is infused with a palette of flavours stuffed into a bamboo tube which is then roasted over an open fire. Aside from that, customers should also order their Sup Terung Asam Ikan Salai, Dried Chilli Fish and Fish Umai. Lepau Restaurant has also decorated their interior suitable for customers to lounge comfortably and capture aesthetic pictures.

Ceylonese Restaurant is a great place to eat after exploring the heritage sites along the Sarawak River. This restaurant mainly serves Sri Lankan cuisines and are well known for their cheese-filled naans and banana fritters topped with shredded cheese. The generous portion sizes by this restaurant is definitely going to keep a few stomachs satisfied, especially if you are planning to order a few items to try. The Ceylonese Restaurant also has items that can cater to their vegan or vegetarian customers.

Complement your meal with a view at one of the best reviewed restaurants in Kuching, Raintree Restaurant. Diners can grab seats where they can admire the scenery by overlooking the Sarawak River from the Borneo Convention Center Kuching. If you are travelling with others and cannot seem to make a decision on a single type of cuisine, the Raintree Restaurant covers favourite local dishes, international European type dishes and fusion dishes.

We have also prepared a list of mosques which are not only well known for their prestigious appearance, but also nearby to these eateries for your convenience. Travellers can consider the Masjid Jamek, otherwise known as the Sarawak State mosque, Darul Hana Mosque, Masjid Darul Ittihaad Kenyalang Park and India Mosque, also often referred to as the floating mosque. The areas surrounding these mosques also have commercial areas where one could stop by to shop or try other Sarawakian delicacies. 

All in all, trying the variants of food the “city of cats” has to offer is an uncompromisable activity during your visit. In Sarawak, food is a highly pertinent factor when trying to familiarise oneself with the cultures originated in their land. Due to the diversity in cultural backgrounds that can be found in Sarawak, it is highly convenient to find eateries which cater to one’s eating habits or requirements. We hope that this article is able to guide you during your stay in Kuching. If you require any more travel tips and recommendations to make the most of your time in Sarawak, please visit https://sarawaktourism.com/.

The highly anticipated Kuching Festival is making its 2023 comeback this 28 July - 20 Aug with intentions to outlive your expectations. The Kuching South City Council organises this annual event in commemoration of Kuching being honoured with the city status back in 1st August 1988. Alongside this, Kuching South Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng recently mentioned that the festival is also the perfect avenue to advance local tourism and food industry whilst reflecting Kuching’s title as the ‘UNESCO City of Gastronomy’. This article will give you an introduction on what to expect so you can make the most out of your experience.

Although the gates open around 4pm, the grounds are usually packed around 6pm as visitors are eager to indulge for dinner at the food fair. This event is undoubtedly labelled as the main event of Kuching fest as it is big enough of an attraction for people to travel distances and endure hour-long queues. Fair visitors will immediately be greeted with a maze of food stalls that serve a plethora of cosmopolitan food. Amongst this years’ 285 stalls, every customer is sure to leave satisfied as they will be presented with a menu that ranges from the usual Malaysian specialties of Durian delicacies to experimental dishes such as crocodile meat.

The night time entertainment extends the celebration beyond food. Music will resonate throughout the night from the Kuching Parade as well as the nighttime performances. The setlist of entertainers are guaranteed to mesmerise you with their uncapped passion for the arts whether it be with dancing, singing or instruments. Visitors can admire some greenery and capture aesthetic photos under the lights at the Garden Show before proceeding to the indoor trade fair where a variety of merchandise, exhibitions and galleries are open for viewing or purchasing. There will also be fun fair games, sports activities and the essay writing competition in which valuable prizes could be won. Dato Wee had announced that prizes for the lucky draw event include 3 motorcycles worth over RM 30,000 sponsored by Tay Motors and some bicycles. On the last day of the festival, 20th August, the DBKU International Cat Show is commencing at MYDIN Petrajaya from 9 am to 6pm. Cat lovers should stop by to have a look before having one final feast at the food fair.

Here we leave some tips as first-time goers might feel overwhelmed by a festival of this calibre. Festivalgoers would be delighted to know that they are totally exempted from paying any entrance fees, but it is also unfortunately the reason for the lack of available parking spaces. One might consider parking further away and walking the rest of the distance, but it may be more convenient to use e-hailing public transportation which will drop you near the entrance of the event instead. Also ensure that you carry enough cash in small changes as there are no ATM machines nearby and a number of stalls might not operate on cashless systems. We also advise that you dress comfortably and stay hydrated as the limited table availability is likely to keep you on your feet the entire night. Be mindful of uncertain weather and bring along either an umbrella or raincoat to shield yourselves.

Pick a few evenings out of your calendar to attend the festival as one night would definitely not be enough to fully experience everything Kuching Festival 2023 has to offer. The City of Kuching hopes to unveil its unique colours throughout this month-long festival as a warming welcome to tourists and a grand reminder to locals of how much it has to offer. For more information on highlighted events happening in Sarawak, visit https://sarawaktourism.com/.

For the year 2023, with the theme of “Perpaduan, Kemajuan dan Kemakmuran” locals are expected to gather and rejoice as passionately, if not more than they have ever before on the 60th year since Sarawak started its journey toward independence within Malaysia. Sarawak Day, also known as Hari Kemerdekaan Sarawak is celebrated as a tribute to past leaders for their sacrifices and struggles that contributed to the development and progress of Sarawak establishing self-governance from British Rule

The kingdom of Sarawak was given independence by the Sultan of Brunei in 1841 but it fell under British ruling in 1888. It became a Crown Colony after World War II, leading to major protests by the Sarawakian citizens who wanted the country to be independent. The uproar led to the assassination of Duncan Stewart who was the second governor of the Colony. Anthony Abell took his place and brought Sarawak and North Borneo into the Federation of Malaysia. On July 22, 1963, Sarawak was granted self-government as long as it joined the Federation of Malaysia.

If you have been planning a trip to experience the community, spirit and atmosphere of Sarawak, join in on the celebration events which are exclusively lined up for the highly-anticipated holiday. YB Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, the Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts has organised grand statewide celebrations this year for the beloved state’s diamond jubilee. Here are some of the highlights that absolutely should not be missed.

On Sarawak Day, 22nd July, Kuching is the place to be. Feel the pride and adrenaline float through the atmosphere from morning until night as you immerse in the crowds of the thunderous rally and colourful parade at the Central Padang (Padang Merdeka Kuching). After that, witness the presentation of commemorative medals by the Sarawak governor Tun Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib bin Mahmud to the first batch of 60 recipients before you sit back and relax for the night time concert. The entire setlist consists of esteemed local entertainers including Elizabeth Paya, Bob Yunus, Ng Chien Chien, Firdaus Materang, Carrie Gere and Ramles Walter. Indonesian pop group, Ungu and rock singer Datuk Awie will also be showcasing fragments of their discography.

There is also a unique half marathon run happening on the same day as the parade in Bintulu. This event may seem appealing to sportspersons or early risers who are interested in celebrating Sarawak Day in a different manner. Along the stretch of 21 km, runners will spectate the sunrise along the serene beach as they travel along the route of Tanjung Kidurong and Bintulu Town. It would also be a great post-run agenda to head on over to Taman Tumbina Bintulu. The name ‘Tumbina’ is the merger of
Malay words TUMbuhan (plant) and BINAtang (animal). This garden features the crossover between diverse botany and zoology of Borneo alongside recreational and educational values for visitors. Tumbina is a living heritage which opened back in 1991, strategically situated on a breathtaking site overlooking the South China Sea, Bintulu town centre and the Tanjong Kidurong Industrial Estate.

On 29th July, snatch up a front row view at the Kuching Waterfront for the must-watch Decorated Boat Parade. This 22-boat show will light up the Sarawak river with dazzling colours and music, accompanied by a firework show. This mesmerising show presumably only happens every 10 years, so do not let this rare opportunity pass you by. Following that, the celebration continues into the next month with street parades in the different regions of Sarawak - Kuching (5 August), Sibu (12 August) and Miri (19 August), so it is possible to attend all three if one desires to do so. It would be best to first understand why Sarawakians are passionate about this occasion before you join in on celebrating it. You can also allocate some time for self-exploration around popular monumental sites and capture picturesque shots of the well-preserved pieces of history scattered around Sarawak.

If you plan on staying in Kuching for the duration, it is recommended to take a walkabout Heritage Trail as most iconic attractions are situated nearby to each other. The usual itinerary would consist of walks along Kuching Waterfront, Carpenter Street’s Old Shop Houses, India Street as well as the open air market. These hotspots lined with vintage-looking shop houses consist of eateries, handicraft/ souvenir stores and various others which are usually bustling with shoppers who can browse for hours. Along the way, there would be stops at some time-honoured infrastructures such as the Chinese History museum, the general post office, colonial buildings, the museum grounds as well as the Kuching Old courthouse that will transport you back in time.

For those who intend on traveling for the other 2 parades in Sibu and Miri, you can make a pit stop at the recently restored Fort Alice in Sri Aman. This site was initially built in 1864 by Rajah Charles Brooke as a defensive structure along the Batang Lupar river in Sri Aman town, and named after his wife Margaret Alice Lili de Windt. The fort currently houses a gallery which showcases the history of itself, the small town of Sri Aman as well as the tense contention between the Iban people and the British soldiers of the Brooke era. Dedicate a timeslot to stop by Batang Lupar, next to the fort to possibly catch a glimpse of among world’s Top 10 Tidal Bores before continuing your journey to Sibu.

The Sibu Heritage Centre is the best local stop to review all the highlights and timeline of Sibu. This heritage centre displays the rich cultural heritage of the ethnic groups of the Central Region. You will find the early beginnings of Sibu with the arrival of Chinese migrants from different dialect groups, genuine skulls that reflect the past of the Iban tribe’s warrior past and the early signs of Malay culture with the tools of the seafaring Melanaus and relics. One could also view the collection of intricate Chinese porcelain and clay vases and taxidermied animals such as the moon rat, the rhinoceros hornbill and the gigantic Orang Utan.

At the final parade stop, also known as the second largest city in Sarawak; Miri, a great historical attraction is a limestone ridge called Canada Hil where one can admire a panoramic view of the city. At the top of this hill sits the historical Oil Well No.1, also regarded as the Grand Old Lady. The 30-meter tall landmark holds great significance to not only the locals but the world as well, because it is where oil was first struck by Sarawak Shell in 1910. Beside it is the Petroleum Museum where visitors can attend an educational tour to learn about the history and technological development of the oil and gas industries in Malaysia. Various models that were used in the past to extract crude oil including the Nodding Donkey are exhibited there. Visitors can also closely observe the Time Capsule which contains news articles and souvenir books that were buried at the site.

The Land of Hornbills takes pride in its incredible wealth in traditions and culture and is memorialising its 60th anniversary with a catalogue of exclusively-planned events which unveil the history of Sarawak. We are eager for everyone, locals and tourists, to enjoy themselves to the fullest while venturing through the largest state of Malaysia. To keep track of dates, venues and descriptions of the highlighted events around Sarawak, feel free to refer to the Calendar of Tourism Events prepared by The Sarawak Tourism Board. On top of that, you can also visit the Sarawak Tourism website https://sarawaktourism.com/ to discover more travel stops or read up on insightful articles to be more accustomed with the cultures of Sarawak.

Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) has launched the “Global Sia Sitok Vacations” campaign for non-Sarawakians and international tourists. The campaign - to run from May 1st, 2023 to July 15th, 2023 - enables non-Sarawakians to redeem RM100 for spending upwards of RM250.

Sarawak is the largest state in Malaysia with a land area of over

124,400 square kilometers and a population of 2.97 millions. Sarawak is home to a diverse range of cultures, languages, food, festivals and natural landscapes so there are numerous vacation destinations to be explored. It is of no surprise that this year’s “Global Sia Sitok Vacations” campaign accessed via the EnjoySarawak mobile app features 51 merchants and 147 packages.

The EnjoySarawak mobile app serves as a comprehensive solution for discovering the finest lodging, dining, and recreational experiences in Sarawak. It allows you to effortlessly locate and reserve a diverse range of accommodations, ranging from luxurious hotels to inviting homestays. The app houses an extensive selection of dining establishments, showcasing both authentic Sarawakian delicacies and international culinary delights. It also provides an array of tours and immersive activities, granting you the opportunity to delve into Sarawak's cultural tapestry as if you were a resident.

One of the most popular tourist destinations in Sarawak is the Sarawak Cultural Village, a living museum located at the foothills of Mount Santubong. Experience life in traditional longhouses and cultural performances.

Those who prefer a more historical experience can visit Sarawak’s Fort Margherita, a formidable fortress from the late 19th century that has been converted into a museum showcasing Sarawak's colonial history with the stunning Sarawak River and the Astana - the former palace of the White Rajahs and now the Governor's residence - as the backdrop.

A short walk across the iconic Darul Hana Bridge from Fort Margherita brings you to the Kuching Old Courthouse, which combines colonial and local architectural styles. These landmarks steeped in history contribute to Sarawak's cultural narrative.

Sarawak also hosts a range of festivals throughout the year, many of which is centred around the state’s diverse cultural tapestry. One of the can’t-miss festivals in Sarawak is the Rainforest World Music Festival (RMWF) located in Kuching. The annual three-day festival brings together renowned world musicians from around the globe to interact with festival-goers and perform in the midst the lush rainforest.

This year’s festival is slated for June 23rd-25th, 2023. Those interested can obtain more information and book their tickets at https://rwmf.net/

There is no better time to book your adventure in Sarawak with the ongoing “Global Sia Sitok Vacations”  campaign. Visit

https://bit.ly/3HtAsH7 to download the EnjoySarawak app to redeem the

RM100 e-Voucher for spending of RM250 and above.

Plan your visit today with Global Sia Sitok Vacations and let Sarawak enchant you with its warm hospitality, diverse experiences, and memories that will last a lifetime.

For more information, visit the Sarawak Tourism Board’s website at www.sarawaktourism.com.

A celebration of world music, culture, and nature, the Rainforest World Music Festival, or RMWF, is an annual event that takes place in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. The festival - introduced in 1998 - has grown in popularity over the past 25 years, attracting music lovers and cultural enthusiasts from all over the world.

This year’s festival is set to take place from 23 June to 25 June 2023 and boasts a diverse range of musical performances, each with their unique sound and style. Not only will festival-goers get to enjoy the night-time music but they will also be able to mingle and interact with a stellar list of performers including Grammy Awards winner ‘Gipysy Kings’ featuring Tonino Baliardo from France, ‘Big Mountain’ from Jamaica/USA and Sarawak’s own Zee Avi, among others.

Festival-goers can also take part in the different workshops and activities scheduled. These workshops provide an immersive experience for festival-goers, allowing them to learn more about traditional arts and crafts, dance, and music from various cultures around Sarawak. Participants who are keen to expand their knowledge of musical instruments can, meanwhile, participate in the music and instrument workshops.

In addition to the workshops, the RMWF also offers a literal taste of Sarawak. Participants can indulge in a gastronomic adventure and savour a variety of delectable traditional dishes from various Sarawakian cultures. Sarawak is home to 31 different ethnicities - each with their own different cultures, music and food - so festival-goers will be spoilt for choice when it comes to satisfying their culinary desires.

The Rainforest World Music Festival (RMWF) is a great way to connect with people from around the world and gain a deeper appreciation of Sarawak's rich cultural heritage. Whether you are interested in dance, music, or arts and crafts, there is something for everyone at the Rainforest World Music Festival.

To learn more about the festival, please visit https://bit.ly/3nhJKiF to book your tickets and rwmf.net to learn more about the festival.

The word Gawai’ originated from the Iban language that means ritual or festival, whilst Dayak refers to the native ethnic groups of Sarawak - the Iban, Bidayuh, Kayan, Kenyah, Kelabit, Murut, Lun Bawang – and many more.
Gawai Dayak is celebrated to mark the end of the padi (rice) harvesting season and also a time of togetherness, a mark of gratitude for god and nature for the productive harvest, as well as prayer for a peaceful and prosperous future.
Common events during the celebration are Kumang (Queen) and Keling (King) Gawai contests, Ngirup Ai Pengayu (Long Life Drink), traditional dancing and overall merrymaking.

Preparations for the Gawai festival start very early, with the brewing of tuak (traditional rice wine) and the making of traditional delicacies such as the kuih penganan (Mexican hat shaped cake), kuih sarang semut (fishnet-like crispy snack), kuih chuan (crispy flower snack), pulut lulun (glutinous rice steamed in bamboo), manuk daun ubi lulun (chicken and tapioca shoot steamed in bamboo), and many more. After the general cleaning of the longhouse, new mats will be laid out on the ruai (the open area which runs through the entire longhouse), with the walls are adorned with the pua kumbu (traditional handwoven fabric) display on the wall and placed on the table as table cloth.

Gawai celebrations at the longhouse offer celebrants a great time to wear traditional costumes. The women would wear the ngepan, a traditional costume for welcoming guests to the longhouse, wearing the sugu tinggi (Iban maiden headgear) as hair accessory. The men would wear cawat or sirat (loin cloth) with necklaces, armlets and anklets and a headgear made of peacock feathers.

The celebration typically starts on the evening of 31^st May with the Muai Antu Rua (casting away the spirit of greed), signifying the chasing away of the spirit of bad luck.
Traditionally each family at the longhouse would throw unwanted articles into a chapan (winnowing basket) that is dragged by two men as they pass each room along the longhouse. The unwanted articles will then be tossed to the ground from the end of the longhouse.

As the sun sets, a miring (offering ceremony) will take place, starting with the beating of the gendang rayah (ritual music).
The Tuai Rumah (Longhouse Chief) thanks the gods for the good harvest, and asks for blessings, guidance and long life as he waves a cockerel over the offerings before ending the miring ceremony. Dinner is then served and just before midnight, a procession of young maidens and warriors in traditional garb go up and down the ruai seven times, and this is known as the Ngalu Petara (welcoming the spirit of the gods).

At midnight, the gong is sounded and the Tuai Rumah leads everyone in the longhouse in a toast with Ai Pengayu (a special kind of tuak) and wish each other “Gayu Guru, Gerai Nyamai” which translates to “Long Life, Health and Prosperity”.

The celebration turns merrier as some will dance to traditional music being played. Some will sing and recite their traditional poems (pantun or ramban), while some would perform the traditional dance form called Ngajat to symbolise the joy of a good harvest.

The male ngajat copies the mannerisms of a hornbill - considered the king of the birds – to show courage, heroism and strength. The ngajat of the ladies is the opposite, as it consists of soft, graceful movements with very precise body turns.
A traditional band joins the dance troop giving life to the dance with their vibrant beats and tunes, playing the traditional folklore.
There will also be blowpipe competitions as participants will take the opportunity to demonstrate their blowpiping skills.

On June 1^st, the homes of the Dayaks are opened to visitors and guests, a custom known as Ngabang.
Traditionally, when guests arrive at the longhouse, they are served with ai tiki as a symbol of welcoming them to their home.
From time to time, guests are served with tuak and this would be called as “nyibur temuai” which literally means “watering the guests”.

For the Christian Dayaks, Gawai would also mean attending a church mass service to thank God for the good harvest.
The Gawai celebrations usually lasts for several days, and it is also considered an auspicious time for wedding ceremonies and baptisms to take place.

COME AND EXPERIENCE GAWAI IN SARAWAK

In conjunction with 2023’s Gawai festival, everyone is invited to experience the festivity first-hand with the local community at the Sarawak Gawai Festival Open House, to be held at Rumah Matop longhouse in Betong, about 246km from Kuching, on 9^th June 2023.

The open house aims to promote the rich cultural diversity of Sarawak and highlight the unique traditions and customs of the Gawai celebrations and visitors will have the chance to experience the warm hospitality and rich cultural heritage of the various ethnic groups in Sarawak. Not only will they get to taste traditional ethnic cuisines, visitors can also participate in cultural performances at the historic longhouse, which was built in 1941 from belian (ironwood) pillars.

Those interested in participating in the Gawai Dayak Open House can go to the website https://sarawak.travel/openhouse/ for more information.

Dubai, UAE - Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) is set to draw more tourists from the Middle East region through its participation in the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2023 held in in Dubai from 1st to 4th May 2023 under Tourism Malaysia (TM) Pavilion at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).

With the theme “Working towards Net Zero”, STB highlighted on sustainable travel trends and creating growth plans within important vertical industries that is consistent with the three United Nation (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) that STB is advocating - SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 17 (Partnership for the Goals).

STB Deputy CEO (Integrated Marketing Communications Division) Suriya Charles Buas said STB’s participation in ATM2023 was a golden opportunity to put Sarawak at visitors’ top of mind when it comes to ecotourism and responsible tourism in the Middle East region.

“I believe Sarawak distinctiveness and effort in upholding the pillars of Responsible Tourism is a great promotional point to position Sarawak as one of a leading stop-over spots in Malaysia,” he added.

Apart from highlighting Sarawak’s Culture, Adventure, Nature, Food and Festivals (CANFF) attractions to tour agencies, potential investors and international visitors, STB also emphasized the promotion of the newly launched Global Sia Sitok Vacation (GSSV) packages and STB’s iconic event the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) to be held from 23^rd to 25^th June 2023 at Sarawak Cultural Village.

The GSSV campaign invites non-Sarawakians and foreigners to choose from over 140 travel packages and redeem RM100.00 e-vouchers for purchases over RM250.00 from 1^st May to 16^th July 2023 via the Enjoy Sarawak App which can be downloaded from Google Play Store and Apple Apps Store.

The Arabian Travel Market is the premier international travel and tourism trade show that enables inbound and outbound tourism professionals to capitalize on market opportunities in the Middle East. Popular tourist destinations from across the world congregates in Dubai to exhibit their brands alongside the greatest names in accommodation and hospitality, known tourist attractions, cutting-edge travel technology companies, and airlines.

The Tourism Malaysia Pavilion at the ATM 2023 hosted 64 exhibitors, ranging from the hotels, destination management companies, tour operators, and state tourism boards.

For more information about Sarawak, log on to Sarawak Tourism Board’s website at https://sarawaktourism.com.

Download Sarawak Tourism Calendar Of Events 2023

Fellow travellers, we have a message for you: Come to Sarawak!

We're not kidding.

Greetings, Golfers! Guess where you can fly, land, and play golf all in the same day? Yes yes yes! Kuching, Sarawak! Due to its breathtaking scenery and a golf culture that’s run by passionate locals, Kuching is rightly hailed as the golf paradise of Malaysia. There are a few golf courses in and around Kuching, the capital city of Sarawak and it’s the perfect location for a golfer on their holiday! Golf facilities have been mushrooming across the state and many are asking, "Why should I come to Kuching for golf?" Here are some of the reasons why Kuching is a golfer's paradise.

With one golf course practically at your doorstep, another a short ride away, another a small commute and a couple more within striking distance, Kuching, Sarawak is the land of top-notch golf courses for you!

You should come because Damai Golf & Country Club has an 18-hole championship course that is truly spectacular and unique. The setting is truly spectacular, bordering the foothill of Mount Santubong and hugging the beaches, rocky outcrops and mangrove forests of the South China Sea. If you like to golf, this is your place!

Have you ever wanted to golf in a place that has beautiful mountains, lush green forests and an amazing view of the city? The Samarahan Country Club is located strategically next to the University of Malaysia, Sarawak Campus along the Kuching-Samarahan Expressway, Kota Samarahan and 12 KM away from the Kuching International Airport. The course layout requires precision and accuracy in order for players to score well on each hole. Samarahan Country Club's goal is to be the best in the state.

There are many reasons why you should come to Sarawak for golf. First and foremost, the Kelab Golf Sarawak (Sarawak Golf Club) is located approximately 10 km from the centre of Kuching City. The main feature of KGS is its 36-holes golf course, the only one in The Land of the Hornbills! Aside from golf, which includes a KGS driving range open even at night, KGS offers a variety of other sporting and recreational opportunities. The club, for example, has an eight-lane Olympic-size swimming pool. The indoor hall comes complete with badminton courts and squash courts, and the tennis complex is adjacent to the indoor badminton hall.

You will be surprised by how much you can enjoy your visit at KGS as there are many other things that you can do besides playing golf at Kelab Golf Sarawak! For example, you can swim in KGS’s Olympic size swimming pool, play badminton at their indoor badminton hall or play squash at their squash court, or play tennis on their four tennis courts.

If you're looking for a place that's truly unique, look no further than Kuching! As the main feeder city for the rest of Sarawak, its food foundation stands on the distinct biodiversity of Borneo. Kuching is, to coin a phrase, a culinary melting pot. Experience Siniawan Night Market at night and enjoy local delicacies that you can only find here in Kuching! The well-known Oyster Omelette and Ngoh Hiang is another must-try food in Siniawan Night Market. You can eat it as it is or pair it with a mug of cold beer or even enjoy it with a bowl of rice! And famous dishes like Kolo Mee, Manok Pansoh (Chicken cooked in bamboo) and the godly Sarawak Laksa which you can smell from a mile away!

What are you waiting for? Discover Sarawak today! To learn more about Sarawak, head over to https://sarawaktourism.com/

KUCHING, 5th December 2022 - In the spirit of celebrating 65 years of India-Malaysia’s diplomatic ties, Sarawak Tourism Board welcomed the 12-member Bharatnatyam dance troupe of the Anthara Dance Academy from Tamil Nadu, India on Monday (Dec 5) at Sarawak Cultural Village (SCV).

The visit to Sarawak was integral to a people-to-people and vibrant cultural exchange to showcase the rich and diverse relationship between India and Malaysia. According to High Commission of India in Malaysia Second Secretary Narender Pal Singh, this was part of the Indian High Commission’s efforts to reach out to the Indian community across various parts of Malaysia and an opportunity for the community to reconnect with Indian performing arts.

“India and Malaysia share an Enhanced Strategic Partnership with rich engagement across business, defence, education, culture and people-to-people ties. We very much value the people-to-people exchanges and will continue to do our best to facilitate them and promote them,” he said.

The cultural stories of India were communicated in motion through the dances performed at Sarawak Cultural Village called the ‘Shadakshara Kowthwam’, ‘Annai Mugathone’, ‘Swarapallavi’, ‘En Pallo Kondeerayya’, ‘Enenna Vilayadai’, ‘Thottu-thotthu Pesavaraan’, and ‘Tillana’.

This is the fourth Indian performing arts troupe visiting Malaysia in the last four months. The Bharat Natyam Troupes consist of the Bhangra Troupe and Kalaripayattu troupe sponsored by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and Government of Tamil Nadu. The Bharatnatyam Troupe visited Ipoh and Penang last September while the Kalaripayattu group visited Penang and performed at Malaysia’s Living Arts Cultural Festival.

KUCHING, 29 Nov 2022: On a journey to empower special needs groups through sports and responsible tourism, the Sports for Good tours organised by Ageless Bicyclist just concluded its charitable cycling tour around Kuching.

The meaningful cycling tour was participated by 10 cyclists from Singapore and 4 deaf cyclists from the Sarawak Deaf Sports Association in support of the Kuching Autism Association. The cycling tour which started from 24th November – 26th November 2022 includes touring around Kuching City, Wind Cave and Mount Singai.

During a dinner hosted by Sarawak Tourism Board, Mr Malcolm Chen, founder of Ageless Bicyclist based in Singapore said: “The Sports for Good Tours will evolve from just cycling to a broader sports tours event. The whole concept of this (Sports for Good Tours) will integrate sports, tourism and charity.”

“What we are doing right now is very much packaging a program that will support a charitable organisation. For Ageless Bicyclist, we put our priority first on supporting the Autism community. We hope to create more programmes in Sarawak’s main gateways which are Kuching, Sibu and Miri. There are also enquires about Sport Fishing, which is something we will look into in the near future with the help of Sarawak Tourism Board,” he added.

Meanwhile, Mr Ernest Ting the General Manager for Sarawak Society for the Deaf through an interpreter said cycling has been his source of happiness since young especially when he was cycling in groups. To him, cycling is an inclusive sport where being deaf does not matter.

When asked about his recommendations on some of the best spots to cycle in Kuching, he advised to look out for any cycling events on Facebook to join exciting cycling tours that include exhilarating routes in Sarawak.

Ageless Bicyclists is a non-profit social enterprise that started in 2015 and is a member of raiSE, ARAIBA (ASEAN Responsible and Inclusive Business Alliance), an associate member of Asean Autism Network and recognised as Honouree Brands For Good. Ageless Bicyclists is Singapore's first non-profit social enterprise with an experiential inclusive recreation cycling program for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Majlis Makan Tahun Kedayan (the Kedayan annual grand feast) is a festival to preserve the traditional practices of the Kedayan community in Lawas, and is one of the ceremonies performed after the rice harvest. It usually will last for three days, and this year it will be starting on 25^th – 27^th November 2022 to be held at Taman Awal Lawas.

This festival is held in appreciation of a bountiful rice harvest, with the expectation that it would lead to a better income in the future. Apart from being a symbol of gratitude, it also serves as a reminder to the current generation to respect and continue the hard work of the previous generation. During the festival's opening ceremony, rewards will be presented to Kedayan children who have successfully continue their studies overseas.

There will also be several competitions on the day of the event. Among them are the Kedayan language song competition, the Kedayan language storytelling competition for the children's category and the kelupis wrapping competition. Furthermore, the most anticipated event is the beauty pageant called Kapala Kapo and Kepala Bisai for women and men respectively.

Meanwhile, the Junjung (traditional house) Kedayan competition,
done collaboratively by each Kedayan village based on creativity and uniqueness, will display the community's cultures in terms of lifestyle and food. In addition, the Kedayan Song Performance and the Gulintangan Musical Instrument Competition will take place.

For those who are interested in learning more about this festival, you may contact Puan Suriyah Binti Jinin at 013-5794881.

Sarawak Tourism Board has launched its Photography and Videography Competition 2022 themed "Hidden Gems of Sarawak"! All photographers, amateur, professional, and students alike, are encouraged to enter this exciting contest to promote Sarawak Tourism and state loyalty!

Capturing Sarawak’s rich beauty in a photograph can be a daunting task. The sheer magnitude of the landscape is awe-inspiring! But beauty, they say, is in the eye of the beholder. Here’s 5 top locations that you can photograph while in Sarawak!

Sarawak is a biodiversity hotspot and its forests, caves, wildlife, mountains and beaches are its main attractions. With a new category in the Photography competition, My Hometown/My City, one can easily find spots in Sarawak! Kuching is a fascinating city with a colourful history. Its heritage buildings include stunning Chinese temples, Floating Masjid India Mosques, Kuching’s Fort Margherita, vibrant street markets such as Uptown Metrocity, Borneo Cultures museums, and cat statues which is a famous tourist spot. Not to mention Sarawak’s one and only, DUN-Sarawak State Legislative Building. Its distinctive "payung" roof has become an icon for Sarawak.

Discover Sarawak at night by going to the Darul Hana Bridge in Kuching, Sarawak. Kuching's Waterfront is teeming with locals enjoying family time. View the Waterfront from the centre of the bridge and enjoy the lights from the Waterfront as well as a fountain show with music and strobes! Now that is how you capture Sarawak at night!

Sarawak is famous for its nature of course! Did you know Gunung Gading is home to the world's largest flower, the rafflesia! At that, visit Wind and Fairy Cave Nature Reserve and Tasik Biru in Bau. With the Photography Competition’s Going Green and Nature’s Wonders category, there is nothing that you cannot picture once you are there!

The Photography and Videography competition is open to all Malaysians nationwide and will run
until 15 December 2022. With new categories being added this year, such as the "TikTok" category, that will surely pique your interest! Participants can submit up to five (5) photos in each category and one (1) video for the competition. Each participant can only win one (1) prize for photography and one (1) prize for videos.

The winners of the photography and videography competitions will be announced on the Official Facebook page of Sarawak Travel, Malaysia, Borneo https://www.facebook.com/visitsarawak/ and the Sarawak Photo Art Society https://www.facebook.com/Sarawak-Photo-Art-Society-276048912732774/

Register here at https://stb.foto.org.my/

Psst… Less than a week to go. If you haven’t checked out Kuching Food Festival 2022. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED with a wideeee range of choices from crocodile soup to icecream Goreng!

For more information, checkout sarawaktourism.com 

Positioned as the main gateway to Central Sarawak and the largest port and commercial centre in the Rejang basin, Sibu is a thriving modern town that will charm you with its historical and cultural heritage, vibrant food scenes and beautiful waterfront life.

Although Sibu may not always be the first choice of destination when it comes to visiting Sarawak, the unique charms of Sibu town that it is a down-to-earth place filled with friendly smiles everywhere will not disappoint. For those looking for an opportunity to explore Sibu, here are some of the highlights which might inspire you to explore this vibrant town.

Sungai Merah Heritage Walk

History buffs, rejoice! In a town that is predominantly Fuzhou since migration of early settlers originating from the Fuzhou region in southern China began in 1901, it is no surprise that you will be surrounded by Fuzhou cultural heritage buildings throughout the city. You can begin your Fuzhou trail in Sibu by visiting Sungai Merah, the earliest riverine settlement of the Fuzhou Chinese in Sibu. Wong Nai Siong, a Chinese Revolutionary leader responsible for leading the Fuzhou migration to Sibu, decided after travelling for 13 days down the Rejang River that Sungai Merah was the most suitable place to start a new settlement due to its strategic riverbank location.

The trail then led us to Wong Nai Siong Memorial Garden which was built in honour of Sibu’s principal founder and features a bronze bust of him. You can also find more information about the history of the Fuzhou community in Sibu here.

We finally reached the end of our heritage walk with the James Hoover Memorial Park, commemorating the renowned Methodist missionary and educator, Reverend James Matthew Hoover from the USA who helped to build 41 churches and 40 schools all over Sibu. He helped to manage the settlement after Wong Nai Siong left from 1903 to 1935. You can read more about his journey, contributions and achievements here.

Sibu Night Market

After all the walking earlier, our stomachs began to growl in hunger. Our local guide informed us that Sibu’s night market is a must-visit place when it comes to searching for good local food at night. Our eyes glistened at the sight of assembled food ranging from Sibu’s signature Kompia (Sibu’s version of a bagel) with meat filling, inside barbequed pork, local savoury desserts such as yam cake and youtiao (a deep-fried Chinese breadstick), steamy dim sums, to local Malay cuisines and of course, satay served with peanut sauce.

While enjoying our snacks and walking around, we found ourselves in another section of the market where visitors can shop for affordable items such as souvenirs, clothes, shoes, accessories and more! This is a plus point for those who need a quick “fashion fix”, a wardrobe change or just need to buy a gift.

The market usually operates from 5 pm till 10 pm every evening and we’d say this place is definitely worth a visit as it is perfect for an evening stroll and getting to know the locals better.

1. EAT LAKSA SARAWAK & KOLO MEE

THE two favourite signature breakfast meals of Kuching are without a doubt Laksa Sarawak and Kolok Mee.  A visitor to Sarawak cannot leave without having a taste of these two iconic dishes.

Ranked the No. 1 Food in Asia by TasteAtlas and dubbed as ‘The Breakfast of the Gods’ by the late Anthony Bourdain, Sarawak Laksa consists of vermicelli rice noodles soaked in a spicy-sour shrimp-based broth made from over 30 different herbs and spices, thickened with coconut milk, topped with crunchy beansprouts, boiled prawns, shredded chicken, thin slices of omelette, a sprinkling of fresh coriander, served with spicy sambal made from pounded chillies and belacan (shrimp paste) and a freshly cut calamansi (golden lime).

Kolok Mee is a bowl of fresh noodles cooked perfectly al-dente, swirled vigourously in lard and vinegar until each strand is evenly coated, topped with slices of char siew (barbequed pork) and minced pork, dressed with chopped spring onions and sliced chillies. Kolok Mee can also be enriched with fishballs, wontons and vegetables such as choy sum. Halal versions of Kolok Mee can be found at Muslim outlets.

2. FEED THE ORANGUTANS AT SEMENGGOH

Semenggoh Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, located 20 kilometers south of Kuching, is a renowned sanctuary for the conservation of the orangutans in their natural habitat. For over 20 years, the wardens at Semenggoh Nature Reserve have been training young orangutans, who had been orphaned or rescued from captivity, how to survive in the wild.  They spend most of their time roaming the forest but frequently come back to the Centre for a free meal. During feeding time, visitors will gain the golden opportunity to interact with the orangutans as they will swing down from trees for a free hand out of fruits.

3. KAYAKING AT SEMADANG RIVER

Adrenaline junkies will love the wide variety of all-inclusive day-trip adventure tours along Semadang River, ranging from river kayaking, bamboo-rafting, caving and jungle trekking. The Semadang Kayaking experience includes all kayaking, rafting and caving activities. Also, after a massive workout from kayaking, visitor can further enrich their local culinary experience with some traditional, home-cooked food using locally-sourced ingredients by the river.

4. EAT GULA APONG ICE CREAM

Good news for dessert lovers – you will love Sarawak’s Gula Apong Ice-cream. Gula Apong is a type of palm sugar made from nipah palm, which grows abundantly in the coastal lowlands in Sarawak.  It has a subtly different, nuttier flavour compated to the gula melaka in West Malaysia.  Vanilla ice-cream really tastes best when gula apong syrup is drizelled over it, or you can also enjoy gula apong flavoured ice cream.

5. EXPLORE MULU NATIONAL PARK

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, a trip to Mulu National Park is a must when you are in Sarawak. Located in Miri, Mulu is well known for its rich biodiversity and its karst features. The varied topography of Gunung Mulu National Park includes swampy lowland rainforests, towering limestone cliffs, and lofty sandstone mountains – these provide a great diversity of habitats and are one of the reasons behind the astounding biodiversity of this reserve.  Mulu’s most remarkable feature is the world’s finest karst collapse and the 50metre-tall razor-sharp limestone Pinnacles on the northern end of Gunung Api.

6. DEEP SEA DIVING AT MIRI-SIBUTI CORAL REEFS NATIONAL PARK

The Miri-Sibuti Coral Reefs National Park is a protected area, and the thriving marine life is a testament to this. There are over 40 dive sites throughout the park with something suitable for divers of all levels. Among the popular dive spots in the national park include Belais Reef, Anemone Garden and the exciting Barracuda Point where a school of the large predator can be seen swirling in a never-ending circle.

7. TREKKING AT GUNUNG GADING NATIONAL PARK

 To all hikers, nature, wildlife and jungle enthusiasts – are you looking for a challenging jungle trekking adventure in a tranquil, lush, natural and timeless environment? Then Gunung Gading National Park is the place to be. Gunung Gading is home to the rare Rafflesia, which is also known as the corpse flower because of the stench it gives off while it is blooming. There are a number of treks at the park and not all of them will feature the Rafflesia, so be sure to tell your guide beforehand if you want to see it in all its glory and he will take you where you will be able to spot it. Some of the jungle trails here will also lead you to scenic waterfalls and jungle streams. Have a refreshing swim at these ice-cool waters before you leave.

8. MORNING BIRDWATCHING AT KUBAH NATIONAL PARK

Kubah National Park is situated on a sandstone plateau, mostly covered by mixed dipterocarp forest which interspersed with patches of scrub and unusually rich area of Kerangas forest, is the home of mammals, birds & many species of reptiles and amphibians. Upon arrival, bird watchers can aim to spot some endemic species like Blue-banded pitta, Bornean blue-flycatcher, Yellow-rumped flowerpecker, Bornean Black-magpie, Chestnut-crested yuhina, Dusky munia & etc.

9. EXPERIENCE THE SERENITY OF BARIO

Lying at an altitude of about 3,500 feet above sea level in the north-eastern corner of Sarawak is the famous Bario Highlands, a Kelabit territory, one of the minority Orang Ulu tribes of Sarawak.  Bario means ‘Wind’ in Kelabit language. It is the gateway to the Kelabit highlands with about thirteen villages are located in & around Bario area, with Kampung Bario Asal being the first.  This is a must-visit longhouse where one can see the ancient timbers of the unique kitchen darkened by the constant smoke of generations of cooking fires.  Bario’s most enchanting attraction is its’ the calmness, the serenity and the natural splendour of its surroundings against a breathtakingly beautiful backdrop of paddy fields at the base of mist-covered hills standing tall as far as the eye.

10. VISIT SIBU’S TUA PEK KONG

The Eng Ann Tua Peng Kong was founded more than a 100 years ago, making it the oldest and best-preserved Chinese Temple in Sibu. From the original wooden structure, it was rebuilt in 1897 with an adjacent 7-storey Goddes of Mercy (Kuan Yin) Pagoda, considered as one of the most perfectly proportioned pagodas outside of Mainland China. Tourists not only visit the temple for religious purposes but also to climb its steps to enjoy the magnificent sunset view overlooking the Rajang Rivers and the Sibu Waterfront.

Fresh ingredients with bold flavours gathered from the jungle.

The natural resources of the rainforests are a source of livelihood for the natives of Sarawak, and people back in the old days came up with various cooking methods and jungle food which are still put to practice to this day. Sarawakian ethnic tribes would utilize any resources found in their surroundings and nature to use as cooking tools and food sources.

The jungle can literally be their kitchen. By using mother nature’s earthly elements and resources, Sarawakians can pull off all sorts of dishes that are deemed meals made for the gods.

Sarawak cuisine and its long traditional cooking methods have been passed down from one generation to the next. Traditional cuisine is still being served to this day at home, food stalls and restaurants in Sarawak due to its simple recipe and exquisite taste.

Wild ingredients you can find

In Sarawakian traditional cuisine, the freshness of the ingredients plays an important part in the jungle kitchen.

Other than the common ingredients that are easily found elsewhere like salt, ginger, and pepper, Sarawak has many indigenous ingredients to offer which can only be found in the jungle like asam paya, nibong, daun jampang and
terung asam (local eggplant) to name a few.

Aside from the famous wild vegetable midin, buah dabai is also exclusively grown here on the island of Borneo. Buah dabai (Canarium Odontophyllum from the family of Burseraceae) is a native fruit and considered a local olive. Locals would usually eat this with sugar and soy sauce.

These ingredients are available all year round and can be found in local stores.

Anything is possible in the jungle

Now that you know what ingredients and resources are used to make these traditional jungle food, what about the kitchenware? What sort of equipment did the natives use to concoct these dishes back in the old days? With the resources of the jungle, one can get creative.

First off, bamboo is gathered in the wild and used as a pot to cook. Bamboo is also used to store and carry the ingredients around in the jungle. The versatility of the bamboo stalk does not stop there – it also acts as a cup.

And then there are the isip leaves which are used as a plate like the banana leaves platter in local mamak cafes. Not only that, theisip
leaves are also used to wrap rice so that the rice packs can be carried around and consumed anywhere.

Besides isip leaves, the sago tree barks are used as bowls to serve dishes in larger portions, and these choices of natural tableware are environmental-friendly.

Innovate with Mother Nature

As for traditional cooking methods in Sarawak, the methods commonly practiced are fermentation, boiling and smoked cooking.

Take ayam pansuh for example, chicken is stuffed in a bamboo stalk and cooked over an open fire. The bamboo is continuously rotated to avoid burning.

Another example is umai, a traditional delicacy made of thinly sliced raw fish fermented with asam paya (swamp fruit), lime juice, onions, chilies, and a pinch of salt. The lime juice acid works into the raw fish naturally curing the fish. Be sure to use a fish of good grade for better quality.

As for smoked cooking, locals prefer this method to cooking over the fire as it requires less wood, and the fire itself is controlled to avoid any unwanted fire hazards in the jungle.

The Sarawak rainforest is more than just a jungle – it is also the biggest kitchen in the world

Despite the technological advancement made in kitchen, traditional cooking in Borneo is very much alive and is still in practice to this day. Cooking traditional Sarawak food requires a delicate touch, patience and innovative thinking using the natural elements from the surrounding. With Sarawak’s rich biodiversity, there are also various types of produce found in the jungle that have health benefits.

If you are keen to learn more about Traditional Sarawak jungle food, be sure to check out this article; https://sarawaktourism.com/story/sarawak-is-more-than-just-kolo-mee/
listing out the traditional cuisine that you can find in Sarawak.

Glimpses of the past at the well-preserved Fort Hose.. Pic: Azmir Azali Bujang)A brief look at Sarawak Forts, Sarawak’s first line of defence during the British colonial reign.

The Brooke dynasties have long relinquished their reign over Sarawak but their influence and presence during the early formative years of the land of the hornbills is still evident today. They played a significant role in the history and shaping of Sarawak.

For instance, some of the current ordinances and regulations of the state are carried over from the past. Monuments and buildings of varying importance grew in numbers during the Brooke’s administration, as did the population of the local communities during then. These building structures form an impressive part of the physical landscape of Sarawak today, and have become popular tourist attractions.

And these important structures include forts. The Brooke family built several forts across Sarawak — over 20 to be exact.

The front of Fort Margherita. Pic: ShutterstockWonder why so many forts were built during the Brooke era? After all, this was not the medieval times when it was impertinent to fend off enemies amidst warfare.

But, like the predecessors in the Middle Ages, these structures were built exactly for that — to protect the local communities from enemies. This was the very first line of defence put up for the people as James Brooke joined forces with the then Sultan of Brunei, Pengiran Indera Mahkota, as they took down a rebellion led by pirates.

Fort Alice

These forts deteriorated over the decades and restoration works were carried out to some. As a result, some of these historical buildings became magical time capsules for people to experience and appreciate as they were in their glory days.

One of these is Fort Alice in Sri Aman. The fort was built in 1864, using entirely Belian (ironwood) timber. It was also fitted with a drawbridge, lookout towers and cannons. An interesting fact is that Fort Alice was built from the materials from another structure, Fort James in Nanga Skrang. The fort was named in remembrance of Charles Brooke’s wife, Margaret Alice Lili de Windt.

Fort Margherita

Another one is Fort Margherita which is well known and popular among tourists. It was also named after Charles Brooke’s beloved wife, whose first name was Margaret. It is located along the Sarawak River in Kuching, near the Astana and opposite the city centre.

This 19th century three-storeyed fortress resembles an English castle. By 1971, the building was converted to become a police museum, and subsequently handed over to the Sarawak Government.
Fort Sylvia

Fort Sylvia

Up north in Kapit, located next to the Rajang River basin lies Fort Sylvia. It was relocated further down the river from its initial location at Nangga Baleh in 1880, and it functioned as the administrative centre for the division at that time. Fort Sylvia also doubled as the station for the Sarawak Rangers, the para-military force founded by Charles Brooke.

Fort Hose

Finally, we have Fort Hose in Marudi, which was built in 1901. Unlike the forts mentioned earlier, it did not get its name from the Brooke family, but was named after the Resident of the Fourth Division (Baram) in 1891, Charles Hose.

The fortress sits on top of the hill, overlooking the Baram river, with two large cannons positioned at the front to ward off invaders from attacking the local communities.

Old Forts, New life

Most of the surviving forts have been given a new lease of life, preserving the longstanding legacies and histories that live within their respective walls.

Fort Alice, or Sri Aman Heritage Museum is now refurbished as a gallery to showcase the stories of the Iban people and the British soldiers during the Brooke administration. The restoration efforts of this colonial building were commended, as it won the Gold Award from Malaysia Institute of Architects’ Awards 2017 under the conservation category.

Fort Margherita is a well-known tourist attraction, due to its strategic location which is nearby the new Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Building. It now houses an exhibition hall showcasing the history of Sarawak under the Brooke’s rule.

The peacekeeping ceremony among the Iban, Kayan, Kenyah and Kajang people at Fort Sylvia lives on. By May 1997, the Tun Jugah Foundation took over the restoration works for this historical monument to preserve and promote Kapit’s cultural heritage. Today, Fort Sylvia serves as a museum of artefacts and historical documents. There is also a section dedicated to showcasing the mementos, uniforms, medals, and other personal possessions of Tun Jugah, one of the prominent leaders of Sarawak’s independence movement.

Over the years, authorities have converted Fort Hose into a district office, a welfare department, immigration department, Land and Survey department, information department, and even the community development office of Penan Handicraft Exhibition Centre. After the building was engulfed by fire in 1994, the local communities were quick to aid in the reconstruction by contributing Belian poles. Now, Fort Hose stands proudly as the Baram Regional Museum which showcases the illustrious heritage and culture of the Orang Ulu communities.

Although this is nowhere an exhaustive list of all surviving Sarawak forts we have in the state today, we hope to have piqued your interest to find out more about the other surviving forts state-wide.

It is crucial for all responsible parties to conserve and restore these historical monuments, not just as tourist attractions but also to tell the historical stories to future generations.

Sarawakians pride themselves on living in a land of wonder and excitement, where endless experiences await those who dare to come. There is so much to do in Sarawak besides spending your weekend in Kuching strolling by the waterfront. Let us explore the rivers of Mukah.

Enter Mukah, the deceivingly sleepy capital of Mukah division. This central region is located along the coast of Sarawak. It is also commonly associated with Pesta Kaul (Kaul festival) which is celebrated by the Melanau community.

The rivers of Mukah

The Melanau heartland has an abundance of nature interweaved with culture. It has been this way for centuries. There is no denying that the geographical location of this idyllic town illustrates how the rivers, Batang Mukah, Batang Oya, Batang Igan and Batang Rajang, plays a significant role in the lives of people who live here, creating a nurturing bond between nature and its inhabitants.

So, what can we look forward to in Mukah?

To find out more we need to learn about the Melanau people first. According to anthropologists, Melanaus are among the original settlers of Sarawak (The Report: Sarawak 2008, 2008). The name “Melanau” itself was said to be given to the inhabitants of the coastal swamp flats and the riverbanks of Sarawak’s central region by one of the Sultans of Brunei.

In the early days, the Melanau people adhered closely to a belief system that intertwined their lives with their surrounding nature. You can see how prevalent this is in Pesta Kaul, a ceremonial festival to appease the spirits of the sea, Ipok.

Pesta Kaul

On the festive day of Pesta Kaul, offerings such as food, cigarettes and betel nuts are placed on poles called seraheng, which are then brought to the river in a boat procession to please the spirits. Next, bapak Kaul (‘father’ or leader of the Kaul festival) scatters yellow rice around the food offerings as an invitation to Ipok to feast on them. This is followed by prayers and chants to Ipok to increase providence for the coming year.

Over the years, regardless of the diversity of various religious beliefs and practices, Pesta Kaul traditions and activities still play an important role in bringing the community together.

Traditionally, Melanaus have been mostly farmers, traders, and sago producers but they have been recognised as fine boat builders and fishermen. There is no coincidence that Pesta Kaul is held during the northeast monsoon in April. During this period, the seas are very rough, and the villagers often must endure flooding, which spells hardship for the Melanaus and their livelihood.

The rivers are considered the cradle of civilisation in Mukah, and they continue to serve its inhabitants till today. Fishing is one of the major sources of livelihood as it is a vital industry to the local people. Pay a visit to the local fish market and you will be delighted to discover a range of fresh-from-the-sea produce such as local red snappers, pomfret, stingray, mackerel, terubok and shrimps.

Sago

Another important source of income for Mukah inhabitants is sago production. Sago is derived from sago palms trees. They grow abundantly on the coastal areas of Mukah due to its fertile, swampy peat soil. The locals have cultivated sago for centuries and it has become an integral part of their daily lives. Sago based local delicacies such as tebaloi and kuih sepit are popular amongst the locals and tourists alike. These foods have become the pride of the Melanau community.

The sago palm trees are transported via the rivers in Mukah to the factories for processing. Mukah is truly a living example of nature, culture and inhabitants cohabiting and functioning as one ecosystem.

To discover more about fascinating Mukah and its interesting activities, check out https://sarawaktourism.com/tours_activities/mukah-melanau-cultural-heartland/

Get ready to immerse yourself in the culture, nature, and excitement of this coastal town as you traverse along the scenic rivers that tell a thousand tales.

Your favourite Sarawak dish was just crowned the Best Asian Food by TasteAtlas, with a score of 4.8 out of 5 stars. With such a recognition, we now know why the late Anthony Bourdain called Sarawak Laksa “The Breakfast of the Gods” and he’s absolutely right.

TasteAtlas, the world’s first interactive food map, describes dishes and ingredients from all over the world. The platform allows users to search by ingredient, place or dish, providing a wealth of food knowledge just at the click of a button. It calls itself as a “world atlas of traditional dishes, local ingredients and authentic restaurants”.

Source: TasteAtlas website: https://www.tasteatlas.com/

Sarawak Laksa

Sarawak Laksa is unique because its influences are not from one dominant community where the dish was originated by the Kuching Peranakan (Straits Chinese) community. Instead, it’s a cornucopia of local tastes and flavours unique to the varied people of Borneo.

Sarawak Laksa is a noodle dish made up of vermicelli rice noodles soaked in a shrimp-based broth brewed from 30 different herbs and spices, thickened with coconut milk then topped with beansprouts, boiled prawns, shredded chicken, slices of omelette and fresh coriander. A local secret to enhance its flavour is to add a squeeze of lime and some sambal belacan (shrimp paste).

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Leave the hustle and bustle of city life behind and experience living with the indigenous people of Sarawak. Replace hot hotel showers with cool and refreshing river dips. Forget artificial air-conditioners as you enjoy the cool and fresh air of the natural surroundings. Get connected to nature as you embark on an authentic Sarawak longhouse experience.

Sarawak is truly a celebration of different cultures. Malaysia’s largest state is home to 27 ethnic groups speaking 45 different languages and dialects. Each group boasts their very own unique stories, beliefs, traditions and cultures.

Enjoy the culinary delights of the different cultures, dance to traditional music played by master musicians on unique Sarawakian instruments, listen to the stories, folklore and legends of the respective ethnic groups and discover the meanings of the tribal tattoos. No indigenous-living experience is more complete, authentic and fulfilling than spending a day with the local community at a longhouse — usually located approximately an hour’s drive away from the nearest city or town. Other longhouses may require boat rides that cut through forests.

Morning view outside Sarawak Cultural Village longhouse architectural model. Pic: Damian Pankowiec

What is a traditional Sarawak longhouse experience?

Sarawak is a constantly evolving state and this has seen many of the longhouses being rebuilt with bricks and mortar. Despite this, there is still a number of longhouses located all across the state that has remained true to their roots. Many of these also provide lodging for guests to provide them with an authentic Sarawak longhouse experience.

Bear in mind though that the experience provided aims to be as genuine as possible. As such some of these longhouses may not have access to direct electricity and may require generators to keep electrical appliances and devices running. It is therefore recommended to bring your own portable power sources for your needs. But fret not – you would probably not use your smart devices much as the longhouse communities have plenty of activities planned for you to partake in and enjoy.

A ruai is a long communal space in a traditional longhouse. Pic: Robas

A traditional longhouse is – as the name implies – a house that extends in length. It can accommodate up to thirty families. The house stands on stilts and a large area of the structure is made up of a long communal space called ruai. Upon arriving at a longhouse, you will be immediately greeted by the chief and the community with the traditional welcoming ngajat dance alongside tabuh music. Thereon, let the food and celebrations begin.

Activities

A stay at the longhouse truly allows you to take a step back and smell the roses. You will find yourself enjoying the views and the morning sunlight as you lounge and relax at the ruai in the mornings. Watch the locals go about their daily activities as they harvest their crops. The surrounding land, functions like an extension of the longhouse. It is usually laden with crops, produce and farm animals. These lands are owned by the families of the community, but some families own bigger farming plots further from the longhouse of which will require longer travel.

If you do not mind mosquito bites – as well as a bit of dirt under your nails – you might enjoy keeping the locals company during their bumai business. Sipping cold coffee from plastic flasks in the afternoon during bumai breaks and enjoying the lush-green view and fresh forest air is a humbling and rewarding life experience.

Weaving rattan mats and baskets in the longhouse. Pic: Matyas Rehak

If you are more of an indoor person, you can choose to partake in a number of activities at the
ruai. When not busy raising the young ones, the local women will carry out handicraft projects. These include weaving mats and baskets from rattan. On some occasions, you may get to observe an indigenous woman weaving ceremonial cloth on a large wood loom. You can also give it a try and see if this is a skill you can bring home with you.

Eat like the locals

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and the Sarawakians know this. Do not be surprised if you are served a meal as heavy as that of lunch and dinner for breakfast. If your refreshing morning cold bath of gathered water does not wake you, the bitter but aromatic freshly brewed coffee prepared by your host will perk you up after a good night’s sleep on a floor mattress.

Dinner is often served on the rattan mat spread out on the floor in the evenings. The local delicacies are wide-ranging – from chicken cooked in bamboo, the Dayak’s tomato-like sour eggplant cooked with clear soup and dried fish, to fermented Chinese herring or kasam terubok, stir fried cangkuk manis and taro roots.

Priceless experiences and memories

A cosy family bedroom at the longhouse for guests of all ages. Pic: Sarawak Tourism Board

As you start preparing to leave for your home, take one last look around the longhouse. You will be amazed at how sturdy the structure is even after decades of withstanding the hot and humid climate of Sarawak and the tropical storms associated with the Borneo rainforests.
Feel the cool rattan mats beneath your bare feet and hear the morning roosters crowing from their coops. The children will gather in the
ruai
to observe with keen eyes as you gather your belongings, and to bid farewell.

You take one last Instagram photo with your host and the chief. You strap on your sandals at the bottom of the stairs and make your way back to the city with a gift of home-brewed rice wine gifted by your host, a warm heart filled with priceless memories and an amazing Sarawak longhouse experience.

We love an ideal kampung retreat. Experiences at different villages and communities will bring about different surprises. Check out the
Iban Longhouse Tour
and
Mongkos Longhouse Daytrip
or visit the best of multiple tribes with the
Sarawak Cultural Village
package.

Bindi Irwin is the daughter of wildlife conservationist and television personality Steve Irwin.

以下为即将在婆罗洲爵士音乐节舞台演唱的爵士乐歌手简介：

陈胤希是中国目前最活跃的爵士歌手之一。

最令岘港旅游部印象深刻的是峇哥国家公园弃用水泥；以树木来建造楼梯。

3名越南岘港旅游部官员在古晋进行考察期间，也获得砂拉越森林局的接待，并在该局解说员的陪同下参观实蒙古野生动物护育中心。

砂拉越旅游局希望透过这项体验之旅能发展古晋的文化体验旅游，并建立起国外的代表机构与本地旅行社的良好的关系。