SARAWAK

Sarawak is Malaysia's largest state. It lies in East Malaysia and shares the island of Borneo with the eastern state of Sabah, the separate country of Brunei and the Indonesian provinces of Kalimantan.
Cities
• Bintulu - dreary oil and gas industry base
• Kuching - Sarawak's capital, the City of Cats is located at the western tip of the state
• Belaga - Jumping point to many of inner Borneo's indigenous tribes and long houses
• Miri - Sarawak's northern city, capital of the state's oil industry
• Sibu - gateway to the hinterland of the Rejang River, Sarawak's and Malaysia's longest river
• Sarikei - "food basket" for the Land of the Hornbills
• Sri Aman - little town along the Batang Lupar, popular among local and foreign tourists especially during the annual tidal bore phenomenon 'benak' in April.
• Mukah - a coastal town in Central Sarawak where the sago-eating tribe (Melanau) are found.
• Kapit - one of the stopover along the Rejang and gateway to interior Sarawak
• Bintangor - former name is 'Binatang' meaning animal. Famous for greenish skin orange.
• Simunjan - a tiny town located between Serian and Sri Aman, site of some colonial era coal works.
National Parks
• Bako National Park - home to the bizarre, obscene-nosed proboscis monkey
• Bukit Lambir National Park - approximately 30km from Miri city. Known for its beautiful water falls and tranquility.
• Loagan Bunut National Park - home to the friendly community of Orang Ulu people known as the Berawan whom are mostly fishermen in this part of Sarawak. The largest freshwater lake in East Malaysia.
• Gunung Gading National Park - where you can try to spot a Rafflesia, the world's largest flower
• Gunung Mulu National Park - with mighty Mount Mulu and some of the world's largest cave system
• Kubah National Park - massive sandstone ridge with its three mountain peaks – the 911m high Gunung Serapi and the slightly smaller Gunung Selang and Gunung Sendok
• Tanjung Datu National Park - smallest of Sarawak’s National Parks, at just under 14 sq km, but it is also one of the most beautiful
• Talang-Satang National Park - was established with the primary aim of conserving Sarawak’s marine turtle population
• Batang Ai National Park - part of the region’s largest trans-national protected area for tropical rainforest conservation
• Similajau National Park - its coastline, a chain of golden sandy beaches, punctuated by small rocky headlands and jungle streams, and bordered by dense green forest
• Niah National Park - one of Sarawak’s better known national parks, important for its archaeological remains such as a 40,000 year old human skull, prehistoric cave paintings, and the birds nest industry. The caves are home to large colonies of bats and swiftlets.
• Semengoh - home to a famous orangutan sanctuary and rehabilitation center
• Wind Cave Nature Reserve - is part of the Bau Formation, a narrow belt of limestone covering about 150 sq km of Southwest Sarawak
• Sama Jaya Nature Reserve - the first multi-purpose urban forest park in Sarawak
• Damai - Sarawak's premier beach resort on the Santubong Peninsula
• Bario and the Kelabit Highlands - the vast highland plateau in the interior popular for trekking and serene Orang Ulu villages.
• Rejang River - the mighty Rejang River, Malaysia's longest river, is the main "highway" connecting little towns and longhouses in Sarawak's hinterland.
Sarawak is the largest and, certainly in terms of visitors per square kilometer, least touristed state of Malaysia. Nearly as large as peninsular Malaysia, the interior is covered in a thicket of impenetrable jungle and mountains and the great majority of the population lives near the coast or along rivers leading to the sea.

Places of Interest

Kuching Waterfront This 900m long esplanade, with landscaped surroundings and eateries, is a popular place for locals and foreigners alike. Places of interest here are The Square Tower, Sarawak Steamship Building and Chinese History Museum. A nearby attraction is the ornate Tua Pek Kong Temple, reputed to be the oldest in the city.

Main Bazaar This is the oldest street in the city. The shop houses here enjoy immense popularity for the bewildering variety of items, from ethnic crafts, textiles to bamboo mats and pottery. Take home exquisite souvenirs of your visit!

Sarawak Museum Sarawak Museum is hailed as one of the finest in Southeast Asia. The Old Wing, designed in the style of a Normandy town house, houses an exceptional ethnographic collection. Within the grounds are an Aquarium, Botanical Gardens and Heroes' Memorial.

Sarawak Cultural Village An award-winning attraction, Sarawak Cultural Village showcases the diverse lifestyles of the state's ethnic groups. Visit the authentic dwellings and view their crafts, household items and musical instruments. The lively cultural performance is a major highlight here. Sarawak Cultural Village is the venue of the annual Rainforest World Music Festival.

Semenggoh Wildlife Center Enjoy the amazing experience of standing close to orang utans in their natural habitat. Watch them swing gracefully as they make their way here during the feeding times. Other attractions include an arboretum, fernery, botanical garden and fruit orchard. Matang Wildlife Center provides the opportunity to view animals in enclosures.

Cat Museum Welcome to a world dedicated to cats! Touted to be the world's first, the Cat Museum pays tribute to these adorable felines with a range of exhibits, photos, statues and souvenirs. Kucing means 'cat' in Malay.

Damai Beach Damai Beach is a major vacation spot, with some of the state's best beach resorts. Enjoy a wide range of water sports activities at the resorts. Tours can be arranged to see the rare Irrawaddy dolphin. Other popular beaches include Siar, Sematan, Penyok, Bandung in Kuching as well as Luak Bay and Hawaii Beach in Miri. The National Parks of Bako, Similajau and Tanjung Datu also boast beautiful beaches.

Textiles and Crafts Take a mesmerizing journey to explore Sarawak's textiles and crafts. The Textile Museum and Pua Kumbu Museum are themed attractions showcasing Sarawak's hand-woven fabrics. More textiles and other handicrafts can be seen at Sarakraf Pavillion and Sarawak Handicraft Center.

Sunday Market in Satok Browse through a profusion of goods from handicrafts, flowers, local snacks to traditional delicacies. The bustling atmosphere and colorful cornucopia of things makes a trip here enjoyable.

Bako National Park Sarawak has many national parks, each teeming with a wealth of flora and fauna. Bako National Park is the state's oldest, and home to the rare long-nosed proboscis monkeys, long-tailed macaques and various other animals. It serves as an excellent introduction to the rainforest.

Kubah National Park The world's largest collection of palm trees, rare ferns and wild orchids are the main attractions here. The enclave is further enriched with waterfalls and crystal-clear rivers. It is a favorite location for day trips.

Gunung Gading National Park Beautiful cascading waterfalls, rare foliage and a chance to see Rafflesia, the world's largest flower, are the highlights here.

Mulu National Park This UNESCO World Heritage Site offers spectacular attractions. Gunung Mulu has the world's largest cave chamber and the world's most extensive cave system with razor sharp limestone pinnacles.

Tanjung Datu National Park Breathtaking vistas of rolling hills and waters teeming with corals are remarkable attractions here. Adventurous visitors can head to the nearby Telok Melano village for a delightful home stay experience.

Niah National Park Experience the awe of standing at the archaeological site of 40,000 year-old human remains in this park.

Similajau National Park A bird-watchers' paradise, enthusiasts can see some 185 species of birds and 24 species of mammals. Lucky visitors may spot dolphins and turtles in the sea.

Lambir Hills National Park The park is home to an incredible diversity of plants, trees and insects, some that are yet to be identified.

Loagan Bunut National Park A natural marvel here is its large natural lake that is said to dry up and disappear during dry seasons. The Talang and Satang Island National Parks are turtle sanctuaries while Batang Ai National Park offers more jungle adventure.

Longhouse Visits Go on a river safari to visit the indigenous communities who live in longhouses along the Lemanak, Rejang, Skrang and Batang Ai Rivers. Watch how crafts are made or join in the cultural dances.

Golfing Enjoy a round of golf in a pristine rainforest setting. Major golf resorts in Sarawak are situated in Kuching, Damai, Padawan, Miri, Sibu and Bintulu.

Diving Diving enthusiasts should not miss a trip to Miri, to explore one of the richest reefs in Malaysia, Belais Reef and Luconia Shoals are among the popular dive sites in the South China Sea.

Bario Lying at an elevation of 1,000m, Bario in Kelabit Highlands is home to the Kelabit people, touted to be among Borneo's best farmers. Visitors will be awed by their culture and lifestyle.