Welcome to Sarawak, the Land of the Hornbills

This post is sponsored by the Sarawak Tourism Board.

Sarawak is the largest state in Malaysia with a low-density population of 2.9 million people in 2020. Home to one of the largest pristine rainforests in the world, with 28 ethnic groups living harmoniously against a backdrop of age-old heritage and elements of modernity, Sarawak is a destination blessed with a plethora of culture, adventure, nature, food and festivals unlike anywhere else.

Given its rich multi-ethnic culture, vast geographical landscape and impressive biodiversity, Sarawak is a haven for modern tourists who prefer tailored tourism products that suit their interests and passions.

Adventure lovers can enjoy thrill-seeking activities such as hiking, off-road biking, deep-sea diving and caving, while passionate anglers can throw their reels for deep-sea fishing in the Miri waters.

Explore one of the world's most exotic locations – SARAWAK

The Bidayuh Ring Ladies.

Sarawak offers an alternative for those seeking humble authenticity far from the tourist-trap clichés.

A traveller to Sarawak can choose to experience Sarawak in a variation of ways – sharing the lifestyles of the many indigenous tribes at their longhouses; exploring gigantic caves at the iconic Gunung Mulu National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site; chasing the adrenaline rush of kayaking through Sarawak’s rivers; or relishing the architectural splendours of colonial buildings across all regions in the state.

Itineraries for first-timers in Sarawak:

1. Blast from the past – the Brooke Heritage Trails

If you’re one for all things history, feel free to explore Sarawak’s rich and well-preserved colonial heritage. Head to Sarawak’s capital city, Kuching, where you can follow the footsteps of the first White Rajah James Brooke (famously played by Jonathan Rhys Meyers in Edge of the World) and his successors.

You can start with a walk around the heart of Kuching which is filled with historical buildings and monuments from the colonial era in Kuching, namely the Square Tower, Sarawak Steamship Building, Fort Margherita, Brooke Dockyard, Round Tower, General Post Office, and more.

The Brooke Gallery at Fort Margherita, and Ranee Museum at the Old Courthouse, provide great insights about Sarawak in the early days, and are definitely worth the visit. 

The Astana, Kuching.

The Old Court House in Kuching, Sarawak.

2. Visit Malaysia’s largest museum – Borneo Cultures Museum

Step into the brand new iconic museum building – the Borneo Cultures Museum. The world-class repository is equipped with a state-of-the-art exhibition that boasts five levels of gallery and exhibition spaces showcasing more than a thousand artefacts that represent Sarawak’s amazing culture.  

Oh, did we mention that Borneo Cultures Museum is also the second-largest museum in Southeast Asia? That’s right, with a total of 6,726 square metres of exhibition space, it will be one of the best and most inspiring museum visits ever.

The Borneo Cultures Museum.

3. Experience culture in the village – visit a longhouse

Sarawak is truly a celebration of different cultures. No indigenous-living experience is more complete, authentic and fulfilling than spending a day with the local community at a longhouse – usually located about an hour’s drive away from the nearest city or town. Other longhouses may require boat rides that cut through jungles.

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.

For more information about the longhouses in Sarawak, log on to sarawaktourism.com.

Celebrate the cultures in Sarawak.

4. Reconnect with nature

The wild is calling! For those who are looking for a great adventurous escape from the concrete jungle, and to be one with nature, Sarawak’s vast geographical landscape offers a great eco escape. Be amazed by its renowned national parks and recreational sites especially its rainforests and riverine waterways.

Explore the UNESCO world heritage site Mulu National Park in Miri, and experience the lifestyle of the riverfront in Sibu, Mukah, Sarikei, Bintulu, and more.

Chase Sarawak’s waterfalls such as Lambir Hills Waterfall, Kubah Waterfall, and Ranchan Waterfall or immerse yourself in Sarawak’s true essence of nature by checking into Sarawak’s eco stays.

The peak of the pinnacles in Mulu National Park.

5. Food ventures in Sarawak

Sarawak is well-known for its diversity in ethnicities, culture, and of course, its various palate of local delicacies merged with the rich flavours brought in by immigrants. This has led to an explosion of creativity in producing a wealth of dishes and food found only in Sarawak.

From Kolok Mee and Sarawak Laksa to Umai and Sayur Midin, not forgetting Mee Sua, Manok Pansoh to Kuih Lapis and Gula Apong ice-cream, visitors to Sarawak will enjoy a scrumptious culinary that also abounds with generations of history and heritage.

Did you know that Sarawak’s capital city, Kuching, is the first city in Malaysia to be named “Creative City of Gastronomy” by UNESCO.

Indulge in the breakfast of the Gods.

Sarawak Kek Lapis (Sarawak layered cake).

CELEBRATING THE COMEBACK OF SARAWAK’S TWO ICONIC FESTIVALS

After two years of isolation because of the pandemic, Sarawak’s iconic festivals are back and this time with double strength. Merging both physical and online technologies, both festivals will be in hybrid for the first time.

Rainforest World Music Festival

The most awaited music festival in Malaysia, the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF), is back once again, celebrating its 25th anniversary as a hybrid event for the first time since the beginning of the music festival in 1998. 

This year, the music festival themed “25th Legendary Rainforest Celebration” is being held from 17-19 June 2022 and will take on a hybrid format, with the physical concert taking place at Sarawak Cultural Village while viewers can also purchase tickets for the live-stream concert to watch from their homes via an online platform. 

RWMF will feature a host of international performers from Canada, India, the US, Finland, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Singapore, Japan, Australia, Madagascar, Ukraine, China, Bhutan, and Seoul, among others.

It will also showcase a string of Malaysia’s own talent such as Alena Murang, At Adau, from Sarawak, Bamboo Woods from Sabah, and many more, with Majlis Seni Sarawak (MSS) mixing traditional Sarawakian music with international flavours opening the three-day show in a first-time musical collaboration with the Sarawak Tourism Board.  

Festival goers can choose from the different ticket categories at pre-sale prices – adult one-day pass (RM165); adult three-day pass (RM405); child one-day pass (RM85); child three-day pass (RM195); and the one-day family package pass – two adults and two children (RM440).

The virtual tickets are priced at RM25 per one-hour block. For more information on Rainforest World Music festival 2022, log on to its official website at rwmf.net.

Borneo Jazz Festival

Themed “Jazz in The Jungle”, the 17th edition will be held in a hybrid format for the first time from 24th – 26th June 2022 at Coco Cabana, Miri, and will be joined by performers from countries Singapore, Japan, France, Switzerland, the US, Hungary, and India.

Borneo Jazz will also be providing fun and educating fringe activities open to the public such as the Eco Art Project, Borneo Boat Lute Exhibition, Miri Sape Movement – “Evolution of the Sape”, a wellness programme, and an artisanal craft bazaar.

Jazz music lovers can start purchasing tickets for BJ starting now from the official website at jazzborneo.com or directly from our official ticket resellers, Miri City Council, at ptbmiri@gmail.com and Transworld Travel Services at twtmiri@hotmail.com.

For the public category, the one-day pass is priced at RM128 per ticket, the two-day pass is RM228 per ticket and the three-day pass is RM338 per ticket. As for students and senior citizens, the one-day pass is priced at RM88 per ticket, two-day pass is RM128 per ticket and the three-day pass is RM188 per ticket.

For those who want to enjoy BJ virtually, tickets are priced at RM25 per viewing block – approximately an hour segmented into your favourite performers. For more information on Borneo Jazz festival 2022, log on to BJ’s official website at jazzborneo.com.

All photos courtesy of Sarawak Tourism Board.