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Sarawak travel guide
Destination Guide

Sarawak

Malaysia

Astonishing National Parks, Exotic Wildlife, Orangutans, Dense Rainforests, Hiking, Outdoor Adventure, Biodiversity, Ethnic & Indigenous Culture

Capital
Kuching
Currency
Malaysian Ringgit

Top reasons to visit Sarawak

Visit the Orangutans:

Sarawak offers incredible opportunities for wildlife enthusiasts to see rare species in their natural habitats, including the endangered orangutan. Visitors can encounter orangutans at the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre, spot the elusive proboscis monkeys in Bako National Park, and explore the rich biodiversity of the region's rainforests and wetlands.

Delicious Cuisine:

Sarawak's culinary scene is a delightful blend of indigenous, Malay, Chinese, and Indian influences. Visitors can savor unique local dishes such as Sarawak laksa, kolo mee, and umai, a traditional Melanau raw fish salad. Food markets and hawker stalls provide a great way to taste the diverse flavors of Sarawak's cuisine.

Adventure and Outdoor Activities:

Sarawak is a haven for adventure seekers, offering a wide range of outdoor activities. From trekking through dense jungles and exploring vast cave systems to river kayaking and mountain climbing, there are numerous opportunities for adrenaline-pumping experiences amidst stunning natural settings.

Rich Cultural Heritage:

Sarawak is home to a diverse mix of indigenous tribes, each with its unique traditions, festivals, and crafts. Visitors can explore traditional longhouses, participate in cultural festivals such as the Rainforest World Music Festival, and learn about the customs and lifestyles of the Iban, Bidayuh, and Orang Ulu people.

Stunning Natural Landscapes:

Sarawak boasts a variety of breathtaking natural landscapes, including dense rainforests, towering mountains, and pristine beaches. The region is home to some of Malaysia's most spectacular national parks, including Gunung Mulu National Park, known for its impressive limestone karst formations and vast cave systems, and Bako National Park, famous for its diverse wildlife and scenic trails.

Explore Regional Sarawak

Sarawak is one of two Malaysian states located on the island of Borneo - the largest island in Asia, and the third-largest island in the world. With a population of over 2.9 million, Sarawak is one of the most culturally and geographically diverse regions in Malaysia, with a wide variety of traditions and landscapes to explore including an incredible array of natural attractions such as mountain ranges, tropical jungles, national parks, caves and indigenous cultures.

Culture

Culturally, Sarawak is home to 31 different ethnic groups and 44 spoken languages. Visitors are encouraged to learn about each group as they explore the state: visiting a longhouse in the interior or witnessing traditional festivals like Gawai Dayak will give you a glimpse into Sarawak’s vibrant traditions.

Nature

Further to its rich cultural heritage, Sarawak is also renowned for its natural beauty. Rugged mountain ranges such as Gunung Mulu National Park, Kubah National Park and Crocker Range National Park all offer amazing hiking opportunities for visitors, while the rainforests of Bako National Park boast some of Borneo’s most fascinating wildlife. Borneo itself is home to 15,000 species of plants and animals.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

UNESCO World Heritage Site Gunung Mulu National Park features impressive limestone structures and offers visitors the chance to explore its unique landscape via jungle treks, boat rides and even spectacular cave tours. The park is renowned for its network of underground rivers, towering limestone pinnacles and bat-filled caves. Sarawak's incredible cave systems such as Mulu Caves, Clearwater Cave and Deer Cave breed a wealth of wildlife, and feature incredible natural formations and countless underground passages that can be explored with the help of experienced tour guides.Niah National Park is famous for being the site of Sarawak’s most impressive archaeological treasures: the Niah Caves. Believed to have been inhabited for over 40,000 years, these caves are a living museum offering visitors a fascinating glimpse into life during prehistoric times.

Cuisine

Last but not least - don't forget the food! Sarawak's capital city, Kuching (Cat City), cooks up some of the best street food in Southeast Asia. Kuching was named by UNESCO as a City of Gastronomy in November 2021. Be sure to try some laksa Sarawak - a unique spicy noodle dish with origins from theChinese and Malay cultures - before you leave! Kuching offers a lively mix of shopping, dining and nightlife. And while there, don’t miss out on exploring some of the other towns in this incredible state such as Sibu and Miri.

Getting to Sarawak

And getting to Sarawak is easy. International visitors can fly directly into Kuching International Airport, which is located just 18 kilometres from the city centre. From there, you can travel around the state by car, bus, train or even ferry.Sarawak is an incredible destination with so much to offer visitors of all ages and backgrounds. From stunning natural attractions to its vibrant cultural heritage, this Malaysian state is sure to leave a lasting impression. 

Be sure to add it to your travel bucket list!

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