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A
state of endless fascination, its capital, Kuching, (which means 'cat'),
is a dynamic, progressive and bustling business centre and tourist
destination. Yet despite these changes Sarawak retains its charming rustic
riverine towns, with historical sites and buildings attesting to its
colourful past.
Places
of interest in Kuching are the Sarawak Museum, which houses a collection
of Bornean ethnological and archaeological items, including exhibits from
the great Niah Caves.
Fort
Margherita, named after the second Rajah's wife, was built in 1879 to
serve as a fort of defence against pirates who came from the sea. Up river
from the fort is Astana, the residence of the second and third 'White
Rajah'. It is now the official residence of Sarawak's Head of State.
The
Court House, built in 1874, is regarded as one of Sarawak's finest
buildings, while the Tua Pek Kong Temple is Kuching's oldest Chinese
temple built in 1876.The Sarawak Cultural Village and Heritage Centre,
located at Santubong, is a living museum. It conserves and portrays the
multi-faceted culture and customs of ethnic groups such as the Ibans,
Bidayuhs and Melanaus.
Sibu
is an ideal base from which to visit an Iban longhouse and there are also
many Malay kampungs (villages) with houses built on stilts accessible via
a short river cruise along the Igan River.
The
Skrang River is another exciting destination for those who want to
experience life in a longhouse, once the home of head-hunters. You can
journey to Skrang from Kuching by road and then by motor-propelled
longboat along the Skrang River.
It
is possible to spend the night at a longhouse and experience the
traditions and customs of the Dayak Ibans. You can take part in an evening
entertainment given by longhouse residents who will entertain you with
traditional dancing and offer you Tuak, the specially brewed rice wine.
Lemanak
is a tributary of the Batang Lupar River and there are many traditional
longhouses to be found along this river. Like Skrang, the Lemanak River is
easily reached from Kuching. Cock-fighting and jungle trekking are some of
the highlights of a safari along the Lemanak River.
For
those who have time and energy, a climb up the challenging Pinnacles, or
Gunung Api (Fire Mountain) in Mulu National Park are accessible to anyone
who is reasonably fit. Sculptured and grooved by the rain over millions of
years, they rise above the tree tops to a height of 45 metres and are well
worth the effort.
Also
in Mulu National Park are spectacular limestone caves, in particular Deer
Cave. At 1,000 metres wide and 120 metres high Deer Cave could contain
London's St Paul's Cathedral five times over. The 60 metre high 'shower'
continuously pouring from the roof near the 'Garden of Eden' is one of the
many spectacular views within the cave. The Sarawak Chamber is another
wonderful natural treasure and is so big it would accommodate 40 Boeing
747 jets.
Besides
the magnificent displays of limestone formations there is also jungle
trekking and mountain climbing. The park has 1,500 species of flowering
plants including 170 species of wild orchids, 67 species of mammals and
262 types of birds, including all eight species of hornbills.
Miri,
near the Brunei border, the largest town in the state, and Limbang, are
the two entry points to Mulu National Park. From Miri, visitors fly by
scheduled twin otter aircraft operated daily by MAS, or you can take the
express boat all the way to Mulu.
The
Niah National Park is of special interest because it contains the Great
Cave, one of the largest in the world. Evidence of man's existence in
Borneo dating back 40,000 years ago was discovered in the Niah caves and
anthropologists have established that the Niahians lived in caves from
40,000 BC right up to AD 1400. |
