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| | | The ‘Land of the Hornbills’ is the country’s largest state forming part of East Malaysia in Borneo. It’s characterized by distinctive ethnic groups many of whom still live in riverside settlements. James Brooke, the first ‘white rajah’ ruled Sarawak from 1841 after revolving a dispute between Brunei’s Sultan and local chieftains. The legacy of the Brooke Dynasty and the British includes many colonial buildings in Kuching. Fondly known as ‘Cat City’ Kuching, the capital is located on the Sarawak River. Its tourist belt is the waterfront and Main Bazaar which features old shop houses selling local pepper, artifacts, antique, bird’s nests and exotic forest products. The state Mosque is perched on the riverbank and nearby markets offer a mind-boggling range of produce. At the other end of the Main Bazaar, Tua Pek Kong Temple built in 1876 is an important place of worship for Chinese. Kuching lays claim to nine museums, many within walking distance of each other. Visit the Sarawak Museum which has one of the region’s best ethnographic collections. The city also has several well-preserved colonial buildings. Other interesting spots include Fort Margherita. Damai Beach, 45 minutes from Kuching is a pleasant playground of beaches, golf course, resorts and culture. The nearby Sarawak Cultural Village is a themed attraction showcasing the diverse lifestyles of the ethnic groups in the state and is host to the annual Rainforest World Music Festival. | | | | | | Enjoy the hospitality of Sarawak’s indigenous communities who live in long houses along the Lamanak, Rejang, Skrang and Batang Ai Rivers. Access is normally via long motorized boats. In the past, padding meant arduous journeys but today, small outboards make the task easier. The largest group is the Iban, once headhunters. Other groups include the Bidayuh, Melanau and Orang Ulu (upriver people). Visitor can stay with their hosts and watch the community make jungle products, join in cultural dances, go trekking or relax in jungle streams. Women weave traditional pua cloth an old back-strap looms. Gawai is a thanksgiving festival held in June at the end of a bountiful rice harvest. Tuak or rice wine and other traditional delicacies are offered at ‘open houses’ in longhouses around the state. Sarawak is an eco-adventure destination for trekking, caving, mountain climbing, kayaking, biking, rafting and diving. | 
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| | There are many national parks and wildlife reserves such as Bako National Park, close to Kuching which contains many plant species endemic to Borneo. Kubah National Park, Matang Wildlife Centre and Semenggoh Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre provide rehabilitation for endangered animals like Orang Utan. Similajau National Park has emerald waters, a tropical rainforest and long, golden beaches where green Turtles lay their eggs. The 10,736 hectare-Loagan Bunut National Park contains Sarawak’s largest natural lake and is the archaeological site of 40,000 year-old human remains. The Mulu National Park is a world’s largest cave chamber and an intricate network of caves. Challenging treks include the Pinnacles Trail to Gunung Api and climbing Gunung Mulu. Avid divers can try the excellent Belais Reef off Miri and Luconia Shoals in the South China Sea, both accessible by air and boat. | | | | | | | Places Of Interest - East Malaysia / Borneo | The State Of Sarawak |
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