Top 25 Sarawak Attractions (2023)
Sarawak is the largest state in Malaysia and is almost equal to the size of Peninsular Malaysia. Famed for its dense rainforest and paradise beaches, it is no surprise that Sarawak is one of the top tourist spots in Malaysia. With so much to offer with its rich culture and historical heritages, here are the top 25 Sarawak attractions that you should check out.
Bau
1. Semenggoh Nature Reserve
One of the top Sarawak attractions that you should check out is the Semenggoh Nature Reserve, located around 20km from Kuching, the capital of Sarawak. Established in 1975, this centre serves as a sanctuary for orangutans who are injured, orphaned or had been kept captive as illegal pets. Apart from the opportunity to see orang utans up close, you will also get to see many rare flora and fauna.
Operating Hours: Daily, 8.00am – 4.00pm
Ticket Price(s): Adult – RM10 | Child – RM5
2. Fairy Cave
Fairy Cave, a beautiful limestone cave that is located around 40km away from the capital of Sarawak, Kuching. To get to the entrance of this cave, you will first need to go up the four storey concrete staircase. While the entrance of the cave is slightly narrow, it will open up to a massive area with a big opening on the top which allows the sunlight to shine in.
Operating Hours: Daily, 24 hours
Ticket Price(s): Subject to tour fees
3. Siniawan Night Market
Siniawan Night Market is open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and is a wonderful place for you to enjoy the evening. The street is lined with wooden shophouses that are decorated with lanterns, lighting up the streets at night. There is so much food waiting to be discovered here as the locals take pride in whipping up cultural dishes for the visitors to try.
Operating Hours: Friday – Sunday, 6.00pm – 11.00pm
Ticket Price(s): Free
Bintulu
4. Temasya Tanjung Batu Beach (Pantai Temasya Tanjung Batu)
Located near to the center of the town, many local will come here for an evening stroll by the beach. It is a pristine beach that has many facilities for the comfort of the visitors. Not only that, if you are looking for a beautiful sunset view, you will not be disappointed with seeing the sun disappearing below the horizon here.
Operating Hours: Daily, 24 hours
Ticket Price(s): Free
5. Taman Tumbina Bintulu
Taman Tumbina Bintulu is a hybrid park which combines a botanical and zoological garden into one. This park was created for the purpose of recreation, conservation and education of the precious flora and fauna in Borneo to the public. Strategically located facing the South China Sea, this 57 hectares park is another Sarawak attraction that you should visit with your friends and families.
Operating Hours: Daily, 24 hours
Ticket Price(s): Free
Kapit
6. Fort Sylvia
Build in 1880, Fort Sylvia is a historical fort situated in Kapit. The fort was named after Rani Sylvia Brooke, the wife of Raja Charles Vyner Brooke (the last “white raja” in Sarawak). This fort has since been converted to be a museum that houses many artefacts such as ceramics, plates, cannons, textiles and important historical documents from that time.
Operating Hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 10.00am – 5.00pm
Ticket Price(s): Free
Kuching
7. Kubah National Park
Spanning across 2,230 hectares, Kubah National Park is one of the Sarawak attractions that you should not miss. This park consists of dense rainforest, waterfalls, streams and also natural dipping pools. There are a plethora of organisms living in this area, but you must keep your eyes peeled for the rare orchid plants that are known as ‘The World of Palms’.
Operating Hours: Daily, 8.00am – 5.00pm
Ticket Price(s): RM10
8. KBS Buddhist Village
It only takes a 30-minute drive to get to KBS Buddist Village from the city centre. From afar, you will be able to see why this is another one of the must-visit Sarawak attractions with its magnificent pagoda near to the entance. As you walk into this place, you will see many Buddha and monk statues around the park.
Operating Hours: Daily, 8.00am – 6.00pm
Ticket Price(s): Free
9. Bako National Park
Bako National Park is the oldest park in Sarawak and covers an area of 27.27 square kilometres. This park offers a perfect introduction of what a rainforest really is, with its towering trees, beautiful waterfalls, streams, and exotic flora and fauna. To visit this place, you will need to make a reservation with your travel agent which will then sign you up for the guided tour of your choice.
Operating Hours: Daily, 8.00am – 5.00pm
Ticket Price(s): Subject to tour fees
10. Sarawak State Museum
Founded in 1888, the Sarawak State Museum is one of the oldest museums in Borneo. This colonial-inspired building has one of the best collections in South East Asia. Among the things that you can find in this museum are local native arts and crafts, natural history collections of local animals, and more, all with the aim of educating the public about Sarawak.
Operating Hours: Daily, 9.00am – 4.45pm
Ticket Price(s): Free
11. Fort Margherita
Charles Brooke built this fort on a hill in 1879 to protect Kuching from pirates’ attacks. The architecture of the building took inspiration from an English castle with its high walls and watch towers, and stands majestically next to the Sarawak River. It has since been converted into a gallery that houses a wide range of memorabilia from Brooke’s time.
Operating Hours: Daily, 10.00am – 4.00pm
Ticket Price(s): RM20
12. Kuching Waterfront
If you are looking for one of the most happening Sarawak attractions, Kuching Waterfront is the best place to visit. Apart from a shopping mall here, there are plenty of shops lined up in this 1km long waterfront that will keep you entertained during your time here. If you are hungry in the middle of the night, you will be glad to know that there are restaurants and pubs here too.
Operating Hours: Daily, 24 hours
Ticket Price(s): Free
13. Darul Hana Bridge
While it might look like a normal bridge during the day, you will be amazed by the beauty of this bridge during the night. Not only does the bridge looks colourful with the various colour of lights lighting it up, you will also get to see the musical fountain here. This 335-metre Sarawak attraction is also constructed to resemble the letter ‘S’ from Sarawak and connects the Kuching Waterfront to the north area of the city where the state legislative assembly complex, and botanical and orchid gardens are located.
Operating Hours: Daily, 24 hours
Ticket Price(s): Free
14. Malaysia-China Friendship Park
Located not too far away from the Kuching International Airport, this Friendship Park was built on 2.8 hectares of land. This park symbolises the diplomatic relationship between the two countries, Malaysia and China. As you stroll through this park, you will be able to see some beautiful structures in the form of oriental arches, pavilions and a Chinese garden.
Operating Hours: Daily, 5.00am – 12.00am
Ticket Price(s): Free
15. Damai Beach
Damai Beach is located around 35km away from Kuching city centre and is one of the main Sarawak attractions. With a beach that has the rainforest and Mount Santubong as the background, you will be amazed by the beauty of this place. If you are looking to stay the night here, there is also a luxury resort here for you to do just that.
Operating Hours: Daily, 24 hours
Ticket Price(s): Free
16. Sarawak Cultural Village
The Sarawak Cultural Village, Sarawak’s only living museum pays tribute to every tribe there is in Sarawak, providing visitors with a glimpse of their culture and lifestyle. Some of the tribes that are highlighted in this place are Iban, Bidayuh, Penan, Melanau, Orang Ulu, Malay and Chinese. For those who wants to further explore the different cultures, there are two cultural performances a day in the village theatre.
Operating Hours: Daily, 9.00am – 5.00pm
Ticket Price(s): Adult – RM81.23 | Child – RM51.30
17. Upside Down House Kuching
If you are looking for something fun and light to do, you can visit the Upside Down House Kuching which is located near to Tune Hotel. Don’t be fooled by the unassuming exterior of this place, as the interior of this space is decorated with a modern house in mind (apart from the fact that it is upside down). Not only is this place the ideal place to kill some time, it will ensure you leave here with some memorable experiences (and maybe an inspiration or two on decorating your house).
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday, 9.00am – 6.00pm | Saturday – Sunday, 9:00am – 7:00pm
Ticket Price(s): Adult – RM15 | Child – RM10
Lundu
18. Gunung Gading National Park
This Sarawak attraction is a national park that also serves as a Raflessia conservation park that is located in Lundu. Rafflesia is the world’s largest flower and it was only in 1994 that the park opened its doors to the public, giving the world the opportunity to see this flower up close. Apart from this magnificent flower, you can also jungle trek in the various trails available here, and take a dip in one of the many waterfalls and bathing spots available here.
Operating Hours: Daily, 8.00am – 5.00pm
Ticket Price(s): Adult – RM20 | Child – RM7
Miri
19. Gunung Mulu National Park
Mount Mulu is the second-highest mountain in Sarawak at 2,376 metres above sea level and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This national park is home to some of the most remarkable caves and karst formations in a rainforest. Not only that, it is also one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots whereby thousands of flora and fauna species can be found here (home to at least half of Borneo’s plant, animal and fungi species).
Operating Hours: Daily, 24 hours
Ticket Price(s): RM10
20. Lambir Hills National Park
If you are looking for more natural Sarawak attractions to visit, then you must check out Lambir Hills National Park. This national park is recognised as the world’s most complex and diverse forest ecosystem which presents you with a wealth of flora and fauna to see. If you are lucky, not only will you be able to enjoy yourself in the waterfalls located in this 6,952 hectares forest, but you will also get to see various rare animals here.
Operating Hours: Daily, 8.00am – 5.00pm
Ticket Price(s): Adult – RM10 | Child – RM5
21. Coco Cabana
Just a short drive away from Miri city centre, Coco Cabana is one of the latest entertainment hot spots. Though this place is open all day long, the site only comes alive during the night with performances, festivals and cultural events. While you are in this seaside area, be sure to also allocate some time for you to see the stunning sunset.
Operating Hours: Daily, 11.00am – 11.00pm
Ticket Price(s): Free
22. Hawaii Beach
Located 25 minutes drive away from Miri city centre, Hawaii Beach is another one of the must-visit Sarawak attractions. It is famous for its long stretch of sandy beach, crystal blue sea and the tall coconut trees lined-up along the beach. You can also organise a beachside barbecue party in this beautiful place by renting the barbecue pits available here with a small fee.
Operating Hours: Daily, 24 hours
Ticket Price(s): Free
Sarikei
23. Rumah Nyuka Longhouse
Longhouses are commonly found in villages in Sarawak as the aborigines tribes lives in clusters under one roof. One of the most famous longhouses that you can check out is the Rumah Nyuka Longhouse, built in 1955. Usually made out of bamboo and wood, this longhouse is home to around 300 people from 45 families. If you want to experience staying the night staying in a longhouse, you will be glad to know that homestay option is available here.
Operating Hours: Daily, 24 hours
Ticket Price(s): Subject to Homestay Rate
Sibu
24. Sibu Central Market
Described as one of the top tourist spots in town, Sibu Central Market is always bustling with visitors. You will be able to find a variety of fruits, vegetables, dried food and also exotic jungle produce here. This market can be one of the first places that you visit when you arrive in Sibu.
Operating Hours: Daily, 5.00am – 7.00pm
Ticket Price(s): Free
25. Tua Pek Kong Temple
Tua Pek Kong Temple of Sibu is one of the oldest and most well-preserved temples in the town. With a history that goes all the way back to 1890, this 7-storey pagoda is said to be one of the most perfectly proportioned pagodas outside China. Apart from religious reasons, you can also come here to enjoy the magnificent sunset views from the top of the pagoda.
Operating Hours: Daily, 6.00am – 6.00pm
Ticket Price(s): Free
While we have only listed some of the top Sarawak attractions, there are so many more places in Sarawak for you to explore. Not only will you be able to enjoy some of the most beautiful natural wonders, it is also a state with so much history. Apart from places to visit, you can also try a variety of delicious food available here.