|
|
|
|
|
Sarawak Top Destination
Mulu Caves, MULU
Lie deep in the heart of Sarawak, Mulu caves possesses some of the largest and most spectacular caves in the World. Over millennia the flow of water draining from the slopes of Gunung Mulu towards the sea has cut deep gorges through the Park’s limestone mountains and, within the rock itself, a complex network of vast caves has been formed.
Named after the second highest mountain in Sarawak - Mount Mulu, Mulu caves near Miri, Sarawak, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that encompasses incredible caves and karst formations in a mountainous equatorial rainforest setting. The park is famous for its caves and the expeditions that have been mounted to explore them and their surrounding rainforest, most notably the Royal Geographical Society Expedition of 1977–1978, which saw over 100 scientists in the field for 15 months. This initiated a series of over 20 expeditions now drawn together as the Mulu Caves Project
View Sarawak Page
Bako National Park, KUCHING
Bako, the oldest and one of the smallest national parks in Sarawak, covers an area of 27.27 square kilometres (10.53 sq mi) at the tip of the Muara Tebas peninsula at the mouth of the Bako and Kuching Rivers, yet one of the most interesting with multiple biomes (including rainforest), abundant wildlife, jungle streams and waterfalls, secluded beaches, and trekking trails.
Bako National Park consists of coastal cliffs and rolling hills, and boasts fine sandy beaches surrounded by jungle. The coastal erosion has produced interesting sea stacks and rock formations. In addition, Bako contains almost every type of plant life found in Borneo, with over 25 distinct types of vegetation from seven complete ecosystems. Bako is also famous for its wildlife, and it’s the best place to see the rare proboscis monkey.
The ranges of attractions and activities in a compact area have made Bako one of the most popular parks in Sarawak.
View Sarawak Page
Sarawak Cultural Village, KUCHING
Known as the 'Living Museum', the Cultural Village was set up to preserve and showcase the unique and richness of Sarawak's cultural heritage. Located at Pantai Damai, Santubong, just 32km from the state capital, Kuching, it is the venue for the World Harvest Festival and the Rainforest World Music Festival, an internationally renowned festival.
Sarawak Cultural Village is a perfect place to get introduced to local culture and lifestyle of Sarawak. The village residents provide information on their various traditional cultures and lifestyles. You can see replicas of buildings that represent every major ethnic group in Sarawak; longhouses of the Iban, Bidayuh and Orang Ulu, a Melanau tall-house and a Chinese farm house among others. You can also see the a variety of handicrafts, including the Kain Songket (Malay cloth with gold inlay), Pua Kumbu (Iban housewives textiles), Melanau Terendak (sunhat), Bidayuh tambok (basket), Iban parang (swords), Orang Ulu wood carving and Chinese ceramics.
The 45-minute cultural performance of songs, dances and entertainment is something you will not want to miss during your visit to Sarawak.
Iban Longhouse, SARAWAK
A holiday in Sarawak is not complete without a visit to the longhouses that are the traditional dwellings of many of the natives here such as the Iban. Iban Longhouse is the best place to experience the Ibans’ daily life and cultures. Once known as “Sea Dayaks”, the Ibans or famously known as the legendary headhunters of Borneo built their longhouses to last 15 to 20 years, or, until the farm land in the surrounding area was exhausted. Then they packed up their goods and chattels and moved inland, upriver, along the coast, wherever fresh farm lands looked promising. About one-third of all Sarawakians are Iban. Some of them live in towns or individual houses, while a large number still prefer longhouses.
A longhouse is a terraced street of separate dwellings covered by one roof headed by a ‘Tuai rumah’. Every family has their own separate bilik (room). Communal activities are carried out on the ruai (verandah). Male visitors will spend a night on the verandah whereas female visitors are invited to stay in the bilik or room.
Tour groups are normally greeted with a glass of tuak or rice wine and a welcome dance. After that, they will tour the longhouses and will be entertained by various cultural performances. You are usually invited to join in the dancing. Visitors can spend a nght at the longhouses or in a nearby guesthouse.
Mulu Pinnacles , MULU
The Pinnacles at Mulu National Park are a collection of 45 metre high, limestone needles that cling to the side of Gunung Api (Fire Mountain). Centuries of water have eroded and dissolved the rock into razor sharp spikes which knife skywards through the surrounding rainforest. They form a forest of silver-grey stone encircled by thick green vegetation. A trekking trail leads to a small viewpoint overlooking the Pinnacles and the ‘Pinnacles Summit Trek’ is one of most popular treks in the park. The trek to view them is one of the most popular in the park. But be warned, the Pinnacle Summit Trek is a tough and challenging one.
The climb is challenging, filled with fun and excitement. The trail is 2.4 km in length but rises some 1,200 metres. Vegetations vary following the changes of altitudes. The varieties of wild orchids and pitcher plants scarcely seen elsewhere can be spotted along the trek before reaching the Pinnacles. The last section of the trail is near vertical, with rope sections and 15 aluminium ladders strategically positioned to help with the climb. The vegetation is sparse although orchids, rhododendrons and pitcher plants thrive in the area, and can be seen at the side of the trail. The viewpoint area is made up of a number of pinnacles, rocks and vegetation and has excellent views of the silver-grey forest of stone that rises up from the surrounding vegetation.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Photo Credits: Sabah / Sarawak / Brunei Tourism Board, |
|
|
| |
|
Design and developement by Ultimate Tourism Sdn. Bhd |
|
| |
|
|
