Travel Guide

Best Places to Visit in Sarawak

Sarawak

Sarawak, the largest state in Malaysia, is situated in the north-west region. It covers an area of around 124,450 square km, which is almost as big as Peninsular Malaysia. Kuching, the capital city, is the largest in the state and holds special economic significance. You will find some of the best places to visit in Sarawak.

The state boasts of a wide variety of animal and plant species. It has an abundance of tropical rainforests and offers an equatorial climate. The famous Gunung Mulu National Park is in Sarawak. 

The place has a rich history, with the earliest human settlements traced back to around 40000 years ago at the historic Niah Caves. Batu Niah to Kuching is a popular bus route served by some of Malaysia’s most prominent operators. 

Top Places to Visit in Sarawak

Here are some of the top places that you must visit while you are in Sarawak – 

Bako National Park

The first place on this list is the Bako National Park, one of Sarawak’s oldest parks and a heaven for nature and wildlife lovers. It is situated on the tip of the Muara Tebas Peninsula. Covered by dense forests, the Bako National Park has a wide variety of flora and fauna. Trekking trails and mesmerizing beaches add to the beauty of the park. You will love meeting the long-nosed proboscis monkeys here.

The Brooke Gallery

The Brooke Gallery offers an unforgettable experience to history lovers. It takes you through the city’s historical roots and depicts the story of the great Kingdom, the Sarawak and the white Rajahs. The story talks of an influential English writer who aided to build Sarawak in the 1830s. This place is a historical symbol for the Sarawak cultural village. 

Mount Santubong

If you are looking for a perfect escape from your everyday life, this is the place to visit. The Sarawak cultural village is the main attraction of Mount Santubong. Adrenaline junkies can enjoy activities such as a river cruise and trekking here. The river cruise is quite popular among travellers as it also provides a good view of the existing wildlife and mangroves. 

Be prepared to be greeted by the monkeys and fireflies. You can also experience the exotic sea life and get a close view of some rare species, including the Irrawaddy Dolphins. Mount Santubong is located 35 km away from Kuching. One can easily catch a bus to Kuching from all prominent cities in Malaysia. 

Kuching Esplanade

The Kuching Esplanade, situated beside the southern bank of the Sarawak river, offers a great view to the visitors. The esplanade is about 900 meters long and starts from the riverbank suites, and goes all the way to the Gambier market. If you are looking for a place that offers serenity, this one is the best fit. Tourists and locals visit this place to stroll around and see this magnificent piece of architecture. 

You can also explore weekend markets to buy locally produced goods. People also come here for picnics and casual hangouts with their friends and families. A cable stray bridge was also opened for the tourists, offering a view of both sides of Kuching. 

Sarawak Natural History Museum

You will be surprised to know that the Sarawak Natural History Museum was a passion project for the British naturalist called Alfred Wallace. He was passionate about collecting wildlife specimens from the unexplored sites of Borneo island. This museum preserves a wide range of Victorian architecture pieces and other precious locally sourced artefacts.

This place is open and free for all visitors. You will need to check the updated timings of the visit before arriving in person. Usually, this place is open throughout the week, but the timings may vary for weekdays and weekends. 

One can easily take a bus ride from Kuala Lumpur to Taman Budaya to visit the Sarawak Natural History Museum. The most common drop-off points include Hab Pasar Seni, Hotel Geo, etc. You can book bus tickets online easily within minutes to any place in the state. 

Tua Pek Kong

The Tua Pek Kong is a place for devotees. It is one of the oldest Chinese temples dating back to the late 1850s. It has a marvellous statue of the Tua Pek Kong deity and is a 7-storey pagoda that was built by the famous Xiamen. This magnificent temple was renovated around 1989 and is a popular landmark in Sibu.

Read more on the Harvest Festival of Sarawak

Popular bus routes to Kuching Sarawak

One can easily take a bus to reach Kuching in Sarawak and explore all the popular places in the region. Some of the most prominent routes to Kuching, Sarawak are –

  • Serian to Kuching
  • Bintulu to Kuching
  • Miri to Kuching
  • Batu Niah to Kuching
  • Kuala Lumpur to Sarawak

You  can find details about all the routes and buses when you go through the online bus booking process on the redBus website or app.

In a Nutshell

Being the largest state in Malaysia, Sarawak offers tons of tourist places that one can easily visit. You can book a Kuching bus online ticket with some of the most prominent operators using redBus. Sarawak tourism experience has been boosted with the frequently available bus services. When you book online bus tickets, you can enjoy various deals and offers on your booking.

Book your bus tickets to Sarawak today!

Hi, I’m Pooja

Pooja is a blogger at redBus. You will find her watching a film, animating, doodling or cooking, when she is not writing.