SARAWAK

Taman Negara Gunung Mulu / Mulu Caves National Park

Mulu Caves National Park is home to one of the longest networks of caves in the world.

Here lies the worlds largest underground chamber, the Sarawak Chamber, capable of

accommodating forty Boeing 747 airplanes. In Mulu, you will also find one of the worlds

biggest cave passage, Deer Cave, which can fit five cathedrals the size of Saint Pauls

in London. Another key attraction is Clear Water Cave, the longest cave in Southeast

Asia. The massive caves here are home to millions of bats and cave swiftlets that

swarm out into the jungle in great clouds every evening at dusk! 

The outdoorsy type will be pleasantly surprised by some of the best examples of tropical

limestone weathering in the world, including enormous razor-sharp pinnacles, deep-cut

canyons, appropriately named The Pinnacles. There are tough but rewarding multi-day

hikes available from the resort. A guide and porter are recommended 

Niah National Park / Taman Negara Niah

Niah National Park the scenery is spectacular and breathtaking . The area is a center of

human settlement as early as 40,000 years ago , and has one of the largest cave

entrance in the world, the Paleolithic and Neolithic cemeteries and wood carvings,

frescoes iron-age . Cave paintings are situated near the house wall paintings that tell a

boat trip off the head of life after death , including the remnants of the wreckage "death

ships" that are scattered on the floor of the cave - boat-shaped coffins (its contents were

transferred to the Sarawak Museum ) . The surrounding area is also decorated by thick

forest and is home to many species of plants and wildlife. 

Until now , the caves remain as an important place for people from the local

community , such as birds' nests and guano collection to be important for their

economic resources . Niah Caves is a very pleasant place if you want to stay here a few

days, although some of the major attractions are open during the day for visitors. Niah

National Park is located in Sungai Niah , about 3 km from the small town of Batu Niah ,

Miri 110km southwest . The park has a visitor center and a nice stay , and very easy to

walk around it in the presence of plankwalk network throughout the park . A pair of good

walking shoes and a flashlight are essential items that should be taken 

Gunung Gading National Park / Taman Negara Gunung Gading

Gunung Gading is home to the world's largest flower, the rafflesia, which can grow up to

one metre in diameter. When in bloom the flower gives off a nasty smell which attracts

flies and other insects. The rafflesia has no specific season but the rainy season

provides better blooming frequencies. It takes nine months to mature and flowering lasts

only 4 or 5 days before dying. 

Seeing a blooming rafflesia is certainly the highlight of a trip to Gunung Gading, but the

Park and the whole Lundu area are well worth visiting anyway. The rugged mountain

peaks that make up the Park provide a scenic backdrop to the nearby town of Lundu,

and the nearby beaches at Pandan and Siar. Gunung Gading also has some enjoyable

walks and a challenging jungle trek

Lampir Hill National Park / Taman Negara Bukit Lampir

The Lampir Hill National Park is located along the Miri-Bintulu road, about 30km south

of Miri Town. With area about 6,952 hectares, it was gazetted and opened to public on

1975. The park is consists of the central portion of the Lambir Hills, a rugged east-west

trending sandstone escarpment with a maximum height of 465 meters, has an

outstanding regional and global conservation significance for its extraordinary species-

rich forest which is ideal for botanist and researchers throughout the world. 

1,050 different species of tree out of 7,000 total species and over 1,000 species of

insect life are found within the small sample area of 52ha. The park covered with more

than half of the area with rich natural mixed Dipterocarp forest, where huge, tall

Dipterocarp trees such as Kapur, Meranti, Kempas and Selangan Batu. Shorter trees

like Rhu Bukit, Selunsur Bukit, low shrubs, pitcher plants and orchids are found in the

Kerangas forest. Apart from the various tree species, the park is very rich in other plant

species such as ferns, gingers, vines, palms, mushrooms, moss and lichen, flowering

and fruiting shrub trees, climbers and creepers.

Batang Ai National Park / Taman Negara Batang Ai

Batang Ai National Park is located in the Sri Aman Division of Sarawak, in eastern

Malaysia on the island of Borneo. It is located in Lubok Antu, some 250 kilometers east

of Kuching. The Park is located at Sarawak about 250km from Kuching City with a

covering area of 24,040 hectares of rainforest and the artificial lake. The lake is also the

Sarawak’s only artificial lake, which stretches up to Skrang, Lemanak, Engkari and Ai

Valleys. The artificial lake now acts as a water dam that feed to the Batang Ai Hydro

Electric Complex to generate the electricity for Sarawak’s use. Batang Ai National Park

was gazetted as a protected area in early 1991. 

Visitors can take a boat ride upriver from the dam, about an hour’s of boat ride to see

beautiful lowland mixed dipterocarp forest, with drooping trees overhanging the rivers.

The rivers are fast flowing, clear and very refreshing. The water level gets quite low

during the dry seasons where visitors normally have to help push their boats upstream.

Here, the main mode of communication is river transport. 

Bako National Park / Taman Negara Bako

Sarawak's oldest national park was established in 1957, covers a modest 27 sq. km.,

and is about 37km from Kuching. It's known for its extraordinary natural scenery,

habitats, plants and wild life. Its most significant features are secluded coves and

rugged rocky headlands with magnificent steep cliffs that overlook the South China Sea.

The sea spray, wave action and the wind have also carved out magnificent sea arches

and sea stacks at the base of the cliffs, some rearing above the waves like a mighty

serpent's head. 

Bako is also home to approximately 275 rare proboscis monkeys, found only in Borneo.

The best times for seeing wildlife at Bako are just after dawn and just before dusk, when

the animals are at their most active. Bako is a fascinating place for bird watching, as

over 150 species have been recorded here. Bakos extensive trail system is made up of

16 colour-coded jungle trails which offer a range of walking and hiking options.

Kuching Town / Bandar Kuching

Described as one of the most attractive cities in Southeast Asia, Kuching is the State

capital. It is a city rich in history, and modern day Kuching is a delightful blend of

modern structures and old-world charm. Kuching is divided by the Sarawak River; the

south is a commercial residential area, dominated by Chinese, while the north shore is

predominantly Malay in character, with old kampong houses lining the river

Kuching means ‘cat’ in Malay and there are a number of suggestions as to how

Sarawak’s capital acquired the name. Local legend has it that James Brooke (see

section on ‘history’), pointing towards the settlement across the river, enquired what it

was called. Whoever he asked, mistakenly thought he was pointing at a passing cat. If

that seems a little far-fetched, the Sarawak Museum offers a few more plausible

alternatives, the most likely of which is that the town may have originally have been

known as Cochin – port – a word commonly used across India and Indochina. 

Sarawak Cultural Village / Perkampungan Budaya Sarawak

Known as the 'Living Museum', the Cultural Village was set up to preserve and

showcase Sarawak's cultural heritage. Located at Pantai Damai, Santubong, just 32km

from the state capital, Kuching, it is the perfect place to get introduced to local culture

and lifestyle. Sprawled across 17 acres, there are about 150 people living in the village,

demonstrating traditional daily activities from Sarawak's diverse tribes like the

processing of sago and the making of handicrafts. They wear traditional costumes and

also put on dances for visitors. 

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. The village also has a theatre, where you can enjoy

multicultural dance performances.

Jong's Crocodile Farm / Taman Buaya Jong's 

Situated at 18 Miles (29km) Kuching/ Serian Highway, a 20 minute leisure drive from

Kuching Town, the capital of Sarawak, Land of Hornbills, boasts one of the largest and

the only crocodile breeding farm in the country. 

Set amidst the charming backdrop of tall tropical trees, lush vegetation and local fruit

trees lies this unique farm with over a thousand crocodiles bred in captivity. The farm

provides a perfect sanctuary for the reptiles, saving the species from extinction. There

are huge and deep concrete ponds and natural breeding grounds for the crocodiles to

mate and multiply. Visitors are able to gaze at the snapping jaws, cold menacing eyes,

sharp pointed teeth and powerful lashing tails of the crocs within short distance yet safe

because of the metal fence. 

Bungai Beach / Pantai Bungai 

Location: Miri, About 1 hour drive from Miri and situated near Kampung Bungai in

Bekenu is Bungai Beach. Bungai Beach is popular with beachgoers who appreciate its

pristine beach, clear waters, and the beauty of the untouched surroundings. Its relatively

secluded and a great spot to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. 

SABAH

Mount Kinabalu / Gunung Kinabalu

Mount Kinabalu in malay Gunung Kinabalu is a prominent mountain on the island of

Borneo in Southeast Asia. It is located in the East Malaysian state of Sabah and is

protected as Kinabalu Park, a World Heritage Site. Kinabalu is the highest peak in

Borneo's Crocker Range and is the highest mountain in the Malay Archipelago. Mount

Kinabalu is also the 20th most prominent mountain in the world by topographic

prominence. Via ferrata (or iron road in Italian), is a mountain path consisting of a series

of rungs, rails and cables embracing the rock face. There are more than 300 via ferrata

routes around the world and the world's highest via ferrata, can now be found on Mount

Kinabalu in Malaysia, whereby the highest point starts at 3,400 m and ends at 3,800 m.

This is the first time that the sport of via ferrata climbing is being introduced in Asia. 

An activity for everyone, the via ferrata is devised to give people with little or no climbing

experience access to rock faces normally reached by mountaineers and rock

climbers.There are several requirements for one to take part in the via ferrata activity,

including having an average fitness level, being able to hike up to 3,200m in 6 hours,

being at least 10 years of age, being at least 1.3 metres tall; and, especially, having a

fearlessness of heights (or willing to conquer their fear of heights). This is a challenging

adventure, and those interested to experience via ferrata on Mount Kinabalu should

note that the beginner's route will let the climber take their first experience along the

granite walls of Mount Kinabalu (a journey of about 2–3 hours). The intermediate route

will let the climber experience a 4- to 5-hour journey, which will reward the climber with

a breathtaking view of the heights and sights.

Kinabalu Park

Kinabalu Park, the entrance to Mount Kinabalu, is located at 1,585 metres above sea

level and is the main starting point for the summit trail that leads to the top of Mount

Kinabalu. It covers an area of 754sq km and is made up of Mount Kinabalu, Mount

Tambayukon and the foothills. The mountains have a fascinating geological history,

taking 'just' a million years to form. The mighty Mount Kinabalu is actually a granite

massif that was later thrust upwards through the crust of the surface. 

Subsequent erosion removed thousands of feet of the overlying sand and mud stone,

exposing this massif. During the Ice Age, glaciers running across the summit smoothed

it out, but the jagged peaks that stood out above the ice surface remained unaffected,

retaining the extremely ragged surfaces. This rugged mountain remains the focal point

of the National Park to this day

Kundasang*Click Here To Read My Journey*

Kundasang is in Sabah in Malays Historically a small village today has grown into a

small town. With an elevation of about 2,000 metres above sea level, it is one of the

coolest places in Sabah with temperatures dropping to 13ºC at night. It is located about

6 kilometres away from Kinabalu National Park, 12 kilometres from Ranau town and is

renowned for its vegetable market which is open seven days a week. It is the closest

village to Mount Kinabalu and has a panoramic view of the Mountain. Besides being

within close proximity to Mount Kinabalu National Park, Kundasang itself has grown into

a popular leisure destination with many resorts in the vicinity. It is popular for its fresh

vegetables, and plantations and farms suitable for temperate climate.ian Borneo.

Located 6 km from Mount Kinabalu Park, it is also the location of the Kundasang War

Memorial.

Desa Cattle / Desa Dairy Farm*Click Here To Read My Journey*

Desa Dairy Farm the largest in Sabah with an area of 199 hectares, is located at the

Mesilau Plateau, Kundasang about 30 minutes drive from Mt.Kinabalu National Park. It

is one of the subsidiaries of Desa Group of Companies which is wholly owned by the

state government of Sabah, Malaysia.

GPS of Desa Cattle, Decimal coordinates (latitude, longitude): 6.013877, 116.593519,

Mt. Kinabalu is just in front of you on your way in to Desa Dairy Farm if weather

condition is good. You are viewing another side of Mt. Kinabalu! The cold weather, farm

fencing, and Friesian cattle make you totally away from all the pressures and stressful

life from the reality world

Poring Hot Springs *Click Here To Read My Journey*

Poring Hot Springs is about 13 kilometers from Ranau or about 40 kilometers from the

Kinabalu National Park Headquarters in Kundasang. The hot springs is actually part of

the huge Kinabalu National Park. The Poring Hot Springs was first developed by the

Japanese during World War II and has progressed gradually to become one of the top

tourist destinations amongst foreigners and locals alike. The hot waters of the spring

contains sulphur are piped into open-air Japanese style baths where you can rest your

tired limbs after the long hours and strenuous climb up the Mount Kinabalu

Other than the natural hot spring as the main attraction at Poring Hot Springs, there are

also other interesting areas in the park which is worth visiting. There is a butterfly farm,

the Poring Orchid Conservation Center, the tropical garden, the Poring canopy walkway

and the Rafflesia flower site.

Sabah Tea Plantation / Ladang Tea Sabah*Click Here To Read My Journey*

Sabah Tea Plantation is located in village Nalapak in Ranau district, about 120

kilometers from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Location tea plantation is on the highway

between Telupid - that is, after crossing into Ranau Poring Hot Spring. This tea

plantations at an altitude of 2,272 feet above sea level with an area of 6,200 acres of

farm size. The tea plantations are surrounded by lush forest that has been around since

130 million years ago. The tea plantation is also against the backdrop of the mountain

and a single organic tea plantation in Malaysia

Pusat Santuari, Ikan Kelah Jinak "Tagal" Sabah*Click Here To Read My Journey*

Fancy something more unique than your average spa? Then head on to Kampung

Luanti, Ranau for a fish massaging session! In the Local Kadazan Dusun dialect, ‘tagal’

means ‘no fishing’, and the main purpose of the ‘tagal’ is to preserve the environment as

well as the ecosystem to benefit the future generation. ‘Ikan Pelian’ or Malaysian

Mahseer comes from the family of Cyprinidae. These fishes are specifically trained by

the villagers to perform the healing massage activities

The fish massage is deemed to have a curative effect on those who suffers from

psoriasis. Come to Kampung Luanti for regular fish massages and you will enjoy

smoother and suppler skin - just like a baby’s bottom. It takes about 2 hours and 30

minutes by road to Ranau from Kota Kinabalu. You can get a taxi or you could rent a

car and drive to Ranau

Mabul Island / Pulau Mabul

Mabul Island is a small island located at the south-eastern coast of Sabah. Ever since

1970s, the Mabul Island has been a fishing village and grew increasingly popular

among divers since in the 1990s. It has become a famous diving destination due to its

proximity with the renowned Sipadan Island. Mabul Island is approximately 15

kilometers from Sipadan Island and is a 20-hectare land which is made up of mostly flat

grounds. The Mabul Island is surrounded by sandy beaches and on the northwest

corner of the island is a two square kilometer of breath-taking reeves.

The Island of Mabul started as humble beginning with it being only a fisherman village.

Now, it is a famous spot for diving enthusiasts. Mabul Island is located only about 15

minutes by speedboat from the exclusive Sipadan Island. The Mabul Island gained

popularity among divers as it is one of the best muck-diving sites in the world.

Underwater animals are abundant in the clear waters of Mabul Island.

Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park

The Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park is a major landmark of the city of Kota Kinabalu.

It is most famous for its crystal clear water and breath-taking corals, located just a stone

throw's away from the capital of Sabah. There are many activities available there which

makes it such a hit among locals as well as tourists. Popular activities there include sun

bathing, barbeque, snorkeling, kayaking, fishing, windsurfing and even parasailing

which grant you the chance of viewing the city and the islands from the top view.

The park has an extensive diversity of creatures here which includes marine life, plant

life and animal life. Reefs fringe all around the islands especially on the sheltered

eastern and southern sides where the sandy beaches slope gradually into the water to

the reef drop-off. There are schools and schools of fishes here and they are more

colorful than the corals. The plant life here is most lush on Pulau Gaya.

Tanjung Aru Beach / Pantai Tanjung Aru

Tanjung Aru Beach is located at the end of Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman and is

approximately 6 kilometres from Kota Kinabalu city. It is the Tanjung Aru Beach which

has a special place in the heart of every local. When you visit the beach, you will find

out why is has gained such reputation from the locals. The Tanjung Aru Beach took its

name from the casuarinas or aru tress that surrounds the sandy beach. This is the place

for people to get the best seats for viewing the greatest sunset on earth every evening

when the sun slowly sets into the horizon.

The Tanjung Aru Beach has transformed quite a bit from being hawker stalls to

restaurants and beachside cafes. The beach is divided into three sections, beach 1,

beach 2 and beach 3. There are plenty of places to eat at Tanjung Aru Beach.

Foodstalls here serve food and drinks till late at night. You may opt to choose from

enjoying a simple meal of coconut and sugarcane juice with chicken or beef satay or

you can also opt for a full-course dinner at the seafood restaurant found here.

There are several activities which you can do here at the Tanjung Aru Beach. You can

either take a jog or stroll along the long stretch of sandy beach in the morning or in the

evening. There is also a park here which is called the Tanjung Aru Beach Park. It was

formerly known as the Prince Philip Park. This is a great place to bring your family for

quality family time. You can come here in the afternoon and spend time here till after

dinner

Sabah Museum / Muzium Sabah*Click Here To Read My Journey*

Just off Jalan Penampang and surrounded by lush gardens is the Sabah Museum

Complex, comprising the Main Building, the Science and Technology Centre, the

Heritage Village, Ethno-Botanical Garden and the Sabah Islamic Civilization Museum.

Inside are various Galleries housing Natural History, Ceramics, Ethnography and

Archaeology exhibits, among others. There is a Heritage Village on the Museum

grounds where you can enter and experience different types of traditional houses of the

various indigenous groups of Sabah. Cultural activities are held here from time to time.

Muzium Marin, sabah / Marine Museum, sabah*Click Here To Read My Journey*

The state-of-the-art marine museum is yet another addition to the Universiti Malaysia

Sabah campus. Established in 1995, the Borneo Marine Research Institute (BMRI) is

aimed to promote education, research and training in conservation and sustainable

development of marine resources, and a rational deployment of biotechnology. Situated

within the Borneo Marine Research Institute (BMRI) Complex adjunction to the

Sepanggar Bay area, this aquarium and marine museum boasts one of the best

aquarium facilities on the Borneo Island.

Rumah Terbalik Sabah / The Upside Down House Of Borneo*Click Here To Read My Journey*

Rumah Terbalik Sabah is best described as an otherworldly upside-down home. Billed

as Southeast Asia’s first, the 1,500sqft compound looks like its neighbours traditional

Sabahan homes, but the house, car and even a wheelbarrow leaning against the

outdoor wall are all flipped over.

Designed by Alexander Yee, a look into this topsy-turvy home is like stepping into the

pages of Alice in Wonderland, with sofas, ashtray, books and the TV in the living room,

the beds and dressers in the bedrooms, the microwave, stove, tables and chairs in the

kitchen all stuck to the ceiling.Similar to Germany’s ‘The World Stands on its Head’

upside-down home, Rumah Terbalik Di Sabah (Upside Down Home in Sabah) is a

childhood fantasy come to life.

Monkey Tops Safari

The Monkey Tops Safari is accessible by highway and takes about 1 hour and 30

minutes to get to. Besides the abundance of mangrove tress found in the Klias Wetland

Peninsula, this wetland forest is enriched with vegetation and wildlife such as the

Proboscis Monkeys, Long Tail Macaques, crocodiles, fireflies and many species of

birds.

Its main building is made of local materials and can accommodate at least 200 visitors

at any one time. The complex houses a counter bar and a souvenir shop with a good

assortment of local handicrafts. It also has a 30-foot observation tower that enables you

to enjoy the sights of the tropical wetland and its rich wildlife across the river banks. The

complex has a 500- feet boardwalk with Nipah Atap roofing and a river jetty providing a

comfortable river cruise.