Sarawak is the largest state of Malaysia on the island of Borneo.
The dense tropical forest covers most of the territory. A handful of towns border the coast of the South China Sea. The capital Kuching generally receives the greatest number of international visitors.
Stay away from cities and find nature in all directions. Visit one of the 25 state national parks. Or explore their world-famous caves and photograph environments from another world.
Take part in cruises on the mangrove and go kayaking along the rivers to discover the different perspectives of this lush environment. Keep your eyes open for rare primates, including proboscis monkeys and orangutans.
Crazy Tourist explores the top 7 things to do in Sarawak to sample the jungle, stay in a tribal longhouse and attend a secret rain forest festival.
The capital of Sarawak combines colonial architecture with vibrant Buddhist temples and street food.
Kuching translates "cats" into English and bears the nickname "City of Cats". Testifying to his nickname, dozens of cat statues fill the small town center.
Visitors spend most of their time along the Sarawak River that runs through the city. Old Bazaar has dozens of souvenir shops while Carpenter Street is the place to go for food and entertainment.
Take the opportunity to taste the laksa of Sarawak.
Discover the colonial Astana (palace) on the banks of the Sarawak River. Marvel at the architectural masterpiece of the state legislature.
The White Rajahs of Sarawak, a three-generation British dynasty, ruled Sarawak between 1841 and 1946. It was the only state in Malaysia with a white ruler.
James Brooke started the dynasty after winning the territory of the Sultan of Brunei.
He and his successors developed Sarawak differently from the rest of Malaysia (the former name of Malaysia). Their legacy remains today in Kuching.
Astana acted as a palace of White Rajah. Fort Margherita defended against attacks from the Sarawak River.
Sarawak has 25 national parks. Bako National Park is the easiest to reach from Kuching.
Bako National Park has jungle trails, deserted beaches and a small community of wild monkeys at proboscis. Located just 37 kilometers north of Kuching, this is a day trip from the capital.
Most visitors spend a full day in the protected area. Bring plenty of water, leech socks and a fully charged camera.
The more adventurous can follow trails leading to empty beaches and strange sandstone rock formations along the shore.
Borneo has dozens of indigenous groups who have lived in tropical forests for centuries (or even millennia).
The cultural village of Sarawak (about 45 minutes drive from Kuching) bears witness to their rich heritage.
Discover how the Sarawak Dayak lived in long wooden houses. Learn about traditional costumes. Taste native food and learn how to use a deadly blowtorch.
The village itself is located at the foot of sacred Santubong Mountain.
Deforestation and human intervention threaten threatened orangutans.
The Matang Wildlife Center, like Sepilok in Sabah, rescues and adopts young and orphaned orangutans. Primates live in a semi-wild enclosure. Rangers teach them techniques to return and survive in the wild.
But unlike the other reeducation centers in Borneo, Matang deals with all kinds of wild animals. Visitors can get close to orangutans and other endemic mammals.
Take the time to learn about their efforts in ecology and regional conservation.
Matang lies about 36 kilometers west of Kuching.
Sematan Beach: Formerly a fishing village near the border of Kalimantan; now an exclusive resort.
Long stretches of soft white sand stretch along the coast, 120 km from Kuching. According to the Sarawakians, Sematan is among the best beaches in the state.
Spend the night at the hotel and wake up with a magnificent view of the South China Sea.
Or take a day trip and enjoy the pristine shore before watching the mesmerizing sunset of Borneo.
Get ready to splurge, but it's worth it.
Damai Beach has an orange copper sand against a background of thick forest north of Kuching.
The beach itself belongs to the luxurious Damai Beach Resort, which is a piece of heaven near the capital. Expect all the comforts and luxuries of a five-star beach hotel.
Spend your time on the sun loungers or organize a jungle trail tour. Admire the view of majestic Mount Santubong in the distance.
It takes about 45 minutes drive from Kuching to Damai Beach.
The dense tropical forest covers most of the territory. A handful of towns border the coast of the South China Sea. The capital Kuching generally receives the greatest number of international visitors.
Stay away from cities and find nature in all directions. Visit one of the 25 state national parks. Or explore their world-famous caves and photograph environments from another world.
Take part in cruises on the mangrove and go kayaking along the rivers to discover the different perspectives of this lush environment. Keep your eyes open for rare primates, including proboscis monkeys and orangutans.
Crazy Tourist explores the top 7 things to do in Sarawak to sample the jungle, stay in a tribal longhouse and attend a secret rain forest festival.
1. The colonial capital of Sarawak
The capital of Sarawak combines colonial architecture with vibrant Buddhist temples and street food.
Kuching translates "cats" into English and bears the nickname "City of Cats". Testifying to his nickname, dozens of cat statues fill the small town center.
Visitors spend most of their time along the Sarawak River that runs through the city. Old Bazaar has dozens of souvenir shops while Carpenter Street is the place to go for food and entertainment.
Take the opportunity to taste the laksa of Sarawak.
Discover the colonial Astana (palace) on the banks of the Sarawak River. Marvel at the architectural masterpiece of the state legislature.
2. Discover the white Rajahs of Sarawak
The White Rajahs of Sarawak, a three-generation British dynasty, ruled Sarawak between 1841 and 1946. It was the only state in Malaysia with a white ruler.
James Brooke started the dynasty after winning the territory of the Sultan of Brunei.
He and his successors developed Sarawak differently from the rest of Malaysia (the former name of Malaysia). Their legacy remains today in Kuching.
Astana acted as a palace of White Rajah. Fort Margherita defended against attacks from the Sarawak River.
3. The most accessible national park in Sarawak
Sarawak has 25 national parks. Bako National Park is the easiest to reach from Kuching.
Bako National Park has jungle trails, deserted beaches and a small community of wild monkeys at proboscis. Located just 37 kilometers north of Kuching, this is a day trip from the capital.
Most visitors spend a full day in the protected area. Bring plenty of water, leech socks and a fully charged camera.
The more adventurous can follow trails leading to empty beaches and strange sandstone rock formations along the shore.
4. Discover the indigenous peoples of Sarawak in the cultural village
Borneo has dozens of indigenous groups who have lived in tropical forests for centuries (or even millennia).
The cultural village of Sarawak (about 45 minutes drive from Kuching) bears witness to their rich heritage.
Discover how the Sarawak Dayak lived in long wooden houses. Learn about traditional costumes. Taste native food and learn how to use a deadly blowtorch.
The village itself is located at the foot of sacred Santubong Mountain.
5. A rehabilitation center for orangutans and tropical forest fauna
Deforestation and human intervention threaten threatened orangutans.
The Matang Wildlife Center, like Sepilok in Sabah, rescues and adopts young and orphaned orangutans. Primates live in a semi-wild enclosure. Rangers teach them techniques to return and survive in the wild.
But unlike the other reeducation centers in Borneo, Matang deals with all kinds of wild animals. Visitors can get close to orangutans and other endemic mammals.
Take the time to learn about their efforts in ecology and regional conservation.
Matang lies about 36 kilometers west of Kuching.
6. Exclusive retreats on Sematan Beach
Sematan Beach: Formerly a fishing village near the border of Kalimantan; now an exclusive resort.
Long stretches of soft white sand stretch along the coast, 120 km from Kuching. According to the Sarawakians, Sematan is among the best beaches in the state.
Spend the night at the hotel and wake up with a magnificent view of the South China Sea.
Or take a day trip and enjoy the pristine shore before watching the mesmerizing sunset of Borneo.
Get ready to splurge, but it's worth it.
7. Standard celebrity beaches in Damai
Damai Beach has an orange copper sand against a background of thick forest north of Kuching.
The beach itself belongs to the luxurious Damai Beach Resort, which is a piece of heaven near the capital. Expect all the comforts and luxuries of a five-star beach hotel.
Spend your time on the sun loungers or organize a jungle trail tour. Admire the view of majestic Mount Santubong in the distance.
It takes about 45 minutes drive from Kuching to Damai Beach.