Sarawak: Caves, Rainforest and Cultural Heritage

Sarawak offers many different reasons to travel: the karst landscapes and caves of Gunung Mulu National Park, archaeological sites around Niah, hikes in Bako National Park, as well as museums, traditions and regional cuisine. When planning your trip, start by choosing a focus: would you like to put nature at the centre, are you particularly interested in cultural heritage, or would you also like to discover Sarawak’s food culture?

Caves, Karst and Rainforest

Gunung Mulu National Park on the island of Borneo is known for its rich biodiversity and karst landscapes. At least 295 kilometres of caves have been explored in the park; the recorded total may change as further exploration continues. One striking feature is the Sarawak Chamber: it is 600 metres long, 415 metres wide and 80 metres high, and is considered the world’s largest known cave chamber. The park also protects a large area of primary tropical rainforest. Millions of cave swiftlets and bats are part of its wildlife.

This combination of underground landscapes and rainforest makes Mulu a fitting focus for travellers who want to prioritise nature and caves. The dimensions of the Sarawak Chamber give a concrete sense of its scale; at the same time, the park’s natural attractions extend beyond its caves.

Niah and Bako: Archaeology and Hiking

The Niah Caves are part of Niah National Park in Sarawak and were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2024. The Painted Cave contains ancient depictions of people and animals, which are believed to be associated with burial rituals. An archaeological museum near Niah provides information about the site’s history and its prehistoric inhabitants. The route from the national park headquarters to the caves includes a short, scenic boat ride across a small river and a hike through the rainforest. Check transport and trail conditions before your trip, and also find out about the current status of visitor facilities.

Bako National Park is Sarawak’s oldest national park. Scenic hikes there lead to secluded beaches. To get there from Kuching, take a 30-minute bus or taxi ride to Bako Village, followed by a 20-minute boat ride. The two park visits therefore have quite different focuses: Niah combines caves with archaeological history, while Bako is known for hikes to secluded beaches.

Museums, Longhouses and Cultural Traditions

The Borneo Cultures Museum is a centre for the cultural heritage of Sarawak and Borneo. It has five levels of galleries and exhibition spaces. Exhibitions at Santubong Archaeological Park and the Wallace Centre present evidence of an ancient iron industry, maritime trade and early religious practices. Exhibitions may be updated.

Sarawak Cultural Village is an interactive living museum featuring traditional longhouses and cultural performances by various ethnic groups in Sarawak. Offerings include full-scale replicas of traditional longhouses and hands-on activities such as weaving and beadwork; activities may vary depending on the programme. When visiting traditional longhouses in Sarawak, guests can stay with Indigenous families and try activities such as weaving, cooking, traditional fishing or farming. Participation depends on the longhouse or programme. Upon arrival at a traditional longhouse, visitors may also be welcomed by the head and community with the Ngajat dance and Tabuh music.

Held annually on 1 and 2 June, the Gawai Dayak festival is a harvest celebration of Sarawak’s Dayak community. Visitors can take part in traditional ceremonies in longhouses and villages, sample local specialities and enjoy cultural performances. Public programmes vary by year and location.

River Adventures and Regional Cuisine

Semadang Kayak Adventure follows a scenic river route through Borneo’s rainforest, passing villages, waterfalls and wildlife. Half-day and full-day tours are offered for beginners and experienced kayakers. River conditions and package details may vary; tour durations and operating arrangements may also change. Check the latest conditions in advance. Some packages include visits to Bidayuh villages, where visitors can learn about traditional culture, longhouses and farming practices.

The cuisine can also add a distinctive touch to your trip. Laksa Sarawak is one of Kuching’s typical breakfast dishes and is recommended for visitors to Sarawak to try. Gula Apong is a palm sugar from Sarawak’s coastal lowlands, made from the nipa palm and associated with Gula Apong ice cream. This lets you plan around nature, cultural heritage, activities or regional specialities without reducing the different travel experiences to a single focus.

Discover more destinations: Lingga, Miri, Lubok Antu, Bintulu, Bekenu, Marudi, Sibu, Sri Aman, Serian, Limbang, Kapit, Lutong, Niah, Lundu, Kuching.

For the main travel overview: Malaysia.