Things to see and do BORNÉO - ÉTAT DU SARAWAK

Opened in 2022, this vast museum houses an impressive collection of arts and crafts from Borneo's various communities. In a highly successful scenography and flamboyant architectural setting, traditional costumes, weapons, ceramics and musical instruments bear witness to the rich traditions of the region. The museum also features interactive exhibits on farming practices, handicrafts, dance and local ceremonies. An essential starting point for discovering local culture.

Founded in 1891 by rajah Charles Brooke and renowned as one of the finest exhibitions in Southeast Asia, this museum boasts an exceptional ethnographic collection. At the rajah's invitation, anthropologist Alfred Wallace, a contemporary of Charles Darwin, worked for two years to open the museum. Following Sarawak's independence in 1963, naturalist and archaeologist Tom Harrison, then on secondment to the museum, contributed to its renown when he discovered a 39,000-year-old skull in the Niah cave in the center of the region.

On the second floor, photographs dating from the late ^19th and early ^20th centuries show the various Dayak tribes in traditional dress. Primitive arts and crafts from the longhouses are also represented: trophy skulls from the days of the headhunters, masks worn for harvest festivals, fertility rites, spiritual dances and funeral ceremonies. Those with a sinister appearance, revolting eyes and oversized ears are reserved for macabre dances.

A gallery features kramen, precious wooden totems carved and erected by the Orang Ulu at the entrance to their homes to protect them from evil spirits. Some of these traditions still survive today, such as basket-making and certain animist beliefs. So, before staying in a longhouse with a tribe, a visit to the Sarawak Museum is essential for a better understanding of these precious cultures.

At the foot of Mount Santubong, this cultural village offers visitors faithful reproductions of the habitat and lifestyle of seven ethnic groups and communities living in Sarawak. Visitors are invited to discover the lifestyles of the Bidayuh, Iban, Orang Ulu, Melanaus, Penan, Chinese and Malays. Inside each house, a representative of the community guides the visitor through the architecture, habitat, traditions and crafts: they practice their art, play music, shoot blowpipes or weave, cook and prepare sago. Although a re-enactment is always artificial, this one is worth the detour for its actors' willingness to share their customs with you in a living way. The only one of its kind in Malaysia, the project is run by the communities and their representatives, not by a profit-driven private company. What's more, the diversity of the tribes and communities also informs us about the history of Sarawak's settlement. In a half-day visit, you can get a broad overview of Sarawak's diversity, something almost impossible in a single trip to Borneo. The tour ends with a 45-minute folk dance show held in the late morning and afternoon. A stop at the restaurant, where you can sample local specialities at reasonable prices, is a must.

The fantastic Rainforest World Music Festival (www.rwmf.net) is held here every year in late June/early July.

This company, located at Pontoon^No. 12 on the Waterfront, offers half-hour or hour-long excursions. We appreciate the small, low wooden boats, which are more intimate and relaxing than the usual cruisers. It's the perfect way to admire the city from the water, without getting exhausted, but beware of the mosquitoes at dusk! Don't hesitate to speak directly to the staff if you have any special requests, such as a private tour or outside the posted times.

This pink building, constructed in 1912, served as a court of justice for the Chinese community until 1921, when it became the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Kuching. Today, the Chinese History Museum traces the life of Sarawak's various Chinese communities from the early ^19th century to the era of the White Rajahs. On display are musical instruments, beautiful ceramics from the Ming dynasty, jade handicrafts and various works of art. If you enjoy your visit, don't hesitate to make a donation as you leave the museum.

Completed in 1879, at the same time as Fort Margherita, the Tour Carrée was originally a prison. Executions of those condemned to death were held here. The tower was transformed into a fort, and in the absence of vindictive enemies, it became a ballroom for Sarawak army officers. Today, the building facing the Sarawak River and the regional parliament is a restaurant, Le Magenta. Next door, you'll discover where the Rajahs disembarked when they crossed the river on their way from the palace to the court of justice.

This superb complex of colonial-style buildings was initiated by Charles Brooke in 1868. He wanted to provide better conditions for the members of his central administration. The building was in operation for over a century, from 1871 to 1973. The clock tower was added in 1883 and the memorial to Charles Brooke, which stands in front of the building's entrance, in 1924. The memorial was requested by the son of the second white Rajah, who ruled Sarawak from 1868 to 1917. Today, the complex is a tourist attraction.

Perched atop a small hill, just opposite the Waterfront and the Museum of Chinese History, this impressive temple is the oldest in Kuching. It dates back to 1770, but its history is only really documented from 1843 and the accession of the White Rajahs. It was one of the few buildings to survive the great fire of 1884 and the Japanese bombardment during the Second World War. It is said to have the best location in the whole city according to the principles of feng shui, and this is what has kept it intact.

"For many years, India Street and the surrounding area were a favorite haunt of Indian merchants. Now entirely pedestrianized and covered, it will delight lovers of exotic fabrics. Take India Mosque Lane, a dark, cramped passageway, and you'll see Kuching's first mosque, built by Muslims from South India in 1837. On the other side, you come to Gambier Street, which faces the river. Full of life, you'll find a wide selection of spices that will immerse you in the fragrant world of Indian cuisine.

Welcome to the MV Equatorial, an attractive ship built in 1990 that offers sightseeing cruises along the river. On board, you'll enjoy commentary by a guide introducing the city's attractions, a performance of local dance and/or music, refreshments and excellent comfort. The tour takes in the Astana, the Old Courthouse and the Great Mosque, as well as lesser-known sites such as the superb home of the former Minister of Defense, and offers unique panoramic views. An excellent way to discover Kuching.

Located 23 km south-west of Kuching, Siniawan, with its old wooden buildings, is a village that has retained its old-world charm. Be sure to visit the ancient Shui Yue Gong temple dedicated to Guanyin. On weekend evenings, Siniawak comes alive with the night market in the main street. Under the red Chinese lanterns, locals and visitors gather to enjoy the wide variety of specialties on offer. An excellent way to spend an evening is to feast on local specialities and immerse yourself in the warm atmosphere.

Bako National Park has 18 marked hiking trails that can take you for an hour's or two-day walk. Maps given out at the park office, or available on their website, identify each trail by color code. They also describe the flora to be observed along the way. The park's helpful staff can help you define your itinerary according to your wishes, the time available and your physical abilities. Be sure to check the weather forecast before setting off. The very humid weather makes you sweat a lot; don't forget to bring sufficient quantities of water to avoid dehydration. Good walking shoes are also essential.

Telok Pandan Kecil. This hour-and-a-half trek (2.5 km) is one of the most popular. The first part climbs through forest before reaching a plateau and cliff that offer splendid views of the beach below. If you reach the beach and plan to swim, beware of monkeys and crocodiles.

Telok Paku. This short one-hour trek (1.2 km) is for you if you want to observe proboscis monkeys, preferably early in the morning or before sunset. A wooden platform overlooks the mangrove before reaching the forest. The path climbs moderately before reaching a deserted beach framed by rocks. Boatmen are waiting to take you back to headquarters if you don't feel like going the other way.

Tajor. The 3.5 km trail leads through lowland vegetation and shrubs to a secluded beach after a steep and slippery descent. It takes 2.5 hours before you can dip your feet in the water.

Lintang. This 5 km loop allows you to discover all the different types of vegetation found in Bako Park. It takes 3 to 4 hours on a demanding trail that at times offers magnificent views of the canopy and the China Sea. Preferably accompanied by a guide, for explanations of the flora and fauna.

Night walk. Every evening at 8pm, the park rangers organize a night walk lasting around 2 hours. This is an opportunity to discover the nocturnal fauna, which is very active in the jungle. As well as the frogs that make their songs resound, insects and arachnids choose the dark hours to carry out their activities. If you're lucky, you'll come across a tarantula or a colugo. Just be careful where you put your hands and feet, and bring your own flashlight.

Waterfall. The shortest and easiest path leads to several waterfalls where you can cool off. Allow 1 hour's walk to the last waterfall (cascade 7).

Gunung Gading. This hike requires a good level of fitness. Allow 3.5 hours' walk to the summit and at least 2 hours' descent.

Batu Berkubu. About 2 hours' walk from the summit of Gunung Gading is the former Communist guerrilla base camp. Bring water accordingly.

Established in 1975, the center's aim is to care for, rehabilitate and release injured, orphaned or illegally kept orangutans back into the wild. The center also conducts wildlife research and aims to raise visitors' awareness of the importance of conserving this endangered species. Meals are served between 9 and 10 am and between 3 and 4 pm. Binoculars will be very useful for observing these great apes, often perched high in the trees.

40 kilometres from Miri, this long beach of fine sand and rocks offers superb sunsets. Its rock formations are impressive, including the famous Horse Stone, a natural stone bridge that evokes a drinking horse. Around the car park, street caterers concoct appetizing local dishes. If it may not be worth a dedicated trip, check with your organizer or driver to see if the beach is on the road when returning from an expedition near Miri.

This pretty temple incorporates the classic Chinese elements of the Buddhist temple. Set beside the river, you can see the ships cruising offshore. Zhang Li, a sailor from China, landed on Penang in 1746. Much appreciated by the island's 50 inhabitants, he became a teacher. After his death, the islanders built a temple in his memory, dedicated to Tua Pek Kong, an incarnation of the god Fu, the god of prosperity. From then on, worship of Tua Pek Kong began to spread to Malaysia, Singapore and several Indonesian islands.

Main path. The path runs along the coast. It is well signposted by a colour code. 50 minutes are enough to reach a belvedere with a picnic area.

Selunsur rapids. To reach the Selunsur rapids, it takes about 2.5 hours to walk.

Turtle and Golden Beach. These two beaches are quite far from the entrance to the Park. It takes 3 hours of walking in the forest to reach them.

Boat rental. Renting a boat for an hour or a day is certainly one of the nicest options to discover the park.

Lambir Hills Park is 52 hectares in size and boasts numerous hiking trails, from the easiest to the most challenging. They are well-marked and color-coded and intersect one another, making it possible to undertake several treks in a single day. Over 157 species of bird have been recorded here, and botanists are still discovering plants. The park is also home to gibbons, clouded leopards and tarsiers. But the chances of spotting them remain slim, especially for inexperienced eyes. A guide is not compulsory, but recommended if you want to learn more about the natural world around you. Good walking shoes, plenty of water and anti-bleeding socks are essential... And of course a swimsuit, for those who wish to cool off en route in one of the magnificent waterfalls.

Main Trail. This 800 m trail takes 12 minutes to complete and leads to all the other trails. Easy.

Latak Waterfall. Bukit Lambir's most popular hike leads to a beautiful 25-meter-high waterfall. A natural pool with a sandy bottom makes it an ideal spot for a wild swim. For greater peace and quiet, come during the week, because at weekends, the place is very popular with picnickers from Miri. 20 minutes. Easy tour.

Pantu. The almost 2 km-long trail leads through the forest to a 40-meter-high observation tower where you can watch the canopy and the birds. 1h. Medium difficulty.

Bukit Pantu. The hill closest to headquarters offers a beautiful view of the park. You can cool off at the Nibong waterfall on the way. 1h35. Moderately priced.

Pantu Waterfall. This popular 2 km trail takes you to another waterfall, a little wilder and less frequented than Latak. 1h45. Moderate.

Bakam. After Pantu Waterfall, the trail continues through dense forest and climbs gradually. 2 hours 40 minutes. Difficult.

Tengkorong & Dinding Waterfalls. These crystal-clear waterfalls have to be earned, but the reward is that you should be alone. 2 hrs.

Bukit Labir. Climbing the park's highest peak (456 m) requires a good level of physical fitness to cope with some tough passages and a long walk in a very wet climate. Note the transition between dipterocarp forest (tall trees) and heather forest with stunted trees. Along the way, you'll be rewarded with some beautiful wild orchids. You can cool off at the Dinding waterfall on the way back. 3h30. Difficult.

Access to the park begins with a boat trip across the River Niah. Then follow the wooden walkways to the caves. Due to the humidity, these can be very slippery, so good footwear is recommended. You'll also need a flashlight to light your way through the caves. A wide-brimmed hat can be useful if you don't want to collect precious bird droppings on your head. The first cave is an hour's walk away. If you return after dark, you may spot some luminescent mushroom species on the way back.

Traders Cave. The Niah caves are home to tens of thousands of swallows and bats. Local villagers collect the swallows' nests, which are worth a fortune on the Chinese gourmet market. Guano is also collected for use as a natural fertilizer. The Grotte des Marchands was once a meeting place for the swallow's nest and guano trade.

Great Cave. The Great Cave measures 250 m wide at the entrance and 60 m high at the highest point, making it one of the largest cave mouths in Malaysia. But it's only once you've gone deep into the bowels of the cave that you discover its gigantism and the singular atmosphere that reigns there, reinforced by the play of light coming down from orifices in the vault and reflecting on the rock formations with their mineral relief, living like a spirit in the cave. It takes a good hour to explore the cave, during which time you must be careful not to slip on the guano-covered floor. It's not a good idea to hold on to the handrails either. The best time to come to the Grande Grotte is at sunset, to enjoy the incredible ballet of swallows returning to their nests while the bats emerge for their nightly stroll.

Painted Cave. The most famous of Niah's caves attracts visitors for its prehistoric cave paintings. The frescoes depict the journey of the dead to the afterlife. The floor is littered with the remains of boat-shaped coffins. The bones contained in these sarcophagi have been transferred to the Sarawak Museum in Kuching. Archaeological research has shown that this cave was inhabited as early as the Paleolithic era 40,000 years ago. The frescoes, on the other hand, date back to the Iron Age, around 800 BC. The Grotte Peinte is the only cave in Borneo to bear unmistakable witness to a very early human presence.

Mulu National Park is famous for its caves and even more so for its pinnacles. This astonishing geological formation is the result of karstification in a limestone environment. Water continues to erode these 40-metre-high peaks, giving them a sharp-edged appearance against the green canopy. Other hikes lasting several days, but requiring good physical fitness, are also possible. A network of marked trails starting from headquarters, of much lesser difficulty, can be undertaken alone. In addition, over 200 km of underground galleries run through the cliffs, in some places forming vast, impressive natural caves.

The Pinnacles. This hike attracts travellers from all over the world eager to discover this geological curiosity. It is organized by Mulu Park and accompanied by professional guides. A high level of physical fitness is required, as the climb to the Pinnacles takes place over very uneven, slippery terrain, and is sometimes vertical. The trek takes 3 days and covers a total of 10 km, with 1,200 metres of ascent. The first day includes a pirogue ride to a native village and Clearwater Cave. From there, a 7.8 km jungle hike on flat riverbank terrain leads back to base camp, in a beautiful spot where you can enjoy a sunset and a refreshing swim after a long hike. The second day starts very early, as the ascent and descent take place in the same day, with 2.4 km of climbing for 2 to 5 hours, depending on the fitness of the participants. The terrain is steep, and the heat and humidity make the effort particularly exhausting. Once past the dipterocarp forest, the ground becomes covered with slippery moss, and some sections are climbed vertically up ladders. As the last part of the climb is dangerous in wet weather, it may have to be cancelled depending on the weather. Once you've reached the promontory, the view is truly breathtaking. You'll stay at the summit for about an hour to enjoy the view, recharge your batteries and have lunch. The descent can be even more difficult than the ascent, as the tired body has to hold its own weight to avoid slipping or falling. It takes between 5 and 10 hours, depending on the terrain and your state of fitness. You return to base camp for a second night. The third day is devoted to returning to the park office.

Fee-paying excursion. Guide required (provided by the park or private). You'll need to bring your own meals, water to base camp, a change of clothes and sleeping gear, a rain poncho and mosquito repellent.

Headhunter's Trail. This tour is organized by local tour operators or large incoming agencies specializing in the destination. It combines boat trips up rivers, jungle trekking and an overnight stay in a traditional longhouse. It follows the route taken by Kayan headhunters during their murderous raids on the populations of the neighboring Limbang valley. Departure is from the park headquarters. The first day is similar to that of the Pinnacles trek. The second day is a 4-5 hour, 12 km trek through the jungle to Kuala Terikan. The afternoon is spent in a longboat to reach the Rumah Bala Lesong longhouse. After an evening and night with the locals, you continue downriver to Naga Medamit. From here, transfer by road to Limbang and Mulu. Fee-paying excursion. Private guide.

Gunung Mulu. The 2,377-meter ascent is undoubtedly the most difficult in Mulu and is only suitable for seasoned hikers. The entire hike takes 4 days and 3 nights.

Paying excursion. Guide required. You'll need to bring your own food, cooking gear, change of clothes, sleeping bag and plenty of water. Huts along the way provide overnight breaks.

Wind & Clearwater Caves. These two caves overlook the Melinau River. Access is by longboat from the park. The first cave comprises two chambers with beautiful geological formations created by water erosion. They are linked by a narrow corridor where the wind rushes in, hence the name. A wide underground river flows through the second chamber. Paying excursion. Guide required. A caving trip organized by the park connects the two caves via a series of narrow underground corridors.

Langs Cave & Deer Cave. The caves are accessible from the park office via a well-marked 3 km platform. Start with the charming Langs Cave and work your way up to the immoderate Deer Cave. Most hikers opt for an afternoon visit, as at sunset thousands of bats emerge from Deer Cave to hunt, provided it's not raining too hard. You can watch this spectacle without paying a visit to the caves. Fee payable. Guide required.

Canopy Walk. For a gentler excursion, you can opt for the Canopy Walk, a 6 km walk, including 620 meters suspended above the canopy, lasting around 2 hours. A supplement of RM50 will be charged.