Sibu Homepage - Getting There

Neighbouring Areas

Kapit And Belaga
     Kapit and Belaga are the two main towns of the Upper Rajang River, the longest and most extensive river system in Malaysia. The region is still relatively untouched by development, with unexplored tropical rainforests, ravines and rugged mountain ranges, clean rivers, waterfalls, and clear-water rapids. The Upper Rajang is home to a sizeable number of indigenous ethnic groups, mostly living in longhouses. These include the Kayan, kenyah, Kajang, Lahanan, Sekapan, Bukitan, Ukit and Punan, all of whom are known collectively as Orang Ulu or upriver people, as well as the nomadic Penan, many of whom are still hunter-gatherers.

     The journey to the Upper Rajang is an adventure in itself. Express boats leave Sibu for Kapit nine times daily, and there is a daily Sibu - Belaga service provided the water level is high enough. As far as Kapit, the river is sedate, but above Kapit the boat passes throught the notorious Pelagus Rapids and a number of smaller sets of rapids before reaching Belaga. Above Belaga the Rajang and its tributaries become even wilder as they pass through narrow gorges and fierce rapids. The usual mode of transport upriver is via outboard - powered dugout canoe. Foreign visitors who wish to travel to and beyond Belaga are requested to obtain a permit from the Resident's Office (Pejabat Residen) and the Police Station in Kapit.

     The whole Upper Rajang has great potential for specialist adventure tourism and eco-tourism activites. The completion of phase 1 of The Pelagus Rapids Resort will provided an ideal location for tourists wishing to explore the area. The resort offers longhouse-style accommodation overlooking the Pelagus Rapids, and serves as a base for jungle trekking, bird watching and other nature-friendly activities.

Mukah

Mukah
     Mukah is an ancient trading and fishing port, situated at the mouth of the Mukah River adjacent to the South China Sea. Historically, the town was an important outpost of the Sultanate of Brunei, and is nowadays famous as the centre of Melanau culture and as a major sago producing area.

     In recent years Mukah has become a popular destination for local tourists, because of its tree lined beaches, fresh and affordable seafood, and the friendly Melanau people. The "kaul" festival, celebrated by the local fishermen in April to appease the spirits of the sea, is one of the major events of the Melanau calendar.

     Mukah is set to become a town of considerable importance due to a number of government initiated development projects in the area, and is beginning to attract significant private sector investment. Mukah is linked with a number of other major towns by air and road.

Sarikei

Sarikei And Bintangor
     Located in the Sarikei Division, these 2 riverine towns are essentially agriculture towns. This region is the biggest producer of Sarawak Pepper. Sarikei is famous for her large sweet pineapples, whereas Bintangor is well-known for her aromatic, sweet and sour oranges known locally as "Bintangor Orange". Not to be missed are the smoked fish and large dried prawns from the neighbouring coastal town of Belawai.

     These two towns are poised for further growth with the setting up of Tanjung Manis Timber Processing Zone (down stream timber products) and a proposed national college. The processing zone is about half an hour by boat from Sarikei and the proposed national college is to be sited on the outskirts of Bintagor town.

     And located some 20km from the town of Sarikei is the Sebangkoi Country Park. The park, set amidst the mountainous part of the Sarikei District, is well planned and laid out thus making it an idyllic weekend getaway.

     Both Sarikei and Bintangor are accessible by road and river from Sibu.

Batang Ai Hydro Dam And Longhouse Resort
The Batang Ai Hydro - Electric Project is located in the Sri Aman Division, approximately 3.5 hours by road from Sibu. The RM600 million dam project has created an 80 sq km lake which is becoming increasingly popular with locals and tourists. The Hilton Batang Ai Longhouse Resort, which opened in March 1995 is offering deluxe accommodation along the shores of the lake. The RM20 million resort, the first of its kind in Sarawak, incorporates local traditions of architecture and design. Other nearby attractions include the Iban longhouse of Skrang, Lemanak and Ulu Ai, the Batang Ai National Park and the Lanjak-Entimau Wildlife Sanctuary.