The best cultural experiences to have in Sarawak

Open in March 2022, the Borneo Cultures Museum is the largest museum in Malaysia. The building itself is a work of art, representing the artistic and cultural heritage of Sarawak.

Inside are five levels of galleries exhibiting thousands of artefacts, with each floor piecing together the story of region's culture. The first-floor auditorium hosts a wide range of events, making the museum transform into a lively venue. The second floor focuses on Arts and Crafts, with visitors introduced to traditional craftsmanship, music and dance, while the biggest gallery on the third level exhibits ‘In Harmony with Nature’ and offers an immersive experience exploring the relationship between local communities and the natural environment in Sarawak.

Part of Sarawak’s great appeal is its incredible natural landscape, and UNESCO-listed Gunung Mulu National Park is certainly one of the region’s great wonders. With a dense rainforest home to a diverse number of species, the World Heritage Site also has nearly 300km of explored cave systems and the biggest underground cave chambers in the world, the Sarawak Chamber. Gunung Mulu’s most exceptional feature has to be its karst formations. Rising from the forest floor are the 50-metre tall, pointed limestone pinnacles, creating quite an impressive viewing.

Join a multi-dayguided tour of Mulu National Park when joining the Headhunters Trail – named so after the old route used by Kayan tribes to launch headhunting raids on rival groups. This multi-day trail takes you on a climb to see the razar-sharp Pinnacles, followed by journeys through the forests, caves and along rivers. The evenings are spent with local tribes, including the Iban people and the Penan people, to which the rainforest is a vital part of their culture.

For an insight into tribal traditions that still live on today, experiencing an authentic longhouse is a must. These wooden structures offer a home to locals in the community – yes, everyone – usually putting a roof over multiple families.  Most longhouse visits offer more than just a tour of the building, but involve education from the tribespeople, dancing to traditional music and evenings listening to folklore and legends.

There are more than 1,000 longhouses in Sarawak, which each one having their own individual character and history. The Kelabit community are the smallest ethnic group in Sarawak, but a have centuries-old longhouses located in their village in the Bario Highlands. Elsewhere, around 180 Iban people live in the 35-door Nanga Ukom longhouse, perched on the banks of Engkari river, only accessible by river boat. The most authentic longhouses are usually further away, so be prepared for the journey.

This popular 17-acre site near Kuching is where visitors come to have an introduction to the major cultures of Sarawak, without having to travel too far.  Spend half a day here getting an insight into the village life of the Bidiyah, Iban, Benan, Orang Ulu, Melanau, Malay and Chinese locals, with replicas of their many traditional buildings bringing their story to life.

Visitors can expect a dazzling multi-cultural performance by an award-winning dance troupe, taking place twice a day. Whereas the Rainforest Music House has a collection of traditional instruments from Sarawak, hosts music workshops and even short live performances. 

Fort Margherita began construction in 1879 to defend Kuching being attacked by pirates. It was built by English adventurer Charles Brooke, after he arrived on Sarawak shores in the late 1830s, formed a bond with the local communities, and eventually became the Rajah of Sarawak. The fort is an important historical landmark and has been restored by the National Heritage Department. Now, the Sarawak Museum Department have transformed it into the Brooke Gallery, telling the story of the history of Sarawak and the 'White Rajahs' during the Brooke Era. Coming soon to Fort Margherita is a traditional English teahouse, with views across the Sarawak river. 

The oldest Chinese temple in Sarawak can be found on Kuching Waterfront. The Tua Pek Kong Temple has a striking, colourful façade and is thought to date back to 1843. It remains a peaceful and respected environment and is also part of the Kuching Heritage Trail, a short, walkable route that links the city’s most famed landmarks.

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