Raebekah Aria SohJust a few hours away from Singapore lies the island of Borneo and at the northwest coast is the city of Miri. This city is bustling with things to try and do – here is a list of things to try during your stay!
1. Get acquainted with the Kelabit cuisine at Summit Cafe.
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One of the best ways to get acquainted with the city is through its food. The Kelabit cuisine holds a burst of flavours waiting to be uncovered. A humble spread of local food at an affordable price. In there you will find plastic chairs and round tables where customers feast on simple yet tasty food. Lunchtimes are usually crowded, try to beat the crowd by coming earlier.
Address: 1246 Jalan Melayu, Miri Malaysia
2. Trek the Canada Hill
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Bukit Telaga Minyak is well known for being a limestone hill and the first oil drill. Nicknamed Canada Hill, this hill offers a 360 degrees view of Miri and the South China Sea. This is a popular local hiking spot with various trails to follow, catering to various trekkers of different capabilities. The sunrises and sunsets are usually caught here at the peak of the hill. To all nature lovers, this will be of interest to you.
Address: 98000 Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia
3. Enjoy Cocktails at Miri Sky Bar
Image credit: Miri City Sharing
Speaking of being at the top, the Miri Sky Bar provides you an opportunity to be on the top to enjoy a bird’s eye view of the city. The bar is easily accessible as it is frond on the 17th floor of Meritz Hotel. It is a great place to be in the early evenings until sunset or later. The food and drinks are priced slightly higher than average but it is all money’s worth for the view and the ambiance.
Address: 17 Floor Outdoor Mertiz Hotel, Miri 98000, Malaysia
4. Grab souvenirs at Miri Handicraft Centre
Image credit: Sarawak Tourism
A quaint little area with stalls selling knick-knacks, the Miri Handicraft Market is a great place to buy souvenirs and traditional gifts. Some of the goods are on the pricier end but haggling is permitted and will surely entitle you to a good steal. Items you can find include Penan mats, basketry, woodcarvings, and textiles. Miri Handicraft Centre is open 9am to 6pm daily.
Address: Jalan Brooke, Miri Handicraft Centre, 98000 Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia
5. Spend a day out at Miri Public Park (Taman Awam Miri)
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Located about three kilometers from the city center, the Miri Public Park hosts a variety of amenities for visitors: a flower garden, souvenir center, observatory platform and a children’s playground, waterfalls and fountains are just a few of them. The major attraction is the children’s water playground in which comprises of a large pool with many water slides. This place is worth a visit for families with young children to have a great and wholesome time together. Popular times for visiting are in the mornings and evenings.
Address: Bintulu – Miri Rd, Taman Awam Miri, 98000 Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia
6. Be marvelled at Tuscan Beach
Image credit: The Borneo Post
The Tuscan Beach is one of the most stunning beaches in Sarawak and it is located approximately 30 minutes from Miri’s city center. This beach provides an opportunity for you to witness the rare natural phenomenon ‘Blue Tears’ where micro-organisms in the sea emit blue light, lighting up the waters that are near the shore. Furthermore, the waters are unpolluted, take a walk along the sandy white beach to see for yourselves. The beach is located on a mountain and a birds-eye view of the area is expected on your walk down. The roads are slippery so do that caution when ascending and descending.
Address: Tuscan Beach, Miri 98000, Malaysia
7. Immerse in nature at the Gunung Mulu National Park
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Listed as a UNESCO national park, the Gunung Mulu National Park is often a popular destination for tourists visiting Miri. The park comprises of a range of biodiversity and caves to explore. The Deer Cave and Clearwater Cave are the popular photo spots for tourists as the caves are accompanied by mountain views at the back. The Clearwater cave is also known to be the 10th longest cave in the world. Waterfalls and canyons are also found in this national park. Please do note that the entrance to the park is strict and to enter any cave, you are required to join a guided group or have a Licensed Park Guide. To get into the park you must register at the Park HQ office and buy the five-day-pass for RM30 per person (they will give you a colour bracelet that you have to wear during your stay). A new five-day pass must be bought after the previous one expires. There are no single-day passes.
Address: Gunung Mulu National Park, Miri 98000
8. Enjoy an unique gastronomic experience at The Smokehouse
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The Smokehouse or Rumah Asap in Miri is a must go for foodies. The smokehouse is well known to locals and is situated by roadsides under tents, be prepared to brave the heat and humidity when patronising the place. As its name suggests, the place is covered with smoke from the cooking. However, the unique experience and tasty food proves to be worth the slight inconvenience. There are various places to locate the smokehouse, mostly found near shopping centres and by the roadsides.
9. Visit Miri Crocodile Farm
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All animal lovers, this one is for you. Miri Crocodile farm holds plenty of different animal species, not just crocodiles. However, the crocodiles are still the star of the show. If you are lucky, you can catch the feeding times of the crocodiles, you are still able to view them up close. This farm is opened every day from 9am to 6pm and an entrance fee applies. Do remember to bring a mosquito repellent to ward off unwanted bites as well.
Address: 98000 Lutong, Sarawak, Malaysia
10. Lean at the Petroleum Museum
Image credit: Chongkian
On top of Canada Hill lies the petroleum Museum, this museum is a beautiful place to visit and it kept many of the wells and oil booms. The museum equips visitors with a well-versed history of the oil and gas industry in Malaysia and ASEAN. You are also able to read written history and samples of the oil products. The entrance to the museum is free, however, due to its obscure area, a grab ride might be required to reach the museum.
Address: Jabatan Muzium Sarawak, Canada Hill, Jalan Oil Well No. 1, 98000 Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia
11. Have a picnic at Lambir Hills National Park
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Yet another national park for all nature lovers. this park is smaller than the one mentioned earlier but it is a perfect place for a picnic. The park hosts various wildlife and many cascades and waterfalls. Trekking routes are also available for those who fancy a walk-up. The Lambir Hills National Park is a family-friendly park for a chill day out.
Address: Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia, Miri 98000
12. Spend a day at Miri City Fan Recreation Park
Image credit: Miri Resort City
The Miri City Fan Recreation Park is an urban public site with different amenities, they have sports areas, an amphitheatre, a swimming pool and libraries. There is a total of ten themed zones ensuring that visitors will never run out of things to do. Besides, the park is shaded with air conditioning, a safe haven for those who are trying to escape the summer heat.
Address: Jalan Kipas, 98000 Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia
13. Visit Tua Pek Kong Temple
Image credit: Sarawak Tourism
This Chinese temple is a stone throw away from the Miri Fish Market and is the oldest temple in Miri City. The temple has deep-rooted origins, according to local legend, the temple work started in 1913 to give thanks to the deity for helping to end a mysterious epidemic. It provides a good spot to watch the river traffic as well.
Address: Jalan Bendahara, 98000 Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia
