Unveil the secret of living like the local Sarawakians.

Sarawak, a city that has all the conveniences of a modern place also comes with non-cityish attractions such as mysterious caves and beautiful rainforests. It is a contrasting nostalgic mix of modern meets nature.

How do the locals live? This is a question that has often been asked. We will take you into the lives of local Sarawakians to explore the endless charm and glamour of Sarawak.

sarawak city night view

When you enter the cities and towns of Sarawak, you will be transported to a serene and peaceful environment. There are not many pedestrians on the streets, cars on the roads are unhurried, and the whole city seems to slow down. Before you know it, you will wind down to the rhythm of the locals and submerge in the mystery of Sarawak.

Breakfast Time

The locals are eager to enjoy their mornings as the sun rises early in Sarawak throughout the year. 

Sarawakians will usually drink teh c peng (tea with milk), taste a bowl of authentic kolo mee noodles and read the morning papers. Such is their leisure life.

kolo mee

Shopping Time

The streets and lanes of Kuching, the capital city of Sarawak is the place where you can experience the local culture. It can’t be missed. Let’s go to the old Carpenter Street for sightseeing.

Carpenter Street

For those who enjoy shopping, don’t miss out on the city center’s lively old street ̶ Hai Lip street.

You can buy all kinds of Sarawak souvenirs as you stroll along the rows of shophouses.

Tua Pek Kong Temple

As you reach the end of the street, you will see one of Sarawak’s oldest temples – the temple of tua pek (great uncle), which has been around for 200 years.

Take a walk down the many streets that are filled with ancient buildings and you’ll experience the rich, centuries-old culture.

Lunch time

At midday, it is a good time to eat again. Sarawak has countless local cuisines, yet a dish not to be missed is  bak kut teh, a soup mixture of Chinese medicines and spices that are passed from generation to generation. Its unique flavor is simply unforgettable. It’s also known as a “grandmother’s dish”.

Grandma Noodle bak kut teh (Image source: Viva Travel Sdn. Bhd)

Diners can also add different ingredients such as ribs, pork belly and youtiao (chinese fried dough) to further enhance the flavourful soup.

Grandma bak kut teh (Image Source: Viva Travel Sdn. Bhd)

Time for fun

Sarawakians’ pastime activities are reflected is their leisure lifestyle.

Drinking tuak (rice wine), playing traditional musical instruments and dancing are the activities enjoyed in the traditional longhouses. It is definitely the most authentic place to be.

Longhouse

Annah Rais longhouse is Kuching’s oldest Bidayuh house. It is located in the Padawan district, about an hour and a half’s drive from the city of Kuching. Want to get a first-hand look at the culture of the local people?

Come here and experience it. Don’t be afraid if you find human skulls in a corner of the longhouse. The Bidayuhs were headhunters in ancient days, so hanging skulls is their tradition here.

Skull decoration

Dinner time

When the night falls in, the local night markets in Sarawak start to get lively. Visit the 100-year-old Siniawan Night Market to try all kinds of authentic food.

Siniawan night market

Siniawan night market

The sleepless city

After a day of exploring, it is time to slow down and take in the breathtaking night scenes. You can find a specialty hotel or cafe in your area, have a drink and enjoy the stunning night views of Kuching.

The Granary Kitchen

Immerse yourself in Granary Kitchen and Bar, a unique one-of-a-kind eatery situated in a warehouse like building. Though newly renovated, it still retains the simplicity of the original structure that has been there since the early 1900s.

Refreshing Cocktail (Image source: The Granary Kitchen + Bar)

There is so much more to explore in Sarawak. It is like reading a book repeatedly whereby you’ll discover something new and exciting each visit. It makes people want to come again and again: that is the charm of Sarawak.