Whenever someone says East Malaysia, the first thing that pops into our minds is Sabah (admit it!). However, Eastern Malaysia is also home to Sarawak, rightfully nicknamed ‘Land of the Hornbills’ with many sightings of the hornbills around the state. As much as Sabah has to offer, Sarawak has equally as many sights and wonders to explore too, if not even more! Besides an obvious chance to catch these majestic horned tropical flight of birds, here are a few other reasons you should be planning your next trip to Sarawak.
1. It’s full of rich history
Source: ilovekch
Sarawak is full of rich history that dates back to the early 8th century. It’s even the home of human remains from 40,000 years ago! Visitors can delve into the history of Sarawak’s White Rajah and visit the many forts and cultural villages to learn more about Sarawakians. It’s the perfect place to visit for all you history buffs out there!
2. You don’t have to go overseas for an underwater world adventure
Source: Sarawak Tourism
Want to dive into pristine waters to view the colourful coral life as schools of barracudas and leopard sharks glide past you? You don’t have to go to Australia or any other countries anymore as Sarawak has got you covered! Popular diving sites include the Miri-Sibuti Coral Reefs National Park and Satang Islands where visitors will get a chance to swim with an endless variety of marine life.
3. The food. Definitely the food
I think it goes without saying that as Malaysians, we love our food. In fact, our Eastern brothers and sister love it so much that there’s even a month-long festival dedicated to the local delicacies! Visitors will get to savour the tastes of Sarawak while enjoying events held throughout the festival. The Kuching Festival takes place annually throughout the month of August and is a must-visit when in Sarawak!
4. You’ll get an immersive jungle adventure right in your own backyard
Source: AnitaGetaway
Let’s face it, the jungles we have in the Peninsular are no match for the jungles of Sarawak. If you’re the adventurous type who loves the great outdoors, Sarawak offers a number of different trails to follow. From river-rafting to trekking the trails of Gunung Mulu National Park, it is definitely a must-go for adventure seekers.
Source: Tien Le
PS: You’ll also get to visit one of the largest caves in the world, which is located right here in Malaysia! How cool is that?
5. You can experience international music festivals hosted by Sarawak
Source: Parochial Sarawakian
Sarawak has played host to several international music festivals such as the Rainforest World Music Festival and Borneo Jazz Festival. Visitors are in for an experience of a lifetime with atmospheric music from musicians across the globe, set to the backdrop of the rainforest (hence the name).
6. There’s Insta-worthy photo opportunities 24/7
Source: Panoramio
Forget going to Europe for amazing Insta-worthy photos. Sarawak is full of beautiful and scenic places that could rival those overseas. The clear blue beaches, Bornean sunsets, enchanting jungles and forests; they look like scenes straight from a movie if you ask us!
It certainly looks like there are many cultures and experiences in the Eastern Malaysian counterpart that Peninsular Malaysians have yet to explore. So, this year-end holiday, why not take the opportunity to get to know our Eastern side better, courtesy of Air Asia?
Plus, you can fly from KL to any of these four destinations in Sarawak with flights from as low as RM79!
Destinations include Kuching, Sibu, Bintulu and Miri with flights available from now until 6 May 2018. Hurry and book your flights now as promotions end this 26th November! Jom lah travel lokal! Visit the AirAsia website for more info on how you can cash in on this awesome promo.
See you in Sarawak!
