Sarawak Travel Guide: Top Attractions and Activities Every Filipino Must Experience

Looking for a new kind of adventure that goes beyond beaches and city shopping? If you’re a Filipino traveller craving something raw, wild, and deeply cultural, Sarawak is calling. This Malaysian state in Borneo is filled with lush rainforests, ancient caves, exotic wildlife, and indigenous heritage that mirrors and contrasts our own.

Why Filipinos will love Sarawak

Image credit: Sarawak Health Tourism Official Website

Sarawak feels like a distant cousin of the Philippines, familiar in warmth, flavour, and hospitality, yet full of surprises. Locals speak English, prices are budget-friendly, and the food has comforting similarities to Filipino cuisine. But beyond that, Sarawak opens up a world of wild rainforests, indigenous culture, and awe-inspiring landscapes. It’s a place where adventure meets authenticity at every turn.

From massive caves to tribal longhouses, Sarawak offers experiences you won’t find back home. It’s the kind of destination that feels refreshingly different, yet somehow like home.

Must-see attractions in Sarawak

Whether you're into wild nature, rich culture, or epic outdoor adventures, Sarawak is packed with unforgettable spots worth adding to your itinerary. Here are the 9 top attractions and experiences you shouldn’t miss when visiting Sarawak:

Gunung Mulu National Park

Image credit: Mulu Pinnacles | Amazing Borneo Official Website

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Gunung Mulu National Park is famous for its jaw-dropping caves, like the massive Deer Cave and the Sarawak Chamber. Its signature highlight is the Mulu Pinnacles, a striking cluster of razor-sharp limestone spires that rise dramatically from the jungle and can be reached through a steep, challenging hike up Mount Api. Add the world’s longest canopy walk, and it feels like the wilder version of Sagada meets Palawan, but on a grander scale.

Semenggoh Wildlife Centre

Image credit: Semenggoh Wildlife Centre | Official Website

Just outside Kuching is Semenggoh Wildlife Centre, a home to rescued orangutans that have been rehabilitated and now roam freely in the surrounding forest. You can witness them up close, swing down from trees during feeding time. It is an ideal place for families and nature lovers with walking trails and educational displays that highlight Sarawak’s strong commitment to conservation.

Bako National Park

Bako National Park | Sarawak Forestry Official Website

Bako may be Sarawak’s smallest park, but it offers a rich hiking experience through dense rainforest, dramatic cliffs and quiet beaches. Along the trail, you might spot proboscis monkeys with their comical noses, bearded pigs wandering through the forest and colourful tropical birds overhead. Expect to see mangrove pitcher plants and jungle streams as you explore this compact yet wildlife-rich park just outside the city.

Sarawak Cultural Village

Image credit: Sarawak Cultural Village | Malaysia Travel Official Website

Sarawak Cultural Village near Kuching offers an immersive glimpse into the rich and diverse indigenous cultures of the region. Visitors can explore traditional houses representing various groups such as the Iban, Bidayuh, Orang Ulu, Melanau, and Penan. You can watch cultural performances, try bamboo dances, and learn how to use a blowpipe. More than just a museum, it’s a hands-on cultural experience you won’t forget.

TripZilla Philippines Tip: Dress modestly and wear comfy shoes, as you'll do a lot of walking.

An Iban Longhouse

Image credit: Iban Longhouse | Para Desa Borneo Official Website

Want to stay with locals? Spend a night in a traditional Iban longhouse where multiple families live under one roof. Visit during local festivals such as Gawai Dayak, which celebrates the rice harvest every first of June with vibrant cultural performances, traditional music, and communal feasting. These are the times when the longhouse is at its most lively with music, dancing and traditional ceremonies. Share tuak or rice wine stories and home-cooked meals for a jungle experience that is warm, communal and truly unforgettable.

TripZilla Philippines Tip: Bringing a small gift when visiting indigenous homes is a thoughtful gesture. Always ask for permission before taking photos of people or sacred spaces.

Mount Santubong & Santubong River Wetlands Cruise

Image credit: Mount Santubong | Bernard Dupont via Wikimedia Commons

Mount Santubong is a challenging yet scenic day hike just outside Kuching, ideal for those seeking a jungle adventure with coastal views. The trail takes you through dense rainforest, with rope climbs and ladders leading to a stunning summit overlooking the South China Sea. Expect to encounter hornbills, monkeys, and lush tropical flora along the way.

Santubong River Wetlands Cruise | Borneo Adventure Official Website

After your hike, unwind with a peaceful cruise along the Santubong River. Glide through mangrove forests as local guides help you spot Irrawaddy dolphins, crocodiles, and even fireflies as dusk settles. It’s a magical way to experience Borneo’s rich biodiversity and a refreshing contrast to the physical thrill of the mountain trek.

Niah Caves

Niah Caves | Starlightchild via Wikimedia Commons

Explore Niah Caves, one of Southeast Asia’s key archaeological sites with ancient human remains and rock art dating back over 65,000 years. A jungle boardwalk leads to the Great Cave, where visitors can see prehistoric paintings and burial sites. It’s a unique blend of adventure and cultural discovery in the heart of Sarawak.

Kuching Old Town and Waterfront

Kuching Old Town and Waterfront | Para Desa Borneo Official Website

Kuching’s Waterfront is a charming riverside promenade lined with colonial-era architecture, vibrant street art, and leafy walkways. Take a tambang boat ride across the Sarawak River for a close-up view of landmarks like the golden-domed State Legislative Assembly and Fort Margherita.

Sample local street food like Sarawak laksa, kek lapis, and grilled satay at nearby hawker stalls. It’s a perfect spot for slow travel, with plenty of photo ops, cultural stops, and tasty bites along the way.

Rainforest World Music Festival

Rainforest World Music Festival | Official Facebook Page

Held annually in Kuching, this global music and culture festival is all about dance, drums, and jungle vibes. If you love local festivals in the Philippines, you’ll enjoy the mix of world music, tribal beats, and eco-workshops in the heart of Borneo.

TripZilla Philippines Tip: Book accommodation early, gets packed easily! Bring a reusable cup, light scarf or shawl (it can get chilly at night), and your best festival energy.

Your next big adventure starts here

If you're ready to explore a side of Southeast Asia that’s wild, warm, and wonderfully unfamiliar, Sarawak is waiting. It’s close enough to feel familiar, yet far enough to make every experience feel new. Whether you’re hiking through rainforests, bonding with locals in a longhouse, or grooving at a music festival in the jungle, Sarawak has all the makings of a legendary trip.

So if you've already ticked off Vietnam, Thailand, or even Kota Kinabalu, it's time to discover Borneo’s best-kept secret. Sarawak is not just a destination, it's a story you’ll love telling!

Brought to you by Sarawak Tourism Board