Sarawak truly offers breathtaking sights from every corner. Many would flock to the Land of the Hornbills to discover its lush rainforests teeming with diverse flora and fauna, while others are looking to experience the unique customs and traditions of Sarawak’s 34 ethnic groups and mouth-watering local delicacies with authentic flavours. Now, imagine all of these captured on your Instagram feed and stories — slay!
So, get your camera ready because we’re about to unveil the most enchanting destinations in Sarawak no lens could resist — from a pristine rainforest with unique geological formations to a luxury resort overlooking the South China Sea.
Planning a trip to Sarawak soon? Meet the experts from the Sarawak Tourism Board and be prepared to get the best itinerary planned for you when you meet them in the most awaited travel fairs in Malaysia (MATTA Fair) from 22 to 24 Mar 2024, and Indonesia (ASTINDO FAIR) from 1 to 3 Mar 2024!
Also read: A 3D2N Foodie’s Trip in Sarawak: Discovering the Unique Culinary Dishes of Borneo
Natural wonders in Sarawak you can’t get your eyes off
1. Bako National Park
Nothing beats the natural beauty of Kuching’s Bako National Park, one of the most Instagrammable spots in Sarawak. Established in 1957, the state’s oldest national park houses biodiverse rainforests, abundant wildlife, rare species of flora and fauna, and scenic hiking trails. Planning to come here? Make sure you get your phone ready to capture the best sights of the proboscis monkeys, long-tailed macaques, Bornean bearded pigs, and the Grass Green Whip Snakes. Afterwards, snap some selfies with Bako National Park’s unique geological formations carved by the waves in Pandan Kecil Beach. You can thank us later!
2. Tusan Cliff Beach
Tusan Cliff Beach in Miri is one of Sarawak’s hidden gems, featuring pristine waters and narrow white sand beaches. Though the famous rock formation, ‘Horse Head Drinking Water’ collapsed in 2020, the beach remains a swoonworthy location for travelgrammers and photographers alike. Time your visit right, and you’ll get to immerse in the beauty of the sun setting over the vast South China Sea from one of its golden cliffs. If you’re lucky enough, you might even witness the ‘Blue Tears’ phenomenon. You’ll see the ocean glows in blue luminescence come nightfall thanks to the algae called ‘dinoflagellates’!
3. Susung Waterfall
The ethereal side of Sarawak is even more evident when you visit Susung Waterfall in Bengoh Dam of Padawan. Enter the majestic site, and you’ll witness a multi-tiered cascade that plunges into a deep pool surrounded by lush greenery. It’s the perfect place to take a dip, relax, and enjoy the beauty of nature all to yourself. Among the famous Insta-worthy spots here is the natural swing, which offers the majestic waterfall vista in the background – a classic Jurassic World setting that’ll blow up your socials in an instant! Talk about one of the must-visit Instagrammable spots in Sarawak you shouldn’t be sleeping on.
Interested to know more about the natural gems in the Land of the Hornbills? Sarawak Tourism Board will be in Malaysia (MATTA Fair) from 22 to 24 Mar 2024 and Indonesia (ASTINDO Fair) from 1 to 3 Mar 2024. So, ask away!
City, arts, and cultural gems in Sarawak that’ll steal your heart
4. Kuching Waterfront
No visit to Sarawak is ever complete without visiting the iconic Kuching Waterfront lining the southern bank of the Sarawak River. The open-air riverside promenade offers the chance to sample the city’s cosmopolitan vibes. Think breathtaking views of the Astana and Fort Margherita, the lovely scenery of the Malay Villages across the river, and stunning vistas of the entire waterfront bathed in the glorious sunset. For the best photo-op, we recommend crossing the Darul Hana Bridge and snapping some postcard-like views of yourself against the majestic Masjid Darul Hana floating above the river.
5. Mural Street Arts
You should explore and appreciate the mural street art of Sarawak when visiting the Land of Hornbills. Kuching, for instance, has transformed into a hub of cultural and artistic expression where vibrant street arts flourish along the city’s alleys. One prominent street art you should check out is the lovely mural by Leonard Siaw featuring an 80-year-old ang ku kueh maker with multiple iconic Malaysian trays as the background. You can easily find this masterpiece in Kuching’s Padungan food street. Other must-see Instagrammable spots in Sarawak with beautiful mural street arts include those in Sibu (Sibu Old Town and Jalan Oya) and Miri (Canada Hill).
6. Sarawak Cultural Village
One of the exciting things to do in Sarawak is to bring yourself to Sarawak Cultural Village on the outskirts of Kuching. Here, you’ll be able to explore the traditional lifestyles, customs, and architecture of seven major ethnic groups in Sarawak. How? By getting into the unique Iban, Bidayuh, and Orang Ulu Longhouses, Melanau Tall House, Penan Hut, Malay House, and Chinese Farmhouse — each with its own cultural charm. The traditional architecture and vibrant cultural displays paired with lush greenery surrounding the living museum will surely create a visually captivating atmosphere for the ‘Gram.
TripZilla Tip: Don’t forget to capture a nice shot of you crossing the famous Bidayuh Bamboo Bridge here!
7. Borneo Cultures Museum
Borneo Cultures Museum is the place to be if you prefer an exquisite indoor cultural gem with a distinctive architectural design and unique interactive exhibitions. The modern five-storey building houses a lively auditorium, Children’s Gallery, the Arts and Crafts Gallery, and exhibition spaces that explore the environmental and archeological themes related to Borneo. Aside from taking the usual silhouette shots in a museum, you should also try to capture the best photos of yourself in the immersive boat ride featuring beautiful light projections offered here. It’s gonna be lit!
Sarawak’s gastronomy and staycation spots with the best aesthetics
8. Siniawan Night Market
For some authentic (and aesthetic) gastronomic experience, head to Siniawan Night Market in Bau, Sarawak. The lively area features around 40 to 50 hawker stalls selling street foods. Some of them include the traditional Sarawakian cuisine as well as Taiwanese and Western dishes. One must-try here is the tasty ‘Lemang Periuk Kera’ or glutinous rice cooked in a pitcher plant that’ll leave you craving more. FYI, the setting is a sight to behold, especially at night. The brightly lit lanterns hanging over the street between the pre-war shophouses exude a rustic charm to the place. Talk about one of the best Instagrammable spots in Sarawak to feast your eyes and tummy at once!
9. Commons Cafe
Finding a modern cafe with a pleasant ambience is a must when travelling. So, here’s Commons Cafe, nestled in the heart of Kuching City Centre. Housed within the historic Old Court House, this cafe blends colonial architecture with contemporary design, creating a unique and stylish atmosphere. Imagine enjoying your coffee surrounded by high ceilings, polished wooden floors, and vintage furniture with a modern twist — perfect! BTW, you’ll find a library-inspired space at one corner of the cafe with mirrored bookshelves as the backdrop. What’s good on the menu? You can easily find everything from light bites and sandwiches to full-fledged meals. Yummy!
10. The Culvert Hotel Resort
Located at the foot of Mount Santubong is The Culvert Hotel Resort, blessed with picturesque views of lush greenery and the calm South China Sea. The resort’s most distinctive feature is its rooms, repurposed from refurbished concrete culverts, seamlessly integrated into the lush rainforest environment. Some of the must-dos here include dipping in the infinity pool overlooking the sea while savouring delectable Sarawakian dishes served on a floating tray! Plus, you should definitely wait for the golden hour sunset to take your breath away. You’ll witness the glorious ray penetrating your luxury culvert room’s transparent door! Sun-kissed selfies, anyone?
Have questions on where else to find the best stays and culinary experiences in Sarawak? Channel your curiosity to the experts from the Sarawak Tourism Board in one of the most anticipated events in Malaysia (MATTA Fair) from 22 to 24 Mar 2024 and Indonesia (ASTINDO Fair) from 1 to 3 Mar 2024!
Also read: Sarawak: The Do-It-All Destination for 5 Types of Travellers
And that concludes our list of the most Instagrammable spots in Sarawak worth adding to your bucket list! Have you found your favourite one yet? If you have, now is the best time to book that much-needed flight ticket to the Land of the Hornbills with your loved ones (and your best megapixels, too)!
Brought to you by Sarawak Tourism.
