Sarawak is the largest state in Malaysia, and is located on the island or Borneo. Kuching which is the capital of Sarawak is about 2 hours flight from Kuala Lumpur. The society here is multi-ethnic and multi-cultural which includes the Iban, Bidayuh, Melanau, Orang Ulu, Penan, Melayu, Chinese and other minority cultures.
If there is one place that represents the entirety of Sarawak culture, it will be the Sarawak Cultural Village or Kampung Budaya Sarawak (https://goo.gl/maps/xsGwTJNGktrkXNwYA ). This place is about 1 hour drive from Kuching city. It’s well worth the trip. And this is just an introductory post as the width and breadth of this area cannot be covered in just 1 simple post.
[Photo below] - The emblem of the Sarawak Cultural village with the state icon which is the Rhinoceros Hornbill (Burung Kenyalang)
[Photo below] - A day’s entrance to Sarawak cultural village will cost about RM 60 per adult which is currently about USD 13.50
[Photo below] - This is a photos of the site map at the entrance of Sarawak Cultural Village. For this post, please follow the numbering of the yellow squares which is the layout of the Sarawak Cultural village, built around a beautiful pond
[1] The entrance photo (https://goo.gl/maps/sS3cU3ADR6GNyKWc7 ) is seen on top of the post, which has the Mount Santubong as the backdrop.
[Photo below] - [2] The entrance pavilion (https://goo.gl/maps/sS3cU3ADR6GNyKWc7) which is the welcome area for visitors. Here is a good photo taking location and also where the gift shop is located.
[Photo below] - [3] This is the Sarawak Cultural village gift shop (https://goo.gl/maps/sS3cU3ADR6GNyKWc7 ), which has many souvenirs for sale.
[Photo below] - [4] Restaurant Budaya (https://goo.gl/maps/C5QC31SSZSbK7xkW8 ) is the main food place within the premise of the Sarawak Cultural village. There are plenty of local food to choose from.
[Photo below] - [5] At the center of Sarawak Cultural Village is the main Lotus Pond (https://goo.gl/maps/mveCdizmSsx1uuWu6 ). It’s a nice body of water reflecting the beautiful Mount Santubong.
[Photo below] - [6] A very unique structure is the Bidayuh Bridge (https://goo.gl/maps/nomTK3F7C8AKYoGM7 ), made out of bamboo. A great attraction to walk on.
[Photo below] - [7] This is the Rainforest Music House (https://goo.gl/maps/dhFcNQhboEVFFNmh8 ). A place where musicians gather to showcase rainforest music.
[Photo below] - [8] And nearby is the minor Baruk Bidayuh (https://goo.gl/maps/LLANaJiQMTbqUyTT7 ), which is a watch tower of sorts for the Bidayuh house.
[Photo below] - [9] Then just behind that, the main Baruk Bidayuh (https://goo.gl/maps/u3Pi8ikYAKhxWh6h9 ), a large watchtower on stilts.
[Photo below] - [10] And the main Bidayuh House (https://goo.gl/maps/u3Pi8ikYAKhxWh6h9 ). A beautiful house built on stilts with ratan and bamboo flooring, which the Bidayuh people live in.
[Photo below] - [11] Nearby is the Iban House (https://goo.gl/maps/Z2Sw41SrssxAPyXa7 ), which is the longhouse occupied by the Iban tribe.
[Photo below] - [12] And towards the other end of the entrance is the main Jungle stage and viewing area (https://goo.gl/maps/2jBbLyXpJRWknY649 ). This is where the annual Rainforest World Music Festival is held.
[Photo below] - Another picture of the Jungle stage above.
[Photo below] - [13] There is a big hall called the Dewan Lagenda or Hall of Legends (https://goo.gl/maps/VtTt4mS2sHuneRpM8 ). Here many activities take place as the venue.
[Photo below] - [14] A short walk behind that will be the Persada Alam (https://goo.gl/maps/AGiWvySWzemRbbb29 ), which has a secret waterfall and a most beautiful place for photos.
[Photo below] - [15] A small hut area called the Penan house (https://goo.gl/maps/ENj2EzSYhu9hvMt77 ), representing where the Penan tribe people live in.
[Photo below] - [16] As we continue our walk, possibly my favorite structure in the area is the Rumah Orang Ulu (https://goo.gl/maps/rShcdNew9uFFqkeW7 ). Which is a beautiful large house standing on stilts.
[Photo below] - [17] Equally as impressive nearby is the Rumah Melanau (https://goo.gl/maps/dXdu8iGBJF3aNoEu9 ). Which is a huge house structure again on stilts.
[Photo below] - [18] Then as we walk on, we get to the Malay House (https://goo.gl/maps/H13NcVBaymqyY5GeA ). A very traditional house structure used by the Malay people.
[Photo below] - [19] Just behind the Malay house is the Top Spinning area (https://goo.gl/maps/Ubnp8yPkmxFgftg66 ), which is an activity center for playing tops.
[Photo below] - [20] There is an actual Pottery Kiln (https://goo.gl/maps/4FyoBUUc2MYYAzqa8 ) area for firing pottery here. And guests can make their own pots.
[Photo below] - [21] And coming around almost full circle is the Chinese Farm House (https://goo.gl/maps/UhYrftDuZ7rmbDK49 ). A good representation of a traditionally Chinese house.
[Photo below] - [22] And coming full circle is the Chinese Pavilion (https://goo.gl/maps/e499YMNs8vpt9hTP6 ). A pagoda like structure at the entrance of Sarawak Cultural Village
[Photo below] - Every year around the month of June is the Rainforest World Music Festival which is held around the grounds of the Sarawak Cultural Village. This is also the best time to visit here.
The above is just an introductory post to the Sarawak Cultural Village. Future posts will include single posts to main places above with more photos and information.
I had taken opportunity to add most of the POIs here in Sarawak Cultural Village during our visit, since most of the places were not present on Google Maps.
Sarawak has to much to see and discover. Check out some of my recent posts during my visit to Kuching Sarawak below (work in progress)
Link to all recent posts on Sarawak (opens in a new window)
#SarawakMoreToDiscover
