Information
City: MiriCountry: Malaysia
Continent: Asia
Miri, Malaysia, Asia
Overview
Here’s your guide to Miri, a lively city in Sarawak, Malaysia-nicknamed the “Oil Town” and serving as the doorway to rainforests, coral reefs, and other breathtaking sights.Miri, the second-biggest city in Sarawak, sits on Borneo’s northern coast, where fishing boats drift in the harbor.It’s where Malaysia’s petroleum industry was born, and today it’s a gateway for eco-tourists seeking emerald rainforests, echoing caves, sprawling national parks, and untouched white-sand beaches.Sarawak’s bustling town of about 350,000 people-often called the “Oil Town” and “Gateway to the Highlands”-speaks in a mix of Malay, English, Mandarin, Foochow, Iban, and other local tongues, while its economy runs on oil and gas, tourism, agriculture, and trade.Miri’s story begins with oil-thick, black crude that first bubbled up here and launched Malaysia’s petroleum industry.Back in 1910, Shell sank its first oil well-nicknamed the Grand Old Lady-high on wind-swept Canada Hill.The discovery turned Miri into a bustling oil town, its streets buzzing with new workers, and it became a key driver in Malaysia’s economic growth.Over the years, the city has grown into a vibrant mix of cultures, now drawing visitors for its art festivals and lush green trails.Number three.Gunung Mulu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, draws visitors with jagged limestone peaks, the vast Sarawak Chamber-the largest cave chamber on Earth-and winding passages like Deer Cave and Clearwater Cave.Niah National Park is famed for its Niah Caves, where archaeologists uncovered human remains over 40,000 years old, deep in the cool, echoing dark.The caves hold breathtaking prehistoric wall paintings, their faded ochre figures still vivid in the dim light; Lambir Hills National Park bursts with life, offering jungle treks, cool waterfalls, and flashes of bright wings overhead; Loagan Bunut shelters Sarawak’s largest natural lake, perfect for spotting wildlife and the seasonal arrival of migratory birds; Piasau Nature Reserve protects the endangered Oriental Pied Hornbill in its breezy coastal forest; and Canada Hill, a limestone ridge crowned by the Grand Old Lady, rewards visitors with sweeping views across Miri.Miri is home to the Grand Old Lady, Malaysia’s first oil well, and the Petroleum Museum, where you can step inside cool, dim galleries to trace the city’s oil and gas history; you can browse beadwork, woven cloth, and rattan baskets at the lively Miri Handicraft Centre, wander through the ornate San Ching Tian Temple-the largest Taoist temple in Southeast Asia-stroll the greenery and themed gardens of Miri City Fan, shop for rambutans, spices, and Sarawakian snacks at Tamu Muhibbah Market, or relax on beaches ranging from Tusan’s glowing “Blue Tears” to Hawaii Beach’s quiet sands, Luak Esplanade’s sunset barbecue spots, and Bungai Beach’s untouched shoreline, with adventures beyond the coast including caving in Mulu and Niah, hiking Lambir Hills and Gunung Mulu, diving among coral reefs and shipwrecks, joining in local festivals, and sampling a mix of Malay, Chinese, and indigenous flavors.Don’t miss Kolo Mee, a Sarawak favorite-springy noodles tossed in light soy sauce and finished with minced pork or chicken; or Laksa Sarawak, a rich, spicy coconut milk soup brimming with sambal, prawns, and shredded chicken.Try Ayam Pansuh, chicken steamed in bamboo with fragrant herbs, and Umai, raw fish cured in lime juice with onions and chilies.For something green and earthy, Midin-wild jungle fern-comes stir-fried with garlic or belacan, while the vibrant Kek Lapis Sarawak layers sweet, colorful batters into a festival centerpiece.Time your visit for the Borneo Jazz Festival’s electric nights, Miri May Fest’s month-long parade of performances and flavors, the toe-tapping Miri Country Music Fest, or Gawai Dayak, when the Dayak people mark the harvest with drums, dancing, and feasts.Fly in easily through Miri Airport, a key hub connecting Sarawak to the rest of Malaysia and beyond.You can reach Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, and Brunei by air, while the Pan Borneo Highway keeps Miri well-linked to Brunei, Bintulu, and other Sarawak cities by road; ferries carrying both passengers and cargo glide between Miri and coastal towns like Labuan and Brunei, and when it’s time to stay the night, choices range from luxury spots such as Pullman Miri Waterfront and Miri Marriott Resort & Spa to mid-range picks like Imperial Hotel Miri or Kingwood Boutique Hotel, and even budget options including Ajang Hotel and Citi Hotel.Miri, known as Malaysia’s oil town, saw its first well-the Grand Old Lady-drilled in 1910, its steel frame still catching the morning sun; it also hosts Gunung Mulu National Park, one of the country’s four UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and is home to indigenous communities like the Iban, Melanau, and Penan, whose traditions weave a vibrant cultural mix.
Landmarks in miri
