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This charming city in Sarawak, Malaysia, is one of the many underrated gifts that Borneo has. The second largest city in Sarawak, Miri serves as the gateway to the stunning natural landscapes of Borneo with a mix of culture, history, and nature for guests. We look at the rich history of Miri, the best places to visit, the best time to visit, and how one can get to Miri in this article.
Miri City (Source: Mitmagazine)
The history of Miri is inextricably linked with the discovery of oil. Miri was just a tiny fishing village in the early part of the 20th century before the first well, located at what is today known as the "Grand Old Lady," was drilled in 1910. This event transformed Miri into a bustling oil town, and to this date, it remains one of the crucial centers for Malaysia's oil and gas industry.
A result of this boom, Miri became a cosmopolitan city whose cultures range from Malays, Chinese, Iban, amongst other indigenous groups. From an economical standpoint and with vast natural resources, Miri grew from a simple town into the current modern city but has still maintained its cultural heritage and natural splendor.
History of Miri (Source: Britannica)
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Gunung Mulu National Park is among the top things to do in Miri and definitely a must-visit for any traveler. Renowned for stunning limestone karst formations, caves, and diverse ecosystems, Mulu Park is home to the world's largest cave chamber, the Sarawak Chamber, and the impressive Deer Cave, which houses millions of bats.
Visitors can tour the complex cave system, hike the strenuous Pinnacles Trail for views at a landscape scale, or explore this natural wonder on a ranger-led night walk to see dynamic biodiversity in action.
Gunung Mulu National Park (Source: BikeandTour)
Niah National Park is the other major natural attraction around the city of Miri and home to the famous Niah Caves. It is a protection area housing the remains of one of the oldest human remains in Southeast Asia, dated over 40,000 years old. The main cave, Niah Great Cave, is probably the most visited place of all time by both archaeologists and normal tourists.
The visitors can hike in the rainforest, tour the large chambers of caves, and find ancient wall paintings and artifacts. The Painted Cave, a small cave in the park, provides evidence of rock paintings depicting the burial rites of the early inhabitants.
Niah Cave (Source: niahnationalpark)
Canada Hill is one of the famous spots in Miri that offers panoramic views of the city and the South China Sea. The highlight of Canada Hill is the "Grand Old Lady," which was the first oil well and serves as a symbol of this oil town of Miri's early days.
It was conserved as a historical monument and was accompanied by the Petroleum Museum, which illustrates the history of the discovery of oil in Miri and its effect on growth. The hill also provides a worthy site from which to view an excellent sunset, one of the reasons it is liked both by locals and tourists.
Canada Hill and the "Grand Old Lady" (Source: KolejFajarMiri)
On the other hand, for those who are looking for something easier to enjoy and city-related, the Miri City Fan Recreation Park is a well-cared-for green area right in the heart of the city. It successfully fuses nature and culture with the themed gardens, an amphitheater, and public swimming pool.
Starting from the Islamic Garden through the Chinese Garden, all the way to the Botanical Garden, each contributes to an overview of Miri's multicultural society. Ideal for leisure walks, family picnics, and local community activities, Miri City Fan is also recommended.
Miri City Fan Recreation Park (Source: FairDinkumTraveler)
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Tusan Beach is a lovely shoreline, but the beach itself lies about 40 minutes away from the Miri district. Commonly visited for its intriguing rock formations and cliffs entailing pristine sandy shores, the Tusan Beach is famous for its natural "Horsehead Drinking Water" rock formation.
Besides its pretty scenery, it is also quite famous for its "blue tears," which means a bioluminescent algae lighting up the shoreline. This in fact creates an amazing glowing effect at night. Tusan Beach therefore is perfect for those who want to relax by the sea, take photographs, or enjoy a beachside barbecue.
Tusan Beach (Source: Tripadvisor)
Therefore, the high season in Miri is in the dry season-between April and September of each year. The period is usually warm but with less rain. As such, the environment becomes ideal for trekking, caving, and beach outings. At this time of the year, the temperature normally ranges between 24°C and 32°C, thus ideal for tours around this natural paradise.
Best time to visit (Source: southeastasiabackpacker)
By Air: Getting to Miri by air should not be so hard, as it is a major city within the state of Sarawak, its airport identified as MYY. It is well-connected to major cities within Malaysia, including Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, and Kuching, along with several international destinations.
By Road: By road, it connects from within Sarawak or Sabah via the Pan Borneo Highway. The highway cuts across the scenic drives through Borneo's lush landscapes. Driving by car or bus takes approximately 15 hours from Kuching to Miri.
By Sea: The less common route of sea travel to Miri would thus be highly recommended to the more adventurous traveler. Miri possesses a port that is interconnected with the coastal towns of Sarawak and Brunei. The sea route takes longer to complete, allowing views of traveling along the Bornean coastline.
Miri is an ethnically diverse city, and one can enjoy everything from amazing caves to relaxing city parks and pristine beaches. With Asia King Travel, it is best to plan a visit during the dry season when the weather is decent and the travel options that prevail make it rather easy to travel around this Malaysian city to discover the hidden treasures.
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