|
PLACES OF INTEREST
Nature and Adventure |
|
 
Kapit and Belaga
Kapit and Belaga are the two main towns of the upper rajang river,
the longest and most extensive river system in malaysia. The region
is still relatively untouched by development, with unexplored
tropical rainforests, ravines and rugged mountain ranges, clean
rivers, waterfalls, and clear-water rapids. The upper rajang is
home to a sizeable number of indigenous ethnic groups, mostly
living in longhouses. These include the kayan, kenyah, kajang,
lahanan, sekapan, bukitan, ukit and punan, all of whom are known
collectively as orang ulu or upriver people, as well as the nomadic
penan, many of whom are still hunter-gatherers.
The journey to the Upper Rajang is an adventure in itself. Express
boats leave Sibu for Kapit nine times daily, and there is a daily
Sibu - Belaga service provided the water level is high enough. As
far as Kapit, the river is sedate, but above Kapit the boat passes
throught the notorious Pelagus Rapids and a number of smaller sets
of rapids before reaching Belaga. Above Belaga the Rajang and its
tributaries become even wilder as they pass through narrow gorges
and fierce rapids. The usual mode of transport upriver is via
outboard - powered dugout canoe. Foreign visitors who wish to
travel to and beyond Belaga are requested to obtain a permit from
the Resident's Office (Pejabat Residen) and the Police Station in
Kapit.
The whole Upper Rajang has great potential for specialist adventure
tourism and eco-tourism activites. The completion of phase 1 of The
Pelagus Rapids Resort will provided an ideal location for tourists
wishing to explore the area. The resort offers longhouse-style
Accommodation overlooking the Pelagus Rapids, and serves as a base
for jungle trekking, bird watching and other nature-friendly
activities. |
|
 Mukah
Mukah is an ancient trading and fishing port, situated at the mouth
of the Mukah river adjacent to the south china sea. Historically,
the town was an important outpost of the sultanate of brunei, and
is nowadays famous as the centre of melanau culture and as a major
sago producing area.
in recent years Mukah has become a popular destination for local
tourists, because of its tree lined beaches, fresh and affordable
seafood, and the friendly melanau people. The "kaul" festival,
celebrated by the local fishermen in april to appease the spirits
of the sea, is one of the major events of the melanau calendar.
Mukah is set to become a town of considerable importance due to a
number of government initiated development projects in the area,
and is beginning to attract significant private sector investment.
Mukah is linked with a number of other major towns by air and
road. |
|
  Sarikei and
Bintangor
Located in the Sarikei Division, these 2 riverine towns are
essentially agriculture towns. This region is the biggest producer
of Sarawak Pepper. Sarikei is famous for her large sweet
pineapples, whereas Bintangor is well-known for her aromatic, sweet
and sour oranges known locally as "Bintangor Orange". Not to be
missed are the smoked fish and large dried prawns from the
neighbouring coastal town of Belawai.
These two towns are poised for further growth with the setting up
of Tanjung Manis Timber Processing Zone (down stream timber
products) and a proposed national college. The processing zone is
about half an hour by boat from Sarikei and the proposed national
college is to be sited on the outskirts of Bintagor town.
And located some 20km from the town of Sarikei is the Sebangkoi
Country Park. The park, set amidst the mountainous part of the
Sarikei District, is well planned and laid out thus making it an
idyllic weekend getaway.
both Sarikei and Bintangor are accessible by road and river from
Sibu. |
|
