ZCOOP: 6 Reasons Why Miri Should Be Your Next Long Weekend Travel Destination

by - April 04, 2017

Image from Tourism Malaysia
Peninsular Malaysia is the top long weekend travel destination for many Singaporeans who want to take a breather from the hustle and bustle of Singapore city life. With it’s abundance of delicious and cheap local cuisines to hundreds of superlative attractions…it’s not wonder that Malaysia draws in tourists from all over the globe. However, many of us have often settled for mainstream popular destinations such as Kuala Lumpur or Genting Highlands and neglected the other underrated gems that can be found in Eastern Malaysia.

Just across the sea from Singapore is Miri, a coastal city on the island of Borneo. Located in northeastern Sarawak, Miri boasts numerous tourist hotspots such as historical monuments, rainforests, local cuisines, shopping malls and luxury resorts.
An old apartment in Miri
Here are 6 reasons why you should mark Miri as your next go-to destination during that long weekend break.

1. Convenient flights

Traveling by air is the most comfortable and convenient way of getting from one place to another and traveling to Miri is no difference. While Malaysia Airlines provides daily international flights from Singapore to Miri via Kuching, AirAsia flies direct every Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. A direct flight to Miri takes only 2 hours 30 minutes, and an extra hour for those transiting at Kuching. Flight tickets are extremely affordable and can be bought for less than S$80 per person during off-peak seasons.

2. Visit the birthplace of civilization
Entrance to the Niah Cave
The Niah National Park is home to the Niah Cave, one of the earliest recorded human settlements dating back to 40,000 years ago. Located 100 km south-west of Miri, It features one of the world’s largest cave entrances, prehistoric cave paintings, primitive tools, and Palaeolithic and Neolithic burial sites.
A woman in a traditional Iban longhouse
Besides exploring the numerous jungle trails at the park, you can also visit the Iban longhouse, home to the once renowned and fearsome headhunters. But fear not as the practice has since faded since the arrival of the Europeans and the Ibans are now known as very friendly and welcoming people.

3. Reconnect with nature
Image from Tourism Malaysia
Just a 40-minute drive from downtown Miri is the Lambir Hills National Park, the most complex and diverse forest ecosystem on earth. Here you can follow the trekking trails leading to cooling bathing pools and sparkling waterfalls, or explore 237 different species of birds, flying squirrels, monkeys and gibbons.

4. Indulge at the Miri Marriot Resort and Spa
Image from Trip Advisor
For those of you who are not a fan of the outdoors, the Miri Marriot Resort & Spa is the perfect place for you to enjoy nature whilst being in the comfort of luxury. This 5-star spa resort is located 2 km from the city center and 8 km from the airport. Guests can enjoy the resort’s lovely garden and sandy beaches, as well as facilities including their lighted tennis courts, gym, swimming pools and sauna.

5. Treat your taste buds to the best Nasi Lemak in Miri
Nasi Lemak is a favorite local delicacy
While you’re in Miri it would be a sin not to visit Naga Liar (name meaning ‘Wild Dragon’), a shop serving the best Nasi Lemak in the city. Naga Liar started off humbly as a husband a wife team delivering Nasi Lemak to schools by motorcycle, and their growing popularity later led then to open a brick and mortal shop. Their Nasi Lemak Regular is priced at only RM4, and for a taste of heaven I’d say it’s more than worth it.

6. Witness history unfold
Image from Tourist Link
While Miri is full of historically important monuments, nothing beats the significance of the Grand Old Lady, Shell’s first drilled oil well in 22 December 1910. The oil well was also one of the very few structures spared from bombings and attacks during the Second World War. The importance of the Grand Old Lady in the petroleum history of Miri has made it a national monument and a protected historical site by the Sarawak Government today.

What are some of your favorite travel destinations? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!

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