ZCOOP: 6 Reasons Why Miri Should Be Your Next Long Weekend Travel Destination
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| 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.
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| 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
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| 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.
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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
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| 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!
Love this post? Feel free to share and comment below or check out this article on ZCOOP here.
Love this post? Feel free to share and comment below or check out this article on ZCOOP here.
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