Young children may struggle to keep pace with the extreme nature of the outdoor activities in Sarawak, but older kids should find this region as exciting and engaging as anything they’ll ever see on television. Outdoor recreation is the main attraction here, with everything from longboat rides through the jungle to check out the wildlife and indigenous tribes, to beaches with excellent swimming and snorkelling.

Beaches
With more than 435 miles (700kms) of coastline, Sarawak offers dozens of amazing beach sites ideal for swimming and playing in the sand. A good place to start is Damai Beach near Santubong, where there are several resorts and good amenities. Damai is also where you can catch a boat to the Satang Besar islands, a sanctuary for green sea turtles. Other pristine beaches are found around Semantan, Siar, Bandung and Penyok, while Miri is popular for visitors and locals alike.

Cat Museum
If your kids love cats, then you’ll want to take an afternoon and visit the Cat Museum in the northern suburbs of Kuching (Kuching means ‘cat’ in Malay). Paintings, statues, and photos of cats from around the world, as well as a giant cat statue designed to be climbed on should interest the kids. The museum is located on Jalan Padungan, Kuching.

Matang Wildlife Centre
This wonderful centre in Kubah National Park is the best place to get up close and personal with the charming orangutans which live in Sarawak. Within its natural setting, kids can watch older orangutans playing in the trees and even hold a baby orangutan under the supervision of park staff. The Wildlife Centre has nature trails, waterfalls and swimming holes to round off the experience. Phone: +60 82 225012.

Sarawak Cultural Village
This living museum is the ideal spot to expose kids to the amazing cultural diversity of Sarawak. This theme park has recreated the longhouses of all the region’s main indigenous tribes. Inside each house, members of the tribes show off their specific talents which include music, dance, sport and handicrafts. The locals are friendly and love children, and will happily tell them folk tales under the wooden roofs of their houses. The village is located in Pantai Damai, Santubong. Phone: +60 82 846411.

Sarawak has a cultural diversity that is only rivaled by its natural splendor. With some 27 different indigenous tribes still living a traditional life in their native environments, there are ample choices when it comes to cultural adventures. Numerous tours companies are located in the region and offer the best chance to visit one of these traditional villages, making them one of Sarawak’s most popular tourist excursions. In addition, Kuching has some good museums if you want to brush up on the local culture before striking out.

Kuching Bazaar
Kuching’s main bazaar is a major highlight along the city’s riverfront walkway. This is an excellent place to look for antiques and local handicrafts among the dozens of small shops. Other popular items for sale include t-shirts, souvenirs and artwork. Even if you just browse, the atmosphere here is wonderful.

Sarawak Cultural Village
If you want a taste of Sarawak’s many indigenous tribes but don’t have time to visit them all, a visit to this impressive cultural village is the way to go. Traditional longhouses from many of Sarawak’s main tribes have been constructed around a natural lagoon. Visitors can wander around the park and enter each longhouse, where real tribe members in traditional dress display their unique arts and crafts, and tell stories. Twice each day the whole park comes together for a cultural performance highlighting the dance and music of each tribe. This is also where the annual Rainforest World Music Festival is held each July. The village is located in Pantai Damai, Santubong. Phone: +60 82 846411.

Fort Margherita and the Astana
Just across the river from the Square Tower in Kuching are these two architectural relics from the glorious days of the White Rajas. Fort Margherita was built in 1870 to protect the city, and remains intact and powerful-looking. The neighbouring Astana was the home of the second Raja of Sarawak. Today the governor lives here, but visitors are welcome to stroll the extensive gardens. Boats ferry visitors across the Sarawak River, offering great views of the buildings along the way. Phone: +60 82 244232.

Sarawak Islamic Museum
A visit to this small museum in Kuching will shed some light on the history of Islam in Sarawak and Southeast Asia. An excellent collection of Muslim artefacts backed by informative displays will keep you thoroughly engaged. Local customs and other interesting facts are also highlighted here. Visitors are requested to dress conservatively when visiting the museum, which is located on Jalan P Ramlee. Phone: +60 82 244232.

Sarawak Museum
The two wings of this important cultural museum exhibit the history, geography and natural highlights of Sarawak. The museum is a great site to learn more about the many cultures which call Sarawak home, as well as to gain insight into the state’s unique colonial past and modern history. Wildlife exhibits will give you an idea of what is waiting out in the jungles, and the exterior gardens make a lovely place to relax. The museum is located on Jalan Tun Haji Openg in Kuching. Phone: +60 82 244232.

Square Tower
This aptly-named tower was originally a prison camp when it was built in 1879, but today the riverfront landmark serves as a useful information centre for tourists. Climb to the top for splendid views over Kuching and the surrounding countryside, then go for a stroll along the river where the locals sell food and souvenirs. The Square Tower has all the information you need on Kuching’s cultural performances and other special events. The centre is located on Jalan Gambier, near the riverfront in Kuching. Phone: +60 82 426093.

Tua Pek Kong Temple
The oldest Chinese temple in Sarawak was built around 1843 and is still active today. Sitting at the crossroads near the river in Kuching, local Chinese residents pay visits to the shrine every day giving the scene plenty of flavour. The walls have colourful murals covered with tumbling dragons, which help to create a serene ambience. The temple is located on Jalan Padungan in Kuching.

Thanks to the numerous cultural influences, the cuisine in Sarawak is both creative and delicious. Eating is serious business around here, whether you dine at the nicest restaurants or the most humble street-side stalls. In general, the food in Sarawak is spicy, so if you enjoy that Asian heat you’ll be in heaven. The sauces used in local favourites often incorporate fruit and exotic spices, adding a unique zip to any meat dish. The seafood in Sarawak is also top notch, courtesy of its long coastline.

There are lots of options when it comes to eating out in Sarawak. Coffee shops, food centres and restaurants serve up a range of Sarawak, Chinese, Indian, Indonesian, Western and Japanese fare. Kuching by far has the most developed dining scene, but excellent food can be found in every town and resort area. One of the best ways to experience local cooking in a local environment is to hit the open-air hawker stalls. Kuching’s Satok Market is the most authentic and vibrant outlet, but the capital also boasts a handful of food courts which offer more modern versions of the outdoor market. Check out Top Spot Food Court and New Ala Carte Food Court if you need some air-con to go with your noodles. If you’re in Kuching on a Sunday, hit the Sunday Open Market, a fresh produce scene during the day and a food stall haven after dusk.

Most of the dishes in Sarawak are based around noodles or rice. Each serving is presented in a small bowl with soup on the side. You can see the locals using a spoon in their left hand and chopsticks in their right to scoop the food into their mouths. Seafood from the South China Sea is readily available everywhere in Sarawak. A bewildering array of local fish is often on the menu, including some unusual ones such as pomphret, terubok and kurau. Restaurants serve fish in every way imaginable: steamed, grilled, baked, fried or curried, and you can bet that the classic spicy sambal sauce will be on the side. Prawns, squid, clams and other ocean delicacies are also plentiful and fresh.

In addition to the seafood, Sarawak has some excellent local dishes that must be tried. Fans of ceviche will want to taste umai, a traditional Melanau dish made with slices of raw fish marinated in lime and served with a chili sauce. Sarawak laksa is one of the most popular noodle dishes in the region. The sweet coconut sauce and unusual spices give it an amazing zing. Kolo mee is a simpler noodle dish found in every shop, and it’s just as tasty as the laksa. For those with a sweet tooth, a piece of Sarawak layer cake, an elaborate specialty of the region, is a must. Sarawak’s local rice whiskey is known as tuak, and can be found in every longhouse, café and mini-mart.

If you tire of the amazing Sarawak cuisine, Kuching has all the standard Western fast food joints although you can expect high prices.

Shopping in Sarawak consists mainly of the lovely selection of tribal handicrafts produced by its many indigenous people. The Iban women create stunning double-woven fabric illustrated with hypnotic patterns known as pua kumbu. This craft is perhaps the most beautiful creation in the region, and is made into sarongs, clothing, carpets and wall hangings. The kain songket style of weaving gold and silver threads into fabric is another highlight for shoppers.

Pottery is another good buy in Sarawak. There are two main types on offer: those created by the Iban, Kelabit and Murut tribes and the other by Chinese potters. A wide assortment of ceramic items can be bought, both decorative and practical. Woodcarving is also a staple handicraft in Sarawak. Everything from wooden spoons to ironwood guardian statues are carved, but the lovely wooden bowls, ritual masks and Iban hunting charms are particular favourites among visitors looking for exotic souvenirs.

Sarawak's’ indigenous people have a long history of using beads for both adornment and ceremonies. This tradition has evolved into some of the finest artwork available in Sarawak, especially if you visit the tribe’s longhouses. Bamboo boxes and rattan mats and baskets are also fun, cheap buys.

There are three main shopping complexes in Kuching where many of these crafts can be found: Sarawak Plaza, Parkson Grand and Tun Jugah. The bazaar along the waterfront is another good place to hunt for souvenirs. Prices are cheap for most items although you should expect to pay more for the really exquisite weavings and beadwork.

Almost every activity in Sarawak involves being outdoors in one way or another, so visitors should come prepared. Apart from the tribal longhouse tours which involve a river cruise, a jungle trek and a bit of exertion, visitors can enjoy beach and sea activities as well as some amazing spelunking opportunities in the interior. There’s no shortage of outdoor activity, though most of it is on the rugged, adventurous side.

Jungle Treks
The dozen or so national parks in Sarawak each offer world-class nature experiences. Highlights include walking among orangutans, searching for the world’s largest flower and marvelling at the myriad alien creatures which call Borneo home. Visitors can take easy walks or hire a guide and go right into the jungle. These treks are a big industry in Sarawak, so the sky is the limit.

Scuba diving
There is some amazing diving and snorkelling off the northern coast of Sarawak. The possibilities are only limited by your time and desire, as everything from WWII shipwrecks to whale shark dives are available in the area. Sarawak has been actively preserving and promoting its underwater resources, creating a beautiful and uncrowded diving environment.

Spelunking
Sarawak is blessed with some of the planet’s finest caving thanks to the extensive limestone which permeates the island. Gunung Mulu National Park is the best place to start your underground explorations, as this is home to the world’s largest single cavern as well as the longest cave passage in Southeast Asia. Caves can be found in virtually every national park in Sarawak, offering both easy jaunts and hardcore spelunking.