Miri, Sarawak

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Welcome to my Miri Travel Guide, created specially for the benefit of independent travellers on a budget, with useful information on where to get inexpensive accommodation in the city.

About Miri

Miri is a city in Sarawak. It is located in the Miri District, which covers an area of 4704 sq km within the Miri Division. The main part of the city is located on a tongue of land wrapped around by the Miri River. With a population of 300,000, Miri is the second largest city in Sarawak after Kuching. It was the 9th town to be given city status on 20 May, 2005. The Pan Borneo Highway passes through Miri, connecting it with other major towns of Sarawak as well as with Brunei and Sabah.

Miri is where Malaysia's petroleum industry began in 1910, when the first oil well was drilled there by Shell. That oil well is today a state monument and a local attraction. The first oil refinery in Malaysia, also built by Shell, was located in Lutong, near Miri, in 1914. Today, with the growth of Miri, Lutong is absorbed as a suburb.

Apart from petroleum, the city is also a centre for timber, oil palm and tourism. Miri is the gateway to Gunung Mulu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are also other national parks nearby, including Loagan Bunut National Park, Lambir Hills National Park and Niah National Park. The sea off Miri has also been recently discovered for its coral reefs. The seahorse has been selected as the mascot of Miri, and sculptures of seahorse can be seen in various parts of the city.

Miri was granted city status in 2005, making it the first non-capital town in Malaysia to become a city. This forward looking town has always had its sight globally, as reflected in the choice of names for many of its local sights and attractions.

Getting there

The new terminal of Miri Airport opened in 2005, putting Miri on the map as the hub for central Borneo. The airport is served by regular flights by Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia linking it to Kuching, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru. In addition, MASWings provide connections with rural destinations including Gunung Mulu National Park, Bario, Limbang, Lawas and Labuan.

Miri Road Names

Click on Miri Road Names for alphabetical list of roads in Miri.

Top Attractions Near Miri

Mulu Caves

Places of Interest in Miri

Beaches in Miri

Shopping in Miri

Miri Neighbourhoods

What to do in Miri

The following are some of the activities available in Miri. Check with a local tour operator.

Caving: Miri is the gateway to Gunung Mulu National Park, home to Mulu Caves
Hiking: Also within Gunung Mulu National Park is the Pinnacles
Diving: There is a Japanese World War II shipwreck called Atago Maru located off the long jetty south of the city. Another dive spot is the Kenyalang artificial reef created in 2004.
Whitewater Rafting: This is available on the upper Baram River.
Mountain Biking: The Miri Mountain Bike Club (Tel: 085 423589) organises regular biking trips