Miri

Malaysia

Marina Bay, Miri Miri, the second largest city in Sarawak (with a population of about 300,000), is on its northern coast near the border with Brunei. Known by its nickname "Oil Town", Miri is the birthplace of the Malaysian petroleum industry, as the city was founded in 1910 when the first oil well was drilled by Royal Dutch Shell. Petroleum has continued to drive the city's economy and development ever since.

Miri is the main tourist gateway to various national parks, which makes it a favourite ecotourism destination and can be arguably called the "Resort City".

The Sarawak Shell Berhad and Petronas Carigali are headquartered here. As a result, Miri has a cosmopolitan whiff as it hosts expatriates from all over the world. These expats work in many of the multinational oil and gas giants that are headquartered in Miri.

Visitors stop for transit here to change planes before heading onward to Gunung Mulu National Park or the famous Kelabit Highlands.

Miri boasts a diverse population, which consists of Chinese, Malay, Iban, Bidayuh, Melanau, Kelabit, Lun Bawang and many other ethnic groups. International students from a foreign university campus based here and expatriates from international corporations add much spice to Miri as well.

Almost all locals speak a tiny smattering of English, along with Mandarin. The main language is Bahasa Sarawak, which is a local Sarawakian language; it is similar to Malay but with local slang.

Miri celebrated its fifth city status anniversary on 20th May 2010.

The people are quite helpful when it comes to directions or any help needed. A visitor's information centre is available downtown for any further enquiries:

Visitors' Information Centre, Jalan Melayu and Jalan Padang. M–F 08:00–17:00, Sa Su holidays 09:00–15:00.

Grand Old Lady and the Petroleum Museum.

Taman Selera.

Tamu Muhibah.

  • Esplanade Beach. Local's favourite beach front located at Luak Bay. Miri's beaches are nothing to shout about, but if you really want to go to the beach, this would be your best bet.
  • San Ching Tian Temple. Largest Taoist temple in South East Asia.
  • Canada Hill, Go for an extreme hike on the jungle treks of Canada Hill. Every evening a group of trekkers or anyone else would go there for hike. It's a test of endurance but yet a healthy activity since you will be burning a lot of calories for that. However, slopes can get slippery during the rainy season, so always be careful and be prepared.
  • Dive near Miri. Dive in the unspoiled coral gardens near Miri. CO.CO.DIVE (Miri trusted dive operator) and Red Monkey Divers (The always cheerful Steve) organizes day trips from the Miri Marina.
  • Eastwood Valley Golf & Country Club, Lot 1379, Block 17, Jalan Miri By Pass, +6 (085) 421010. Latest Golf attraction in Sarawak. TeeTimes Malaysia's Top 10 Golf Courses.

Pantu Waterfall Lambir Hills National Park. is some 30km south of Miri. Enjoy the wonders of nature and take a hike in the park. There are plenty of impressive tall trees, interesting bird songs, and several big and small picturesque waterfalls in the part so enjoy the scenery of the waterfalls where you can swim as well. If you have keen eyes you may also spot frogs, lizards, and other wildlife. The park is popular at weekends when people from Miri travel there for a day visit. For longer stays, visitors can book one of several chalets. At the park headquarters there's a shop with snacks, drinks, and simple MYR5 hot meals.

There are several hiking trails for visitors to explore. These range from short and fairly flat walks to the long, challenging, and steep trek to the summit of Bukit Lambir, the tallest point in the park. If heading towards the peak, bring plenty of water, and turn back if it starts to rain, because the streams can flood dangerously.

File-eared tree frog Cost to enter the park is MYR 20/person (MYR 7 for children 7–18, free for 6 and under; prices updated 2019). Bring your passport or a photocopy—you need it to enter the park. The trails are open 8AM–4PM, but arrive as close to 8AM as you can to beat the midday heat for a short hike or to have enough time for a long hike—you have to be back at headquarters by 4PM.

Getting to the park takes 30 minutes by car or an hour by bus—buses en route to Bintulu may drop you at the park entrance gate however may charge full fare MYR 25. It's also easy enough to take a taxi or a Grab to the park, but getting back can be tricky, as you won't find any taxis hanging around to pick you up. So either arrange a specific time for the taxi to come back and get you, or plan to take a bus back. The buses run once an hour, more or less; you can wait at the bus stop at the side of the road and flag one down to get back to Miri for MYR 10. Alternatively you can take the bus the other direction to head to Bintulu or Niah National Park.

Bring more water than you think you'll need. It's humid!

Esplanade Beach. Local's favourite beach front located at Luak Bay. Miri's beaches are nothing to shout about, but if you really want to go to the beach, this would be your best bet.

San Ching Tian Temple. Largest Taoist temple in South East Asia.

Canada Hill, Go for an extreme hike on the jungle treks of Canada Hill. Every evening a group of trekkers or anyone else would go there for hike. It's a test of endurance but yet a healthy activity since you will be burning a lot of calories for that. However, slopes can get slippery during the rainy season, so always be careful and be prepared.

Dive near Miri. Dive in the unspoiled coral gardens near Miri. CO.CO.DIVE (Miri trusted dive operator) and Red Monkey Divers (The always cheerful Steve) organizes day trips from the Miri Marina.

Eastwood Valley Golf & Country Club, Lot 1379, Block 17, Jalan Miri By Pass, +6 (085) 421010. Latest Golf attraction in Sarawak. TeeTimes Malaysia's Top 10 Golf Courses.

There are three major shopping malls to shop around in Miri City, During the weekends Bruneians and Sarawakians from Bintulu, Bekenu, Niah would come down for shopping.

  • Boulevard Shopping Complex, Lot 2528, Jalan Boulevard Utama, Boulevard Commercial Centre, +60 85432999.
  • The Imperial Mall, Jalan Pos, +60 85431133.
  • Bintang Plaza
  • Miri Heritage Centre, a place where you get a memorable souvenir of a local made handicrafts.

Boulevard Shopping Complex, Lot 2528, Jalan Boulevard Utama, Boulevard Commercial Centre, +60 85432999.

The Imperial Mall, Jalan Pos, +60 85431133.

Bintang Plaza

Miri Heritage Centre, a place where you get a memorable souvenir of a local made handicrafts.

For a fabulous gastronomical experience, Miri is the place to try out all sorts of food. Depending on your budget, there is a variety of eateries around.

  • Cafenika & Catering, 437 G Jln Bendahara (Located very near to Mega Hotel, next to the Dr Aziz Dental building., +60 8-5424600. Serves local Halal Malaysian dishes, and various types of Western cuisine. Must try: Chicken Chop, Nasi Briyani, Nasi Lemak, Mee Kolok. They also provide catering services for weddings and other occasions.
  • Chinese Hawker Center - Located in the hub of the city center next to the Chinese wet market. You can get the best local food here day and night. For breakfast, the milk tea is the best, particularly at some stalls. The curry rice, fried rice noodles, dried noodles and laksa (spicy rice noodles) are dishes that you should not miss. Moreover, at night, the porridge and dried noodles with steamed chicken are the must-eat.

Chen Kee Hainan Chicken Rice- Miri famous Chinese dishes, traditional steamed Chicken rice, located at krokop 10, Tokyo Restaurant. It's delicious, Fresh, Cheap.

  • Siamese Secrets - Serves Western, Chinese, Thai, Mexican, and local cuisines. Portions are huge.
  • Double Star - Serves Chinese, Western, Local and fusion cuisines.
  • Cafe Miri - Serves Western food and is undoubtedly Miri's most famous place for quality Western food.
  • 2020 Cafe - This restaurant is always packed on Sunday mornings. Famous for their dim sum. Be sure to get there extra early to secure a seat.
  • Ming Cafe - Good Indian, Malaysian, Chinese and sea food. Serves Tiger Beer which is quite expensive at local prices but served cold in an ice cold glass. Good service. Try Laksa in Ming Cafe which is very delicious and is comparable to the Laksa in Kuching. Also highly recommended is the Roti!
  • Naga Liar - Serves a local Malaysian delicacy, Nasi Lemak together other local favourites as well
  • 8 Lotus Cafe, 751-752 Jalan Merpati (opposite imperial mall, +60 85-418 659. Serves varieties of Asian and some Western food, coffee and beer.
  • Fratini's - Serves Italian food and is located near the Boulevard Shopping Complex.
  • Pete's Deli - A cozy Australian-styled deli with authentic Western food. Their oxtail stew, lamb shank and pies are bestsellers. Located opposite SMK Chung Hua.
  • Marina Bay Seafood Restaurant - A new restaurant with intricate architecture and an amazing view of the sea. Pick your seafood fresh from the tanks. Open for lunch and dinner. Located at the Marina Bay, next to an gigantic, iconic seahorse statue.
  • Sun City - Good selection of food and drink, indoor and outdoor seating, nice furnishings and great outdoor feel but fully covered with canvas with huge fans.
  • Shiki Japanese Restaurant, Boulevard Commercial Centre (Just Opposite the Boulevard Mall, +60 84-422323. The place where you can get the most authentic Japanese Cuisine, at the most affordable price and great atmosphere. Call today for reservations.
  • Kent's Garden - A bistro area for great ambience to dine and drink. Located at Lutong Baru.

Cafenika & Catering, 437 G Jln Bendahara (Located very near to Mega Hotel, next to the Dr Aziz Dental building., +60 8-5424600. Serves local Halal Malaysian dishes, and various types of Western cuisine. Must try: Chicken Chop, Nasi Briyani, Nasi Lemak, Mee Kolok. They also provide catering services for weddings and other occasions.

Chinese Hawker Center - Located in the hub of the city center next to the Chinese wet market. You can get the best local food here day and night. For breakfast, the milk tea is the best, particularly at some stalls. The curry rice, fried rice noodles, dried noodles and laksa (spicy rice noodles) are dishes that you should not miss. Moreover, at night, the porridge and dried noodles with steamed chicken are the must-eat.

Siamese Secrets - Serves Western, Chinese, Thai, Mexican, and local cuisines. Portions are huge.

Double Star - Serves Chinese, Western, Local and fusion cuisines.

Cafe Miri - Serves Western food and is undoubtedly Miri's most famous place for quality Western food.

2020 Cafe - This restaurant is always packed on Sunday mornings. Famous for their dim sum. Be sure to get there extra early to secure a seat.

Ming Cafe - Good Indian, Malaysian, Chinese and sea food. Serves Tiger Beer which is quite expensive at local prices but served cold in an ice cold glass. Good service. Try Laksa in Ming Cafe which is very delicious and is comparable to the Laksa in Kuching. Also highly recommended is the Roti!

Naga Liar - Serves a local Malaysian delicacy, Nasi Lemak together other local favourites as well

8 Lotus Cafe, 751-752 Jalan Merpati (opposite imperial mall, +60 85-418 659. Serves varieties of Asian and some Western food, coffee and beer.

Fratini's - Serves Italian food and is located near the Boulevard Shopping Complex.

Pete's Deli - A cozy Australian-styled deli with authentic Western food. Their oxtail stew, lamb shank and pies are bestsellers. Located opposite SMK Chung Hua.

Marina Bay Seafood Restaurant - A new restaurant with intricate architecture and an amazing view of the sea. Pick your seafood fresh from the tanks. Open for lunch and dinner. Located at the Marina Bay, next to an gigantic, iconic seahorse statue.

Sun City - Good selection of food and drink, indoor and outdoor seating, nice furnishings and great outdoor feel but fully covered with canvas with huge fans.

Shiki Japanese Restaurant, Boulevard Commercial Centre (Just Opposite the Boulevard Mall, +60 84-422323. The place where you can get the most authentic Japanese Cuisine, at the most affordable price and great atmosphere. Call today for reservations.

Kent's Garden - A bistro area for great ambience to dine and drink. Located at Lutong Baru.

Tourists are encouraged to try the Sarawakian authentic rice wine known as 'tuak'. 'Tuak' is usually served during festive seasons, especially during Gawai (the Harvest Festival celebrated by the Ibans). Apart from that, if one is looking for a place for drinks and some entertainment, there are few places to go.

  • Passion Corner, 856,Jalan Permaisuri (opposite Jackson's Motor, +60 85-423213. nice environment, Chinese style, place for relaxing and gathering..

Passion Corner, 856,Jalan Permaisuri (opposite Jackson's Motor, +60 85-423213. nice environment, Chinese style, place for relaxing and gathering..

Laundromats are scattered around downtown.

  • TALLY Laundry Services, on Jalan Merbau between Jalan Brooke and Jalan South Yu Seng. RM 10-15 to wash and dry a load (2019); detergent is included.

TALLY Laundry Services, on Jalan Merbau between Jalan Brooke and Jalan South Yu Seng. RM 10-15 to wash and dry a load (2019); detergent is included.

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