Top 14 Things to Do in Miri for All Kinds of Tourists
Miri is a city of multiple wonders like nature reserves, beaches, caves, diving sites, museums, and more! These points of interest make this city a perfect destination for those looking to experience countless hours of fun—does this sound like you?
Check out our guide below and discover the most exciting and interesting activities that Miri has to offer! Whether you’re a thrill-seeker, an avid architecture admirer, or anything in between, you’ll fancy something from our curated list–keep reading!
Bask in stunning views from Canada Hill
Address: Petronas Museum, Q659, 98000 Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia
Don’t get us wrong, it’s great to see Miri up close and personal. However, we must say that the best seat in the house to admire the city is at the top of Canada Hill.
Canada Hill is a limestone ridge that stands 150 metres high located at the east of Miri. The trail upwards is pretty easy and reaching its summit will treat you to unobstructed views of the city along with its surrounding areas.
You can even peep the South China Sea, which stretches as far as the eye can see–a picturesque sight indeed!
Insider tips:
- As much as possible, we recommend visiting this spot during sunrise or sunset to enjoy a much more scenic view.If you don’t want to hike up the hill, don’t worry! Several taxi cabs are waiting at the bottom for those looking for a quicker way to get to the summit.
Discover where Shell first drilled oil in the country
Address: The Grand Old Lady – Canada Hill, 98000 Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia
Contact details: +60 85-438 516
Located in Canada Hill, the Grand Old Lady is a significant structure that marks the first spot where Shell drilled their first oil in the country. The exact spot is now commemorated by a replica of the country’s first oil well, which stands 30 metres high.
It may not be as much of a looker but one could say that this very spot is one of the contributing factors to the country’s development. Without the discovery of oil in this place, there wouldn’t be any Petronas Twin Towers or Kuala Lumpur as a whole–pretty crazy to think about, right?
Trivia:
- Shell drilled its first oil in Malaysia on this spot way back in 1910 and has been a steady source of crude oil until 1972. Today, it doesn’t provide oil anymore and instead acts as one of the main attractions of Miri.
Sign up for a diving course
Address: Niah, Sarawak, Malaysia
If you’re looking for something more exciting to do, why not sign up for a diving course? After all, Miri and East Malaysia as a whole are known to house some of the best diving spots in the world!
Miri Sibuti Coral Reefs National Park is the ultimate diver’s paradise, featuring several diving centres and 40 different dive sites. Plus, these dive sites are protected so you can expect that marine life here is bustling with sea creatures!
Insider tips:
- Some of the sea creatures you’ll meet here will include lobsters, turtles, giant groupers and eels! If you’re lucky, you may even bump into whale sharks.
- You can book a dive package at Borneo Travel Network to enjoy a hassle-free trip to Miri Sibuti Coral Reefs National Park.
Be in awe of the blue tears phenomenon at Tusan Beach
Address: Exit Jalan Bekenu – Miri Coastal, 98150 Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia
The blue tears phenomenon that occurs at Tusan Beach is always a treat for the eyes–if you’re lucky enough to witness it that is. This rare occurrence only happens when a type of algae called dinoflagellates is disturbed, causing it to emit a luminous blue glow.
We’d recommend visiting the beach during sunset so that the glow would be more visible. Also, you may want to observe this stunning sight by the cliffs to get a full view of it–don’t forget to whip out your camera!
Insider tips:
- If all this travelling left you hungry, there’s a small fishing town that’s approximately 15 minutes away from that beach where you can feast on fresh seafood!
- The highest chance of witnessing this natural phenomenon is during high tide so make sure to check the sea conditions before visiting.
Uncover remnants of ancient civilisations at Gua Niah
Address: 98200 Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia
Contact details: +60 85-417 130
Operating hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Entrance fee:
- Adult (aged 18 years old and above): RM20
- Person with disability: RM10
- Child (aged 6 to 17 years old): RM7
Gua Niah is one of the best caves for spelunking in Malaysia for two main reasons: beauty and significance. For starters, this cave is widely known for its sprawling chambers, each of which features amazing natural wonders like stalagmites and stalactite formations.
As for its significance, the cave used to be a place of residency for an ancient civilisation and you can even see some remnants in the form of cave paintings. If that’s not enough to reel you into this cave, it’s also here where they found the oldest human skeleton in Malaysia.
Insider tips:
- This series of caverns is quite massive, so be sure to allot at least a day if you’re planning on seeing every crevice of it. There are chalets, tents and other accommodation options on Niah National Park’s premises for overnight stays.
- The quickest way to get to the caves from the city centre is via taxi or a rental car. This trip will take approximately one and a half hours.
Admire geological wonders at Mulu National Park
Website: https://mulupark.com
Address: Sarawak, Malaysia
Contact details: +60 85-792 300
Operating hours: Daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Entrance fee:
- Foreign adult: RM30
- Foreign child: RM10
- Malaysian adult: RM15
- Malaysian senior: RM7
- Malaysian child: RM5
Nature lovers and thrill seekers will get a kick out of visiting Mulu National Park, as it mixes natural landscapes with exciting activities. One of the best sights at this park is the Pinnacles of Mount Api, which are these otherworldly-looking spiky cliffs–perfect for posting on Instagram!
Another example of this park’s uniqueness is Gua Air Jernih, which is the 9th longest cave in the world. Also known as Clearwater Cave, this cavern has a natural river flowing through it that looks straight out of a fairytale book.
Lastly, the park also houses Deer Cave, which is known as the largest cave passage in the world–completing it will give you bragging rights for life!
Insider tips:
- For a more seamless visit, we recommend checking out Mulu Park’s “Plan Your Trip” section. Here, you can see the rates as well as the things you can expect from the trip such as weather, peak season and more.
Cross a rainforest canopy skywalk
If you’re looking for an activity that doesn’t involve tight caverns in Mulu National Park, don’t worry! You can enjoy equally stunning views when you cross its rainforest canopy skywalk.
Walking through this scenic bridge will let you admire various kinds of flora in Gulu National Park’s many forests. Plus, thanks to the canopy walk’s elevated nature, you can get a perfect bird’s eye view of the surrounding lush greenery!
Trivia:
- Mulu National Park’s canopy walk measures 480 metres, making it the longest tree-based walkway in the world!
- You can also spot different kinds of birds like brown-back needletails, waterfall swifts, white-breasted waterhens and more.
Meet friendly hornbills at Piasau Nature Reserve
Website: https://piasaunaturereserve.com.my
Address: Lot 1274, Jalan Peninsula, 98000 Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia
Contact details: +6085-644 487
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Weekends: Open 24 hours
Sarawak is dubbed “The Land of the Hornbills” because of their presence in the city. However, there’s no better way to see them than visiting Piasau Nature Reserve, where they’re being protected.
It consists of three zones, but we recommend zone 3 the most, especially if you’re visiting with your family. This zone is called the visitor centre and it’s where you’ll find a picnic spot, a playground, and of course, hornbills roaming freely.
Lastly, this nature reserve also features 2 different trails: the Community Trail and the Faridah Loop. The former is for beginners while the latter is more challenging but rewarding, as it’s where you’ll spot majestic birds and slithering snakes.
Insider tips:
- If you’re planning to trek the Faridah Loop, make sure to wear boots or sandals that can get wet. Furthermore, be sure to be quiet during the trek so that you don’t scare away the birds and snakes!
Go on an outdoor adventure at Lambir Hills National Park
Address: 1-76, Bintulu – Miri Hwy, 98000 Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia
Contact details: +60 11-6572 9433
Operating hours: Daily from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM
For those looking to experience the great outdoors, we recommend checking out Lambir Hills National Park. This beautiful place will satisfy your wanderlust, as it lets you explore multiple jungles and waterfalls!
Your trekking skills will be put to the test here but don’t worry, as you’ll be rewarded in the form of beautiful views! Among these views, our favourite one is the Pantu Waterfall, which features different colours in its water because of a natural chemical reaction.
We also want to note that you don’t need a guide to trek this park, as the trails are well-marked–so channel your inner Indiana Jones!
Insider tips:
- It should go without saying, but be sure to wear outdoor shoes, preferably waterproof ones. The trails here consist of various ups and downs and they can get slippery at times.
- Be on the lookout for some majestic feathered friends! This park is known to house birds such as Bornean bristleheads, garnet pitta, and green broadbills.
Stroll along Tanjung Lobang Beach
Address: 98000 Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia
Tanjung Lobang Beach may not be suitable for swimming, but it does provide you with first-class seats to beautiful sunsets! It’s arguably the best place to chill and wind down after a day of travelling, as the beach vibes will relax you almost instantly.
Plus, you’ll get to feast on delicious seafood as well! Just head over to Taman Selera and order anything you want from prawns to fish, lobsters, and more.
Insider tip:
- To see an extra special view of the sunset, head to one of the 2 small piers that stretches towards to ocean. You’ll see a picturesque sight where the orange sun bleeds seamlessly into the sea.
Disconnect from the hustle and bustle at Bario Highlands
Address: Sarawak, Malaysia
If you came to Miri to disconnect from your daily hustle and bustle, we recommend stopping by Bario Highlands during your visit. There’s no better place to get off the grid than this remote village, filled with paddy fields and mountain ranges.
It’s a great place to reconnect with nature after being in the city for so long. You’ll get to witness the simple farm life and enjoy waking up every day to cold misty mornings–sounds amazing, right?
Lastly, there are also some beginner trekking trails here that you can stop by! These trails are particularly pleasant to trek thanks to the highlands’ breezy weather.
Insider tip:
- If you’re a foodie, we recommend visiting in July, as it’s when the Bario Food Festival is held where you can enjoy different local delicacies.
Drink and admire sunsets at Sky Garden Dining Miri
Address: Meritz Hotel 17th Floor, Lot 1079, Block 9, MCLD, Jalan Miri Pujut, 98000 Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia
Contact details: +60 11-2501 0227
Operating hours: 2:00 PM to 12:00 AM
Located on the 17th floor of Meritz Hotel, Sky Garden Dining Miri is a premiere nightlife spot for locals and tourists alike. It’s not hard to see why, as it has everything you need for a memorable night like good music, delicious cocktails, and neon lights–what more could you ask for?
If your answer to that rhetorical question is beautiful views, you’re in for a treat! Thanks to its elevated location, this bar is also able to provide its party-goers with beautiful views of Miri as well as the South China Sea.
Insider tip:
- Aside from drinks, we also recommend trying out their fixed-price steamboat package, which lets you cook various kinds of meat and vegetables in flavoured soup!
- Try to time your visit at around 5:00 PM to witness an unobstructed view of the sunset.
Shop for souvenirs at the Handicraft Centre
Address: Jalan Brooke, Miri Handicraft Centre, 98000 Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia
Contact details: +60 11-2501 0227
Operating hours:
- Wednesday to Monday: 10 :00 AM to 2:30 PM, 5:30 PM to 10:30 PM
- Tuesday: Closed
Once you’re ready to leave the city, be sure to make a quick pit stop at the Handicraft Centre to buy souvenirs! Here, you’ll find an assortment of the best traditional handicrafts of Malaysia and the best part is that they’re affordable–shopping, anyone?
It’s not hard to fall in love with this place, as you’ll be greeted by a myriad of colourful products that showcase the locals’ craftsmanship. Some of the most common things you’ll find here are woven products such as handbags, clothes, mats, etc.
Insider tip:
- Try to visit around the evening, as they sometimes hold cultural performances during this time.
- Aside from familiarising yourself with local handicrafts, you can also get a chance to meet the state’s indigenous communities while you’re here.
Admire Miri’s most elegant temple, San Ching Tian
Address: Jln Chong Poh, 98000 Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia
To say that San Ching Tian temple is beautiful is an understatement. A much more fitting word would be extravagant, as it features some of the most elegant design elements we’ve seen in any place of worship.
You don’t even have to enter the temple itself to get an idea of how grandiose the structure is. Its facade is dotted with intricate decorations like dragon figures and bright colours–two elements that are staples of oriental design.
Meanwhile, the interior is a much different beast, as it’s filled with bronze statues of religious icons.
Trivia:
- San Chin Tian opened its doors in 2000 and since then, it has been one of the main attractions to see in Miri.