|
-->
Miri [1] is a small city in northern Sarawak on the Malaysian island of Borneo. It has a population of about 300,000.
By itself, Miri city has much to offer to travellers with spectacular diving paradises, breathtaking national parks, frequent festivals and international events, multiracial and multicultural festive seasons, and plenty of delicious food. It also plays an important role as a transport hub for northern Sarawak, where interconnecting flights to the rural hinterlands of Borneo is crucial and available mainly from Miri. The city is the gateway to the Gunung Mulu National Park, which is a World Heritage Site, and the Kelabit Highlands of the interior of Sarawak. The Niah Cave, where it contains one of the oldest human remains in South East Asia, is located about 100km away. One may also use Miri as a transit point whether coming from or going to Brunei.
[edit] Understand
Malaysia's first oil well was dug here in 1910, and petroleum has continued to drive the city's economy and development ever since. The Sarawak Shell Berhad and Petronas Carigali are headquartered here. As a result, Miri has a cosmopolitan atmosphere as it hosts many expatriates from all over the world. These expats work in many of the multinational oil and gas giants that are headquartered in Miri.
Visitors are able to stop for transit here to change planes heading onward to Gunung Mulu National Park or the famous Kelabit Highlands.
Miri boasts of a very diversified 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.
Language is certainly not a problem here, as almost all locals are able to speak English and Mandarin. The main language is the Bahasa Sarawak which is a local Sarawakian language; it is similiar to Malay but with local slangs.
The people are quite helpful when it comes to direction or any help needed. A visitor's information centre located near the public bus stand is available for any further enquiries needed by visitors.
Miri will celebrate its third city status anniversary from 21st-23rd May 2008, where lots of events are being planned for May.
[edit] Get in
[edit] By plane
Miri Airport (MYY), which moved to a sparkling new facility in 2005, is a significant hub for central Borneo. From Peninsular Malaysia there are frequent flights from Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru on Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia. The airport is also connected to all major destinations in Malaysian Borneo, including Kuching and Kota Kinabalu.
- To/From Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia Airlines flies four times daily between Kuala Lumpur and Miri, with two stopping over at Kuching. AirAsia also flies direct non-stop three times daily.
- To/From Johor Bahru: AirAsia flies on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
- To/From Kuching: Malaysia Airlines flies three flights daily and AirAsia has one flight daily.
- To/From Kota Kinabalu: Malaysia Airline and AirAsia each have two flights daily. MASWings also puts on a Fokker flight on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Unfortunately, flights to Hong Kong have been suspended due to poor loads.
MASWings [2], which took over operations of the rural air service from FlyAsian Express on October 1, 2007, operates a web of flights to remote destinations in the interior, most notably Gunung Mulu National Park and Bario in the Kelabit Highlands. MASWings also links Miri with Limbang, Lawas and Labuan which will enable you to by-pass expensive Brunei. Go to their website to book flights on-line and check schedules.
- To/From Mulu: Daily flights departing Miri at 09:20 and 14:35, and departing Mulu at 10:10 and 15:25. Fare is RM84 one way before taxes and surcharges and there is no advance purchase discount. Flight time is 30 minutes. A Twin Otter flight also leaves Miri on Wednesdays and Sundays at 12:35 and returns from Mulu at 13:25. Fare is RM69 one way before taxes and surcharges and flight time is 35 minutes.
- To/From Bario: Two flights daily except for Monday when 1 flight only takes cargo. Journey time 50mins. One way fare cost approx RM70 before taxes and surcharges. One flight daily is via Mauraudi.
- To/From Labuan: Three Fokker flights daily. Flight time 40 minutes.
- To/From Lawas and Limbang: Several flights daily, with Twin Otters and Fokkers being used.
THIS INFORMATION IS OUT OF DATE. TO CHECK UPDATED FLIGHT SHEDULES SEE MASwings: flights
[edit] By bus
- To/From other Sarawak cities: Numerous bus companies such as Biaramas, Suria Bus Express and Borneo Highway Express link Miri with other Sarawak cities such as Kuching, Sibu and Bintulu. Most express buses depart from the Express Bus Terminal
- To/From Brunei: There are unfortunately no direct buses between Miri and Bandar Seri Begawan or any other Brunei city. The journey will have to include several bus changes. Miri-Belait Bus Company runs five buses between Miri and Kuala Belait in Brunei, with a change of buses at the Sungai Tujuh border checkpoint. The bus stops at a river which is crossed by boat, then a minbus takes you the final few kms to Kuala Belait.
From Kuala Belait, there are onward buses to Seria, where another change is necessary before you can get to Bandar Seri Begawan (BSB). As not all buses arrive on time for connections for the next leg of the journey, those planning to do the Miri-Bandar Seri Begawan (or vice-versa) run should start early. The buses leaving Miri at 7:00am and 10:00am are the only buses that will enable the Miri-BSB journey to be completed within one day. Buses arrive and depart from the Miri local bus terminal at Jalan Padang in the south of the town (not the long haul bus terminal outside of town). Having said that the whole journey takes c 5 hours.
Note that there have been reports that buses from Miri do not go all the way to the border and stop just before the Asean Bridge at Kuala Baram because of the high toll charge for using the bridge. You may have to use taxis to complete the final 5km between the bridge and the actual border.
- To/From Niah Caves: Bas Suria departs from the Miri Express Bus Terminal to Batu Niah town regularly. The journey takes over an hour. From Batu Niah, you can either take a speedboat or walk to the Niah National Park headquarters at Pengkalan Batu.
[edit] Geting around
Meet Miri to seek or share information on how to get around in this wonderful city.
To get around Miri City, Bus service are available. 24 hrs Taxi service is also available and can be reach by +6085432277, a higher fare will be apply after 12am.
- Grand Old Lady. More prosaically Miri Oil Well No. 1, this was Shell's first oil well (the company's, that is, not just in Malaysia) and has now been declared a national monument.
- Taman Selera . One of the most visited beach in Miri, a great place a sunday afternoon picnic as well as a place for families and friends to have fun.
- Tamu Muhibah. A market where fresh and exotic fruits are available.
-
-
- Lambir National Park, Enjoy the wonders of nature, take a hike in the park. Enjoy the scenery of the waterfall.
- 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.
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, 98000 Miri Sarawak, Malaysia. Tel: +6085432999 Fax: +6085422999
- The Imperial Mall, Jalan Pos, 98000 Miri Sarawak, Malaysia Tel: +6085431133 Fax:+6085431122
- Miri Heritage Centre, a place where you get a memorable souvenir of a local made handicrafts.
For a fabulous gastronomy experience, Miri is the place to try out all sorts of food. Depending on your budget, there are varieties of eatery that suits your budget well.
- Chinese Hawker center - Located on 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 the 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 and it is worth to try out there (THE FOOD PORTIONS ARE LARGE BUT THE TASTE IS SO SO. THE WAITER/WAITRESS PROVE TO BE A CHALLENGE WITH COMMUNICATION. ASK FOR THE BILL AND CHECK IT CAREFULLY, MANY REPORTED CASES OF OVERCHARGING).
- Double star - Serves Chinese, Western, Local and fusion cuisines.
- Cafe Miri - Serves Western food, Miri's Most famous place for excellent quality Western food.
- 2020 Cafe - This restaurant is always packed on Sunday morning, 2020 cafe is famous their dim sum. Be sure to be extra early to secure a seat there.
- Ming Cafe - Good Indian, Malaysian, Chinese and sea food. Searves Tgier Beer which is quite expensive at local prices but served cold in an ice cold glass. Works out cheaper to buy 4 cans in a jug. Very good Roti! Good service.
- Naga Liar - Serves a local Malaysian delicacy, Nasi Lemak together other local favourites as well
Tourist are encourage to try the Sarawakian authentic rice wine known as tuak, Tuak is usually served during the festive season which is also known as Gawai( The harvest festival). A part from that, if one is looking for a place to have a drink and some entertainment there are few places to go.
[edit] up to 3 star Budget Accommodation
Minda Guesthouse, 1st & 2nd floor, Lot 637, North Yu Seng Rd, 98000, Miri
http://www.mindaguesthouse.com
Brand new guesthouse with free breakfast, laundry facilities, free wifi, rooftop garden and 2lounges with flatscreen, mini library etc. Opening special until prehaps July 08, all rooms 25RM. Friendly staff and good location. Just tell the cabby Mega Hotel then it's less than a minutes walk from there.
- The Highlands Backpackers, Lot 1272 3rd Floor, MCLD, Block 9, Miri Waterfront 98000. Phone: +6085422327, email: highlan@streamyx.com, [3]. Comfortable backpackers hostel (25 RM/bed) located on the seafront with AC rooms, TV and internet (5RM/hour). Be careful with your belongings and think twice before leaving anything in storage, as it is occasionally burgled and the owner does not report these burglaries to the police. Used to be ran by a married couple now 1 lady who is not as friendly as she should be. Breakfast included means tea and toast so if you are the hungry type, buy some snaks in town. Conveniently situated above 'Wheels' bar which is nice. Imperial mall 2 minutes walk away.
- Million Inn. No 6, Jln Yu Seng Selatan, P.O Box 2200, Tel: +6085415077 Fax: +6085415085 Rates from RM50
- Miri Hotel. No 47, Jln Brooke, P.O Box 138, Tel:+6085421212 Fax: +6085412002. Rates from RM69
- Pacific Orient Hotel. No 49, Jln Brooke, 98000, Tel:+6085413333 Fax:+085410003.
- Park Hotel. P.O Box 241, Jln Raja, 98007, Tel:+6085414555 Fax:+6085414488. Rates from RM69
- Metro Inn. Lot 762. Parent Lot 529, Block 9, 1st Floor, Jln Merpati, Tel:+6085411663 Fax:+6085424663. Rates from 58
- Kingwood Inn Miri. Lot 826, Jln Yu Seng Selatan, Tel:+6085415888 Fax:+085415009. Rates From RM70
- Cosy Inn. Lot 545 - 547, Jln Yu Seng Selatan, Tel:+6085415522 Fax:+6085415155. Rate from RM48
[edit] 4-5 star Accomodation
- Miri Marriott Resort & Spa [4], Lot 779 Jalan Temenggong Datuk Oyong, Phone: +6085421121, Fax: +6085421099, Sales: +6085421121 ext. 7300 - 5-star full-service spa resort located at the coast 2 km from city center and 8 km from airport
Lovely gardens, nice pool, pool bar, food can be ordered from the pool and eaten at the swim-up bar. Basic but sandy beach, Meals are quite expensive but good quality although there is a nice food court 2 minutes walk from the marriot and visible from the garden. Its on the beach with choice of eateries and drinks, cheap and nice so long as it is not raining.
- Imperial Hotel [5], Jalan Pos, Tel: +6085431133, Fax: +6085431122. located at the center of Miri City adjoining the Imperial Mall which is a large air conditioned mall with 4 floors of shops, only 15 minutes away from airport by taxi
- Parkcity Everly Hotel[6], Jalan Temenggong Datuk Oyong Lawai, 98000 Miri , P.O Box 2295, 98008 Miri Sarawak Malaysia. Tel: +6085418888 Fax: +6085419999
- Grand Palace Hotel Tel: +6085428888
- Mega Hotel Tel: +6085432432
- Dynasty Hotel Tel: +6085421111
[edit] Get out
- Gunung Mulu National Park - home to one of Malaysia's grandest national parks, with immense caves and jagged mountains.
- Kelabit Highlands - A great place to go for culture, nature, walking, camping, survival skill camping, fishing etc.
|
|
