Sibu

Introduction I An Ethnic Kaleidoscope I Sibu I Kapit I Sarikei I
Belaga I Exploring The Rejang

Sibu, 130km from the South China Sea, is Sarawak's second largest town, the main port and commercial centre of the Rejang basin, and the starting point for exploring the river. Sibu was founded at the turn of the century by Foochow migrants from Southern China, and is often referred to as 'New Foochow.' The town's Chinese roots are still very apparent, particularly the bustling waterfront, which is dominated by the beautiful seven-storey Pagoda and the century-old Tua Pek Kong Temple.

Sibu's town centre is very compact and is crammed with countless small shops selling everything from chic designer fashions to indigenous handicrafts and Sarawak pottery. It also has the liveliest pasar malam (night market) in Sarawak, with hundreds of stalls offering everything from clothing to a wide variety of local delicacies such as stuffed dumplings, barbecued fish and duck and delicious Malay and Chinese cakes. Sit-down dinners are also well catered for with a choice of hawker stalls, coffee shops, plush air-conditioned Chinese restaurants, hotel outlets and Western fast-food restaurants.

Sights worth seeing include the Rejang Esplanade,a landscaped waterfront park built on reclaimed land; the SMC New Market, with 700 stalls selling exotic jungle produces and the Civic Centre Museum, which traces the history of Sibu and the Chinese migration, and also houses a fine collection of Iban and Orang Ulu handicrafts.