Lawas

Lawas is a town in the northernmost tip of Sarawak, near the Sabah and Brunei borders. Surrounded by limestone hills and rice paddies, Lawas is the gateway to the Ba'kelalan and Kelabit Highlands via the Trusan River. The town has a small market and basic facilities. The population includes Lun Bawang, Malay, Chinese, and Penan communities.

By Plane

Lawas Airport (LWY) has MASwings flights from Miri (45 min) and Kota Kinabalu. Alternatively, drive from Miri (200 km via Brunei, 3 hr).

By Train

No train.

By Car / Road

Lawas is on the Pan Borneo Highway, accessible from Miri (200 km via Brunei, 3 hr) or Kota Kinabalu (200 km, 3 hr). A passport is needed for the route through Brunei.

The town is small and walkable. A car or 4WD is needed for Ba'kelalan and the highlands.

Lawas market (tamu), the Trusan River, Ba'kelalan highlands (4WD required), and Lun Bawang longhouses. The Merarap Hot Springs are 30 km from Lawas.

Visit the Lawas tamu market, 4WD trip to Ba'kelalan highlands, Merarap Hot Springs, visit Lun Bawang longhouses.

Local warungs serving nasi goreng, mee goreng, and local Lun Bawang dishes; RM 3–7.

Teh tarik (RM 2).

Hotel Lawas (RM 40–70). Longhouse homestays available.

Lawas market for local handicrafts and Lun Bawang woven products.

Ba'kelalan (60 km, 4WD), Limbang (80 km), Miri (200 km), Kota Kinabalu (200 km).