Miri

Miri is the second-largest city in Sarawak and the gateway to Gunung Mulu National Park (UNESCO World Heritage), the Niah Caves, and the Miri-Sibuti Coral Reefs. Founded as an oil town in 1910 after the discovery of oil by Shell, Miri has transformed into a modern city with a lively waterfront, excellent seafood, and some of Sarawak's best national parks within easy reach.

By Plane

Miri Airport (MYY) — 10 km south of the city centre. Direct flights from KL (2.5 hr), KK (50 min), Kuching (1 hr), and Singapore. MASwings connects to Bario, Marudi, and Mulu (30–60 min).

By Train

No passenger train service.

By Car / Road

Miri is on the Pan Borneo Highway, 800 km north-east of Kuching (10 hr drive) and 200 km south-west of Bandar Seri Begawan (2.5 hr). The road to Mulu is accessible from Miri but requires 4WD during the wet season.

Grab operates in Miri. Buses and taxis are available. A car is useful for reaching national parks. Boat transport from Miri Jetty connects to Marudi and up the Baram River.

• Canada Hill (Bukit Kanada) — the first oil well in Miri (Grand Old Lady, 1910) with a petroleum museum; panoramic view of the city

• Miri Waterfront — the esplanade with fountains, a musical fountain, and food stalls

• Coco Cabana — a modern beachfront complex at Tanjung Lobang Beach with restaurants and a water park

• Miri-Sibuti Coral Reefs — a marine park 30 min by boat; snorkelling and diving

• Miri City Fan — a public park with a lake and jogging tracks

• Pasar Malam Miri — a large night market with local food and handicrafts

• Luak Bay Esplanade — a scenic coastal walkway 10 km from the city centre

• Day trip to Mulu National Park — fly from Miri (30 min); see the Pinnacles, Deer Cave, and Sarawak Chamber

• Niah National Park (60 km, 1 hr drive) — explore the Great Cave with Neolithic cave paintings

• Snorkelling at Miri-Sibuti Coral Reefs — accessible from Luak Bay or Coco Cabana

• Canada Hill walk — sunset views over the city

• Seafood dinner at the waterfront — Miri is known for its fresh seafood

• Miri City Fan — a relaxing afternoon in the park

• Visit the Grand Old Lady — the historic first oil well

• Miri Waterfront food court — local and international food; RM 5–15
• Miri Seafood (Jalan North Yu Seng) — famous for midin (jungle fern), chilli crab, and ikan bakar; RM 12–30
• Top Spot Miri (Jalan Maju, Morsjaya) — a popular food court with seafood and local specialities; RM 8–20
• Pasar Malam Miri — nasi lemak, mee goreng, local kuih; RM 3–7
• Summit Cafe (Miri Waterfront) — local coffee and snacks

• Teh tarik (RM 2)
• Kopi (RM 2)
• Tuak at local restaurants (RM 5–8)
• Fresh fruit juices (RM 3–5)
• Beer at the Waterfront (RM 10–15)

• Budget: Hotel Miri (RM 40–70/night); Dorm accommodation at Mulu NP (RM 30–50/dorm)
• Mid-range: Miri Marriott Resort (RM 150–250/night, beachfront); Imperial Hotel (RM 100–180/night)
• Upscale: T-RES Luxury Resort (RM 250–400/night); Mulu Marriott (RM 250–500/night, at Mulu National Park)

• Miri Central Market — local produce, handicrafts, and souvenirs
• Bintang Megamall — Miri's main shopping mall
• Miri Waterfront souvenir shops — batik, local crafts

• Gunung Mulu National Park (30 min flight) — UNESCO World Heritage, massive caves
• Niah National Park (60 km, 1 hr drive) — Neolithic caves and cave paintings
• Lambir Hills National Park (30 km, 30 min drive) — rainforest trails and waterfalls
• Bario in the Kelabit Highlands (1 hr flight MASwings) — remote highland culture and trekking
• Brunei (200 km north-east, 2.5 hr drive) — Bandar Seri Begawan, water village, mosques
• Loagan Bunut National Park (150 km, 3 hr drive)