TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
KAMPUNG JEPAK
Crossing the Kemena River by “Perahu Tambang” (boat) will bring you to the hospitable fishermen’s community at Kampung Jepak. You may be mesmerized by the traditional feature and lifestyle of Bintulu Melanau such as sago processing, fish drying, manufacturing of belacan (shrimps paste), cencaluk (salted shrimps), making of Terendak (Melanau Headgear), Tutop (food cover or “tudung sarang / tudung saji”) which are still very much alive. The scenario enlivens your memory to the old days when Bintulu was just a humble and small fishing village.
COUNCIL NEGERI MONUMENT
The site marked the place where Malaysia’s first and oldest state legislative assembly meeting took place on 8th September, 1867.
With Charles Brooke, the second white Rajah of Sarawak in the chair, there sat 5 of his British Officers and 16 Malay and Melanau Members (Chiefs) to mark a new era in the conduct of the affairs of the state. A centenary stone commemorating the centennial of the historical meeting was erected on this site in 1967 and was further improved to include a clock tower and fountain in 1987, the fountain was attractively fenced up in November 1998 for safety and aesthetical purpose.
PASAR UTAMA BINTULU & TAMU BINTULU
Located at the hub of Bintulu Town, the Pasar Utama Bintulu is both a wet and fish market under one roof offering you a wide selection of fresh vegetables, fruits, fish and other dairy products. Food stalls are located on the first floor of Pasar Utama Bintulu providing various local dishes and delicacies such as laksa, mee jawa, pulut panggang or mee kolok and quench your thirst with ABC (ais batu campur), cendol, or kopi/teh tarik. Next door, is the Tamu Bintulu. It has all the local offerings from wild and jungle products to native “home-made” specialities. Both places, with unique cone-shaped roof reflecting “Bintulu Terendak” (headgear) let you to mingle and join the locals while shopping for your daily needs.
PASAR MALAM
A night market with a carnival like atmosphere and just a walking distance away from most of the hotels in town is Medan Pasar Malam (situated at Jalan Kampung Dagang). Here you can find almost everything from over 150 stalls offering numerous cheap and affordable items from garments, toys, electrical goods and watches to a wide choice of food, drinks, fruits, vegetables and jungle produce – a bargain shopping experience not to be missed.
BINTULU MOSQUE
A uniquely designed and structurally modern mosque with its intrinsic spiritual values preserved, the Bintulu Mosque aptly named “Masjid Assyakirin” meaning Gratefulness to God. A man-made cascading waterfall adorned by beautifully crafted fountains, landscaped with beautiful flowers and plants enhance the tranquillity of this mosque. A walk up to the mosque is indeed a spiritual and soothing experience.
KUAN YIN TONG TEMPLE
Situated at Kilometer 2 of Jalan Sultan Iskandar, the Kuan Yin Tong Temple of Bintulu is another spiritual building which will fascinate you with its skillfully crafted grand design. Amongst the peculiar features of this unique temple are the rock garden courtyard, man-made waterfall and dragon fencing – all of quality craftmanship.
TANJUNG BATU BEACH
A place to enjoy the sun, sea and sandy beaches and to have fun. An ideal spot for family and friends to gather and have a picnic or even camping, swimming and fishing. There are changing and wash rooms available for an additional comfort to your outing. Take a break from home cooking and have barbecue here, using the barbecue pits provided or just simply head to the food and drink stalls nearby – offering delicacies from “satay & rojak” to ice cream & coconut juice or just enjoy the sunset and sea breeze in your evening walk.
A place for foot reflexology (foot massage), children’s playground and outdoor gymnastic facilities are also available here.
TAMAN TUMBINA
Situated on a 36.4 hectares site at Tanjung Batu Coastal Reserve, four kilometres from the town centre, this park for flora and fauna is a source of living heritage with invaluable educational and recreational values. Its setting on a hill top overlooking the South China Sea and Bintulu Town is surely a sight to behold and not to be missed. Here you will be able to stroll through the gardens and walk-in aviary while feasting your eyes with a first hand view of the Hornbill (the State’s Official bird), walk-in butterfly garden (Alam Klebar), the fearless eagles, the flamingoes, tigers in Borneo, crocodiles, pythons, – the list goes on. Enjoy the flora and fauna and feel the freshness of the environment.
BINTULU GOLF COURSE
Bintulu’s own 18-hole international standard golf course for you to swing to your heart’s contention. The course offers a great challenge to golfers in its undulating terrain and also a breathtaking view of the South China Sea from the hilltop club house, while savouring local and continental dishes in the open air restaurant after a perfect round of golf.
SIMILAJAU NATIONAL PARK
One of the most beautiful and unspoilt golden beaches in the country can be found at the Similajau National Park – once a remote and unknown place is now a tourist attraction in this industrial town.
