Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sights
Strolling around the city centre (roughly, the area bounded by Tua Pek Kong Temple,
Wisma Sanyan, Sibu Gateway and the Li Hua Hotel) is a good way to get a feel for Sibu's
fast-beating commercial pulse. Drop by the tourist office for a brochure covering the new
Sibu Heritage Trail
.
Features of architectural interest include the old
shophouses
around the Visitors In-
formation Centre, eg along Jln Tukang Besi, and the old
Rex Cinema
Offline map
Google map
(Jln Ramin)
, where art deco meets shophouse functionality.
TEMPLE
Tua Pek Kong Temple
(Jln Temple; 6.30am-8pm)
Established sometime before 1871 and damaged by Allied
bombs in 1945, this colourful river- front temple incorporates both a Taoist hall on the
ground floor, and a Chinese Buddhist sanctuary on the 1st floor. For a brilliant view over
the town and up and down the muddy Batang Rejang, climb the seven-storey
Kuan Yin
Pagoda
, built in 1987; the best time is sunset when a wheeling swirl of swiftlets buzzes
the tower at eye level. Ask English-speaking Mrs Lee, at the ground-floor desk, for the
key; as you ascend, don't forget to lock the gate behind you.
Sibu Heritage Centre
(Jln Central; 9am-5pm, closed Mon & public holidays)
Housed in a gorgeously airy
municipal complex built in 1960, this excellent museum explores the captivating history
of Sarawak and Sibu. Panels, rich in evocative photographs, take a look at the various
Chinese dialect groups, Sarawak's communist insurgency (1965-90), Sibu's Christian (in-
cluding Methodist) traditions, and even local opposition to Sarawak's incorporation into
Malaysia in 1963. Don't miss the photo of a 1940s street dentist - it's painful just to look
at.
MUSEUM
Rejang Esplanade
(Jln Maju; 24hr)
One of Sibu's 22 community parks - most donated by Chinese clan
associations - this pleasant strip of riverfront grass affords views of the wide, muddy river
and its motley procession of fishing boats, tugs, timber-laden barges and 'flying coffin'
express boats.
PARK
