Where is Limbang?
Limbang is situated on the narrow tongue of land that divides Brunei in two. It is in the North-Eastern Region of Sarawak sharing the border with Miri, Brunei, Indonesia, Sabah and Labuan. The port town has an idyllic location stretched out along the eastern bank of the Limbang River. Administratively, Limbang division consists of Limbang and Lawas district. It cover an area of approximately 7790 square km. Limbang and Lawas township are two key regional and district service centers.
Geographically, the relief of the division can be classified into coastal alluvial plain, the central undulating low land and rugged forested hinterland highland. The three main rivers in the division are Sg.Limbang, Sg. Lawas and Sg.Trusan with their tributaries. These rivers formed the important mode of transport and communication for the population in the division.
The major ethnic groups are Malay/Kedayan, Chinese, Lun Bawang and Bisaya. Logging, small holding agriculture, commercial plantation and commerce are the main economic activities here. Even though, Limbang has a small-based and sparsely scattered population, the purchasing power remains relatively strong especially in Limbang town due to the vicinity of Brunei. A bustling Malay water-village directly across river simply adds to the charm of the location.
Many of Limbang’s attractions are spread out around the town, and it is well worth booking a short tour.
There are some well kept Malay and Chinese traditional villages along Jln Pandaruan which offer excellent photo opportunities. Further along the road towards the Brunei Ferry are a number of Kedayan kampungs where delicious fresh swamp clamp are offered for sale.
In town, the Esplanade is a popular place for strolling in the evening with a memorial of the Limbang Rebellion as its focal point. There is a bustling Tamu or wet market is on the waterfront in the centre of town.
Limbang Regional Museum
The wooden Limbang Regional Museum is located in a fort built by Rajah Charles Brooke in 1897. It is located in the area annexed to Sarawak by the White Rajah in 1890. It has a modest collection of archaeological finds and ethnic artifacts.
Taman Tasik Bukit Mas
Taman Tasik Bukit Mas (literal translation: Gold Hill Lake Park) is a recreational park set in Limbang's iconic feature Mas Hill (210m). The jungle-clad limestone outcrop is a favourable place for Limbang residents to spend their evening, doing recreational activities. Various facilities had been set up in the park, such as children's playground, lake, barbecue site, suspension bridge and toilet. The summit offers excellent views of nearby Brunei and surrounding areas. It is accessible via a steep road leading off Jln Pandaruan,
Limbang Plaza
Located in the town center, this building consists of 2-3 star Purnama Hotel, a shopping mall and various government offices. It is good place to take refuge from the heat, replenish your food supplies and find some fast food.
Pasar Tamu
"Pasar Tamu" is a local gathering where village folks came to the town of Limbang to sell their goods. Usually it is held on Friday every week, but preparations can be seen on Thursday. Various goods are sold eg. rice, rare vegetables, fishes, and fruits.
Tahai
Limbang is the biggest manufacturer of "ikan tahai" or "tahai" fish. It is a kind of smoked fish and very famous among people of Limbang. "Tahai" can be eaten raw or boiled with chili and tamarind juice toppings. In Limbang, "tahai" is called "Dadah Tahai" and can be bought from local market.
Adventures
1) Limbang Heritage Water Trail
This tour begins 1 hour before sunset because that is the time where you can appreciate the cool temperature, the colourful sky and the house, shop and street lights as the sun set on the horizon.
The canoe can be paddled by themselves or by boat man.
It begins from the jetty of Limbang museum and paddling towards the water village, from the water village, you paddle to the war memorial then from war memorial towards the Chinese shrine. You then paddle back to the starting point which ends the tour.
Price is Rm65 per pax. Max is 2 pax.
2) Limbang Brackisk Water Natural Wildlife Refuge Paddling Trail
This tour begins 2 hours before sunset. This is at Limpaki river which is small and blackish at mangrove forest. We would expect to see the birds, snake cat and the elusive proboscis monkey.
But be reminded the monkey will run away watching strangers coming in, however just paddling quietly and slowly, the monkey will not notice your coming until you are near.
Price is Rm95 per pax. Max 2 pax.
3) Mentawai White Water Rafting (2D1N)
This tour is at Mendalam river at Mentawai Ranger Post, the extreme end of Mulu from park HQ. However from Limbang, it is the beginning.
This tour is more challenging in a way that you have to paddle and pole against rapids up to the point where you will start paddling down the rapids to the starting point. Sometimes you have to portage the canoe when the water level is low.
Alternately, if you want the relaxing way of paddling, we can carry the canoe by long boat to the upper river where you start to paddle down the rapids to the ranger post.
Price is Rm180 per pax. Minimum 4pax. This price is excluding transportation to Mentawai, accommodation and meals. We recommend this activity for those who like to over night at Mentawai or long house on the way to Mulu, Pinnacles (camp 5).
Day 1- We ride a long boat from Medamit (Limbang) to Mentawai Ranger Post. At 2:30 pm, we begin canoeing upward or downward or both. Over night. (L, D)
Day 2- We return to Limbang. or continue your trekking to Camp 5, the pinncales. (B)
Getting Here
Limbang is connected to most major town in Sarawak by rural air service operated by Malaysian Airline System (MAS), using 19 seater Twin Otter plane.
It is also connected by road (through Brunei) from Miri and Lawas. Self drive from Miri would take around 4-5 hours and from Lawas would be 1.5-2 hours. (You would need your International passport or Malaysia-Brunei restricted passport for Malaysian residing in Limbang, Miri and Lawas).
You could also use the daily operated speedboat from the Brunei capital, Bandar Seri Begawan to travel to Limbang or Express Boat if you're coming from Labuan. Journey by boat from Labuan would take 1.5 hours and available twice daily.