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Coastal town on Borneo island, Sarawak, Malaysia
Photo: Azreey, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Bintulu is a part coastal, part riverine town, and the capital of Bintulu District (7,220 km2) in the Bintulu Division of Sarawak, Malaysia. It is a home to about 214,000 inhabitants (2020) in the area. Bintulu is known as a place of 'making a living'. Although it is not a main tourist destination in Sarawak, the local authorities such as Sarawak Tourism Board and Bintulu Development Authority are now putting in the effort to make Bintulu a tourist heaven.
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A traditional fishing village where majority of the inhabitants are Melanaus (Bintulu Melanaus) and Malays. It is separated from the main town of Bintulu by Sungai Kemena. 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) and Tutop (food cover or "tudung sarang/tudung saji").
Bintulu is home to the first legislative assembly meeting of Sarawak. It was held in 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 monument can be found by visitors on their way to the heart of Bintulu town.
These markets, side by side, are the most frequently visited location in Bintulu, by rural folks and tourists. The market is divided into many parts, each for different type of traded items such as fruits, belachan (shrimp paste) & cincaluk (a solution of fermented shrimps), wet areas (for fish and seafood traders), vegetables and a basic commodities. The upper floor of Pasar Tamu is a place where local delicacies can be savoured. If you visit Bintulu, it is a must to buy Bintulu belachan and cincaluk. Its pure, natural and traditional way of processing makes these tourists favourite keep coming back for more!
Fancy a rocky and sandy beach side-by-side? This unique feature happens to be the attraction to Tanjung Batu Beach (which is also how the name is given, "Rocky Isthmus"). It is a place where people in Bintulu jog and stroll their way along the beach, or the road with their families, apart from taking a sun-tanning session. However, beware the coastline during monsoon season, as there has been cases of drowning annually.
The 120-acre Bintulu Promenade is the state's longest waterfront attraction similar to the one in Kuching. It is a commercial and recreational park rolled into one and strategically located near the delta of Kemena River and the Parkcity Everly Hotel. Perfect place for a relaxing stroll and to watch sunset and enjoy the evening breeze.
Unlike Pasar Malam in Kuching or Miri, Bintulu Pasar Malam is held every single day, be it weekdays or weekends, and also local holidays. Here you can enjoy local version of 'fast food', from apam balik, roti canai, burger, or even nasi campur. As for non-Muslims, they can also savor pork delicacies such as siew pau. Other traded items include bundled jeans pants, handbags and also, smuggled cigarettes & liquors (again!).
This coastal park is known for its easy forest hikes, beautiful beaches, and saltwater crocodiles. There is modern and inexpensive accommodation available at the park in the form of chalets and a hostel, as well as a basic canteen. There is no public transport to the park. An e-taxi will cost around 30 RM. The return journey may require a more expensive regular taxi. Take protection for mosquitoes.
This is a place where you can savour variety of Thai, Chinese, Malay, Indian and Indonesian cuisine under one roof. The local favourites here are Brocoli with Sea Asparagus, Sea Cucumber Soup, Stim or Deep Fried fish with various type of sauce (eg: Asam Nyonya, Cantonese Style, Thai Paste), Tandoori, Nan, Nasi Bryani (Real Bryani style), Sizzling Food, Claypot, Kerabu, Umai (sarawak Local Food), Mussel, Ambal, Burung Puyuh and lots more. There are several 'pondok' for customer who want to sit on the floor. Romantic music is play throughout the night.
Visitors' favourites are Kangkung in Belacan Sauce, Fried Chicken, Ikan Sebelah Masak Kari and so on. You can also pick your own fish to be cooked.
They cooked the best Nasi Kandar and Nasi Beriani in Bintulu. However, during peak hours, the restaurant will be jammed with people from nearby mosque and suraus after their prayers.
They serve one of the best Nasi Lemak in Sarawak. Their nasi ayam also a local favourite and their nasi campur is one of the cheapest in town. Their delicious food made some people craving for it from upriver come here just to savour it.
You will surely love their roti canai and roti sardin. It's one of the best in town! The bread is crispy and thick, and the filling is also thick and tasty!
They serve the best Mee Jawa in town. Although, they are some of their regular visitors who can't forget the deliciousness of their Mee Jawa and Mee Jawa Special (with satay).
Serving fine northern Malaysian cuisine. They also serve Nasi Bukhari, Nasi Beriani, Pasembur and some other famous Peninsular Malaysia cuisine. A bit expensive, but you can try them once in a while!
They serve the crispiest roti canai and roti sardin in Bintulu. You might need to wait a little bit longer than usual, but it's worth the wait! The food are also cheap.
They serve best Halal Chinese food in town. You can choose from lemon chicken, Japanese tofu, stir fry Pak Choy or butter prawn! There are also not so expensive, but you can try them once a week with your family.
They serve variety of traditional yet delicious Chinese seafood. It is also a perfect place for family weekend dining.
The service is quick, and you will get your roti canai fresh and hot from their kitchen. A bit crowded at night, but don't be surprised with their hospitality and the price of their food. It's kinda cheap too!
If you fancy Western cuisine or very traditional book-only Chinese food, head on to Restoran Marco Polo. They serve very nice and tasty fried cod fish, beef steak and lamb chop. However, this place is normally for splurge dining.
This restaurant serves wide variety of delicious Chinese-Malay fusion food such as Curry Mee, Chicken Rice and Fried Mee.
This is a Chinese restaurant served variety of Chinese and Malay foods. Besides that, if you like seafood (i.e, crabs, prawns, clams, mussels, lobster) then you can just go there and have a try.
This is a Chinese restaurant served variety of Chinese foods. The place you can enjoy "mee goreng kering" very delicious you can just go there and have a try.
fun pub
Narrow, crowded, noisy, three words to describe Casablanca.the place is reputatble for it good sound system and the "Best Live Band" in town. It's a fun place for all age group.
This pub offers a selection of Iban songs for you to bang your head with. It's very nice to 'joget' or 'poco-poco' in here. There are also some shows made by the strip teasers and lion dancing moves too.
In New World Suites Hotel, a restaurant where you can dine in a romantic mood with magnificent view of Bintulu sunset. Very cosy!
Near Pasar Tamu and old town of Bintulu.
New World Suites is at the doorstep of Parkcity Mall, the largest shopping mall in Bintulu. It is surrounded with shopping, dining and entertainment outlets. A 25-minute drive to and from Bintulu airport, it is the gateway to the l Mulu and Niah Caves.
Bintulu's first luxury hotel designed and constructed with a unique "step-design" facade. Equipped with 228 rooms decorated in simple elegance and furnished with modern-day conveniences.
If you love it to be a bit far from the town centre, go ahead to Li Hua Hotel.(Distance from town, 1 km, 1 km from Medan sentral, Medan Jaya (Out station bus terminal & main shopping centres i.e. Farley, Sing Kwong & MDS store
Mid-range hotel. It has a cafe and medium-sized banquet hall.
This hotel suites cum apartment and penthouse is the most luxurious hotel in Bintulu. It has wide range of facilities and a stone-throw away from the beach.
Buy branded products, splurge with beautiful hair makeover or eat nice honey waffle here!
If you love Belachan and Cincaluk, or traditional shoppers at wet markets, head yourself straight to the heart of Bintulu town for a tour at Pasar Utama & Pasar Tamu Bintulu.
Cheap shoes and DVDs are one of the big attractions here. The one and only cineplex in Bintulu (and also the oldest cineplex in Malaysia!) is also situated here. You can catch a glimpse of old machine where movies were played during the old days of Bintulu cineplex.
Retail supermarket with wide array of basic necessities. Near the outstation bus terminal.
Buy everyday necessities here. They have 2 huge locations in Bintulu which is by far, a lot cheaper than Farley. They do also retail a lot of Australian products and impose on freshness of their quality goods. If you're looking for something special or a better deal, just head right away to Singkwong.
Buy your daily needs here. Nothing much can be found here.
Three-storey shopping centre for your favourite clothes, or buy school uniforms, shoes, pants, curtains, cushion covers, undergarments and almost everything in the name of 'fabric' can be found here.
Buy normal basic needs here. Nothing special here.
A neighborhood supermarket to cater people from the surrounding area of Mile 1 to Mile 2 1/2 for basic needs.(Behind Li Hua Hotel)
By plane
Getting there: Bintulu town is about 20 minutes away by taxi, a fixed RM35 from the taxi coupon stand just outside arrivals. There are no buses serving the airport.
By boat
Express boats can only link to Bintulu town from other smaller Bintulu suburban and rural areas such as Sebauh, Tubau and Labang.
By bus
Bintulu regional express bus terminal is at Medan Jaya, not far from Farley Supermarket.
By car
There is an extensive network of sealed roads linking Bintulu to major cities and towns.
By boat
Various express boats serve Bintulu which connect Bintulu to other minor towns and rural areas such as Sebauh, Tatau, Kuala Tatau, Tubau and Labang.
On foot
Bintulu old town is quite a pedestrian-friendly with lots of traffic lights served for pedestrians.
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Bintulu · Regional · BTU
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