Located in the Malaysian half of the island of Borneo, the bustling, sprawling city of Sibu is the largest port and commercial center of the mile-wide Rejang River. The orderly streets are lined with modern, high rise buildings, and sprawling parks and green spaces are scattered throughout the city. The Sibu Heritage Center offers a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the history and culture of the city and region as a whole, and the local wet market is the perfect place to try some authentic Chinese Malaysian local dishes, such as kompia and kampua.

With the majority of the population being Foochaw Chinese, this multicultural town gives you a glimpse of modern Malaysia. You can pay a visit to the Jade Dragon Temple complex that provides places of worship for Buddhists, Taoists, and Confucianists. It was built in 2004 and is believed to be the largest in Southeast Asia. Alternatively, take a trip to Tua Pek Kong Temple, which has been around since the 1850s. When you have had your fill of historical sightseeing, take a stroll along the Rejang Esplanade, a waterfront promenade that offers beautiful views of the river.

Sibu experiences distinct dry and rainy seasons with hot, humid weather all year round. From April until September, the weather tends to be hotter and even more humid, with quick bursts of rain in the mid to late afternoon, so make sure that you don’t forget to bring waterproof layers. This is a great time to visit, though, especially during the Borneo Cultural Festival, which celebrates the diversity of Sibu and Sarawak with delicious food, live music, and dance performances. November to January are usually the wettest months, and the rain drops off significantly in March, which is a great time to come if you want to explore some of Borneo’s magnificent flora and fauna without having to battle the summer heat or larger numbers of visitors.

Sibu Central Market

The moment you enter this market, the smells and sounds of everyday life in Sibu surround you. As one of the biggest wet markets in Southeast Asia, this massive complex features three stories of fruits, vegetables, and live poultry. This is a great spot to sample deliciously sweet local fruits or some of Sibu’s famous regional dishes. You can also find local handicrafts such as beaded belts and woven rattan bags that make great souvenirs.

Tua Pek Kong

Built in the middle of the 19th century, this beautiful temple is the oldest Chinese temple in the city. The soaring seven-story white and red pagoda dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy can be seen throughout town, and the temple’s ornate architecture, complete with golden dragons, will whisk you away to Imperial China.

Taman Jubli Bukit Aup

This sprawling 24-acre park is spread out over a series of low hills covered with lush, emerald green trees, crisscrossing pathways, and ponds full of fish. The tallest hill offers a lookout point where you can get great views over the city. This is a popular recreation area for locals, and it is a lovely spot to spend an evening watching families and friends kick back and relax.