The birthplace of civilization in Southeast Asia, Niah National Park is a popular day trip from Miri. Tours typically include round-trip transfers and provide historical context at each archeological site, some dating back more than 40,000 years. If you explore alone, you can follow five well-maintained trails that cover the park’s main attractions: the Madu, Bukit Kasut, Great Cave, Painted Cave, and Tangap trails.
Stairs and uneven terrain mean the national park is difficult for travelers using wheelchairs and strollers to navigate.
The caves get darker the further you go in, so bring a head torch or flashlight to the park.
There are several accommodation options inside the park, including lodges and camping.
There’s a small admission fee to enter the park, with discounts for children and seniors.
Niah National Park is a 2-hour drive from Miri by car. On arrival, you’ll need to cross the river in a boat to reach the beginning of the hiking trails inside the park. You can take the bus some of the way to the national park from the Pujut Corner Bus Terminal in Miri to Niah Rest Stop, a 30-minute drive from the park.
Niah National Park is open Monday through Sunday, including public holidays, from early morning until mid-afternoon. If you stay overnight, you can explore the park for an extra two hours until later in the afternoon. The whole state of Sarawak sees a dramatic decrease in downfalls from February, which is a good month to explore the park.
Sarawak’s other famous national park is Gunung Mulu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its striking karst pinnacles. The park exemplifies Borneo’s biodiversity—it’s home to 17 different vegetation zones inhabited by millions of bats and swiftlet birds. The enormous sandstone tower the park is named after serves as a stunning backdrop.
