Kampung Temurang is the kind of Padawan stop where the information centre matters as much as the trail. From Kuching, the drive takes about an hour; from the village centre, the Rafflesia site is roughly a 20-minute walk with a local guide. I would arrive ready to ask what is blooming, because the forest decides whether this is a flower day or a limestone-and-river day. [image: 1788489442506-temurang-1-resized.jpg] Source: Amazing Padawan The walk is not just a hunt for a giant flower. Temurang sits along Borneo Heights Road in the Braang Bidayuh landscape, where local stories place early settlements on Braang Mountain. The heritage trail links old settlement routes with the present villages of Temurang, Bidak and Braang Payang. That is why a guide adds real value: the rocks and paths are cultural landmarks as well as terrain. [image: 1788489443179-temurang-2-resized.jpg] Source: Amazing Padawan Look closely at Batu Berketis, the small upright limestone pinnacles locals call the Narrow Stones. Nearby Buk Benang is associated with Braang legend and ritual traces, while several caves in the limestone hills carry wartime stories connected to Japanese soldiers during the Second World War. These details turn a generic jungle walk into a landscape with memory. Do not enter caves or climb sharp rock without local direction. [image: 1788489443730-temurang-3-resized.jpg] Source: Amazing Padawan The Rafflesia is the seasonal bonus. Older local tourism material says Temurang can be a nearer alternative to Gunung Gading, but a bloom is never guaranteed; call or ask the village before building a whole day around it. The wider Padawan river system also hosts rafting routes: in the 2024 Padawan Raft Safari, Temurang was one of the starting points and Kampung Git the finish. [image: 1788489444571-temurang-4-resized.jpg] Source: Amazing Padawan I would pair Temurang with a Padawan countryside route, allowing half a day for the guide-led walk and extra time if a flower is open. It suits travellers who want community-led nature, Bidayuh history and uneven ground. It will disappoint anyone expecting a guaranteed bloom, a paved botanical garden or a self-guided photo loop. Wear proper shoes, bring water and confirm guide, trail and bloom conditions before leaving. Kampung Temurang, along Borneo Heights Road, Padawan, Sarawak ️ Google Maps: Kampung Temurang Would you plan around the Rafflesia season, or come for the rocks and the stories even when there is no bloom?

The first time someone offers to take you up Mount Santubong, listen carefully to how they describe it. If they say it was "tough but worth it" they made the summit. If they smile a rueful smile and change the subject, they probably didn't get past checkpoint F7. At 810 metres, Santubong is Kuching's highest peak and the dark green silhouette visible from almost the entire coastline. The trailhead sits at the Santubong National Park office on the Damai Peninsula, about 35 minutes by car from central Kuching. The park opens at 7 am and enforces a noon cut-off — you need to be past checkpoint F7 by noon or they will turn you back. The climbing window is real. [image: 1782094249824-1_santubong_bridge-resized.jpg] Mt. Santubong seen from Santubong Bridge The summit trail runs roughly 4 km one way and takes an average fit person 3.5 to 4 hours up and 2.5 to 3 hours down. That sounds manageable until you reach the section between checkpoint F7 and the summit (F15) — 1.3 km of near-vertical terrain where you haul yourself up aluminium ladders, grip knotted ropes and use tree roots as footholds. There are 21 ladders total. Most hikers say that final kilometre is where the mountain earns its reputation. A lower loop trail of 2.5 km offers an alternative for anyone who wants the rainforest atmosphere without the lung-busting ascent. It's flat, shaded and takes about an hour at a relaxed pace. Good for families or first-time visitors who just want to say they stood at the foot of Santubong. [image: 1782094250331-2_summit_view-resized.jpg] View from the summit — South China Sea and the Kuching coastline The rock itself is part of a sandstone and shale formation that rises directly from the coast. Geologists describe Santubong as part of the same Cretaceous-to-Eocene sedimentary sequence that underlies much of western Sarawak. But locals have a better explanation. The legend goes that two princesses — Puteri Santubong and Puteri Sejinjang — were sent from heaven to help the villagers. Santubong was a master weaver, Sejinjang a rice-pounding expert. They lived peacefully until a quarrel ended with Sejinjang hurling a rice pestle at her sister. Santubong was struck and turned to stone, becoming the mountain. The broken notch on one side is where the pestle hit. Her head split apart and the fragments became the islands that fringe the coast. [image: 1782094250973-5_ropes_ladders-resized.jpg] Ropes and ladders on the final push The practical side matters a lot here. Bring at least 1.5 litres of water per person and proper hiking shoes with aggressive grip — the trail gets slippery in minutes after a rain, and afternoon downpours are common. Most rescues happen on the descent when tired legs meet steep mud. Do not hike alone; a partner makes the dangerous sections safer and the summit photo better. A small park entry fee applies (bring cash) and there is a registration desk at the trailhead. Who should go: anyone with reasonable fitness who wants a genuine rainforest summit experience within easy reach of Kuching. Who should reconsider: anyone with weak knees, fear of heights on ladders, or less than four hours of daylight ahead. The summit opens onto the South China Sea and the entire Kuching coastline — that view is the reward, and it doesn't disappoint. [image: 1782094252040-3_wetlands-resized.jpg] Wetlands and coastline visible from the summit You do not need to be a mountaineer. You do need to respect the mountain's timeline, bring the right shoes and start early. Plenty of people turn back at F7 and still count it as a good morning. That is the honest measure of Santubong — it gives you a clear choice, and both options are valid.

I've been living in Kuching for a while now, and Annah Rais Longhouse was always one of those places I kept putting off. "Next time," I said. Well last weekend I finally drove the hour-plus past Batu Kitang and up into the hills — and man, I wish I'd done this sooner. This isn't one of those touristy "cultural village" set pieces. This is a real Bidayuh longhouse that's been standing for over 200 years. You walk in and the whole place smells like an old kampung house — creaky wooden floorboards, kids running along the corridors, grandmas sitting by their doors. [image: 1781402587113-annah_rais_01.jpg] Source: Annah Rais Longhouse exterior The highlight is the central gallery (they call it awah), a long open corridor that runs the entire length of the house. It's basically their living room, kitchen, playground, and social hub all in one. I was mid-way walking through when an uncle called me up, insisting his homemade tuak (rice wine) was the best in the whole village. Try saying no to that. [image: 1781402587354-annah_rais_02.jpg] Source: The central corridor (awah) If you want the full experience, they offer homestay packages. Found a review on Google Maps that said: "Staying overnight was an eye-opening experience. The family treated us like their own. Highly recommend the bamboo chicken dinner." — Bamboo chicken is exactly what it sounds like: chicken stuffed into bamboo tubes and roasted over fire. Sounds amazing. I didn't stay overnight this time, but next visit I'm booking it for sure. [image: 1781402587545-annah_rais_03.jpg] Source: Inside the longhouse Another traveler on TripAdvisor wrote: "It's not a tourist trap. It's a real community. The people are genuinely warm and welcoming. Just be respectful and you'll have a great time." Couldn't agree more. It's all about mindset — respect their culture, and they'll welcome you like family. Walking to the back of the longhouse, there's a small river where the kids swim. Some of the Bidayuh guides also offer jungle treks to nearby waterfalls. I even heard there's a natural hot spring in the area, but I didn't have time to check it out. [image: 1781402587755-annah_rais_04.jpg] Source: Scenery around the longhouse A quick word about the tuak. This isn't the sweetened, watered-down stuff you buy in shops. It's traditional Bidayuh-style — fermented rice with their own family recipe. Slightly sweet but packs a punch. My Sabahan friend had two glasses and his face went red. Said it was "legit strong" Practical Info: Location: ~1 - 1.5 hour drive from Kuching city. Waze "Annah Rais Longhouse" Best time: Morning before it gets hot Entry: around RM10 - RM20 (ask when you arrive) Homestay: roughly RM80 - RM150/night (includes dinner + breakfast) ️ Tips: Wear long pants, bring mosquito repellent, roads can be rough Always ask before taking photos — respect their customs [image: 1781402588210-annah_rais_05.jpg] Source: Bidayuh traditional crafts Bottom line: If you want an authentic Sarawak longhouse experience near Kuching, Annah Rais is the real deal. No over-commercialization, no hard selling. Just a real community living their daily lives. Take a drive up this weekend, it's worth it. Anyone here been to Annah Rais? Tried the bamboo chicken or the hot spring? Drop your experience below [image: 1781402588443-annah_rais_06.jpg] Source: Surrounding paddy fields and landscape

老实说，来了古晋这么久，一直听说 Annah Rais 长屋很值得去，但每次都找借口说"下次"。上周末终于硬着头皮驾了一个多小时车去到 Batu Kitang 再往上，才发现自己之前错过了什么。 这里不是那种观光式的"人造文化村"，而是真正有 Bidayuh 族人在住的老长屋。整条长屋沿着山坡排开，据说有两百多年历史了。走进去的感觉…怎么说呢，就是那种小时候在 kampung 才有的味道，木地板咯吱咯吱，小孩在走廊跑来跑去。 [image: 1781402587113-annah_rais_01.jpg] 来源：Annah Rais Longhouse 外观 长屋最大的特色是他们的中央走廊（叫 awah），整条贯通的走廊就是他们的客厅、厨房、游乐场、聊天区。我走到中间那段，有个 uncle 直接喊我上去坐，讲他们酿的 tuak（米酒）是全村最好喝的 不喝都不好意思。 [image: 1781402587354-annah_rais_02.jpg] 来源：长屋中央走廊 如果你打算过夜，他们有 homestay 方案。我找到 Google Maps 上一个 review 说："Staying overnight was an eye-opening experience. The family treated us like their own. Highly recommend the bamboo chicken dinner." — 对，那个 bamboo chicken，就是用竹筒装着鸡去烧，听说很好吃。我这次没留宿，但下次一定要试。 [image: 1781402587545-annah_rais_03.jpg] 来源：长屋内景 也有访客在 TripAdvisor 分享："It's not a tourist trap. It's a real community. The people are genuinely warm and welcoming. Just be respectful and you'll have a great time." 这一点我完全同意。其实就是心态问题 — 你尊重他们的文化，他们自然欢迎你。 一路走到长屋的后端，有一条小河，kids 在那里玩水。个别的 Bidayuh 还会带你去走 jungle trek，看瀑布。我听当地人说，Annah Rais 也有自己的天然温泉！可惜这次时间不够，没去到。 [image: 1781402587755-annah_rais_04.jpg] 来源：长屋周边风景 关于 tuak 再讲两句。他们的 tuak 真的是 homemade，不像外面买的加了糖和水。传统 Bidayuh 酿法，米饭发酵 + 自家配方，喝起来有点甜有点烈。我一个朋友（沙巴人）上次喝了两杯就脸红了，说是真的够力 实用资讯： 位置：从古晋市区开车大约 1 - 1.5 小时（用 Waze 找 Annah Rais Longhouse） 开放时间：白天都可以去，但 best 是早上，下午比较热 入门费：RM10 - RM20 左右（不定，建议先问） Homestay package：大概 RM80 - RM150 一晚（包含晚餐+早餐） ️ 建议：穿长裤 + 带驱蚊剂，山路有些地方比较原始 拍照前先问，尊重他们的习俗 [image: 1781402588210-annah_rais_05.jpg] 来源：Bidayuh 传统手工艺品 总结一句：如果你想在古晋附近体验真正的砂拉越长屋文化，Annah Rais 是首选。没有过度商业化，没有强逼消费，就是实实在在的社区生活。这个周末驾一下车去吧，值得的。 你们有人去过 Annah Rais 吗？有没有试过 bamboo chicken 或温泉的？留言分享下 [image: 1781402588443-annah_rais_06.jpg] 来源：周边环境与稻田