Sarawak l Miri

A view of Miri at dusk from Canada Hill

 Miri, the second largest city in Sarawak, has its sights set on becoming the Resort City of Sarawak. It is an oil-rich city and a major transport hub for people heading to/from Brunei, the Kelabit Highlands, the Mulu National Park, Lambir National Park, Niah National Park and the Loagan Bunut National Park. Miri is thus often regarded as a hub for ecotourism and a paradise for nature enthusiasts. It has vast potential for tourism but lack of international air linkages has impeded the growth of the city’s tourism industry.

The Miri Mascot Night Scene

Seahorses-mascot of Miri

Miri is a shopping paradise for its neighbouring country, Brunei Darussalam, as well as neighbouring smaller towns like Bintulu, Batu Niah and Limbang. Bruneians flock to Miri every weekend to shop for almost everything, thanks to the currency exchange that is very much favourable to them. Moreover, as Brunei is a predominantly conservative Muslim sultanate, Bruneians as well as their expatriates often head to Miri for booze and the vibrant nightlife. Miri has quite a number of big hotels and a surprising number of bars, karaokes, pubs, restaurants and foot reflexology & spa centres.


Miri is also known as the Oil Town of Sarawak as it is the birthplace of Sarawak’s petroleum industry. And the petroleum industry remains the major industry of the city. The first oil well was drilled by Shell in 1910 on Canada Hill and has been named the Grand Old Lady. This is now a state monument and one of Miri’s tourist attractions. The Petroleum Museum sits on a site next to the Grand Old Lady. Shell also built Malaysia’s first oil refinery in Lutong, a suburb of Miri in 1914. Recent vast oil reserves discovered just offshore northeast of the city has fueled the growth of the city.

The Grand Old Lady on Canada Hill

The Grand Old Lady on Canada Hill

Many large oil palm plantations are mushrooming in the outskirts of Miri, with most of their head offices based in Miri city itself. The oil palm industry has contributed to the growing importance of Miri as an economic hub.

The city has embarked on its quest to become the first green city in Malaysia. The Miri City Council has garnered the support of the local supermarkets for its “Say No To Plastic” campaign. There are many parks and recreational grounds within the city and its suburbs. The more popular ones are Miri Bulatan Park (a lake garden), Taman Selera (seaside park with food stalls), Taman Awan Miri, Luak Bay Esplanade and Miri City Fan. The Miri City Fan, a 10.4 hectare park right in the heart of the city, was accorded Malaysia’s best landscaped city park in 2001.

A Garden view of Miri City