You’ve probably heard of Cebu, but what about Sibu?
If you’re thinking of where to head for your next long weekend getaway near Singapore, here’s an idea! Scoot has recently launched a direct flight from Singapore to a new destination — Sibu ✈️
Located in Malaysia, Sibu is Sarawak’s third-largest town and only a 2-hour flight away. I honestly didn’t know what to expect but what was thought to be a mere foodie-filled weekend for me, turned out to be so much more. Psst, I never knew Malaysia sunsets could be so beautiful!
So here are five things I highly recommend doing on your next trip to Sibu — or if you’re still on the fence — reasons to give it a go for your next long weekend without breaking the bank.
1) Chase stunning sunsets along Malaysia’s longest river
Fun fact: Rajang River is Malaysia’s longest river (around 565km-long) and you can explore it on a scenic sunset cruise! Besides soaking in the gorgeous views, the cruise has entertainment options such as a karaoke set for you to sing along and vibe with your friends.
On my tour, the sunset colours were so vivid and the gradient was everchanging as it shifted and morphed into various hues every few minutes. Truly, this sight altered my brain chemistry forever in the best (and most tranquil) way possible.
*Pro-tip: WhatsApp the cruise operator before your trip to secure tickets (as well as to confirm a karaoke set) at 016-875 2356. You can pay via QR code or by cash during your ride.
Sibu River Cruise
Cost: RM13/pax for a 1hr cruise
Tour timing: 6:30PM – 7:30PM (Fri – Sun)
Meeting point: Pulau Babi Wharf, Jalan Khoo Peng Loong, 96000 Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia (Google Maps)
2) Try interesting street food like pork floss youtiao, Sawarak pineapple, and more at local night markets
Compared to the usual street food you’ll find in JB night markets like fried carrot cake and BBQ skewers, Sibu is a little different. Sibu Night Market served up new permutations of food items I could never have dreamed of trying.
One being the kaya butter youtiao by Young Master You Tiao Soybean. They also had a mayonnaise pork floss topping and a salted egg topping for their handmade youtiaos. Who knew that a mere youtiao could be celebrated in such a manner and not just a side piece to bak kut teh, dou hua or even tau suan! It’s a snack worthy of its very own innovative toppings as an add-on. Bravo Sibu.
Another favourite would have to be the Sawarak pineapples freshly cut and served there. Unlike normal pineapples which will leave behind a feeling of the fruit ‘biting back’ at you (AKA a slight burning sensation), Sawarak’s pineapples will only leave you with a sweet aftertaste.
Sibu Night Market
Opening hours: 4:30PM – 9PM
How to get there: 3min walk from Sibu Heritage Centre (Google Maps)
3) Catch traditional dances and welcome rituals by friendly locals
The Iban people are an ethnic group found in Sawarak and they traditionally live in longhouses. So drop by the iconic Iban longhouses in Sibu to meet these friendly locals and learn about their culture!
When there, we were welcomed by an amazing performance. Decked in full costume, the Iban locals began playing the Gamelan (instrumental music which originated in Bali and Java) and danced for us. It was all very immersive. We even got to dance alongside them around a tree and cut off the snacks tied onto the palm leaves!
Despite the language barrier, the locals’ warmth and laughter as they generously offered us their traditional snacks and a home-cooked feast created a truly special experience. When visiting Sibu, be sure to sign up for this unique cultural immersion in Sarawak.
*Note: You’ll need to secure slots beforehand for the traditional performances by calling +60138808091.
Homestay lydiakandau
Cost: ~RM10 – RM100++ depending on the package you reserve
Showtimes: Reservation based
How to get there: 20min taxi ride from SMI Park Landmark (Google Maps)
4) Learn the art of mee sua-making
Sibu has a strong Fuzhou heritage, where the culture of making mee sua has been passed on through each generation. So if you are an avid lover of mee sua, this activity in Sibu will THRILL you — learn how to make your own noodles from scratch at a traditional home factory!
Our instructor at Ah Sieng Mee Sua first taught us how to knead the dough with oil using our bare hands and the different techniques involved in pulling it out. Thereafter, we followed him into the sunning area where we tried pulling out the noodles.
It felt great being able to see the entire process of making noodles and even creating our very own mee sua. We sadly couldn’t take our creations home with us though, as they needed to dry in the open for a few days. Thankfully, the vendor had previous batches of handmade mee sua neatly packaged for sale so we could still try it.
Besides buying a bag home for my grandma (RM6 for the thicker and RM10 for the thinner mee sua), I also brought back a newfound appreciation for the craft that goes into mee sua-making.
*Pro-tip: Reserve spots in advance and bring insect repellant as this activity is located near the countryside.
Ah Sieng Mee Sua
Cost: RM150/pax (per lesson)
Opening hours: Reservation based
How to get there: 18min taxi ride from Sibu Airport (Google Maps)
5) Feast on Sibu’s specialities like Kampua Mee and Empurau Fish
When in Sibu, be sure to try their signature kampua mee, a dish that locals can (apparently) eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. While the dish looked rather bland and unassuming at first, I bit into a flavourful medley of chewy noodles and soft skin wanton. If you’re looking for even more flavour, try their Sawarak laksa and kampua mee with laksa.
Meng Chien Cafe
Cost: ~RM1 – 10/pax
Opening hours: 5:30AM – 4PM
How to get there: 30min taxi ride from Sibu Airport (Google Maps)
Kampua mee only touches the surface of the amazing food choices Sibu has to offer. I had the best Empurau fish in New Capitol Restaurant for the first time. In Chinese, the empurau fish is called “wang bu liao“, which translates to unforgettable. This is due to its exquisite price and taste.
Interestingly, the restaurant scraped off the fish scales and deep-fried it to create the most delectable fish skin dish; fresher and better than any Irving’s cracker ever created. But the real star of the show was the soft, fatty and chewy meat of the Empurau, a truly unforgettable experience — I might return to Sibu just for a taste of this fish again.
Another fan favourite was the Midin, which tasted amazing and has made it to my list of ‘top ten favourite greens’.
*Pro-tip: Call to check if you can reserve the Empurau fish for that day at +6084326066.
New Capitol Restaurant
Cost: ~RM20 – RM40, or, RM600 for the full fish (half the average cost of an Empurau fish served in any one restaurant in SG)
Opening hours: 11AM – 1:30PM, 5PM – 8:30PM
How to get there: 30min taxi ride from Sibu Airport (Google Maps)
Other places to visit
Founded in 1890, Tua Pek Kong Temple is the oldest Chinese temple in Sibu. Visitors can climb up the seven-storey pagoda dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy (Kuan Yin) within the temple grounds and enjoy views overlooking the Rajang River!
Tua Pek Kong Temple
Opening hours: 24hrs
How to get there: 33min taxi ride from Sibu Airport (Google Maps)
For a taste of local flavours and bargains, stop by the largest and most interesting indoor market of Sawarak with around 1,100 stalls — Sibu Central Market. I had the chance to taste sweet rice wine here but the mad variety of salted fish and live chicks and chicken was what made me really open my eyes to the heart of Sibu.
Sibu Central Market
Opening hours: 6AM – 6PM
How to get there: 31min taxi ride from Sibu Airport (Google Maps)
Travelling to and around Sibu
Flight: Scoot is currently the only airline offering a direct flight from Singapore to Sibu. The 2-hour flight operates three times a week (Wed, Fri, Sun) — making it a great weekend getaway near Singapore. While short, the flight was really comfortable with great service and cushy chairs!
Local transport: We’d recommend Grab as the main mode of transport as it’s more convenient and accessible. It’s relatively affordable too, at ~RM10 for a 10 to 15-minute ride. Other options include renting a car to drive around, booking transport via hotel, and following local travel agents where they guide and drive tourists around.
Connection: Enjoy high-speed and stable Internet connection throughout the city using an E-sim in Malaysia.
Explore Sibu on your next weekend getaway
As unassuming as this riverside town may seem, there are plenty of hidden gems and unique food options like the sunset river cruise and pork floss youtiao to explore. I was also truly enchanted by Sibu’s welcoming spirit, where friendly locals made me feel at home with their warm hospitality!
So instead of travelling to just JB, consider this laidback city as your next weekend getaway near Singapore — I’m sure you’ll love it as much as I did 😉
Check out our Malaysia guides and itineraries for more inspo:
– 10 Reasons Why Nature Lovers Should Visit Beautiful Terengganu in Malaysia
– The New Food Haven of Malaysia – 13 Things to eat in Kuching
– Kota Bharu Guide: Gateway to the Beautiful Perhentian Islands and a Lesser-known Malaysia
– 3D2N JB Itinerary — Mount Austin, Kulai, JB Sentral
Any other cool weekend getaway spots near Singapore? Let us know in the comments below!
This post was brought to you by Scoot and STATOS as part of a media familiarisation trip.
