Fort Lili Heritage Museum
Betong, Sarawak

white walled timber fort with shingle roof

I recently visited Fort Lili Heritage Museum,  a historical fort located in Betong, Sarawak. Here is my review.

It was built in 1858 during the reign of Rajah James Brooke as a defensive position and a government administrative centre. In later years it served as a police station and government offices before being restored and converted to a museum. Fort Lili is older than Fort Alice at nearby Simanggang. It is also smaller and a different design although both forts are made of ultra-durable belian wood. Unlike Fort Alice, it is not situated on a hill (Betong is a very flat area) and it does not overlook the river (the Sungai Padeh is about 300 metres away) so its strategic value must have been more intended to control and protect the local population and to deter attacks.

The fort was originally known as Fort Betong but later changed to Fort Lili to honour the second Rajah's wife, Ranee Margaret Alice Lili Brooke. The spelling of the fort is often anglicised to Lily.

I read that the museum is intended to showcase the culture and history of the local Iban community but so far (as at June 2026) the exhibits inside are somewhat sparse.

It is a three storey building. The ground floor is completely empty apart from the desk of the reception clerk/guard. Upstairs are a few display cases with modest displays of Iban artefacts, handicrafts and tawak brass gongs. Above this floor, under the roof rafters, is a small room with benches presumably intended for presentations, films or educational purposes.

empty ground level with tiled floorNot much to see on the ground floor.
gallery spaces and shiny wooden floorsUpstairs there are a few displays.
Iban handicraft itemsExamples of Iban basket weaving skills.
Iban jewellery, ornaments, cloth and weaponMore Iban artefacts.

Museum Verdict

Sarawak Museums Department have clearly gone to a lot of effort and expense to faithfully restore this historic building. It is hoped that the interior lives up to its stated aim of showcasing Iban culture and history and more exhibits are added in future.

Opening Hours and Ticket Price

Open Daily Except Monday.

  • Weekdays 9am - 4:45pm
  • Weekends 10am - 4pm

Closed on the following public holidays:

  • Chinese New Year
  • Eid al-Fitr
  • Labour Day
  • Gawai Day
  • Malaysian independence Day
  • Birthday TYT of Sarawak
  • Christmas Day

Entrance Ticket

  • Admission is free.

How To Get to Fort Lili Heritage Museum

The location of the museum can be found on this map:

Parking

  • There is free parking just outside the gates to the museum.


Address

  • Muzium Warisan Kubu Lili Betong, Jalan Datuk Patinggi Udin, Kampung Gerakan Daya Wawasan Betong, 95700 Betong, Sarawak


Contact

Share this page:

AUTHOR BIO

the author

David (the one on the left) is the writer behind Malaysia Traveller, sharing first-hand travel advice from over five decades of living and travelling across Asia and the Middle East. Based in Malaysia since 2009 and now in Kuching, he has published over 760 pages on this website, personally visited every place he covers, and uses only his own photos. Readers can learn more on his About Me page. He also shares updates on Facebook and YouTube. He loves uncovering overlooked places that even some Malaysians have never visited.