What are the things to see in Sibu, Sarawak?

Things to See In Sibu

Welcome to my review of Things to See In Sibu.

Sibu is Sarawak's third largest town, and a strategically located gateway to Sarawak's vast interior via the Rajang River, the longest in the State. Although it is over 100km from the South China Sea it is a significant river port.

I have a 30 year old guide book to Sarawak which stated that 'Sibu has more millionaires per head of population than any other town in the world'. If that is still true they must keep a low profile and not flaunt their wealth although I noted some fine residences while driving around the town.

Sibu is more a commercial centre than a tourist destination but I did find quite a few places of interest and these are as follows:

Sibu Town Square (Tun Tuanku Bujang Square)Sibu Town Square with mini Eiffel Towers in the corners.

Sibu Town Square (Tun Tuanku Bujang Square)

This wide open space is a focal point for the town's celebrations at Christmas, Chinese New Year and Hari Raya and for events such as the Borneo Cultural Festival.

Sibu Warrior MonumentRosli Dhoby assassinated British Governor Duncan Stewart near this spot.

Sibu Warrior Monument

The 30 meter high Tugu Pahlawan Sibu, or Sibu Hero's Monument, commemorates the struggle for independence by Sarawakian freedom fighters including Rosli Dhoby who assassinated British Governor Duncan Stewart in 1949 approximately 20 meters from where the monument now stands.

Hoover SquareMethodist influence is strong in Sibu.

Hoover Square

This Methodist complex named after Rev James Hoover comprises the Masland Methodist Church, Hoover Mission House and a Methodist Book Room among other facilities.

ornate chinese templeTan Hua Hoo Taoist Temple

Tan Hua Hoo Taoist Temple

This impressive colourful temple is tucked away in a backstreet but is well worth making the effort to visit.

statue of a swan on a rockOne of Sibu's many swan statues.

Sibu Swan Statue

Sibu is a city of swans or at least swan statues (I didn't see any living swans). The city appears to have adopted this bird as its symbol apparently because the Rajang River reminded the early Chinese settlers of the Swan River in Fuzhou, China. There are numerous swan statues around town including this one opposite the Kingwood Hotel.

riverside parkSibu Rejang Esplanade

Sibu Rejang Esplanade

A small riverside park which includes a kiddies' playground, some monuments celebrating the history of the Xu clan and its role in Sarawak's development, a stylised swan statue and park benches.

modern cathedral with man-made grotto structuresSacred Heart Cathedral

Sacred Heart Cathedral

This Catholic church is one of the oldest in Sibu although the current structure is clearly more modern with some unusual grotto-like embellishments.

sightseeing boat filled with touristsRiver Cruise Boat

Sibu River Cruise

A one hour cruise at weekends and public holidays departing from the ferry terminal on Jalan Khoo Peng Loong. There are two cruises. The Rajang and Igan Riverbank Tour from 5:15 - 6:15pm on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays and the Sunset Cruise from 6:30 - 7:30 pm on the same days. Both cruises cost RM15 for Sarawakians, RM18 for other Malaysians and RM25 for non-Malaysians.

decaying ferryFerry boat no longer in use.

Ferry Graveyard

Since the opening of the Sibu/Kanowit/Kapit road there is less demand for the ferries which used to be the only way to reach those towns. A few of these ferries are moored at the ferry terminal and appear to be slowly decaying.

an outdoor gym pavilion overhanging the riverSungai Merah Heritage Walk

Sungai Merah Heritage Walk

This area is an attempt to landscape and beautify a stretch a river with walkways, planting, bridges and an outdoor gym pavilion. A nice idea but perhaps still more work required before you can imagine that you are in Amsterdam or Camden Lock!

marble monument and statueWong Nai Siong Garden

Wong Nai Siong Garden

Nearby is a small garden dedicated to the memory of Mr. Wong Nai Siong, one of Sibu's most prominent Chinese pioneers.

circular monument and gardenRev. James M. Hoover Memorial Garden

Rev. James M. Hoover Memorial Garden

A short distance away on the other side of the river is a plate-shaped memorial to Reverend James Matthew Hoover (1872-1935), the first Methodist Missionary to serve among the Foochow immigrants in Sibu. Details of his impressive lifetime achievements are inscribed here.

exterior of Pasar Sentral SibuSibu Central Market

Sibu Central Market

This huge two-storey covered market has colourful local sights and smells. In the wet market section you can find live chickens and geese already wrapped in newspaper parcels, seemingly oblivious to their future fate. Upstairs are hawker food stalls for affordable local dishes.

buskers and stalls at night marketNight Market

Sibu Night Market

Nearby Jalan Market comes alive in the evenings with food vendors, clothing stalls, etc.

In addition to the above list of things to see in Sibu, please see the pages I have written on the following major Sibu attractions:

Location of Things to See In Sibu

Most of the places mentioned in this review can be found on this map.

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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 790 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.