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Hailed to be the main “highway” for
commerce in central and southern Sarawak, Batang Rejang bears witness to
a daily routine of trading transactions along the waterway and the
land’s interior.
Staying at one of the many longhouses belonging to the Iban and other
tribes scattered along the banks and tributaries of the river is
considered to be among the highlights of any tourist’s trip to Sarawak.
The best time for a trip up the Rejang is in late May and early June.
This is the time of Gawai, the Dayak harvest festival,
when there is plenty of movement on the rivers and the longhouses
welcome visitors. Along the river, the only hotel accommodation
available is in Kanowit, Song Kapit and Belaga.
Around Batang Rejang
Sibu
Sibu and Kuching are considered to be the Yin and Yang of urban Borneo.
The rough river town of Sibu is the gateway to the Batang Rejang and is
the trading center between the coast and the vast upriver hinterland.
Sibu is not a particular pleasant place for touring with added warnings
to visitors to take care while the town center at night. There is
however, a nine-storey pagoda at the Chinese temple which is well-worth
climbing as there are great views of the river to be seen from the top.
The Sibu visitors information centre (Tel. 3340980; 16 JI Tukang Besi;
Time 8am-4.30pm Mon-Fri) has a very friendly and helpful staff who can
help with information about upriver tours out of Song, Kapit and Belaga.
It is closed every 1st and 3rd Saturday.
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