Sibu is a town in Sarawak, East Malaysia. It's not much of a tourist destination (though it does have some beautiful Chinese temples), but it's a common transfer point for boats up the Rejang River to the small towns of Borneo's interior.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
Garden City to be, this is a quiet town along Rejang River. Sibu is one of the three towns in Malaysia which consists of a predominantly Foochow-Chinese population (Yong Peng in Johor and Sitiawan in Perak are the others). Sibu is not only famous for food (such as Kompia, Kampua and the like), but also boasts of being the hometown of a national patriot called Rosli Dhoby. The town symbol is the Swan. Sibu has been called the 'Wild West' of Malaysia because of its 'lawlessness' and the frequent triad activities in Sibu. There's a visitor information centre at the Sibu Cultural Heritage Museum on Jalan Central.
Tel: 6084-313384 Most taxis here are not metered. To get to destinations outside the city or on the outskirts, you can find yellow-roofed taxis near the Central Market going to specific places. The ridesharing app Grab is popular. Head over to the short-distance bus terminal, near the Central Market and express boat terminal. There is an inquiry counter there, and you may ask for directions. The buses however are non-air conditioning buses. Downtown Sibu is a very compact area, so it is easily walkable.
1 Tua Pek Kong Temple. A must-see in Sibu. Its history dates back to 1870. Better go around sunset and ask the key to go to the topfloor of the tower for a fantastic view of Sibu and the river. Sibu Town Square. The largest town square in Malaysia. Once here, you may walk to the waterfront(at the end of the square) and see the confluence of two great rivers, the Rajang and the Igan. This waterfront is popular for the locals to hang out and also for recreational purposes. Lau King Howe Hospital Memorial Museum (near the Sibu Town Square). (updated Feb 2019) Sibu Central Market. The largest indoor market in Malaysia. Lots of local things can be bought here.
Visit the local Sibu Central Market. Local products can be found extensively such as local black olives called dabai, other exotic fruits and vegetables as well as some handicraft. Do not miss out on the action in Sibu Night Market in the evening till midnight every day. You can get anything here. From delicious Chinese food, Malay delicacies and bargain for attire. It is said that the night market in Sibu is the liveliest in Sarawak.
Chai Pau: Vegetable buns, with varieties of vagetables as ingredients was a common dim-sum for hawkers and other blue-collars. Chai Pau is so different with others because of its delicious vegetables contents and less flour on its outer. Diang Biang Hu: As is called by local Foochow, 'Diang' is wok, 'Biang' is side, 'Hu' is porridge prepared with grinded rice. So Diang Biang Hu is a rice-grinded-poridge cooked on the surface of a heated wok. Most Foochow pronounce it as Diang Miang Hu. Kampua Mieng: In Foochow, it means mee or noodles on a dry plate.
Do not miss to try the famous Teh C Special. It is available in most kopitiams. It is a three-layered drinks, tea, milk and flavour (available in Pandan and Gula Apong flavors).
Gossip is an endemic problem in Sibu. It can be difficult to escape unwanted and intrusive attention but keeping a low profile can help to reduce the extent of this problem. There are many shady characters in Sibu, whom one must avoid at all costs. Gangsterism is a problem in Sibu; most of the gangs are probably connected with some of the numerous timber barons in the town. Be on high alert while walking, especially at Sibu Central Market. The risk of being pick-pocketed is high,as there are several cases involving the customers and also shop owners being pick-pocketed. Should you have been pick-pocketed, go to the nearest Tourist Police Station, not far from the Central Market.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
In Aug, Sibu typically sees ~31°C daytime highs and 17 rainy days.
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