MY · Sarawak · 2.02°N 112.93°E

kapit

Express boat up the Rajang to a river town deep in longhouse country.

Best time
Any time of year. It's wettest from around November to February, and water levels decide how far upriver the boats can go.
How long
1–2 days
Getting there
Fly from KL to Sibu, about 2 hours. Express boats from Sibu take around 2–3 hours upriver, and there's now a road too.
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MY · Sarawakkapit2.02°N 112.93°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Express boat up the Rajang to a river town deep in longhouse country.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingKapitMY, Sarawak
KLkapit
≈ 1,255 km from KL, as the crow flies
The skyline of Kapit as photographed from the Rajang river

Photo: Howe Kee Wong · CC BY 2.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

A river town on the Rajang and the main trading centre for the longhouses and timber camps of central Sarawak. Most people come for the express boat ride up from Sibu, then use Kapit as a base for longhouse visits.

Makan

  1. Midin and jungle vegetablesStir-fried ferns and other forest greens, much of it straight from the market.Map ↗
  2. River fishRajang fish, including the prized empurau, turn up at local restaurants.Map ↗
  3. Kampua meeFoochow-style noodles, a breakfast staple in Rajang towns.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Express boat up the RajangThe ride past timber towns, longhouses and jungle is half the reason to come.Map ↗
  2. Fort SylviaA wooden Brooke-era fort from 1880 on the riverbank, now a museum.Map ↗
  3. Pasar TeresangThe town market, where longhouse folk sell jungle produce, river fish and vegetables.Map ↗
  4. Longhouse visitArrange a visit to an Iban longhouse nearby through a local guide.Map ↗

Good to know

  • The first express boats leave early in the morning, so stay in Sibu the night before.
  • A longhouse visit goes best with a guide or a local contact. Bring a small gift for the household.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.