MY · Sarawak · 4.83°N 115.40°E

lawas

Far-north river town and the gateway to the Ba'kelalan highlands.

Best time
Any time of year. The road to Ba'kelalan is at its worst in the wet months, around November to February.
How long
1–2 days, more with Ba'kelalan
Getting there
Fly from KL to Kota Kinabalu (about 2 hours 30 minutes), then drive about 3–4 hours south via Beaufort and Sipitang. Short flights also run from Miri. Ba'kelalan is at least 6 hours further by 4WD, or a short hop by small plane.
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MY · Sarawaklawas4.83°N 115.40°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Far-north river town and the gateway to the Ba'kelalan highlands.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingLawasMY, Sarawak
KLlawas
≈ 1,532 km from KL, as the crow flies
Lawas is a small town and the capital of Lawas District, Limbang Division, Sarawak. Lawas, by virtue of its geographical location, is cut off from the rest of Sarawak's road network. It is however lin

Photo: Adznee Abas · CC BY 2.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

A small river town in the far north of Sarawak, close to where it meets Brunei, Sabah and Indonesia. It's the main town of the Lun Bawang people and the jumping-off point for the Ba'kelalan highlands, known for their apples and rice paddies.

Makan

  1. Nuba layaSoft mashed rice wrapped in leaves, the Lun Bawang staple, eaten with meat and vegetable sides.Map ↗
  2. TahaiSmoked fish, a Lawas speciality made in nearby villages.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Ba'kelalan highlandsLun Bawang villages, rice paddies and Malaysia's only commercial apple farms, near the Kalimantan border.Map ↗
  2. Pasar Tamu LawasHighland traders sell Ba'kelalan apples, highland rice and mountain salt.Map ↗
  3. Mount MurudSarawak's highest mountain, a serious multi-day trek from the Ba'kelalan side.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Driving in from Sabah means a Sarawak immigration check. Malaysians just need their MyKad.
  • The road to Ba'kelalan is a rough logging track. Go with a 4WD and a local driver, and avoid heavy rain.

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