The city of Miri in northeastern East Malaysia is a great home base for exploring Sarawak’s four national parks, UNESCO World Heritage-listed caves, and some of the island of Borneo’s most beautiful stretches of coastline. The surrounding South China Sea boasts more than 40 dive sites within a 40-minute boat ride, where you can spot vibrant coral and colorful tropical fish.

Miri also has an interesting city center to explore. As the second-largest city in Sarawak, Miri is home to lively markets, a popular city park, and historic cultural attractions. The Saberkas Night Market is a great place to try out regional fare from its street food vendors, including hawker stalls selling grilled fish, satay sticks, and sweet kueh (rice cake) desserts. The city’s Miri City Fan Recreation Park is a modern landscaped park that spans 26 acres and features a botanical garden, amphitheater, and public pool. To experience a piece of the area’s history, visit Tua Pek Kong, Miri’s oldest Chinese temple, built in 1913, with ornate carved dragons along its roof.

Miri has a typical tropical climate, with a dry season lasting from April until September, and heavy rains from November to January. The dry season is the best time to explore Miri’s beaches and national parks, but because this is also the hottest time of year, bring plenty of water and sunscreen to your vacation rental in Miri. It is also a good idea to pack a waterproof layer, although rain showers are rare and quick, so you still have plenty of hours of sunshine.

Niah Caves

The Niah Caves are an extensive underground complex in Niah National Park, about two hours’ drive south of Miri along the coast. The caves are one of the most important archeological sites in the world, with Iron Age paintings, Neolithic graves, and human remains dating back 40,000 years. If you time your departure right at sunset, you may spot the cave’s bat colony that leaves each night in a swirl of black to search for food.

Canada Hill

The limestone ridge of Canada Hill above the city is one of the best places to watch the sunset. The Petroleum Museum sits at the top of the hill, with interactive displays and exhibits that offer an interesting look into the city’s relationship with oil. Next to the museum stands the Grand Old Lady, the original 98-foot tower that marks the site of the first oil well in Miri in 1910.

Lambir Hills National Park

About 40 minutes’ drive from Miri, Lambir Hills National Park covers about 17,000 acres of an incredibly diverse forest ecosystem. This park is home to more than 200 species of bird as well as monkeys, gibbons, flying squirrels, and wild boars. With hiking trails leading to cool waterfalls and glistening natural pools, this is a great spot to escape the heat.