Whereas the Iban traditionally hung head-hunted heads outside each family’s bilik, the Bidayuh grouped theirs together in the community’s panggah or baruk (communal meeting hall). The heads are no longer believed to protect the village – these days the people of Annah Rais are almost all Anglican (and the Bidayuh of Kalimantan are mainly Catholic) – but about a dozen smoke-blackened human skulls still have pride of place in the headhouse, suspended near an 18th-century Dutch cannon.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
28.24 MILES
Housed in the century-old Chinese Court building, this museum provides an excellent introduction to the nine major Chinese communities – each with its own…
28.45 MILES
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27.98 MILES
Closed at the time of writing and scheduled to reopen in mid-2020 after extensive conservation work, the Sarawak Museum was established in 1891 by Charles…
28.33 MILES
The Old Court House was built in the late 19th century to serve as the city’s administrative centre. It now houses a cafe and bar, the excellent Ranee…
28.4 MILES
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28 MILES
Closed at the time of writing and scheduled to reopen in mid-2020. This museum featured an exhibit called Urang Sarawak, which deftly and succinctly…
17.22 MILES
One of the best places in the world to see semiwild orangutans in their natural rainforest habitat, swinging from trees and scurrying up vines, Semenggoh…
28.59 MILES
Built by Charles Brooke in 1869, the Astana (a local word meaning 'palace’) – conveniently labelled in giant white letters – and its manicured gardens…
Nearby Sarawak attractions
0.02 MILES
Once you've paid your entrance fee you’re free to explore Annah Rais’ three longhouses (Kupo Saba, Kupo Terekan and, across the river, Kupo Sijo).
0.04 MILES
Around 55km south of Kuching, this Bidayuh village is a popular option for travellers to Sarawak to explore longhouse life. Day trips are possible, but an…
10.68 MILES
In the barok (ritual hall) of this 32-door longhouse you can see about a dozen head-hunted skulls, bone white but tinged with green, hanging from the…
17.22 MILES
One of the best places in the world to see semiwild orangutans in their natural rainforest habitat, swinging from trees and scurrying up vines, Semenggoh…
18.63 MILES
About 9km southwest of Bau, Fairy Cave – almost the size of a football pitch and as high as it is wide – is an extraordinary chamber whose entrance is 30m…
20.03 MILES
Situated 5km southwest of Bau, Wind Cave is essentially a network of underground streams. Unlit boardwalks in the form of a figure eight run through the…
21.8 MILES
Vendors from Kalimantan (Indonesia) cross the mountains on motorbikes to sell fruit, electronics, handicrafts, rattan furniture and clothes at this…
27.78 MILES
Built as a church in 1969 and granted cathedral status in 1976, this Roman Catholic cathedral is notable for its impressive belian (ironwood) roof.
- placement: superzone
- path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
- possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
- targeting:
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