SUKMA XXI – six events held in Miri Resort City
 
Miri Resort City – also known as the ‘oil town’ of Malaysia when oil was first drilled at Canada Hill in 1910 – is hosting six SUKMA XXI events. The six events are sailing, which will be held at Marina Bay, fencing (Eastwood Valley Golf and Country Club), rugby (Miri Stadium), silat (Miri City Indoor Stadium), karate (IKBN Miri indoor stadium) and softball (SMK Merbau).
 
Miri - the northern tourism gateway
 
Miri Resort City is indeed the main tourism gateway to the northern parts of Sarawak as it offers a wide range of ecotourism destinations such as the Mulu National Park and the Niah National Park which are both UNESCO heritage sites, Lambir National Park and Loagan Bunut National Park.
 
Among some of the ‘must see places’ located in the city include the ‘Grand Old Lady’ at Canada Hill, Luak Bay, Miri Handicraft Centre and Wireless Walk.
 
Miri is indeed a happening and vibrant city where parties never stop. There’s party all year round as the city is famous for its Food Festival, Miri Jazz, Miri Country Music Fest, Miri Arts Festival and the inaugural WAK Miri Festival among others.
 
Wireless Walk
 
Wireless Walk is a ‘must visit’ place after a long day’s work as it opens only in the evening. It is a perfect place to chill out and relax with friends to savour the plentiful choices of food and drinks, whether local or western. There is plenty of space as the whole street welcomes all.
 
The Grand Old Lady
 
The ‘Grand Old Lady’ refers to the site where the first oil well was drilled in 1910 by the Shell Company. It is indeed one of the main attractions for every visitor. This famous landmark has a height of 30 metres and marked the beginning of modernization of Miri. Located just next to the Grand Old Lady is the Miri Petroleum Museum. There are many exhibits in the museum include a scaled oil platform, old tools used in the old days to extract crude oil.
 
There is also a site of time capsule which will be opened on May 20, 2105 to commemorate Miri City’s one century anniversary.
 
At the compound of the Miri Petroleum Museum, there is a huge ‘MIRI’ billboard erected at a strategical site on the hill where one can have a breathtaking view of the city below.
 
Luak Bay
 
Luak Bay is another perfect place for hang out where there are endless sandy white beaches to walk and relax the tired minds and bodies. One can also jog and exercise along the beach, and after all is done, there is plenty of stalls to quench the thirst and hunger.
 
Miri Handicraft Centre
 
It is a perfect place to get souvenirs to commemorate one’s visit to the city. There are 14 stalls altogether which offers a wide variety of local-made handicrafts of various motifs, types, sizes and colours of almost all the natives of Sarawak.
 
There is even a cafeteria within the premises to quench one’s thirst.

In short, Miri City is indeed a tourism gateway as it welcomes visitors with open arms with friendly smiles. This is indeed true as Miri is the main gateway for tourists and visitors from Brunei to shop, dine and relax over the weekends.
 
Miri too is a gateway for the northern region as the city is served and connected to major destinations within Malaysia, via air connectivity. Miri Airport is a major hub for MASWings and AirAsia. -UKASnews