Sri Aman, Sarawak, Malaysia

Sri Aman (GPS: 1.23668, 111.46256) is a town on the Batang Lupar river in Sarawak. It is the capital of the Sri Aman district and Sri Aman Division. The town has a population of 66,500, with the majority being the Ibans. Malay and Chinese form sizable minority groups in Sri Aman. The town was formerly known as Simanggang.

The Pan Borneo Highway passes through it as it continues through the major towns of Sarawak to Brunei and Sabah.

Getting there

The Pan Borneo Highway is the main artery connecting Sri Aman with the rest of Sarawak, Brunei and Sabah.

Sights in Sri Aman

Benak: The Batang Lupar river has a natural sight that can be seen in Sri Aman. Called Benak, it is a tidal bore that rolls upriver as high as 2-3 meters. This tidal wave is like a tsunami (but isn't). It happens because of the narrowing shape of the Batang Lupar, forcing the rising tide to be squeezed through on its approach to Sri Aman. When it comes in, it scatters everything on its way. The famous novelist Somerset Maugham was almost killed by this incoming benak while in Simanggang, but lived to write about it in his short story, The Yellow Streak. At that time, Maugham was visiting Rajah Charles Vyner Brooke in 1924. He was on a boat going upriver to Simanggang when the tidal wave hit his boat, throwing him out. He narrowly escaped death.
Batang Ai National Park: Sri Aman is the gateway to enter this national park
Fort Alice: This is a fort built by James Brooke in 1864 after he successfully put down a major Iban uprising that took place there in 1861. The fortress was built entirely of belian or ironwood. The original wood is still seen on the fort today, albeit in a much dilapidated state and in great need of repair.
Longhouses: Tour agencies in Kuching can organise trips to visit the longhouses of Sri Aman. Most of these are located the tributaries of the Batang Lupar, including the Batang Skrang, Batang Lemanak and Batang Ai.

Sri Aman is on the map of Towns in Sarawak

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