Sri Aman: Fort Alice, Rumah Sri Aman and the Benak

Sri Aman was formerly known as Simanggang. Two distinct themes stand out when planning a trip to the city: the history of Fort Alice and Rumah Sri Aman, and the Benak of the Batang Lupar. If you are looking for a hotel in Sri Aman, this distinction can help structure your plans: would you like to explore historical exhibitions and architectural history, or observe the tidal phenomenon? The wider regional area around Batang Ai adds further opportunities to these local themes.

Fort Alice and Rumah Sri Aman

Fort Alice was built in Sri Aman in 1864 as a defensive structure and served to control the Lupar. At the Sri Aman Heritage Museum, Fort Alice, the exhibition covers the history of the fort and events that shaped Sri Aman. It comprises five themes. The year it was built and its function are just as important for understanding the fort as the exhibition themes. If you are planning a museum visit, check the current opening hours in advance, as they may change.

A second historical site is Rumah Sri Aman, also known as Rumah Segi Lapan. The building is located in Sri Aman. On 21 October 1973, a declaration of intent was signed there between the Government of Sarawak and the North Kalimantan Communist Party. The exhibition at Rumah Sri Aman is divided into four themes: House on the Hill, Era of the White Rajahs, War and Peace, and Rising Tide. Compared with Fort Alice’s five themes, the exhibition at Rumah Sri Aman features four named themes; the two sites therefore have different approaches to structuring their exhibitions. This also makes it possible to connect a visit to the building with an event that has a precisely known date.

The Benak on the Batang Lupar

The focus of the Benak, by contrast, is a natural event. The tidal bore of the Batang Lupar begins in the Pulau Seduku area of the Lingga District; it is about 44.6 kilometres from the river mouth and 34.5 kilometres from Bandar Simanggang. It then travels at seven to 18 kilometres per hour and crosses the riverbank at the town of Simanggang. Its timing and conditions vary with the tides. The state of the tide is therefore crucial for observing it; do not plan for a fixed time, and check the conditions in advance. Visitors can observe the phenomenon at Taman Panorama Benak, a recreational area.

The surrounding area and wider region

In the area around Sri Aman, visitors can explore Iban longhouses, including longhouses near Batang Ai. In the wider region near the Batang Ai reservoir, Sri Aman is considered a gateway to adventure tourism, with access to longhouse experiences, river cruises and wildlife watching. Understanding the distances is useful: the longhouses are in the surrounding area, while river cruises and wildlife watching are part of the wider regional offerings. This provides a range of options, from historical buildings and the Benak in the local area to opportunities across the wider region.

Choose a hotel in Sri Aman to suit the focus that matters to you.

Discover more destinations: Kuching, Bekenu, Niah, Marudi, Lingga, Lubok Antu, Sibu, Limbang

For the main travel overview: Sarawak.