One of Malaysia’s best-known and most iconic cultural attractions, Sarawak Cultural Village is a unique award-winning living museum offering and exciting and informative introduction to local cultures and lifestyles. Nine authentic replica buildings represent every major ethnic group in Sarawak; Bidayuh, Iban and Orang Ulu longhouses, a Penan jungle settlement, a Melanau tall-house, a Malay town house, a Chinese farmhouse and pagoda. Each is staffed with members of their respective ethnic groups, in traditional costume, carrying out traditional activities. Every house has a “storyteller” who is an expert in describing and interpreting traditional cultures and lifestyles. After touring the village, visitors can enjoy a multi-cultural dance performance in the village’s own theatre, or even take dance, music and craft lessons. There is also a good ethnic restaurant and a handicrafts shop on-site.

For over 20 years, the wardens here trained young orangutans, who had been orphaned or rescued from captivity, how to survive in the wild. The success of this programme has left the surrounding forest reserve with a thriving population of healthy adolescent and young adult orang utans, who are now breeding in the wild. The programme has been transferred to Matang Wildlife Centre, but Semenggoh is still home to its successful graduates, semi-wild orang utans and their babies. They spend most of their time roaming the forest but frequently come back to the Centre for a free meal. If it is the fruiting season in the forest, some or even all of them may not come to feed. This in itself is a good sign and another step on the way to full rehabilitation.