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I've been living in Kuching for a while now, and Annah Rais Longhouse was always one of those places I kept putting off. "Next time," I said. Well last weekend I finally drove the hour-plus past Batu Kitang and up into the hills — and man, I wish I'd done this sooner. This isn't one of those touristy "cultural village" set pieces. This is a real Bidayuh longhouse that's been standing for over 200 years. You walk in and the whole place smells like an old kampung house — creaky wooden floorboards, kids running along the corridors, grandmas sitting by their doors. [image: 1781402587113-annah_rais_01.jpg] Source: Annah Rais Longhouse exterior The highlight is the central gallery (they call it awah), a long open corridor that runs the entire length of the house. It's basically their living room, kitchen, playground, and social hub all in one. I was mid-way walking through when an uncle called me up, insisting his homemade tuak (rice wine) was the best in the whole village. Try saying no to that. [image: 1781402587354-annah_rais_02.jpg] Source: The central corridor (awah) If you want the full experience, they offer homestay packages. Found a review on Google Maps that said: "Staying overnight was an eye-opening experience. The family treated us like their own. Highly recommend the bamboo chicken dinner." — Bamboo chicken is exactly what it sounds like: chicken stuffed into bamboo tubes and roasted over fire. Sounds amazing. I didn't stay overnight this time, but next visit I'm booking it for sure. [image: 1781402587545-annah_rais_03.jpg] Source: Inside the longhouse Another traveler on TripAdvisor wrote: "It's not a tourist trap. It's a real community. The people are genuinely warm and welcoming. Just be respectful and you'll have a great time." Couldn't agree more. It's all about mindset — respect their culture, and they'll welcome you like family. Walking to the back of the longhouse, there's a small river where the kids swim. Some of the Bidayuh guides also offer jungle treks to nearby waterfalls. I even heard there's a natural hot spring in the area, but I didn't have time to check it out. [image: 1781402587755-annah_rais_04.jpg] Source: Scenery around the longhouse A quick word about the tuak. This isn't the sweetened, watered-down stuff you buy in shops. It's traditional Bidayuh-style — fermented rice with their own family recipe. Slightly sweet but packs a punch. My Sabahan friend had two glasses and his face went red. Said it was "legit strong" Practical Info: Location: ~1 - 1.5 hour drive from Kuching city. Waze "Annah Rais Longhouse" Best time: Morning before it gets hot Entry: around RM10 - RM20 (ask when you arrive) Homestay: roughly RM80 - RM150/night (includes dinner + breakfast) ️ Tips: Wear long pants, bring mosquito repellent, roads can be rough Always ask before taking photos — respect their customs [image: 1781402588210-annah_rais_05.jpg] Source: Bidayuh traditional crafts Bottom line: If you want an authentic Sarawak longhouse experience near Kuching, Annah Rais is the real deal. No over-commercialization, no hard selling. Just a real community living their daily lives. Take a drive up this weekend, it's worth it. Anyone here been to Annah Rais? Tried the bamboo chicken or the hot spring? Drop your experience below [image: 1781402588443-annah_rais_06.jpg] Source: Surrounding paddy fields and landscape

I've been living in Kuching for a while now, and Annah Rais Longhouse was always one of those places I kept putting off. "Next time," I said. Well last weekend I finally drove the hour-plus past Batu Kitang and up into the hills — and man, I wish I'd done this sooner. This isn't one of those touristy "cultural village" set pieces. This is a real Bidayuh longhouse that's been standing for over 200 years. You walk in and the whole place smells like an old kampung house — creaky wooden floorboards, kids running along the corridors, grandmas sitting by their doors. [image: 1781402587113-annah_rais_01.jpg] Source: Annah Rais Longhouse exterior The highlight is the central gallery (they call it awah), a long open corridor that runs the entire length of the house. It's basically their living room, kitchen, playground, and social hub all in one. I was mid-way walking through when an uncle called me up, insisting his homemade tuak (rice wine) was the best in the whole village. Try saying no to that. [image: 1781402587354-annah_rais_02.jpg] Source: The central corridor (awah) If you want the full experience, they offer homestay packages. Found a review on Google Maps that said: "Staying overnight was an eye-opening experience. The family treated us like their own. Highly recommend the bamboo chicken dinner." — Bamboo chicken is exactly what it sounds like: chicken stuffed into bamboo tubes and roasted over fire. Sounds amazing. I didn't stay overnight this time, but next visit I'm booking it for sure. [image: 1781402587545-annah_rais_03.jpg] Source: Inside the longhouse Another traveler on TripAdvisor wrote: "It's not a tourist trap. It's a real community. The people are genuinely warm and welcoming. Just be respectful and you'll have a great time." Couldn't agree more. It's all about mindset — respect their culture, and they'll welcome you like family. Walking to the back of the longhouse, there's a small river where the kids swim. Some of the Bidayuh guides also offer jungle treks to nearby waterfalls. I even heard there's a natural hot spring in the area, but I didn't have time to check it out. [image: 1781402587755-annah_rais_04.jpg] Source: Scenery around the longhouse A quick word about the tuak. This isn't the sweetened, watered-down stuff you buy in shops. It's traditional Bidayuh-style — fermented rice with their own family recipe. Slightly sweet but packs a punch. My Sabahan friend had two glasses and his face went red. Said it was "legit strong" Practical Info: Location: ~1 - 1.5 hour drive from Kuching city. Waze "Annah Rais Longhouse" Best time: Morning before it gets hot Entry: around RM10 - RM20 (ask when you arrive) Homestay: roughly RM80 - RM150/night (includes dinner + breakfast) ️ Tips: Wear long pants, bring mosquito repellent, roads can be rough Always ask before taking photos — respect their customs [image: 1781402588210-annah_rais_05.jpg] Source: Bidayuh traditional crafts Bottom line: If you want an authentic Sarawak longhouse experience near Kuching, Annah Rais is the real deal. No over-commercialization, no hard selling. Just a real community living their daily lives. Take a drive up this weekend, it's worth it. Anyone here been to Annah Rais? Tried the bamboo chicken or the hot spring? Drop your experience below [image: 1781402588443-annah_rais_06.jpg] Source: Surrounding paddy fields and landscape

老实说，来了古晋这么久，一直听说 Annah Rais 长屋很值得去，但每次都找借口说"下次"。上周末终于硬着头皮驾了一个多小时车去到 Batu Kitang 再往上，才发现自己之前错过了什么。 这里不是那种观光式的"人造文化村"，而是真正有 Bidayuh 族人在住的老长屋。整条长屋沿着山坡排开，据说有两百多年历史了。走进去的感觉…怎么说呢，就是那种小时候在 kampung 才有的味道，木地板咯吱咯吱，小孩在走廊跑来跑去。 [image: 1781402587113-annah_rais_01.jpg] 来源：Annah Rais Longhouse 外观 长屋最大的特色是他们的中央走廊（叫 awah），整条贯通的走廊就是他们的客厅、厨房、游乐场、聊天区。我走到中间那段，有个 uncle 直接喊我上去坐，讲他们酿的 tuak（米酒）是全村最好喝的 不喝都不好意思。 [image: 1781402587354-annah_rais_02.jpg] 来源：长屋中央走廊 如果你打算过夜，他们有 homestay 方案。我找到 Google Maps 上一个 review 说："Staying overnight was an eye-opening experience. The family treated us like their own. Highly recommend the bamboo chicken dinner." — 对，那个 bamboo chicken，就是用竹筒装着鸡去烧，听说很好吃。我这次没留宿，但下次一定要试。 [image: 1781402587545-annah_rais_03.jpg] 来源：长屋内景 也有访客在 TripAdvisor 分享："It's not a tourist trap. It's a real community. The people are genuinely warm and welcoming. Just be respectful and you'll have a great time." 这一点我完全同意。其实就是心态问题 — 你尊重他们的文化，他们自然欢迎你。 一路走到长屋的后端，有一条小河，kids 在那里玩水。个别的 Bidayuh 还会带你去走 jungle trek，看瀑布。我听当地人说，Annah Rais 也有自己的天然温泉！可惜这次时间不够，没去到。 [image: 1781402587755-annah_rais_04.jpg] 来源：长屋周边风景 关于 tuak 再讲两句。他们的 tuak 真的是 homemade，不像外面买的加了糖和水。传统 Bidayuh 酿法，米饭发酵 + 自家配方，喝起来有点甜有点烈。我一个朋友（沙巴人）上次喝了两杯就脸红了，说是真的够力 实用资讯： 位置：从古晋市区开车大约 1 - 1.5 小时（用 Waze 找 Annah Rais Longhouse） 开放时间：白天都可以去，但 best 是早上，下午比较热 入门费：RM10 - RM20 左右（不定，建议先问） Homestay package：大概 RM80 - RM150 一晚（包含晚餐+早餐） ️ 建议：穿长裤 + 带驱蚊剂，山路有些地方比较原始 拍照前先问，尊重他们的习俗 [image: 1781402588210-annah_rais_05.jpg] 来源：Bidayuh 传统手工艺品 总结一句：如果你想在古晋附近体验真正的砂拉越长屋文化，Annah Rais 是首选。没有过度商业化，没有强逼消费，就是实实在在的社区生活。这个周末驾一下车去吧，值得的。 你们有人去过 Annah Rais 吗？有没有试过 bamboo chicken 或温泉的？留言分享下 [image: 1781402588443-annah_rais_06.jpg] 来源：周边环境与稻田