Visitors return to Bung Bratak Heritage Centre
KUCHING: The Bung Bratak Heritage Centre (BBHC) has been receiving a steady stream of visitors since it reopened on June 17.
Bung Bratak Heritage Association (BBHA) chairman Datuk Peter Minos said based on feedback received, the visitors made the journey to BBHC in Bau, including to climb up the 1,000-foot high Bung Bratak mountain, to stay fit amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
“In the last two weeks, extraordinarily more and more people go up and visit the BBHC, a Bidayuh historical cultural centre located on a mountain top. Apparently, when asked why they climbed up to the BBHC, many said it was ‘to cleanse the lungs and heart after months of Covid-19 crisis and its pains’.
“Some people said that mountain-climbing makes one sweat heavily but also improves the heart and the lungs by breathing the mountain fresh air and oxygen. They told me that, now in China, many of the town and city folk climb up to the hill and mountain rural villages to exercise,” he said.
Minos said BBHC is surrounded by thick virgin primary forests and nature all around with the “best oxygen and fresh spring mountain water”.
He said BBHC staff expect to see a surge in the number of visitors and tourists in the coming days and weeks since it is not far from Kuching and only about 10km from Bau town.
“Visitors just park their vehicles at Bung Bratak foothill and climb up slowly for half an hour. At BBHC, visitors can relax and rest and enjoy the best mountain scenery in good weather. The centre is unique with two traditional longhouses and a baruk – a Bidayuh cultural roundhouse.
“If visitors request for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as accommodation, all can be arranged by the staff,” he said.
Bung Bratak has been traced as the ancestral home of the Bidayuhs of the Jagoi-Bratak group.
The BBHC was initiated and developed by BBHA, and fully financed by the federal Ministry of Tourism at a cost of RM8 million and constructed by the Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak through an appointed contractor.
Completed in 2018, it comprises two traditional longhouses, one for accommodating up to 100 persons and one for a seminar or conference hall, office and mini museum on Dayak arts and culture.