Malaysia’s LARGEST indoor market · 1,100+ stalls
Malaysia’s largest indoor market with 1,100+ stalls on Jalan Channel, Sibu, Sarawak. Open 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM, free entry. Market layout, parking, how to get there from Sibu Airport, food, and Sarawak layer cake.
Free entry
NO FEE
Open to everyone, locals and visitors alike
Opening hours
6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Every day including public holidays
Recommended duration
2 – 3 hours
Browse the stalls + eat at the food court
Best time
7:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Freshest produce and fewer crowds
A two-storey building that merges the old wet market with the Dayak “Pasar Lembangan”. The ground floor is for fresh and wet produce, the upper floor for clothing, food and Sarawak layer cake. Wide, well-ventilated aisles make it a living museum of Sibu culture.
Ground Floor · West Wing
Fresh meat, Rejang river fish, prawns, clams, kampung vegetables, tropical fruit, and live poultry neatly packed in old newspaper — a tradition unique to Sibu.
Ground Floor · Central Section
Sold by Iban women in traditional dress: jungle ferns, wild mushrooms, bamboo shoots, tubers, Dabai (Sarawak olive), wild honey and hand-woven rattan.
Ground Floor · East Wing
Cassava crackers, sambal, belacan (shrimp paste), soy sauce, spice mixes, dried anchovies, salted fish, Sarawak layer cake and daily necessities at the most affordable retail prices in town.
Upper Floor · Front Section
Sarawak batik, hand-woven Pua Kumbu cloth, baju kurung, t-shirts, shoes, handbags, affordable jewellery and souvenirs to remember your Sibu trip by.
Upper Floor · Back Section
Dozens of food stalls selling Mi Kampua (Sibu’s signature dry noodles), kampung meatball soup, Kompia (Fuzhou bread), Sarawak laksa, Teh C Peng Special and mixed rice at very reasonable prices.
Upper Floor · Near the Food Court
Sarawak layer cake in many flavours (Oreo Cheese, Pandan, Mocha, Green Tea), kuih lapis, kuih talam, bahulu, and assorted Sarawak and Fuzhou pastries.
Real photographs of Sibu Central Market — jungle-produce stalls, Mi Kampua on the upper floor, the newspaper-wrapped chicken tradition, and the Rejang riverfront that frames your visit to the Swan Town.
No entrance fee is charged for any visitor category. Sibu Central Market is a PUBLIC market run by the Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) for locals and travellers alike. You only pay for what you buy, for parking and for food.
💡 Smart shopping tips
| Visitor type | Entrance fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Adults | Free | All ages welcome |
| Children | Free | May enter together with parents |
| Seniors (60+) | Free | No special charge; discounts at some food stalls |
| Foreign visitors | Free | Same as Malaysian citizens |
| School / NGO groups | Free | Ask management for permission if the group exceeds 20 people |
| Commercial photography | Contact management | Personal photos are fine; advertising shoots need SMC approval |
The market is open all day, but certain hours give a much better experience. Sibu sits in an equatorial climate zone — cool mornings and frequent afternoon showers during the monsoon.
BEST · ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
7:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Good · ⭐⭐⭐⭐
11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Fit · ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
2 – 3 relaxed hours
📅 Best days to visit
🌤️ Sibu climate · Land of the Hornbills
Temperatures stay between 23°C and 33°C year round with humidity above 80%. The main rainy season runs November to February (afternoon showers); the drier spell is roughly May to August. Bring a small umbrella for sun and rain, plus a water bottle — two hours in the market will warm you up.
Parking along Jalan Channel is limited and fills up quickly in the morning. These are the best parking options near Sibu Central Market.
Distance from market: Right next to the market
Parking rate
RM2 first hour, RM1 per 30 min after
Capacity
Limited (about 50 bays)
Closest option but fills up fast 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM. Coupon machine or e-wallet payment.
Distance from market: 350 m (5 min walk)
Parking rate
RM3 first hour, RM2 per hour after
Capacity
Multi-storey, 300+ bays
Main alternative when street parking is full. Sibu’s largest shopping complex.
Distance from market: 150 m (2 min walk)
Parking rate
RM2/hour, max RM8 per day
Capacity
Moderate (about 80 bays)
Ideal if you continue to Kuching or Kapit by boat after the market.
Distance from market: 500 m (7 min walk)
Parking rate
RM2/hour
Capacity
Moderate
Cheap and near the bus station. The area gets busy in the evening.
Distance from market: 650 m (9 min walk)
Parking rate
RM3 first hour, RM2 per hour after
Capacity
Plenty
Backup if Wisma Sanyan is full. Accessible from Jalan Central.
Distance from market: 300 m (4 min walk)
Parking rate
RM1 – RM2/hour
Capacity
Limited (about 30 bays)
Arrive early to get a bay. Visit the temple before or after the market.
From Sibu Airport (SBW), the bus station, the Express Boat Terminal and around town. Full step-by-step directions with estimated costs and honest local tips.
Estimated cost: RM25 – RM40
Step-by-step
💡 Local tip
Estimated cost: Free
Step-by-step
💡 Local tip
Estimated cost: RM1 – RM2 per person
Step-by-step
💡 Local tip
Estimated cost: RM6 – RM18
Step-by-step
💡 Local tip
Estimated cost: RM4 – RM20
Step-by-step
💡 Local tip
Estimated cost: Free
Step-by-step
💡 Local tip
Estimated cost: Parking RM2 – RM6 per hour
Step-by-step
💡 Local tip
From the market’s own upper-floor food court (Mi Kampua for RM5!), to the Fuzhou kopitiam lane below Tua Pek Kong hill, to a restaurant serving wild jungle salads. All within 700 m of Sibu Central Market.
Distance from market
0 km · inside the market
The closest option. A plate of Mi Kampua plus Teh C Peng costs around RM7–RM10. Muslim and non-Muslim sections are separated.
Distance from market
250 m · Jalan Central
Open daily 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM along Jalan Central, near Tua Pek Kong Temple.
Distance from market
300 m · Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman
A row of old kopitiams at the foot of Tua Pek Kong hill. Kompia bread is freshly made every morning.
Distance from market
550 m · Jalan Wong Nai Siong
Similar to a Singapore hawker centre and a local favourite. Try the three-sour drink in a large cup.
Distance from market
700 m · Jalan Marine
Known for kampung-style cooking and jungle produce. Healthy dishes with authentic Sarawak flavours.
Distance from market
450 m · Jalan Ban Hock
You can watch Guang Bing, a traditional Fuzhou flatbread, being made on site. Popular for breakfast.
Sibu Central Market sits in the heart of Sibu town. Use its central location to reach nearby attractions — Tua Pek Kong temple on the hill, the Sibu Heritage Centre, Iban longhouses on the Rejang, and the Wisma Sanyan shopping tower.
Sibu’s oldest Chinese temple on the banks of the Rejang. Climb 100+ steps to the hilltop for a panoramic view of the town and Malaysia’s longest river.
A pleasant riverside promenade along Malaysia’s longest river. Walk towards Tua Pek Kong and enjoy the river breeze.
A gallery of Sibu’s town history: Fuzhou Chinese immigration from the 1900s, Iban/Melanau/Malay heritage and traditional costumes.
A green forest reserve in the middle of town with boardwalks, primary forest canopy and wild birds. A favourite exercise spot for locals.
Open 5 PM – 11 PM daily. Crescent moon buns, chai kuih, grilled bakso, satay and plenty of local snacks — it feels like a street in Fuzhou, China.
Traditional Iban longhouses across the Rejang river. Watch the ngajat dance, try tuak (traditional rice wine) and learn about Sarawak’s indigenous culture.
Sibu’s tallest building (28 floors) with a modern mall, cafés, restaurants, a cinema and a supermarket — a good place to cool off after the market.
Sightseeing boat trips along the Rejang past floating houses and Malay villages, with sunset and dinner cruise options.
Navigate straight from your current location to Sibu Central Market on Jalan Channel, opposite the Sibu Express Boat Terminal, Sarawak.
This is an unofficial visitor guide. Please check the links below to confirm the latest information before planning your trip to Sibu.
Complete answers to the questions visitors ask most before and during a visit to Sibu Central Market — opening hours, bargaining, must-try food, parking, photo etiquette and the Sarawak durian season.
