That means we can visit less travelled places, well off the beaten tourist tracks.
One of the most fascinating places I visited during this 8-day Pan Borneo Highway self drive holiday between Kuching and Sibu was the legendary Batu Nabau or Snake Rock near Pekan Engkilili town.
Pekan Engkilili town (in Sri Aman Division) along Sungai Batang Lupar river is about 210 km east of Kuching off the Pan Borneo Highway.
Thanks to our Kuching friend Kit for the linkup, we met with Goh a heritage and history expert on Sri Aman Division. Goh brought us to Batu Nabau and told us its captivating story.
The entrance to Batu Nabau is at the intersection of Sungai Bukong river and Jalan Haji Salleh Bin Talib.
It's an easy 10 minute trek to Batu Nabau from here.
When you reach these steps going downwards, you are almost there.
Once you reach the bottom of the stairs, it will be obvious to you why this is known as Snake Rock.
The biggest rock in this formation looked unmistakably like a huge snake. The cylindrical rock is about 9 metres long and 2 metres in diameter, pointed at one end with the other end hidden in rocks and bushes.
No one is sure how this rock formation came about. Is it a natural phenomenon, the work of an ancient civilisation or some supernatural force?
It remains an unsolved mystery (and therein lies part of its charm).
According to the Iban Legend of Batu Nabau, long long ago, a warrior headhunter was fleeing with a severed head, and pursued by enemies.
He ran from Bukit Kana mountain to the Bukong River but could not cross to the other side. He prayed for help, and a giant snake appeared, stretching its thick body across the swollen river.
The warrior crossed the river by walking on the snake's body.
On reaching the opposite bank, the warrior severed the snake so that his enemies could not follow him. The snake transformed into a stone, which is now known to local people as Batu Nabau, the giant Snake Rock.
Besides the giant Snake Rock, there is at least one smaller Snake Rock.
Till today, locals still come to the mystical Snake Rock to pray, present offerings and to request for blessings.
For example, Taoists hold All Souls Festival 中元節 events at Batu Nabau during the seventh lunar month.
Iban longhouse Rumah Bukong Atah is just a short 50 metre walk from Batu Nabau.
The Iban community also perform rituals at Batu Nabau.
Follow me as I cover the places we visited, food we had and people we met during our 8-day Pan Borneo Highway self drive holiday.
Batu Nabau
Address: Jalan Haji Salleh Bin Talib, 95800 Engkilili, Sarawak, Malaysia
Written by Tony Boey on 11 Oct 2026
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