The old town of Betong

We stopped by this old town on our way back to Sibu on New Year.  We were attracted by the road sign that saying "Fort Lili" so we decided to check this town out.  Took us about half hour to reach the town from the main road.

Betong, one of the divisions in Sarawak, was formed in 2002.  Formerly part of Sri Aman division, it is the smallest adminitrative division in Sarawak. Majority is Iban with mix of Chinese and Malay.  So along the road to Betong town you would be seeing some Iban culture annex such as this....

The icon of Betong - a white rubber tree!!! Standing in the middle of the town

Some old shophouses there

We drove around the old town.  There is a new township which is on the left side before reaching this old town.  We did not drive to the new town because it would take few minutes to reach there. 

As for the Fort Lili, we were having a hard time finding it.  We drove around the old town twice and lost road sign after turning here and there. In the end we asked for a direction from a young Malay girl, and we finally spotted Fort Lili.  No wonder we could not find it.  It was barely visible, as hidden behind this Masjid Jamek.

The fort was not open that day so we did not get the chance to see it at close view.  I only able to take a shot from its locked gate.  The fort was build in 1885 and the famous Iban warrior, Rentap was said to have some actions with the White Rajah here.  Later the fort turned into police and administrative office.

Well, not much luck of viewing the Fort Lili from inside.  But from outside, it does look like Fort Slyvia Kapit.  Maybe when we gone back to Kapit for CNY this year, we can bring the kids to visit Fort Slyvia and its historical exhibition.