A city which has retained and treasured its historic buildings and cultures, Kuching is the place to discover Malaysian Borneo’s past. The nearby national parks will lead you on a journey through Borneo’s ecology, from wetlands and rain forest, to a primate rehabilitation centre.
To find your bearings in the “Cat City” (kuching is Malay for cat), follow the city’s waterfront trail that winds along the Sarawak River. This trail takes you past a 19th-century fortress, a Chinese Pavilion, a Buddhist temple, and street food vendors and restaurants where you can try everything from oyster omelettes to a local dry noodle dish, kolok mee.
Discover the oldest existing street in the city, Main Bazaar, where the two-story shops are a great place to hunt for bargain antiques, wooden folk crafts, ceramics and jewellery.
Spend a day or two exploring Kuching’s many museums. The Sarawak Museum was opened in 1891 and has exhibitions of tribal artifacts and extensive natural history collections. Investigate the influence of Islam on Malaysia at the nearby Sarawak Islamic Museum, where you’ll find exhibits dedicated to weaponry, architecture, literature and costumery. The Chinese influence on the city is proudly displayed at the flamboyant riverside temple Tua Pek Kong, built in 1843.
Nature tours are also a prime reason to base yourself in Kuching. Just 30-minute bus ride from the city is the entry to the Bako National Park. Hike the short or long trails through the jungle while keeping an eye out for the endangered proboscis monkeys and flying lizards. Join a boat tour of the Kuching Wetlands National Park to see otters and Irrawaddy dolphins.
Come face-to-face with Borneo’s most famous primates at the Semenggoh Orangutan Sanctuary, which is also rehabilitating a number of other endangered species.
Kuching offers year-round sunshine and is compact and safe enough to comfortably explore on foot or by bicycle.
Kuching
Where to stay in Kuching
Tabuan Jaya
When in Tabuan Jaya, you can plan a visit to Vivacity Megamall and Friendship Park, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.
Kampong Segoleng
While there might not be top attractions in Kampong Segoleng, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Kuching City Mosque and Sarawak Museum.
Kampong No.4
Kampong No.4 might not have many top sights, but Kuching City Mosque and Plaza Merdeka are two attractions nearby that you can check out.
Kampong No.2/Bandarshah
Kampong No.2/Bandarshah might not have many top sights, but Sarawak Museum and Plaza Merdeka are two attractions nearby that you can check out.
Kampong No.6
When in Kampong No.6, you can plan a visit to Kuching City Mosque and Medan Niaga Satok Market, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.
Kampung No. 1
Though Kampung No. 1 may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Kuching City Mosque and Sarawak Museum.
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Popular places to visit
Kuching Waterfront
You can take time to visit Kuching Waterfront during your travels to Kuching. Stroll along the riverfront in this culturally rich area or seek out the local tours.
Damai Beach
If a restful holiday is part of your travel plans, Damai Beach might be the perfect place to visit during your trip to Santubong. Stroll along this relaxing area's seaside or simply enjoy its restaurants.
Bako National Park
Forests, mangroves and beaches teeming with bearded pigs, otters, proboscis monkeys and macaques await at this park, less than an hour’s drive from Kuching.
Mount Santubong
Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Mount Santubong during your travels in Santubong. Stroll along the riverfront in this culturally rich area or visit its top-notch restaurants.
Vivacity Megamall
During your trip to Kuching, you can do some window-shopping at Vivacity Megamall. Amble around this culturally rich area's riverfront or seek out the local tours.
Kuching Boulevard Shopping Complex
During your visit to Kuching, you can do some window-shopping at Kuching Boulevard Shopping Complex. Stroll along the riverfront in this culturally rich area or seek out the local tours.
Things to do
Sarawak Sunset River Cruise with Return Transfer
Other places like Kuching
- Kuching Waterfront
- Vivacity Megamall
- Damai Beach
- Bako National Park
- Kuching Boulevard Shopping Complex
- Sarawak General Hospital
- The Spring
- Plaza Merdeka
- Jalan Padungan
- City One Shopping Mall
- Hills Shopping Mall
- Mount Santubong
- Sarawak Contingent Police Headquarters
- Sarawak Museum
- Masjid Jamek
- Sarawak Convention and Exhibition Centre
- Cat Museum
- Sarawak Stadium
- Medan Niaga Satok Market
- St. Joseph's Cathedral
- Kuching City Mosque
- Fort Margherita
- Tua Pek Kong
- Sarawak State Legislative Assembly
- Kubah National Park
- Kuching Civic Centre
- Kuching Wetlands National Park
- Tun Jugah Shopping Center
- Matang Wildlife Centre
- Sarawak State Library
- Damai Golf & Country Club