Kuching travel guide & travel tips

Kuching is a tropical paradise located on the island of Borneo. It is easily accessible and boasts a number of sights. It is compact enough to walk around and will keep even the most avid sightseer busy for a few days. Most people arrive here to take advantage of the natural beauty. The Sarawak River is a popular destination that is surrounded by rainforest and leads to a stretch of sea which is home to friendly dolphins. There are also national parks, caves, rocky outlets and animal sanctuaries all located within a short drive from Kuching. Within the town itself, the most popular attractions are the museums. These offer a fascinating look into the history of the area as well as housing important collections. There are also churches, temples and mosques to enjoy as well as markets and a number of shops. Shopping is popular among visitors to Kuching, especially with those who collect tribal handicrafts. The main bazaar is located along the river and offers great opportunities to pick up a few souvenirs. The Sunday market is another popular attraction as it sells a range of fresh local food and offers a glimpse into the everyday life of locals in Kuching. It will not take you long to find your bearings around this small town. Regardless of where your hotel is, you will only be a short walk away from the main sights and unless you want to travel further afield, you will not need to use public transport.

In brief

Worth it? It does not have the stunning coast of other destinations in Borneo, but the natural beauty of the prime jungle areas and waterways ensure that this town should never be ignored.

What to do: kayaking, swimming with dolphins, sample local cuisine, shopping at the local markets, museum-hopping.

Best time to go: March to October as this is the dry season.

How long? Up to one week

Factoid: Kuching is also known as the ‘cat city’ and cat lovers will find cat sculptures and a cat museum here.

Getting there

Kuching International Airport is the main gateway to the region. There are hourly flights to Kuala Lumpur every day taking 1 hour, 30 minutes as well as regular flights to Singapore, Johor Bahru, Labuan, Kota Kinabalu. There are also small planes offering services to other cities in Sarawak such as Sibu, Bintulu and Miri.

Kuching attractions

Tua Pek Kong Temple: is the oldest Chinese temple in Kuching, located right at the heart of the town. Dating back to 1843, the temple is host to a number of religious festivals throughout the year.

Sultan Iskandar Planetarium: this was the first planetarium ever built in Malaysia. It is an excellent place to take the kids for an afternoon and a must for anyone interested in the solar system.

Kuching City Mosque: found near the open-air market, this is one of the main mosques for local Muslims. It was built in 1968 and is a stunning piece of architecture.

Kuching Waterfront: a visit to Kuching is not complete without walking along Kuching Waterfront. It is the most popular meeting place in Kuching and also offers stunning views across the river. When the sun goes down, it is a popular night-time entertainment spot where bars and restaurants abound.

Friendship Garden: was developed to celebrate the symbol of friendship between China and Malaysia. The garden has been beautifully designed with water features and separate gardens. It is an excellent place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

Sarawak Museum: is the oldest museum in Borneo. It was opened in 1891 and sponsored by Charles Brooke, the second white rajah of Sarawak. It is also known as the Ethnology Museum and houses a number of ethnic and historical items of Sarawak.

Sarawak Islamic Museum: boasts seven galleries which overlook a central courtyard garden. Each gallery has a different theme and highlights. One of the most popular artifacts on show is a replica of the sword used by the prophet Muhammad Pbuh.

Getting There & Away

Things to Do

Kuching Attractions

Tua Pek Kong Temple: Is the oldest chinese temple in kuching, located right at the heart of the town. dating back to 1843, the temple is host to a number of religious festivals throughout the year.
Sultan Iskandar Planetarium: This was the first planetarium ever built in malaysia. it is an excellent place to take the kids for an afternoon and a must for anyone interested in the solar system.
Kuching City Mosque: Found near the open-air market, this is one of the main mosques for local muslims. it was built in 1968 and is a stunning piece of architecture.
Kuching Waterfront: A visit to kuching is not complete without walking along kuching waterfront. it is the most popular meeting place in kuching and also offers stunning views across the river. when the sun goes down, it is a popular night-time entertainment spot where bars and restaurants abound.
Friendship Garden: Was developed to celebrate the symbol of friendship between china and malaysia. the garden has been beautifully designed with water features and separate gardens. it is an excellent place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.
Sarawak Museum: Is the oldest museum in borneo. it was opened in 1891 and sponsored by charles brooke, the second white rajah of sarawak. it is also known as the ethnology museum and houses a number of ethnic and historical items of sarawak.
Sarawak Islamic Museum: Boasts seven galleries which overlook a central courtyard garden. each gallery has a different theme and highlights. one of the most popular artifacts on show is a replica of the sword used by the prophet muhammad pbuh.