How to Get to Kuching

The easiest way to reach Kuching is by flying into Kuching International Airport, which is just 20 minutes’ drive from the city centre. If you’re travelling from elsewhere in Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur offers the largest number of direct flights, with the journey taking around two hours. You can also fly directly from other major cities including Penang, Johor Bahru, Singapore, and Jakarta.

If you are already in Borneo then you will likely need to fly from Kota Kinabalu in the Sabah region. For those of you visiting Sepilok or cruising along the Kinabatangan River, you’ll most likely be flying from Sandakan airport. Unfortunately there’s no direct flight from Sandakan so you’ll have to change in Kota Kinabalu. My husband and I had to do this and it was really tedious as we had a long stopover between two short flights. 

From Kuching airport, the quickest and easiest way to reach your accommodation is with Grab, Southeast Asia’s equivalent of Uber. 

Best Things to Do in Kuching 

Stroll Along the Kuching Waterfront 

One of the most relaxing things to do in Kuching is to stroll along its picturesque waterfront. Stretching for around 1.5 kilometres along the southern bank of the Sarawak River, this attractive promenade is where both locals and visitors come to unwind. Throughout the day you’ll find people jogging, enjoying coffee at one of the riverside cafés, relaxing in the shady parks, or simply watching boats drift past. 

Across the river you’ll see the New Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Building with its distinctive umbrella-shaped roof. Nearby sits the Astana, an elegant 19th-century palace built by Charles Brooke as a gift to his wife Margaret, which now serves as the official residence of the Governor of Sarawak. Connecting both sides of the river is the Darul Hana Bridge, a stylish S-shaped pedestrian bridge which offers wonderful views of the river and city.

If you’d like to see the city from a different perspective, this is also where you’ll find several operators offering Sarawak River cruises. These river cruises take visitors past traditional villages and toward Kuching’s mountainous surroundings. Some also include live cultural performances if that’s your thing. Sunset departures are particularly popular, so it’s worth booking ahead if you’re travelling during peak season. 

While the waterfront is lovely during the day, the fierce Bornean sun can be hard going at times. So, do what the locals do and head back to the river promenade once the sun goes down. Families gather along the promenade, street food vendors set up their stalls, musicians entertain passers-by, and the atmosphere becomes livelier and more sociable. 

At 8.30pm and 9.30pm every evening (with an additional 10.30pm show from Friday to Sunday), the Darul Hana Musical Fountain puts on a free 15-minute display of music, colourful lights, and dancing water jets, which illuminates the river beautifully.

Visit the Borneo Cultures Museum 

If you only visit one museum in Kuching, make it the Borneo Cultures Museum. Opened in 2022, this enormous five-storey museum is the largest in Borneo and one of the biggest museums in Southeast Asia. Rather than simply displaying rows of dusty artefacts behind glass, the museum combines immersive multimedia experiences, well-curated exhibitions, and interesting storytelling which brings Borneo’s history to life. 

The museum explores everything from Borneo’s extraordinary biodiversity and Indigenous communities to its prehistoric past, colonial history, and traditional craftsmanship. By the time you leave, you’ll have a much deeper understanding of Sarawak and the cultures that have shaped it. 

There are three permanent galleries to explore, including:

• In Harmony with Nature: Located on the 3rd floor, this gallery explores Borneo’s diverse rainforests, coastlines, rivers, and mountains, while explaining how Indigenous communities connect with them in a deep and sustainable manner.
• Time Changes: This gallery takes visitors on a journey from prehistoric Borneo right through to the formation of modern Malaysia, displaying everything from ancient archaeological discoveries to colonial history and nation-building. Don’t miss the Deep Skull – the oldest known modern human remains in island Southeast Asia – and the Proclamation of Malaysia, marking the formation of Malaysia in 1963.
• Objects of Desire: This 5th floor gallery showcases the incredible artistry of Borneo’s Indigenous people. Here you’ll find beautifully woven baskets, intricate beadwork, wooden ceremonial masks, traditional clothing, weapons, pottery, jewellery, and other examples of the craftsmanship passed down through generations. 

Although the entrance fee is higher than many museums in Malaysia, I think it’s well worth it. There really is a huge amount to see here, and you’ll easily spend a few hours exploring the various galleries and exhibitions.

• Admission: 50 RM (Malaysian Ringgit) for foreign adults
• Opening times: Monday- Friday (9.00am – 4.45pm). Saturday, Sunday, & Public Holidays (9.30am – 4.30pm)

Discover Kuching’s Historic Landmarks 

The White Rajah Era

Kuching’s major landmarks are all within easy walking distance of one another, making it incredibly easy to explore at your own pace. Much of Kuching’s historic centre dates back to the reign of the White Rajahs – the Brooke family, who ruled the Kingdom of Sarawak for over a century. 

One of the most impressive landmarks is Fort Margherita, a white hilltop fortress built in 1879 to defend Kuching against river pirates. Today it houses the excellent Brooke Gallery. Nearby you’ll also find the charming Square Tower (once used as a prison), the Pavillion, a former medical centre that now houses the Sarawak Textile Museum, and the fort-like Round Tower (now a café and restaurant).

Don’t miss the beautifully restored Old Court House. Once Sarawak’s administrative headquarters, the Old Court House is now home to cafés, restaurants, galleries, and peaceful courtyards that make it a lovely place to escape the afternoon heat. While you’re there, pop into the Ranee Museum to learn all about Margaret De Windt, Charles Brooke’s wife and the first Ranee of Sarawak.

The Brooke Gallery

To get a better understanding of the Brooke family and their dynasty in Sarawak, I recommend visiting the Brooke Gallery. Housed inside Fort Margherita, this small but very informative museum tells the Brookes family history – from their arrival in the 1870s to the end of their dynasty in 1946, when Charles Vyner Brooke, the last White Rajah, handed Sarawak over to the British Empire.

It is a chapter of history I had surprisingly never heard of, despite growing up in England: an English adventurer arrives in Borneo, helps suppress a rebellion, is rewarded with an entire kingdom, and his family continues ruling it for generations.

Spread over three floors, the Brooke Gallery does an excellent job of explaining how the family came to power, how they governed Sarawak, their relationships with local communities, and the legacy they left behind. You’ll find displays with numerous artefacts, photographs, maps, coins, and personal belongings related to the family, as well as plenty of information boards in English.

Once you’ve finished exploring the galleries, head up to the fort’s rooftop. The panoramic views across the Sarawak river shouldn’t be missed.

• Admission: 20 RM for foreign adults
• Opening Hours: Daily from 9am – 4.45pm

Explore Kuching’s Religious Landmarks 

Kuching’s multicultural identity is also reflected in its beautiful places of worship. One of the oldest is Tua Pek Kong Temple, believed to date back to the mid-19th century. Its colourful decorations, and incense-filled interior make it one of the city’s most photogenic temples. 

Just a short walk away is Hong San Si, a 19th century Taoist temple known for its intricate carvings. There are some really gorgeous mosques in Kuching too, including the Aladdin-esque City Mosque, with its gleaming golden domes, and the India Mosque (nicknamed Floating Mosque) whose white walls and striking blue dome are made all the more spectacular by the distant mountains behind it.

One thing I particularly like about Kuching is how much effort has gone into preserving and explaining the city’s heritage. Many of the major landmarks have detailed information boards beside them, which explain their historical significance. There are also useful maps dotted around the city, making it easy to create your own self-guided walking tour.

Embrace Kuching’s Cat Culture 

Did you know that Kuching comes from the Malay word kucing, meaning cat? Well, it does, and this has earned Kuching the nickname “Cat City”. While the origins of this sweet nickname are still being debated, there’s no doubt that Kuching has fully taken it to heart.

Cat references are everywhere – from cat street art, cat-themed restaurants, souvenir shops selling quirky cat merchandise, giant cat statues, and dazzling cat-shaped neon street lights all around the city! As someone who is also obsessed with cats, I was totally on board with Kuching’s endearing and slightly strange fascination with all things feline.

There’s even a cat museum here: the DBKU Cat Museum has cat-themed artwork, historical displays, photographs, and sculptures. We decided to skip it because it seemed a little too kitsch for our tastes, but if you’re a devoted cat lover or travelling with children, it’s certainly one of Kuching’s most unique attractions. 

There are of course plenty of real cats walking around the city too, though unfortunately not as many as I had hoped – especially when compared to Kuala Lumpur where they are literally everywhere!

Wander Kuching’s Historic Streets 

One of my favourite things to do in Kuching is to wander around its diverse neighbourhoods and colourful streets while browsing independent shops, stopping for coffee, and discovering hidden murals tucked away down quiet alleyways.

Running parallel to the waterfront, Main Bazaar is Kuching’s oldest street and home to colourful 19th-century Chinese shophouses, independent stores selling local handicrafts, antiques, jewellery, and textiles.

Just behind Main Bazaar lies bustling Jalan Carpenter (Carpenter Street), the heart of Kuching’s Chinatown. Here you’ll find old-school coffee shops where you can try local beans, small bakeries, boutique guesthouses, lavish temples, and street food vendors. Keep an eye out for the beautifully decorated Harmony Arch, which marks the entrance to the street. 

Another area I recommend is Jalan Padungan, which is located just outside the main city centre. Still technically part of Chinatown, you’ll find Chinese shophouses, traditional tea houses, herbal tea dispensers, ceremonial gates, pretty lanterns, as well as some fantastic restaurants and street food stalls.

If you fancy a bit of clothes shopping, then head to India Street. Formerly known as Kling Street, it was renamed for the high number of Indian textile and spice merchants selling there. Today it’s a pedestrian shopping street lined with clothing stores, fabric shops, jewellery retailers, and small restaurants. It’s a good spot to buy clothes and accessories, and stock up on souvenirs before leaving Kuching. 

Seek Out Kuching’s Street Art 

Like George Town in Penang, Kuching has embraced street art in a big way. Scattered throughout the city are dozens of vibrant murals created by local artists, transforming otherwise ordinary walls into a colourful outdoor gallery. 

Rather than simply being decorative, many of the murals celebrate Sarawak’s Indigenous heritage, wildlife, traditional trades, and everyday life, making them a fun and colourful way to learn about the city’s heritage as you explore. The artwork is often linked to specific parts of the city too. You’ll find murals of fabric makers near historic textile districts, and images of metalworkers where tin industries once stood.

It’s hard to pick a favourite as there are so many fantastic pieces here, but I was particularly fond of the “I heart Kuching” mural, which shows a smiling girl cuddling a somewhat unimpressed-looking cat.

Explore Brooke Dockyard Museum

If you want to learn about Kuching’s maritime heritage then stop by the newly opened Brooke Dockyard Museum. Opened inside the former Brooke Dockyard (which operated for over a century before closing in 2020), the museum has been filled with exhibits, artefacts, original machinery, historical photos, and other interesting displays that tell the story of Kuching’s maritime heritage and the important role shipbuilding played in Sarawak’s development.

You can even go aboard a replica of the HHY Zahora, the royal steam yacht once used by the White Rajahs. Visitors are free to explore the navigation bridge, crew quarters, kitchen, and the Rajah’s surprisingly luxurious private cabin.

Even if maritime history isn’t normally your thing, it’s a surprisingly engaging museum that’s well worth an hour of your time – especially while admission remains free.

• Admission: Free (at the time of writing) 
• Opening Hours: Monday-Friday 9am – 4.45pm. Saturday & Sunday 9am – 4.30pm.

Visit the Chinese History Museum

Another free museum that’s well worth visiting is the Chinese History Museum, conveniently located just opposite the waterfront. Housed inside the beautifully preserved Old Chinese Court, this small but thoughtfully curated museum does an excellent job of explaining the history of Chinese migration to Sarawak and the important role the communities have played in shaping Kuching. 

Its galleries have plenty of information to take in, and exhibits displaying photographs, historical documents, ceramics, musical instruments, and everyday artefacts. You’ll learn about their migration history, occupations, traditions, and contributions to Sarawak’s economy and culture both past and present.

Enjoy Kuching’s Nightlife 

Malaysia isn’t exactly known for its nightlife (it is officially a Muslim country after all), so I was pleasantly surprised to find that Kuching has a fun and vibrant bar scene. The best place to start is Carpenter Street, where both locals and visitors gather to enjoy a few drinks, listen to live music, and soak up the friendly atmosphere.

Happy Hour is really popular in Kuching, so take advantage by ordering a bucket of local beer – such as 1602 Craft Beer, Sarawak’s first independent craft brewery. If you enjoy trying local specialities, don’t miss the chance to try Tuak, Sarawak’s traditional fermented rice wine, which has been produced by Indigenous communities for generations.

Try Sarawak Cuisine 

I absolutely love Malaysian food, with its wonderful mix of Malay, Indian, and Chinese flavours an absolute treat for the senses. While you’ll find many of the country’s classic dishes here – like Nasi Lemak, Nasi Kandar, and Roti Canai – Sarawak has developed a culinary identity all of its own.

I won’t list absolutely everything you should try in Kuching, but here are some popular dishes to look out for:

• Sarawak Laksa: Arguably Kuching’s signature dish, Sarawak Laksa has a light, aromatic broth made with spicy shrimp paste, coconut milk, tamarind, spices, shredded chicken, prawns, beansprouts, and vermicelli noodles. It’s sour, zingy, and probably my favourite dish I had in Borneo.
• Kolo Mee: Another Kuching staple is Kolo Mee, a deceptively simple dish of springy egg noodles tossed in a savoury sauce and topped with minced pork, char siu (BBQ pork), and crispy shallots. It’s a tasty and filling dish, especially popular at breakfast.
• Kueh Chap: You’ll see many street hawkers serving up this comforting noodle dish of flat rice noodles swimming in a fragrant and aromatic broth. It’s usually topped with tofu and various cuts of braised meat and offal. While offal dishes may not appeal to everyone, it’s a local favourite for a reason. 
• Ayam Pansuh: Keep an eye out for delicacies from Indigenous Dayak cultures, like Ayam Pansuh – chicken marinated with various herbs and aromatics like lemongrass, ginger, and galangal, cooked inside a freshly cut bamboo stalk. Although it wasn’t my absolute favourite dish in Kuching, it was still pleasant and soothing. If you’re not a fan of spicy food and want something mild, you should certainly give this a go.

Here are some of my favourite places to eat & drink in Kuching:

• JAK MA’AN – This restaurant specialises in authentic Bidayuh cuisine such as Ayam Pansuh and jungle ferns, often paired with traditional tuak rice wine. They also do a good Happy Hour deal.
• Padungan Street Food – Bustling Jalan Padungan stalls serving Kuching staples into the night. We ate here several times and never had a disappointing meal.
• Country Kitchen – This restaurant has a wide selection of dishes to choose from, including lots of local specialities. We dined here twice and were really impressed by the variety, flavours, and portion sizes.
• Lepau Restaurant – A really popular, well-rated place to sample traditional Dayak cuisine, including Ayam Pansuh.
• Top Spot Food Court – A lively seafood market where you can choose from freshly cooked fish, prawns, crab, squid, and more.
• Black Bean Coffee & Tea Company – Great coffee and a perfect place to escape the afternoon heat.
• Follow Tea House – Here you can enjoy traditional Gong Fu Cha and a wide selection of premium Chinese teas in a quiet, peaceful setting.

Best Day Trips from Kuching

One of the biggest reasons to spend several days in Kuching is its location. While the city itself has more than enough to keep you busy, it’s also the perfect base for exploring some of Borneo’s most famous wildlife reserves and historical attractions. 

Bako National Park

Considered to be Sarawak’s oldest national park, Bako is one of the best places in Malaysian Borneo to experience the island’s extraordinary biodiversity without travelling deep into the jungle. 

Located just one hour away from Kuching, visiting this national park is a must for nature lovers. You can hike through dense rainforest, relax on secluded beaches, and do a bit of wildlife spotting. There are many wonderful animals that call Bako National Park home, but a couple to look out for are the Proboscis monkey (which is one of the Borneo Big Five), and adorable Silver Langurs.

Although most visitors go there on a day trip, I actually think staying overnight is a much better idea. My husband and I stayed there and we highly recommend it. When the afternoon day-trippers leave, the park becomes noticeably quieter. It gives you more chances to spot animals, explore the park with fewer people around, and do a guided night tour.

Check out my complete guide to visiting Bako National Park covering transport, hiking trails, accommodation, wildlife, and everything you need to know before you go. 

• Admission: For a day trip, expect to pay around 100 RM per person, including transport to the jetty, the park entry fee, and boat transfers. If you stay overnight, you’ll need to add accommodation (prices vary depending on where you stay, but our room cost 40 RM and meals at the on-site restaurant.
• Getting to Bako National Park: Take a taxi to Bako jetty terminal (30-40 minutes from Kuching), then take a boat ride to the national park. The journey takes around 20 minutes. As Bako is only accessible by boat, timing is important: departures depend on the tide, and boats may not run during rough weather.

Semenggoh Wildlife Centre

For many travellers, seeing an orangutan is the highlight of visiting Borneo. These great apes are exclusively native to the islands of Borneo and Sumatra, and many people come here hoping to see one. While your best chance of seeing one in the wild is in places like the Kinabatangan River, Semenggoh Wildlife Centre is just 40 minutes from Kuching by car and does excellent work as a rehabilitation centre for rescued, orphaned, and previously captive orangutans.

During a visit here you’ll hopefully get to see these endangered creatures up close, with the best chances being during feeding times. Keep in mind that the orangutans roam freely through thousands of hectares of protected rainforest, so they don’t always need to come for feedings. This is actually a good thing, as it means they are independent and self-sufficient, with the forest providing everything they need.

Sightings are never guaranteed with wild animals, but if you do see them, it’s a great experience. Watching these magnificent creatures swing around in the trees, play, or just sit around eating is an unforgettable experience, especially when the mothers bring their cute little babies with them.

As with any place like this there are questions about ethics, but Semenggoh is widely regarded as one of the most ethical wildlife experiences in Borneo. The orangutans are not forced to interact with humans, they are not made to perform, and the centre’s long-term aim is always rehabilitation. 

• Admission: 10 RM for foreign adults
• Getting to Semengogh from Kuching: The easiest way is by Grab for around 40 RM one-way, which takes around 30 minutes from the city centre. You can also take the free Metro 103 Electric Bus from central Kuching. This journey is much slower, taking around 1hr 30mins.

Want the chance to see orangutans in the wild? Check out my post about my 3 Day/2 Night stay on the Kinabatangan River.

My Suggested 3-Day Kuching Itinerary

If you’re wondering how to fit everything into your visit, here’s how I’d recommend spending three days in Kuching.

• Day 1: Spend your first day exploring Kuching’s historic centre. Stroll along the scenic Waterfront before wandering Main Bazaar and Carpenter Street, then visit the Borneo Cultures Museum and admire the city’s colonial landmarks. If time allows, pop into the Chinese History Museum before enjoying dinner at a local restaurant. End the day by watching the Darul Hana Musical Fountain and soaking up the atmosphere on Carpenter Street
• Day 2: Head out on a day trip like Bako National Park for some hiking and wildlife spotting. Alternatively, visit Semenggoh Wildlife Centre for the morning feeding session before returning to the city to explore the Brooke Gallery and spend the evening wandering around the city.
• Day 3: Spend your final day exploring India Street, hunting for colourful street art, and visiting the Brooke Dockyard Museum. Browse the shops along Main Bazaar for local handicrafts, enjoy any Sarawak dishes you haven’t yet tried, and finish your trip with one last sunset stroll along the Kuching Waterfront.

If you’re heading to Borneo, I highly encourage you to give this cool, colourful, cat-centric city a few nights – I’m sure you’ll love it too!

Ciao for now

Izzie, the Curious Sparrow