Things to Do and Tourist Attractions to Visit in Kuching

July 19, 2020 Mustafa Natalwala 3265 Views

Kuching is the capital of Sarawak state of Malaysia and the largest city on Borneo Island. The city is named after cats. Literally. The name of the city is derived from kucing, which means cat in the Malay language. You will see the reverence of cats at many places to visit in Kuching. The city has several statues of cats sprinkled around the city. The cat column is among the things to see in Kuching to confirm the origin of the city’s name. There is also a museum dedicated to cats among tourist attractions in Kuching.

There are several other things to do in Kuching besides admiring cats. The Sarawak State Museum is a great place to begin your journey of sightseeing in Kuching. The museum depicts the history of various tribes which used to reside in the region. It also showcases the entire history of the Sarawak state including all major events which took place in this region. Another important museum to visit in Kuching is the Islamic Heritage Museum. This museum showcases the evolution of Islam in the Sarawak region. It also exhibits various Islamic artefacts from around the world hailing from different periods of history. The Chinese History Museum, as the name suggests, showcases the history of China and its influence on the Sarawak region and Malaysia. You can also include the Textile Museum & Sarawak Timber Museum in Kuching travel guide if you are interested in the local industries.

The Astana, meaning the Palace, is one of the most important historical places to visit in Kuching. This regal mansion used to house the White Rajahs of the Sarawak Kingdom. A similar western architecture to visit in Kuching is the Fort Margherita. This Kuching tourist spot was constructed by Charles Brooke of the Brooke dynasty. He too was one of the White Rajahs. There are several interesting places to visit in Kuching pertaining to different religions. There are the historical mosque, churches, Indian temples, and Chinese temples. This variety of beautiful religious structures is a testament to the vibrant culture of Kuching.

The 19th century Main Bazaar is the best place to visit in Kuching for sightseeing, shopping, and street food. Some of the most popular antique and handicraft shops of Kuching are located on this street. But, the absolute best place to visit in Kuching is the coast. Who doesn’t love beaches and islands? Kuching has plenty of beaches and plenty of islands for tourists to enjoy. There are different types of beaches as well among places to visit in Kuching. You have your usual beaches bristling with tourist enjoying the sand & the ocean. Then there are secluded beaches which are hidden from Kuching travel guides. There are jungles with a beach between them and the ocean. These are some of the best things to see in Kuching. You can enjoy island beaches, at times all by yourself. There are also certain beaches known for water sports, adventure activities, and other things to do in Kuching. You can go for snorkelling, diving, boat rides, sailing, cliff diving and so on.

Eco-tourism is also a major reason for people to visit Kuching. There are several forests and nature conservation areas near the city where you can go for hiking, trekking, camping, bird watching, and other nature exploration activities.

Kuching is a place with something to offer for each type of tourist. Whether you are here with your family or by yourself to explore nature & culture; you will have fun in Kuching.

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Table of Contents

The Top 15 Tourist Places to Visit in Kuching

1. Semenggoh Wildlife Rehabilitation Center

This center is home to several Orangutans and a few other animals. It is one of the most interesting places to visit in Kuching. The center recreates a jungle environment and the tour is like a hike. You will need an hour for this place when you visit Kuching.

I suggest you should a book a tour of Semenggoh Wildlife Center in advance.

2. Sarawak Museum (Muzium Negeri Sarawak)

This museum talks about the history and culture of the Sarawak region. It is one of the very first Kuching tourist attractions you should explore to get some perspective about the region and its people. You will need an hour or so to explore this museum.

I suggest you can visit Sarawak Museum with Kuching City Sightseeing Tour

3. Bako National Park

This wonderful national park is spread over 3,000 hectares and is renowned for its beauty, coastal views, and nature trails. It is among the top things to do in Kuching for those who want to take a nice boat ride or go hiking. It will take you at least 3 to 4 hours to experience this place.

I suggest you should book a Bako National Park Tour in advance.

4. Talang Satang National Park (Taman Negara Talang Satang)

Also known as the turtle island, this national park is famous for four species of turtles which nest here. This marine park is also famous among Kuching attractions for scuba diving and snorkeling. You will need 2 to 3 hours to explore it.

I suggest you should book a day trip to Talang Satang National Park.

5. Cat Museum (Muzium Kucing Kuching)

This museum tells you about Kuching’s obsession with cats. There are more than 2 thousand exhibits concerning historical and cultural significance of cats to the region. It is one of the most interesting points during Kuching sightseeing and will require about 30 to 45 minutes to explore.

6. Beaches

Kuching has a wonderful coastline and there are quite a few islands close to the coast. This has resulted in a variety of beaches for leisure, entertainment, adventure sports, water sports and relaxation. Some of the most popular beaches in Kuching are Damai, Sematan and Siar. You can easily spend a couple of hour at any of these beaches during Kuching travel.

7. Adventure Sports

Kuching has mountains, forests, marshes, rivers, coast, ocean and islands. It is a perfect place to explore a variety of adventure sports. Some of the most popular adventurous things to do in Kuching include hiking, trekking, island tours, scuba diving, snorkeling, mountain climbing, cycling and kayaking. You can enjoy all of these and more with beautiful natural backdrops to compliment your adrenaline rush experience during Kuching trip.

Below I am suggesting some of adventure actitivities to do in Kuching.

8. Kuching City Mosque (Masjid Bahagian)

This beautiful mosque was first built in 1847 and was renovated in 1965. It is one of the most beautiful things to see in Kuching. You would need 15 to 20 minutes to explore this mosque during Kuching travel

9. Sarawak Cultural Village (Kampung Budaya Sarawak)

This cultural village recreates the lifestyle and traditions of different indigenous groups of the region. You can be your own cultural Kuching travel guide after exploring this place. It will require about 2 hours of time to tour this cultural village.

I suggest you should book a Tour of Sarawak Cultural Village in advance.

10. Main Bazaar

This bazaar has aligned shops facing the water. It is the best place to visit in Kuching for budget shopping. You can get a variety of things including textile, souvenirs, handicrafts and also street food. It will take you at least an hour to explore this market.

11. Tua Pek Kong Chinese Temple / Siew San Teng Temple

Built in 1770, this Chinese temple is the oldest of its kind in the city. The temple is popular for its cultural significance as well as its architecture. The intricate carvings, paintings, sculptures and other design elements make this temple one of the most interesting places in Kuching. You will need 30 to 45 minutes for this temple.

12. Gunung Gading National Park

This national park is centered around the ecosystem of Mount Gading. It is a great place for outdoor things to do in Kuching such as hiking, trekking, mountain climbing and camping. The national park is particularly known for Orangutans and Rafflesia flowers. You will need whole day to visit this national park.

I suggest you should book a Day Tour to Gunung Gading National Park in advance.

13. Fort Margherita

Built in 1879, this colonial fort is known for its historical, political, architectural and strategic significance. The fort now houses the Police Museum and also a Museum dedicated to its own history. If you want insight about the colonial past of the region, this fort is among the best places to visit in Kuching. You will need 2 hours to tour this fort.

14. The Astana, Sarawak (Astana Negeri Sarawak)

This palace was built under the reign of Charles Brooke, the second White Rajah of Sarawak. The Astana serves as the residence of the governor of Sarawak, though parts of it are open for visitors as Kuching tourist attraction. You will need 30 to 45 minutes to tour this palace.

15. Island Hopping

Kuching has several islands close to its coast. Boat cruises and island tours are some of the most fun things to do in Kuching. People visit the islands for natural beauty, leisure, entertainment, picnics, water sports, adventure sports, wildlife, beaches, hiking trails and more. It is an experience you should not miss out on during Kuching trip.

If you are looking for more experiences in Kuching travel, check out the sections below. We have compiled an exhaustive list of places, attractions and activities you can enjoy in and this wonderful coastal city.

Things to do in Kuching

Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Kuching

Sarawak Museum
Cat Museum
Fort Margherita
Sarawak Cultural Village
Astana Negeri Sarawak
Tua Pek Kong Temple
Chinese History Museum
The Brooke Gallery
Kuching City Mosque
Square Tower
Islamic Heritage Museum
Textile Museum of Sarawak / Muzium Tekstil Sarawak
St. Joseph Cathedral
Masjid Darul Hana
Sarawak State Mosque
Borneo House Museum
Hong San Si Temple
The Ranee Museum
St. Thomas Cathedral
Masjid Jemak
Quing Shan Temple
Sri Srinivasagar Kaliamman Temple
India Mosque Kuching
Pua Kumbu Museum
Sarawak Art Museum
Bung Bratak Heritage Center

Nature & Wildlife Tourist Places to Visit in Kuching

Bako National Park
Mount Santubong
Kubah National Park
Semenggoh Nature Reserve
Semenggoh Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
Matang Wildlife Center
Kuching Wetlands National Park
Gunung Serapi Mountain
Santubong National Park
Pulau Santang / Santang Island
Mount Sinai
Gunong Sejinjang / Mount Sejinjang
Pulau Lakei / Lakei Island
Bukit Gondol / Gondol Forest
Bukit Siol / Siol Forest
Bukit Keruing / Keruing Forest
Pulau Kera / Kera Island
Pulau Salak / Salak Island

Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Places to visit in Kuching

Orchid Park Kuching
Borneo Samariang Resort City
Sarawak Sentosa Theme Park
Upside Down House
Matang Family Park
Sultan Iskandar Planeterium
Pitcher Plant Garden
Darul Hana Musical Fountain

Shopping in Kuching

Jalan Main Bazar
Siniawan Night Market
Carpenter Street
Medan Niaga Satok
Brigton Square
Waterfront Bazaar
Sunday Markets
Plaza Merdeka
Riverside Shopping Center
Vivacity Megamall
AEON Mall

Beaches in Kuching

Bako National Park Jetty
Pasir Pandak Beach
Pantai Puteri Beach
Lakei Island Beach
Damai Beach

Offbeat Places, Tours & Adventurous Things to do in Kuching

Bidayuh Longhouse Adventure
Sarawak Traditional Boat Cruise
Borneo Flight Adventures Helicopter Ride

Sightseeing in Kuching

Orang Utan Murals
Cat Statue
Reservoir Park Kuching
VH Green Nature Park
Panang Merdeka Park
Waterfront Esplande Park
Sama Jaya Forest Park
The Round Tower
Kuching Waterfront
Hornbill Fountain
Darul Hana Bridge
Golden Anniversary Bridge
Old Courthouse
Kuching Civic Center
Harmony Arch
Sarawak Museum Old Building
Tanoti House
Cat Column
Sarawak Tourism Complex
Taman Muzium
Catholic Memorial Pilgrimage

Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Kuching

Carpenter Street
Damai Central Food Court
Bangunan Dewan Undangan Government Office
Malaysia China Friendship Park
The Dyak
Jambu
Ling Loong Seafood
Bla Bla Bla
My Little Kitchen
21 Bistro
Attap Corner Kopitiam
Absolute Tribal
Life Cafe
Pinoy Fiesta Ihaw Ihaw
Chong Choon Cafe
Noodle Descendants
The Venue
Woom Lam Cafe 1999
Ah Kheng Belacan Bee Hoon
Tan Wan Kung
333 Fried Kway Teow
Old Rex Cucur Udang Cafe
Mira Cake House

Where to Stay in Kuching?

Here we have listed Top Rated Luxurious, Mid-Range and Budget Hotels in Kuching. You can check below listed hotels for your perfect stay in Kuching.

Custom Tours Package in Kuching

How to Reach Kuching?

By Air

The best option for Kuching travel is the busiest airport in Sarawak: the Kuching International Airport. You can get daily flights to many of the cities in Malaysia. The flights to the Malaysian capital city of Kuala Lumpur run every couple of hours. This airport is the easiest means to visit Kuching. Although the international flights connecting to this airport are limited to only two countries. You can travel to Kuching from Pontianak in Indonesia and Singapore via this airport. From within Malayasia, you get flights from Kuala Lumpur, Kota Bahru, Kota Kinabalu, Penang, Bintulu, Sibu, and Miri.

Some of these towns are located on the Borneo island itself. So you can easily use road transport or public transport to reach Kuching. But if you are looking for a faster way to visit Kuching, then the city’s International Airport is the way to go. The airport is at a 20 minutes driving distance from the city. You will get options for cabs, rental cars, and public transport for Kuching trip from the airport itself. You can also get tours for Kuching sightseeing from the airport. Cab hailing apps like Uber & Grab can also be used at the airport to get a cab to take you to various places to visit in Kuching. There are several buses which run between the airport and the city to help you visit Kuching. There are also buses which take you directly to Kuching tourist attractions. All these travel options are at your disposal to enjoy various things to do in Kuching.

By Road

You can reach Kuching using a bus from almost all major cities of the Borneo island. There are buses running between Kuching and Indonesia as well. There are also connecting buses to visit jungles, mountains, and national parks for more adventurous things to do in Kuching. You can get a bus to Kuching Sentral Terminal and then travel to various places to visit in Kuching city.

As the road network is great on the Borneo island for major cities & towns, you can also drive between Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei. The Pan Borneo Highway will take you to any Kuching tourist attraction form anywhere on the Borneo island. Plus there are several great sights among things to see on the way to Kuching. The coastal roads are especially beautiful for Kuching sightseeing before you visit the city. The coastal highway is a very popular road trip route in a car as well as on motorcycles. There are several Kuching attractions a little further away from the city which you can explore on road trips.

By Water

You can catch an express transport boat from Sibu to visit Kuching. The boats run daily between the two cities. A boat is also a great way to enjoy sightseeing in Kuching city from the ocean. If you are looking to travel the ocean in a little more luxury and wish for other things to do before you reach Kuching, you can get on a cruise ship from Singapore. There are a few of these which run between Kuching & Singapore which let you enjoy the cruise as well as explore the tourist attractions of both the cities.

Image Reference

Semenggoh Wildlife Rehabilitation Center – Madeleine47 / PixaBay
Sarawak Museum (Muzium Negeri Sarawak) – Yeo Jiun Tzen / Wikimedia Commons
Bako National Park – Fabio Achilli / Flickr
Talang Satang National Park (Taman Negara Talang Satang) – Alvin Kho / Flickr
Cat Museum (Muzium Kucing Kuching) – Thomas Quine / Flickr
Beaches – Bernard DUPONT / Flickr
Adventure Sports – Fabio Achilli / Flickr
Kuching City Mosque (Masjid Bahagian) – Alvin Kho / Flickr
Sarawak Cultural Village (Kampung Budaya Sarawak) – Thomas Quine / Flickr
Main Bazaar – Alvin Kho / Flickr
Tua Pek Kong Chinese Temple / Siew San Teng Temple – Gerry Zambonini / Flickr
Gunung Gading National Park – Moin Uddin / Flickr
Fort Margherita – Goggins World / Flickr
Astana Negeri Sarawak – Alvin Kho / Flickr
Island Hopping – Richard / Flickr