Here are the Nice Places in Kuching That You Must Visit!

Are you going to Kuching but curious of where to go? Not sure how to make the most of your time and the best ways to create unforgettable memories?

Fret not! We have you covered! Here are some of the nicest places to visit based on your interest and preferences!

The best places to visit in Kuching for culture and history lovers

Kuching is a city that has a rich and diverse cultural and historical heritage, and you can learn more about it by visiting some of the museums, monuments, and landmarks that showcase the different aspects of Kuching’s past and present. Some of the best places to visit in Kuching for culture and history lovers are:

• Sarawak Cultural Village: This is a living museum that displays the traditional lifestyles, customs, and crafts of the various ethnic groups in Sarawak, such as the Iban, the Bidayuh, the Orang Ulu, the Melanau, the Malay, and the Chinese. You can see the authentic replicas of their houses, watch their cultural performances, and participate in their activities, such as blowpipe shooting, weaving, or tattooing. The entrance fee is RM 60 for adults and RM 30 for children, and the opening hours are from 9 am to 5 pm daily.
• Kuching Waterfront: This is a scenic and lively promenade that stretches along the Sarawak River, and offers a panoramic view of the city’s landmarks, such as the Astana, Fort Margherita, the State Legislative Assembly Building, and the Darul Hana Bridge. You can stroll along the waterfront, enjoy the street food, music, and art, and visit some of the attractions, such as the Square Tower, the Brooke Memorial, the Chinese History Museum, and the Cat Statue. The waterfront is open 24 hours a day, and there is no entrance fee.
• Astana: This is a majestic and elegant palace that was built in 1870 by Charles Brooke, the second White Rajah of Sarawak, as a gift for his wife, Margaret. It is now the official residence of the Governor of Sarawak, and is not open to the public. However, you can admire its architecture and gardens from the outside, or take a sampan across the river to get a closer look. The Astana is located opposite the Kuching Waterfront, and there is no entrance fee.
• Fort Margherita: This is a historic and imposing fort that was built in 1879 by Charles Brooke, the second White Rajah of Sarawak, as a defense against pirates and rebels. It is named after his wife, Margaret, and is shaped like a ship. It is now a museum that showcases the history of Sarawak, especially the Brooke era, and displays some of the artifacts, weapons, and documents from that period. The entrance fee is RM 20 for adults and RM 10 for children, and the opening hours are from 9 am to 4.45 pm daily.
• Sarawak Museum: This is one of the oldest and largest museums in Southeast Asia, and was established in 1891 by Charles Brooke, the second White Rajah of Sarawak. It is divided into two buildings, the Old Building and the New Building, and houses a vast collection of exhibits, such as the natural history, ethnology, archaeology, and art of Sarawak. You can see the skeletons of prehistoric animals, the skulls of headhunters, the costumes and ornaments of the natives, and the paintings and sculptures of the artists. The entrance fee is RM 5 for adults and RM 2 for children, and the opening hours are from 9 am to 4.45 pm daily.
• Cat Museum: This is a unique and quirky museum that is dedicated to all things cat, and celebrates Kuching’s status as the cat city. You can see over 4,000 items related to cats, such as statues, paintings, posters, stamps, coins, books, and souvenirs. You can also learn about the history, culture, and legends of cats in Sarawak and around the world. The entrance fee is RM 3 for adults and RM 1 for children, and the opening hours are from 9 am to 5 pm daily.

The best places to visit in Kuching for nature and wildlife enthusiasts

Kuching is a city that is surrounded by nature and wildlife, and you can experience some of the most amazing and unique flora and fauna in the world by visiting some of the national parks and wildlife centers that are near the city. Some of the best places to visit in Kuching for nature and wildlife enthusiasts are:

• Bako National Park: This is the oldest and smallest national park in Sarawak, but also one of the most diverse and beautiful. It is located about 37 km from Kuching, and covers an area of 27 sq km. It has a variety of habitats, such as mangroves, swamps, forests, and beaches, and is home to many rare and endemic plants and animals, such as the carnivorous pitcher plants, the orchids, the proboscis monkeys, the silvered langurs, the bearded pigs, and the flying lemurs. You can explore the park by hiking the trails, taking a boat ride, or camping overnight. The entrance fee is RM 20 for adults and RM 10 for children, and the opening hours are from 8 am to 5 pm daily.
• Semenggoh Wildlife Centre: This is a rehabilitation and conservation center that rescues and cares for orphaned, injured, or displaced orangutans, the largest and most intelligent primates in the world. It is located about 24 km from Kuching, and covers an area of 740 hectares. It has a semi-wild environment, where the orangutans are free to roam and forage, but also receive supplementary food and medical care. You can see the orangutans up close during the feeding times, which are at 9 am and 3 pm daily. The entrance fee is RM 10 for adults and RM 5 for children, and the opening hours are from 8 am to 5 pm daily.
• Gunung Gading National Park: This is a national park that is famous for being the home of the rafflesia, the world’s largest flower. It is located about 98 km from Kuching, and covers an area of 4,106 hectares. It has a mountainous terrain, with peaks, valleys, waterfalls, and streams, and is also rich in wildlife, such as the hornbills, the civets, the squirrels, and the monkeys. You can hike the trails, swim in the pools, or camp overnight. The entrance fee is RM 20 for adults and RM 10 for children, and the opening hours are from 8 am to 5 pm daily. However, the rafflesia blooms only once a year, and lasts for only a few days, so you need to check the availability before you visit.
• Kubah National Park: This is a national park that is known for its diversity and abundance of frogs, with over 60 species recorded. It is located about 22 km from Kuching, and covers an area of 2,230 hectares. It has a hilly landscape, with three mountains, Mount Serapi, Mount Selang, and Mount Sendok, and is also rich in flora, such as the palms, the ferns, the orchids, and the fungi. You can hike the trails, visit the Matang Wildlife Centre, or join the night walk to see the frogs. The entrance fee is RM 20 for adults and RM 10 for children, and the opening hours are from 8 am to 5 pm daily.
• Matang Wildlife Centre: This is a wildlife center that is part of the Kubah National Park, and is dedicated to the conservation and rehabilitation of endangered animals, such as the sun bears, the binturongs, the sambar deer, the crocodiles, and the hornbills. It is located about 35 km from Kuching, and covers an area of 180 hectares. It has a captive breeding program, an education center, and a quarantine area, where the animals are kept in enclosures, cages, or pens. You can see the animals, learn about their plight, and support their cause. The entrance fee is RM 10 for adults and RM 5 for children, and the opening hours are from 8 am to 5 pm daily.

The best places to visit in Kuching for foodies and shoppers

Kuching is a city that has a delicious and diverse food scene, and you can taste some of the local specialties, street food, markets, cafes, and restaurants that reflect the different influences and cultures of the city. You can also find some of the best shopping opportunities in Kuching, where you can buy some of the handicrafts, souvenirs, antiques, and fashion that showcase the creativity and skills of the people. Some of the best places to visit in Kuching for foodies and shoppers are:

• Top Spot Food Court: This is a popular and affordable food court that is located on the rooftop of a multi-storey car park, and offers a stunning view of the city skyline. It is famous for its seafood, and you can find a variety of stalls that sell fresh and cooked fish, prawns, crabs, clams, squid, and more. You can choose your own seafood and have it cooked in different styles, such as grilled, fried, steamed, or curry. You can also try some of the local dishes, such as the Sarawak laksa, the kolo mee, or the midin (a type of fern). The price is about RM 10 to RM 30 per person, depending on the type and amount of seafood you order, and the opening hours are from 6 pm to 11 pm daily.
• Chong Choon Cafe: This is a cozy and nostalgic cafe that is located near the Kuching Waterfront, and has been serving the locals and tourists since 1958. It is famous for its breakfast, and you can find a variety of dishes that are typical of the Kuching morning scene, such as the roti canai, the nasi lemak, the toast, and the eggs. But the star of the show is the Sarawak laksa, a spicy and sour noodle soup that is made with coconut milk, chicken, prawns, bean sprouts, and herbs. It is considered one of the best laksa in Kuching, and even Anthony Bourdain praised it as “the breakfast of the gods”. The price is about RM 5 to RM 10 per person, and the opening hours are from 7 am to 12 pm daily, except on Mondays.
• Lepau Restaurant: This is a charming and authentic restaurant that is located at the Main Bazaar, and specializes in the cuisine of the Orang Ulu, one of the indigenous groups in Sarawak. You can find a variety of dishes that are made with fresh and organic ingredients, such as the bamboo chicken, the wild boar, the river fish, the ferns, and the rice wine. You can also enjoy the cultural performances and the traditional music that are held every night. The price is about RM 20 to RM 40 per person, and the opening hours are from 11 am to 11 pm daily.
• Main Bazaar: This is the oldest and longest street in Kuching, and is lined with rows of old shophouses that date back to the 19th century. It is the best place to shop for handicrafts and souvenirs, and you can find a variety of items that are made by the local artisans, such as the pottery, the woodcarving, the basketry, the beadwork, the textiles, and the paintings. You can also find some of the antiques and collectibles that are related to the history and culture of Sarawak, such as the coins, the stamps, the books, and the weapons. The price is negotiable, and the opening hours are from 9 am to 6 pm daily.
• Sarawak Plaza: This is a modern and spacious shopping mall that is located at the city center, and offers a wide range of products and services, such as the fashion, the electronics, the beauty, the entertainment, and the dining. You can find some of the local and international brands, such as the Padini, the Levi’s, the Samsung, the Starbucks, and the KFC. You can also find some of the specialty stores, such as the Sarawak Handicraft Centre, the Sarawak Bird’s Nest Centre, or the Sarawak Layer Cake Shop. The price is reasonable, and the opening hours are from 10 am to 10 pm daily.
• India Street: This is a colorful and lively street that is located near the Kuching Waterfront, and is named after the Indian traders who settled there in the 19th century. It is the best place to shop for textiles and fabrics, and you can find a variety of materials, patterns, and colors, such as the cotton, the silk, the batik, the songket, and the kebaya. You can also find some of the accessories and jewelry that are made with gold, silver, or beads. You can also enjoy the street food, such as the curry, the roti, or the samosa. The price is affordable, and the opening hours are from 9 am to 6 pm daily.

The best day trips from Kuching to explore more of Sarawak

Kuching is a great base to explore more of Sarawak’s beauty and diversity, and you can take some of the day trips from Kuching that allow you to see more of the state’s attractions, such as the caves, the lakes, the longhouses, or the national parks. Some of the best day trips from Kuching are:

• Mulu National Park: This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is located about 100 km from Kuching, and is one of the most spectacular and biodiverse national parks in the world. It is famous for its caves, which are some of the largest and longest in the world, and have stunning formations, such as the stalactites, the stalagmites, the columns, and the needles. You can also see the wildlife, such as the bats, the birds, the insects, and the plants. You can take a flight from Kuching to Mulu, which takes about 1.5 hours, and then join a guided tour to explore the park. The entrance fee is RM 30 for adults and RM 15 for children, and the tour fee is RM 50 to RM 200, depending on the type and duration of the tour.
• Niah Caves: These are ancient and impressive caves that are located about 110 km from Kuching, and are one of the most important archaeological sites in Southeast Asia. They are famous for their rock paintings, which date back to 40,000 years ago, and depict the scenes of hunting, fishing, and dancing. They are also famous for their bird’s nests, which are collected by the locals and sold as a delicacy. You can take a bus from Kuching to Niah, which takes about 3 hours, and then join a guided tour to explore the caves. The entrance fee is RM 20 for adults and RM 10 for children, and the tour fee is RM 50 to RM 100, depending on the type and duration of the tour.
• Batang Ai Lake: This is a scenic and serene lake that is located about 250 km from Kuching, and is the largest artificial lake in Sarawak. It is surrounded by lush and pristine rainforest, and is home to many wildlife, such as the orangutans, the gibbons, the hornbills, and the crocodiles. You can take a boat ride on the lake, visit some of the native villages, or stay at the Batang Ai Resort, which is a luxury resort that offers a range of facilities and activities, such as the spa, the pool, the golf, and the fishing. You can take a bus from Kuching to Batang Ai, which takes about 5 hours, and then take a boat to the resort, which takes about 20 minutes. The bus fare is RM 30 per person, and the boat fare is RM 10 per person.
• Annah Rais Longhouse: This is a traditional and authentic longhouse that is located about 60 km from Kuching, and is inhabited by the Bidayuh, one of the indigenous groups in Sarawak. It is a wooden structure that houses about 80 families, and has a communal hall, a kitchen, a veranda, and a skull house. You can visit the longhouse, interact with the locals, learn about their culture and lifestyle, and join their activities, such as the music, the dance, or the rice wine making. You can also stay overnight at the longhouse, and enjoy the hospitality and the food of the hosts. You can take a bus from Kuching to Annah Rais, which takes about 1.5 hours, and then walk to the longhouse, which takes about 15 minutes. The entrance fee is RM 10 per person, and the overnight fee is RM 50 to RM 100 per person, depending on the type and quality of the accommodation.
• Tanjung Datu National Park: This is a national park that is located about 350 km from Kuching, and is one of the most remote and pristine national parks in Sarawak. It is famous for its beaches, which are some of the most beautiful and cleanest in the state, and have white sand, clear water, and coral reefs. It is also famous for its wildlife, such as the turtles, the dolphins, the dugongs, and the birds. You can relax on the beach, snorkel or dive in the water, or hike in the forest. You can take a bus from Kuching to Lundu, which takes about 4 hours, and then take a taxi to the park, which takes about 1 hour. The entrance fee is RM 20 for adults and RM 10 for children, and the opening hours are from 8 am to 5 pm daily.

Visit Kuching Today!

In this insider guide, we have shown you how to plan a memorable trip to Kuching Sarawak that won’t break the bank. You have learned about the best places to visit, things to do, and tips for traveling to Kuching, as well as some hidden gems that only locals know. You have also learned how to enjoy the best of Kuching’s attractions, culture, food, and wildlife, without spending a fortune.

What are you waiting for? Kuching is waiting for you to discover its charms and secrets. Book your trip to Kuching with trip.com today and get ready for an unforgettable adventure in Malaysian Borneo!