Kuching

Travel Guide

Photo provided by Tourism Malaysia
Photo provided by Tourism Malaysia
Photo provided by Tourism Malaysia
Photo provided by Tourism Malaysia
Photo provided by Tourism Malaysia

Sarawak’s capital city is filled with palaces, forts and temples, and is the gateway to the national parks and thriving orangutan habitats.

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 center.

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 jewelry.

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.

Where to stay in Kuching

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Tabuan Jaya

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Tabuan Jaya and surrounding area, you can visit Vivacity Megamall and The Spring.

Tabuan Jaya
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Tabuan Dayak

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Tabuan Dayak and surrounding area, you can visit City One Shopping Mall and The Spring.

Tabuan Dayak
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Kampong Segoleng

When in Kampong Segoleng, you can plan a visit to Kuching City Mosque and Plaza Merdeka, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Kampong Segoleng
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Kampong No.4

While Kampong No.4 might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Kuching City Mosque and Plaza Merdeka.

Kampong No.4
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Kampong No.2/Bandarshah

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Kampong No.2/Bandarshah and surrounding area, you can visit Kuching City Mosque and Plaza Merdeka.

Kampong No.2/Bandarshah
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Kampong No.6

While Kampong No.6 might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Kuching City Mosque and Medan Niaga Satok Market.

Kampong No.6
Sheraton Kuching Hotel
Sheraton Kuching Hotel
3.5 out of 5
2, Jalan Padungan, Kuching
The price is CA $145 per night from Jul 20 to Jul 21
CA $145
CA $160 total
Jul 20 - Jul 21
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Kuching. Enjoy free WiFi, 5 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Kuching Waterfront and Vivacity Megamall ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (59 reviews)
"Amazing hotel with super friendly staff"

Reviewed on Jul. 3, 2025

Sheraton Kuching Hotel
Hilton Kuching
Hilton Kuching
5 out of 5
1 Jln Tunku Abdul Rahman, Kuching, Sarawak
The price is CA $137 per night from Jul 20 to Jul 21
CA $137
CA $151 total
Jul 20 - Jul 21
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this luxury hotel in Kuching. Enjoy 5 restaurants, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Popular attractions Kuching Waterfront and ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (665 reviews)
"Everything was good!"

Reviewed on Jun. 9, 2025

Hilton Kuching
Pullman Kuching
Pullman Kuching
4.5 out of 5
Interhill Place, No. 1A, Jalan Mathies, Kuching, Sarawak
The price is CA $101 per night from Jul 24 to Jul 25
CA $101
CA $112 total
Jul 24 - Jul 25
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Kuching. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
8/10 Very Good! (997 reviews)
Undergoing Renovations
"The hotel was undergoing extensive renovations when I stayed. The reception was tricky to locate first time as you have to go via a shopping centre, but there are staff that get you to the right place at every point. The pool, restaurant and gym were closed, but they have alternative sites which ..."

Reviewed on Jul. 1, 2025

Pullman Kuching
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Citadines Uplands Kuching
Citadines Uplands Kuching
4 out of 5
No. 55 Jalan Simpang Tiga, Kuching, Sarawak
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly aparthotel in Kuching. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in ...
8/10 Very Good! (447 reviews)
"The property is clean and in good condition. Bed and pillows were super hard and the tv had 5 working channels. Lots of noise all night from the constant stream of loud motorcycles and cars driving past the property."

Reviewed on May 11, 2025

Citadines Uplands Kuching
Vivacity Megamall Serviced Apartments
Vivacity Megamall Serviced Apartments
3.5 out of 5
Q112B, Kuching, Sarawak
Stay at this 3.5-star apartment in Kuching. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Kuching Waterfront and Vivacity Megamall ...
3.6/10 (5 reviews)
"Towel and Bed sheet to be more organised and better standard. Gate door, common toilet door lock and common toilet seat are very poor and inconvenient. The rest are acceptable. Not considering for next stay."

Reviewed on Mar. 22, 2025

Vivacity Megamall Serviced Apartments
Kuching Riverine Resort
Kuching Riverine Resort
3.5 out of 5
Jalan Petanak, Kuching, Sarawak
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly apartment in Kuching. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 3 outdoor pools. Popular attractions Kuching Waterfront and ...
"Fantastic stay"

Reviewed on Sep. 17, 2024

Kuching Riverine Resort
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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