Top 12 places to visit in Kuching (attractions within the city)

We recently spent a week in Kuching and visited many of the renowned places in the city. In this article, we want to share our experiences and suggest the best places to visit if you travel to Kuching. Our story is based on our experiences and perspectives, and we took all the photographs in this article.

We will focus on the places to visit in Kuching City only. We plan to write a separate article for all the places we visited within a two-hour drive from Kuching City. Also, we arranged our list of places to visit in the order that we visited them, so it does not mean that the first place listed is the most important or the last place listed is the least important.

If you want to learn what to eat in Kuching, we have a separate article dedicated to Kuching’s food.

Here is the list of places to visit in Kuching based on our trip to Kuching.

1. Kuching Waterfront Esplanade

The Kuching Waterfront Esplanade, located along the south bank of the Sarawak River, should be on top of the list of places to visit in Kuching. It offers beautiful river views and is a popular spot to experience the city’s cosmopolitan vibes. It is just a few minutes from Carpenter Street, Chinatown. 

The waterfront runs alongside the Sarawak River and is best visited in the evening. We came here before sunset and waited until after dark to see it lit up.

There are many famous buildings in this area, with the latest addition being the tallest flag post in Malaysia, located on the opposite side of the river.

We walked around the Waterfront and took lovely pictures of the Sarawak River with the cruise sailing along. Here is the perfect spot to view the Dewan Undangan Negeri across the river.

We also strolled to the Darul Hana Bridge, but it started to rain. Now is December, which is already the start of the monsoon season. So we headed back to our car and stopped by the Square Tower.

a. Dewan Undangan

On the other side of the river is the impressive Dewan Undangan building. There’s also a jetty where you can join a waterfront cruise to tour the Sarawak River.

b. The Square Tower

The Square Tower is a historic fort and prison built in 1879, located on the Waterfront on the south bank of the Sarawak River; it has served various purposes throughout its history, including as a jail, administrative office, and dance hall. The building is a significant historical remnant from the Brooke era of Kuching’s history. It is now home to the Magenta Restaurant, a fine-dining restaurant in the historic fort.

c. The Darul Hana Bridge

The Darul Hana Bridge is a pedestrian bridge in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. It was completed in November 2017 and spanned over the serene Sarawak River. The bridge connects the City North with the City South. The Darul Hana Bridge is known for its dynamic twisting shape, which offers a unique and visually appealing sight.

The bridge is designed with Yin and Yang, symbolizing the balance of cultures living together. It has two masts, inclined in opposite directions, and a walkway made of precast concrete slabs. The bridge has several resting areas where you can enjoy a spectacular panoramic view over the river. It is decorated with colored night lights, adding a vibrant touch to the city’s Waterfront at night.

One of the best places to capture a stunning photo of the floating mosque at night is from this bridge.

During the day, visitors can enjoy scenic views of Astana, Fort Margherita, Dewan Undangan, the tallest flag pole in Malaysia, and the Malay villages across the river. The best time to visit is after sunset when the esplanade comes alive with vibrant nightlife. 

2, The Cat Monuments

There are a few cat monuments in Kuching. Kuching is thought to have derived its name from the Malay word “kucing,” which means cat. 

The most famous Cat Monument features a family of cats known as “The Cat Family.” This iconic statue is located at the golden triangle of Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, in front of the Grand Margherita Hotel and beside the Riverside Majestic Hotel. The statue consists of a father cat, a mother cat, and seven kittens. It has been in place for nearly 30 years and is one of the most photographed spots in Kuching. 

Another notable cat statue is the Cat Monument in Kuching China Town, in front of Padungan Road, near the city center. This monument features a cat wearing different styles of uniform. 

There is also the Padungan Roundabout Cat Statue, a 2.5-meter-high statue of a white cat with its front left paw raised as if waving at visitors.

In addition to these statues, Kuching is home to several other cat-themed public spaces and roundabouts

Cat and the name of Kuching

here are different versions of the origin of the name. One version suggests that when James Brooke, the first White Rajah, asked a local Malay guide about the settlement’s name, the guide thought he was pointing to a cat and replied, “Kuching,” and the name stuck. 
Another version suggests that the name “Kuching” might have derived from the Kuching River, a small stream that flowed from the direction of the Kuching Reservoir Park (Reservoir Park, Kuching).
The name has been associated with the city since the Brunei rule, and it is also suggested that “Kuching” means “mata kucing” (cat’s-eye in Malay) for the longan fruit, a popular trade item.

3. Chinatown of Kuching

There are two main Chinatowns in Kuching. One is at Padungan Street, and the other is at Carpenter Street. The Hong San Si Temple is situated to the east, while the Old Court House and Round Tower are located to the west.

Both of these areas have many well-preserved shophouses, which are worth exploring for their unique architecture. Small food stalls, bars, and shops sell various items in these areas. We walk around these areas and have dinner several times.

4. The Chinese History Museum Kuching

The Chinese History Museum Kuching was constructed in 1912 and was initially used as a court by the Chinese people until 1921. After that, it was taken over by the Chinese Trade Council. In 1993, the building was converted into the Museum of Chinese History, 

The outside of the museum is prominently painted in pink. Once we enter the museum, we can see a pair of ivory sculptures. 

The museum is situated opposite the Tua Pek Kong temple. It traces the history of the various Chinese dialect groups in Sarawak.

The museum also showcases some of the Chinese political leaders in Sarawak. 

It is open from Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 4:45 pm and on Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Admission is free. 

Various artifacts, documents, and exhibits depict the Chinese community’s journey in Sarawak, including their traditions, culture, and contributions to the state. 

Besides, traditional Chinese musical instruments and a replica of an old primary school classroom are on display.

Also, there are stories about some of the main festivals the local Chinese community celebrates.

5. Tua Pek Kong Temple

Tua Pek Kong Temple is opposite the Chinese History Museum.

It is also known as Siew San Teng Temple, the oldest Chinese temple in the city, and is part of the Kuching Heritage Trail. The temple is believed to have existed before 1839, and several renovations in the 19th century. 

The temple survived the 1884 Great Fire of Kuching and the Japanese invasion during World War II, with its structure remaining intact despite the surrounding damage. It is ornately decorated and is said to have the best Feng Shui location in the city. 

6. Fort Margherita.

Fort Margherita is an ancient fort constructed in 1879 by Charles Brooke, the Rajah of Sarawak. The fort was built in the style of an English castle to safeguard Kuching from pirate attacks. Today, it houses the Brooke Gallery, an exhibition showcasing Sarawak’s history under the Brooke dynasty. The fort was named after Charles Brooke’s wife, Ranee Margaret.  

The battlement of the three-story tower block includes a watchpoint on top, a courtyard surrounded by a high wall with sharp glass shards inlaid for protection, and wooden windows set into the wall where the cannons were fired. 

The spiral stairs between each floor are not easy, but it is worth exploring all the floors, especially if you want to know more about the history of Sarawak during the White Rajahs.

7. Malaysia-China Friendship Park

The Malaysia-China Friendship Park is a 2.8-hectare man-made park commemorating the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and The People’s Republic of China. It was established in 2004, the year of Malaysia-China friendship, and was funded by the governments of both countries.

As you enter the park, you’ll be welcomed by beautiful white stone lions. The park offers stunning views of the Tea Pavilion and the lake, featuring a large pond full of fish. 

The popular attraction in the park is the giant statue of Zheng He (Cheng Ho), a Chinese explorer who commanded expeditions to Southeast, South, Western, and East Africa from 1405 to 1433. Admiral Cheng Ho played a significant role in Malaysian history. He accompanied Princess Hang Li Po and 500 ‘Dayangs’ (ladies in waiting) to marry Sultan Mansor Syah of Melaka. This led to mixed marriages that birthed the ‘Baba and Nyonya’ in Malaysia.

The statue of Cheng Ho and the stone platform-shaped Chinese junk were built at one end of the lake, facing away from the Tea Pavilion. It is between 30 and 40 feet tall and is believed to be one of the world’s largest statues of Cheng Ho. It stands before a stone junk, with his right hand stretched out in greeting while holding royal diplomatic scrolls. 

8. Sarawak Islamic Information Centre

The Sarawak Islamic Information Center is a place that may not be included in the list of must-visit places in Kuching. However, after I visited this place, I recommend taking some time to explore the unique architecture of the building.

The Islamic Information Centre was established on August 17, 2008, to promote and communicate the universality of Islam and create a better understanding of the religion among Sarawak’s multi-ethnic and multi-religious population.

The most prominent feature of this building is its architectural design. It perfectly blends various ethnic designs from different groups in Sarawak.

It features a combination of various ethnic identities, highlighting the true Islamic universality with no distinction between different races and cultures.

Upon entering the building, we counted all six designs: Chinese, Malay House, Iban longhouse, Bidayuh Baroque, Melanau High House, and Orang Ulu. All of these designs represent the main ethnic groups in Sarawak. The architecture of the building signifies “One Religion, Many Cultures,” where Islam is universal and not exclusively specific to Malays or Arabs.

It is highly unlikely that you will find Islamic architecture with such a unique design anywhere else.

9. Borneo Cultures Museum

Borneo Cultures Muzeum is the second-largest Southeast Asian museum, a modern five-story building. It should be one of the places to visit in Kuching, regardless of the duration of your visit.

The museum’s first floor is the lobby, where you can find the auditorium, function room, and VIP lounge.

On the second floor, you can explore the Children’s Gallery and the Arts & Crafts section, which has several areas where kids can engage in various activities. It has sensory booths offering an interactive learning environment to keep children entertained.

The third floor is the main gallery called In Harmony with Nature. It is the largest gallery in the museum, offering 2,188 sq m of exhibition space. Here, we learn about the close relationship between local communities and their surrounding environments. It also lets us embark on a river journey through three major geographical regions- sea, mountain, and forest.

The fourth floor is the Time Changes gallery. Here, we journey through time and explore changes across the ages. We learn about archaeological discoveries across Sarawak’s network of caves, the history behind the formation of Sarawak and its regions, and the rise of nationalism within the state. It tells the entire history of Sarawak, from the prehistoric era to the modern times.

The fifth floor is the Objects of Desire gallery, which showcases the intricate handicrafts of the tribes in Sarawak. These range from mats and beadwork to clothing and reflect skilled craftsmanship that has yet to be seen since.

10. Cat Museum

The Cat Museum in Kuching is the largest museum dedicated to cats worldwide. It was founded in 1993 at the Petra Jaya in the Kuching City North City Hall.

The museum houses over 4,000 artifacts, including paintings, a gallery of feline-related advertising, and memorials related to cats. It tells the history of cats back 5,000 years, and the museum’s highlight is the mummified cat from ancient Egypt.

If you love cats, this museum is the ultimate paradise for you. But even if you’re not a cat lover, it’s still one of the worthy places to visit in Kuching.

11. The Kuching Old Courthouse

The Kuching Old Courthouse was built in 1868 and completed in 1874. It served as the administrative center for the government of Sarawak until 1973. 

In 2003, the building was converted into the Sarawak Tourism Complex. The architecture of the building is notable, consisting of four blocks and featuring an ironwood roof. 

The Food Journal Group now manages the Old Courthouse, a heritage building catering to private events and corporate functions.

12. Taman Perpaduan

Taman Perpaduan is a park that promotes unity and harmony among the diverse communities in Kuching. The park serves as a public space that provides recreation and relaxation opportunities. The park offers a peaceful and serene environment where people from different backgrounds can interact and learn about each other’s cultures.

During the evening, we visited the park and saw many locals jogging, exercising, and spending quality time with their families. The park’s main features are a beautiful lake with a fountain and a unity statue with two hands holding together.

Other places to visit in Kuching (within a two-hour drive from the Kuching): 

We have visited several places within Kuching City. However, we will not provide detailed information about them in this article, as we plan to write another article about places to visit outside the city but within the distance of a day trip. To give you an idea of the places you can visit, here is a list of the places we have already visited.

1. Bako National Park- to view the stunning sea stacks, look for beared pigs and proboscis monkeys, and enjoy walking on the trails.
2. Sarawak Cultural Village- A place to learn about the culture of various tribes and visit the traditional houses.
3. Semengguh Wildlife Centre – A place to get close to the Orangutan in the wild.
4. Annah Rais Longhouse – Visit the Bidayuh longhouse, understand the culture, and enjoy traditional food with the family.
5. Kubah National Park – One of the best trails we had it during our trip, especially if you like jungle tracking and waterfalls.
6. Gunung Gading National Park – The best place to observe Rafflesia Blooming. 
7. Matang Wildlife centre – A center to rehabilitate orangutans.
8. Fairy Cave and Wind Cave are beautiful caves with standing rock formations, stalactites, and stalagmites formations; look for bats, swiftlets, and underground rivers.
9. Paku Rock Maze Garden – This unique rock formation is a mini pinnacle.
10. Serikin is a border town with Indonesia where they offer a variety of goods brought in from Indonesia, including fabrics, rattan mats, and other traditional products.