10 things to do in Kuching and beyond

Sitting on the banks of the Sarawak River, Kuching is a laid-back city worth taking time to explore. As the capital of Sarawak, it’s also a natural starting point for seeing more of Borneo, with rainforest, wildlife and traditional longhouses within easy reach. But there’s plenty to keep you in the city too. Wander between colorful temples and heritage buildings, look out for Kuching’s wonderfully kitsch cat statues, stroll along the waterfront and try dishes shaped by the Chinese, Malay, Indian and indigenous communities that call Sarawak home. With national parks and orangutans close by, Kuching is a well-rounded introduction to all Borneo has to offer.

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1. Explore Kuching on foot

Kuching is compact enough to explore on foot, so give yourself time to wander. On India Street, colorful shophouses sell textiles and spices, while nearby Chinatown is home to incense-filled Taoist temples and historic teahouses. In the evening, follow the waterfront as the sun goes down, then stay for the nightly musical fountain and light show, set against the golden-roofed Sarawak State Legislative Assembly building.

2. Hunt down Kuching's cat statues

Kuching, which means ‘cat’ in Malay, has fully embraced its feline connection, with cat statues popping up across the city. Some are grand, others wonderfully kitsch, and spotting them is all part of exploring Kuching. If you’re traveling with kids, turn it into a scavenger hunt. Cat lovers can also visit the quirky DBKU Cat Museum, home to more than 4,000 cat-related artifacts, exhibits and historical items.

3. Explore by bike

Exploring Kuching by bike gives you time to take a closer look at the city and its surroundings. Cycle past colonial-era buildings before leaving the busier streets behind for kampung villages, traditional wooden stilt houses and local markets. Stop to browse stalls piled with pink dragonfruit and skewers of satay sizzling over the grill, and take the opportunity to chat with stallholders along the way.

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4. Eat your way around Kuching

Kuching, a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, brings together Chinese, Malay, Indian and indigenous influences, so come hungry. Look out for Sarawak laksa, an aromatic, spicy noodle soup often eaten for breakfast, and manok pansoh, a Dayak dish of chicken slow-cooked in bamboo with lemongrass, ginger and tapioca leaves. If you have a sweet tooth, try kek lapis (Sarawak layer cake), with its colorful layers arranged in intricate geometric patterns. Take a food tour through the city’s markets and hawker stalls with a local guide, or join a cooking class and learn how to make a few dishes yourself.

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5. Cruise the Sarawak River

The Sarawak River runs through the heart of Kuching, and a boat trip is a leisurely way to see the city from the water. Hop aboard a sampan, a traditional wooden, flat-bottomed boat, and cruise past the Astana, a 19th-century palace built by Rajah Charles Brooke as a wedding gift for his wife, Margaret. You’ll also pass Fort Margherita, named after her and once part of the city’s defenses against pirates. Malay villages line the riverbanks, with forest-covered mountains in the distance. Go later in the day to catch the sunset, then watch the lights come on along the waterfront as you make your way back.

6. Discover Sarawak Cultural Village

Sarawak is home to dozens of ethnic groups, each with their own cultures, languages and traditions. The Sarawak Cultural Village (a living museum) offers an introduction to several of these communities, including the Iban, Bidayuh and Orang Ulu. Explore traditional longhouses and learn more about communal life, while meeting craftspeople who demonstrate skills such as weaving and beadwork. A cultural performance brings together traditional dress, music and dance from communities across Sarawak, followed by lunch served on banana leaves.

7. Spend time with the Bidayuh

For a deeper insight into Bidayuh culture, travel beyond Kuching to Anah Rais, a longhouse community around 1.5 hours from the city. The Bidayuh are one of Sarawak’s indigenous peoples, with their own traditions, languages and a longstanding relationship with the surrounding forests. At Anah Rais, more than 80 families live in and around the traditional bamboo longhouse, where you can meet members of the community and learn more about life here today. Bamboo has long played an important role in Bidayuh culture, and there are plenty of opportunities to see these skills in practice. Learn how to build a bamboo raft before taking it downriver through the rainforest, or join a cooking class where dishes are prepared and cooked using traditional bamboo utensils.

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8. Look out for orangutans at Semenggoh

For many travelers, seeing an orangutan is one of the highlights of a trip to Borneo. Their name comes from the Malay words orang (person) and hutan (forest), meaning ‘person of the forest’. Just outside Kuching, Semenggoh Wildlife Center offers the chance to see rehabilitated orangutans living in the surrounding forest. They’re free to roam, so sightings aren’t guaranteed, but that makes spotting a sudden flash of orange among the trees all the more exciting. Feeding time offers a good opportunity to see them, when fruit is put out for orangutans that need a little extra food. You might see an adult swinging through the trees or a mother moving through the canopy with her baby clinging tightly to her fur.

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9. Hike in Bako National Park

If you’re keen to spend some time in Borneo’s rainforest, Bako National Park is a good place to start. A short boat journey from Kuching takes you to a compact park of rainforest trails, mangroves and rugged coastline, with plenty of opportunities to look out for wildlife. Proboscis monkeys are the star attraction, but keep an eye out for silvered langurs, bearded pigs and long-tailed macaques too. Follow one of the park’s walking trails through the forest, or take to the water to explore mangroves, beaches and small islands along the coast.

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10. Kayak through the rainforest

Rainforest kayaking adds a little adventure without taking you too far from Kuching. Paddle downstream between limestone mountains, passing rocky outcrops and tangles of vines as you make your way through gentle rapids. There’s wildlife to look out for too – you might catch the bright flash of a kingfisher in the branches overhead or spot a monitor lizard stretched out on the riverbank.