Kuching is the capital city of Sarawak, Malaysia’s largest state situated on the island of Borneo. In Kuching city, you will be astonished by the beauty of the green environment. The people here
are kind and friendly and will assist tourist who needs help. The tourist attractions are located nearby and there’s no need to take a taxi or bus to enjoy the wonders of Kuching.
In the city, there is a river separating the north and south called the “Sarawak River”. Riding a sampan along the Sarawak River is an unforgettable experience. From the river, you can get a spectacular view of Malay Kampungs (Villages) with a gorgeous mountainous background. You also get to see a far distant view of the 19th century Chinese shop houses, the Malay mosque, the square tower and the attractive Margherita Fort.
In Kuching, there are old Chinese temples, Brooke era buildings with unique architecture, waterfront park, observation towers and museums. There is a wide range of accommodations ranging from budget hotels to luxury 5 star hotels. After a long day, you can feast
yourself with local delicacies such as seafood, chicken rice, Malay nasi lemak and Chinese noodles.
PLACES OF INTEREST
Kuching Waterfront
Kuching Waterfront, a major restoration and land reclamation project, has become the most popular meeting place in the city. Drab warehouse have been replaced with an almost 900 m long esplanade, beautifully landscaped and dotted with wooden benches, food stalls,
restaurants and entertainment facilities. A number of older buildings have been preserved and incorporated into the design, including the Chinese History Museum, the Sarawak Steamship Building, an open air theatre and the Square Tower. Modern additions to the Waterfront include a restored Chinese pavilion, colourful musical fountains, and a number of modern sculptures. During the daytime, the Waterfront offers excellent views of the Astana, Fort Margherita and the Malay kampung which line the north bank of the river, but at night-time it really comes alive; it seems like half of Kuching is out meeting friends, watching a show or just taking the air.
Longhouse
Longhouse, is almost a crime to come to Sarawak without visiting an Iban longhouse. Iban hospitality is legendary and visitors are guaranteed a good time. A longhouse is basically a terraced street of separate dwellings covered by one roof, under the authority of a headman or tuai rumah. Each family lives in its separate apartment or rooms and communal activities take place outside on the verandah or ruai. This is also where single male visitors spend the night. Female visitors and couples will be invited to stay inside the room with the family.
Most longhouse are busy, modern farming communities, and people wear practical clothes like jeans and T-shirts when they are at work. Traditional costumes and head-dresses are usually only worn for special festivals like gawai dayak (the Iban harvest festival, 1st June) gawai antu (the ancestors festival, very rare) and weddings. If you want to see traditional rituals, customs and dances, then unless your are very lucky it is best to go with an organized tour group.
Tour groups are usually greeted with a glass of tuak (rice wine) and a welcome dance. They are then shown around and treated to various cultural performances, including dancing and drumming. You will usually be invited to attempt the ngajat dance. Do not try to refuse as guest are expected to contribute to the entertainment just like the host. If you know any dances, folk songs or poems from your own country, you will make some lifelong friends, no matter how badly you perform. Normally you will be able to stay in the longhouse overnight, but if you prefer some privacy, many tour operators have their own guesthouses near the longhouses.
Fort Margherita
Fort Margherita, it is built in 1879 to guard Kuching’s river approaches from pirates. Named after Charles Brooke’s wife, Ranee Margaret, it is an extremely attractive and interesting building. The fort houses a Police Museum, with fascinating exhibits of Brooke military, weapons captured during the communist insurgency and the famous “laughing skulls”. As the Fort is situated within the police training barracks, visitors may be asked for some form ID.
Sarawak Cultural Village
Sarawak Cultural Village - “Explore Sarawak In Half A Day” is the claim made by Sarawak
Cultural Village, a unique award -winning living museum offering an excellent introduction to local cultures and lifestyles. Tucked away on the foothills of legendary Mount Santubong, 35 km away from Kuching is Sarawak’s fascinating cultural showcase, the award winning “Sarawak Cultural Village”. This living museum depicts the heritage of the major racial groups in Sarawak and conveniently portrays the respective lifestyle amidst 14 acres of equatorial vegetation.
Here, it is possible to see Sarawak’s ethnic diversity at a glance. The handicraft is both bewildering and tempting, including the Kain Songket (Malay cloth with gold inlay), Pua Kumbu (Iban housewives textiles), Melanau Terendak (sunhat), Bidayuh tambok (basket), Iban parang (swords), Orang Ulu wood carving and Chinese ceramic. The 45-minute cultural performance of songs, dances and entertainment is something you will not want to miss out during your visit
to Sarawak.
Gua Niah
Gua Niah National Park, located on the Sungai (river) Niah, about 3 km from the small town of Batu Niah, a 110 km to the south-west of Miri in northern Sarawak. The park was first gazetted as a National Historic Monument in 1958, gazetted as National Park on 23 November 1974 and was published to the public on 1 January 1975. The park is one of Sarawak’s smaller national park, but it is certainly one of the most important and has some of the most unusual visitors attractions.
The park’s main claim to fame is its role as one of the birthplaces of civilization in the region. The oldest modern human remains discovered in Southeast Asia were found at Niah, making the park one of the most important archaeological sites in the world. Forty thousand years ago, the Niah Great Cave sheltered human life. Here lies the oldest human remains in Southeast Asia, along with many other relics of prehistoric man. Today the Cave is home only to
bats, swift lets and other specially adapted forms of life. However, a few locals still venture into the dark interior to collect guano (bird and bat droppings used as fertilizer) and bird’s nest.
The famous Painted Cave is another highlight of the visit to Niah Cave. Here, little human-like figures drawn in red hematite watch over a gravesite where the bodies of the dead were each laid in its own boat - shape coffin. The Great Cave and Painted Cave have been declared
as National Historical Monuments.
Sarawak Cultural Village
Sarawak Cultural Village - “Explore Sarawak In Half A Day” is the claim made by Sarawak
Cultural Village, a unique award -winning living museum offering an excellent introduction to local cultures and lifestyles. Tucked away on the foothills of legendary Mount Santubong, 35 km away from Kuching is Sarawak’s fascinating cultural showcase, the award winning “Sarawak Cultural Village”. This living museum depicts the heritage of the major racial groups in Sarawak and conveniently portrays the respective lifestyle amidst 14 acres of equatorial vegetation.
Here, it is possible to see Sarawak’s ethnic diversity at a glance. The handicraft is both bewildering and tempting, including the Kain Songket (Malay cloth with gold inlay), Pua Kumbu (Iban housewives textiles), Melanau Terendak (sunhat), Bidayuh tambok (basket), Iban parang (swords), Orang Ulu wood carving and Chinese ceramic. The 45-minute cultural performance of songs, dances and entertainment is something you will not want to miss out during your visit
to Sarawak.
Gua Niah
Gua Niah National Park, located on the Sungai (river) Niah, about 3 km from the small town of Batu Niah, a 110 km to the south-west of Miri in northern Sarawak. The park was first gazetted as a National Historic Monument in 1958, gazetted as National Park on 23 November 1974 and was published to the public on 1 January 1975. The park is one of Sarawak’s smaller national park, but it is certainly one of the most important and has some of the most unusual visitors attractions.
The park’s main claim to fame is its role as one of the birthplaces of civilization in the region. The oldest modern human remains discovered in Southeast Asia were found at Niah, making the park one of the most important archaeological sites in the world. Forty thousand years ago, the Niah Great Cave sheltered human life. Here lies the oldest human remains in Southeast Asia, along with many other relics of prehistoric man. Today the Cave is home only to
bats, swift lets and other specially adapted forms of life. However, a few locals still venture into the dark interior to collect guano (bird and bat droppings used as fertilizer) and bird’s nest.
The famous Painted Cave is another highlight of the visit to Niah Cave. Here, little human-like figures drawn in red hematite watch over a gravesite where the bodies of the dead were each laid in its own boat - shape coffin. The Great Cave and Painted Cave have been declared
as National Historical Monuments.
The Caves are accessible via a raised plank walk that winds through lowland forest vibrant with birds and butterflies. Apart from the Caves, visitors can explore several kilometers of forest trails to feel the richness of tropical rainforests, climb a 400m tall limestone ridge or visit an Iban longhouse located near the Park boundary. Visitors can also rent a boat or walk along the river from Park headquarters to Batu Niah town.
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