Once the capital of the White Rajahs of Sarawak, now with a population of some 500,000, Kuching is small enough to walk around but interesting enough to keep you there for several days, and a good base for exploring Sarawak. It's safe and relatively clean. The name of the city, Kuching, is thought to derive from the Malay word kucing, meaning cat. Many of the locals refer to Kuching as the "Cat City" but it more likely comes from the Chinese word for port ("cochin") coupled with the Malay name mata kucing (cat's-eye) for the longan fruit, a popular trade item. Kuching's major sights are its museums. Clustered just south of the center, a program of refurbishment started in 2002 is shuffling up the exhibits.

Things To See

Chinese History Museum, Waterfront (east end of Main Bazaar). A small colonial-era museum that used to be the Chinese Court of Kuching, now houses a small permanent exhibition of Kuching's many Chinese groups and regional worthies.

Dewan Tun Abdul Razak, Jln. Tun Abang Haji Openg (opposite Sarawak Museum). Formerly the New Wing of the Sarawak Museum, now houses changing exhibitions and has a rather good gift shop.
Fort Margherita, across the river. Built on the orders of James Brooke to guard his fledgling capital.

Sarawak Museum, Jln. Tun Abang Haji Openg. Housing the largest ethnographic collection in Borneo, the Old Building of the Sarawak Museum was originally the residence of James Brooke, the first White Rajah of Sarawak. The first floor now houses a rather ordinary collection of stuffed and mounted animals as well as an oil industry panegyric sponsored by Shell; the second floor is more interesting, with a walk-through longhouse model and extensive displays of tribal artifacts. Spot the small case documenting palang, the penis piercing jewelry worn by Iban men. Free entry, open from 9 AM to 5:30 PM daily except holidays.

Tua Pek Kong Temple, Jln. Padungan (east end of Main Bazaar). Ornate Chinese temple.
Kuching is a great;home-base for jungle trekking and exploring Borneo.

Kuching Kayaking. You can choose to kayak in the Sarawak river (in the city) for a leisurely and unique perspective of Kuching; or you can choose to kayak in the sea where you may bump into dolphins; or you may choose to kayak through the rainforest and experience the sights and sounds of the jungles of Borneo. Whichever you choose, its an experience you won't soon forget!