Kuching Attractions: What to See and Do in Kuching

Once a base for the White Rajahs of Sarawak, the city of Kuching is an enchanting destination to explore. Often referred to as 'Cat City' by locals, visitors will find a large number of interesting attractions here, while this is a safe place to explore at virtually any time of the day.

Places of worship:

Tua Pek Kong Temple
Located in the heart of the city, Tua Pek Kong Temple is a popular place for Kuching's Chinese residents to worship. This ancient temple was built in 1843 and remains to this day one of the most impressive religious structures that can be found in the centre of Kuching. While the temple is dedicated to Buddhist deities, people of all religions are welcome to visit Tua Pek Kong Temple.

Natural Attractions:

Kuching Waterfront
A large number of young couples and visitors to the city like to walk along Kuching Waterfront in the early evening in order to watch the sun set over Sarawak River. Talking a walk along Kuching Waterfront feels a lot like stepping back through time as although the area has been renovated in recent years, the pace of life is slow here and visitors will be treated to the same stunning view of Sarawak River and Fort Margherita that they have been able to see for several generations.

Buildings:

Fort Margherita
Situated on the bank of Sarawak River, Fort Margherita is one of Kuching's most striking structures. Commissioned by Charles Brooke and named after his wife Rani Margaret, this mighty fort once served to protect the city against invasion from pirates. Painted white, Fort Margherita features surprisingly well-preserved battlements and offers pretty views along the river.

The Astana
Located on the north bank of Sarawak River, the Astana is an enchanting palace and one of the prettiest buildings in the whole of Kuching. Now home to Yang di-Pertua Negeri, who is the Head of State of Sarawak, the Astana is a large and lovely palace that was commissioned by Charles Brookes in 1870 as a present for his new bride Margaret.

Other attractions:

Sarawak Cultural Village
A popular with lovers of history and culture, Sarawak Cultural Village offers a snapshot of Sarawak's multiethnic cultures. In fact, no fewer than 27 different indigenous groups can be found here, and each has developed its language, culture and customs independently to the others. Visitors should be able to book a visit to Sarawak Cultural Village through their Kuching hotel, which includes transportation and a guide.

The Weekend Market
Open from Saturday afternoon until Sunday afternoon, the Weekend Market is divided into different sections according to which type of goods can be found there, making shopping a simple and pleasant experience. This is a great place to grab bargains on batik cloth and cheesy Sarawak t-shirts, while the Weekend Market also offers sections full of plants, power tools, wooden toys and a wide variety of other products.

Sarawak Museum
Lovers of history and culture will be in their element here as the interesting and informative Sarawak Museum. While there are numerous exciting cultural and historical exhibits to explore here, the highlight for many visitors is the reptile area, which features giant crocodile skulls as well as stuff snakes and other examples of the impressive reptile species that can be found in Sarawak and the surrounding area.