Delivering the Best of Southeast Asia to Discriminating Travelers
Welcome to Kuching!
It seems as though everyone who’s been here considers Kuching one of the great cities -- and great discoveries -- of Southeast Asia.
One well-traveled wag called it “Chiang Mai without all the tourists and t-shirt shops” and we’d have to agree, it’s special.
Kuching is a tribal shopper’s paradise, a gateway to breathtaking natural wonders, and its museums are the equal of any city in Asia.
In addition to having lots to see, Kuching is a great place to take a few days and relax.
Her restaurants are good and rarely crowded, and browsing the antiquities and crafts shops along Main Bazaar Street gives you an opportunity to examine now-rare tribal crafts from Sarawak’s 27 ethnicities, in relative peace.
Kuching’s museums are among the best in Southeast Asia, and you can participate yourself in the scene here by taking some of the terrific classes in cooking, crafts, dance, and painting that Kuching has to offer.
Kuching’s art gallery scene is starting to take off, with several venues worth visiting.
Be sure to tour the surrounding countryside for longhouse and nature visits that are truly outstanding.
Kuching Top Seven
1) The Sarawak Cultural Village, 40 minutes north of Kuching by convenient shuttle, showcases the houses, cultures, and traditions, of several of Sarawak’s ethnicities.
Here, participants explain the functions of houses, and elements of ethnic food, crafts, and cultures, and the twice-daily dance and music show is exceptional.
2) The Sarakraf Pavilion is one of the great experiences in Kuching.
Here, you’ll watch word carvers, weavers, batik artists and other craftspeople as they create their masterpieces, and explain how its all done.
Crafts are available at their shop, and crafts and dancing classes are offered here as well.
2) The Pua Kumbu Museum is a delight, and one of the world’s greatest family-owned museums.
The Iban textiles are wonderful, as it the astounding ceramics collection.
4) The Kuching waterfront offers great crafts and antiquities shopping along Main Bazaar Street, and plenty of places to dine, drink, and snack.
5) The Sarawak River Cruise, occurring at sunset, is a great and refreshing way to finish your day before dining at one of Kuching’s great restaurants.
6) Longhouse visits are a great way to get to know Dayak people, and you can arrange tours to nearby longhouses, which can either be day trips or overnight stays.
7) Nearby national parks are easy to get to from Kuching.
The most popular are Bako, Kubah, and Gunung Gading, where the massive rafflesia flower blooms during specific times of the year.
Tours can easily be arranged, but try to avoid the rainy season, which lasts from November through February.
Getting to and around Kuching
Flights arrive at the capital city of Kuching’s airport, a few kilometers outside of the city.
Pay RM 17.50 at the airport kiosk, and you’ll be taken to the hotel of your choice inside the city.
There is also a rental car kiosk inside the airport.
Taxis do not have meters, so fares must be discussed in advance.
Typical fares from Kuching, south of the Sarawak River to areas north of the river within city limits usually run RM 17-20.
Car and Drivers for hire are easily found in Sarawak, and again, fares are negotiable.
Expect to pay RM 100-125 for a half-day drive to destination outside the city.
Damai Beach shuttles run in both directions every couple of hours from 7:30 am or so until roughly 9 pm, and include stops at the Sarawak Cultural Village.
Your hotel can arrange for a pick up.
