Known as the capital city of Sarawak, Kuching is a playground of sights and sounds that are waiting to be discovered. Brimming with character and laid-back charm, it also earned the nickname, the City of Cats, thanks to its moniker which means 'cat' in Bahasa Malaysia. The best part is, Kuching is amazing if you’re looking for an affordable getaway!
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There are daily direct flights from Singapore to Kuching with AirAsia and Scoot while MAS flies to Kuching three times a week. The airfares are wallet-friendly too, starting at only RM300 for a round trip! As for hotels, there is a myriad of cosy and comfy stays around town that are worth your money. Just take your pick on Agoda! Well, what are you waiting for? If you're in Kuching for a short trip, here are the best and cheap things to do in Kuching on your next getaway!
1. Spend an afternoon at the Sarawak Cultural Village
Credit: @sarawakculturalvillage_scv on Instagram
One attraction in Kuching you shouldn't miss out on is the Sarawak Cultural Village. Dubbed as Sarawak's only living museum, you can spend about two to three hours here to know more about Sarawak's diverse ethnic groups. Step into the Sarawak Cultural Village and you'll see replicas of buildings that represent the ethnic groups of Bidayuh, Iban, Orang Ulu, Penan, Melanau, Malay, and Chinese. In each building, you'll be greeted by ethnic group members who are ready to host various traditional activities and entertain you with a multicultural dance performance.
Entrance fees:
Adult: RM85 (approx. S$26)
Child (2 – 12 years old) : RM55 (approx. S$17)
Address: Pantai Damai Santubong, Kampung Budaya Sarawak, 93752 Kuching, Sarawak
Opening hours: 9am - 5pm
2. Visit The Borneo Cultures Museum
Malaysia is a melting pot of culture and home to many indigenous tribes, especially in Sabah and Sarawak. The Borneo Cultures Museum is the perfect place to learn more about the rich culture and heritage of the people of Borneo and Sarawak. The museum, which is the largest in Malaysia and the second largest in Southeast Asia is home to over 1,000 artefacts and 30% of the museum will be interactive in nature. How fun! Be sure to check out 4 Things You Need To Know Before Visiting The Borneo Cultures Museum to plan your trip!
Entrance fees:
Adult: RM20 (Malaysian), RM50 (non-Malaysian). Approx. S$15
Child: RM5 (Malaysian), RM20 (non-Malaysian). Approx. S$6
Address: Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg, 93400 Kuching, Sarawak
Opening hours: 9am - 4.45pm (Monday - Friday), 9.30am - 4.30pm (Saturday, Sunday and public holidays)
3. Meet the Orangutans at Semenggoh Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre
Credit: @fallaittourneragauche on Instagram
Make a trip to the Semenggoh Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre to see the famous Orangutans! You can only spot these friendly primates in the rainforest of Borneo and Sumatra, so don't miss your chance to see them at their daily feeding sessions. Since Orangutans are critically endangered, visitors are not allowed to get up close to them, but you can still catch them eating bananas and playing on the wooden platform from afar ❤️
Entrance fees:
Adult: RM5 (Malaysian), RM10 (non-Malaysian). Approx. S$3
Children: RM2 (Malaysian), RM5 (non-Malaysian). Approx. S$1.50
Address: KM 20, Jalan Puncak Borneo, 93250 Kuching, Sarawak.
Opening hours: 8am - 10am, 2pm to 4pm (Daily)
4. Plan a hiking adventure to Mount Santubong
Credit: @the_hollitype on Instagram
If you're up for a hiking adventure, there's no better place to go than Mount Santubong! Just a 35-minute drive from Kuching, it's amazing to witness the lush rainforest of Mount Santubong as well as the surrounding mangrove forests, rivers and mudflats. For those who are not keen on hiking, you can always opt for a scenic kayaking experience or spot the rare Irrawaddy dolphin while you're there.
5. Walk along the Kuching Waterfront
Credit: Sarawak Tourism on website
Ask any locals about their favourite gathering spot in Kuching, and they're likely to mention the Kuching Waterfront as one of their top five spots. Spanning along the south bank of the Sarawak River, spot the beautiful colonial buildings that have been repurposed into the Chinese History Museum, Sarawak Steamship Building and Square Tower. While you're here, be sure to walk on the Darul Hana Bridge, a pedestrian suspension bridge that also makes an awesome Instagrammable spot in Kuching.
6. Malay Kampung/Kampung Boyan
Credit: @swakgel on Instagram
There are plenty of tours to Malay villages in Kuching but for whatever reason, this colourful little spot remains relatively untouched by tourists. Take a tambang (river taxi) along the Sarawak River for just RM1 (approx. S$0.30) and roam around the village, making sure to hit the hawker centre and buy some tasty local treats such as kek lapis. Then enjoy a seafood dinner as you watch the sunset on the Kuching riverbank.
7. Kubah Ria Sunday Market
Credit: @shamahim on Instagram
A trip to a foreign country wouldn’t be complete without interacting with the locals, and what better way to do so than by going to a Sunday market? Weekly markets are a great place to make small talk with a stranger without it being weird! Not feeling chatty? No problem. Feast your eyes (and stomach!) on the fruits, souvenirs, plants, pets, and foods that are on sale. And when you need a break, rest your tired feet at an eatery and be entertained by the buskers that perform all afternoon. Sometimes passers-by even join in! Who doesn’t love an impromptu live karaoke session?
Address: Kubah Ria Commercial Complex Q309, Petra Jaya, 93050 Kuching, Sarawak
Opening hours: 7.30am - 10am (Open on Sundays only)
8. Enjoy cheap and delicious halal food in Kuching
Sarawak is completely underrated when it comes to food. Kuching, the bustling capital of Sarawak, is a melting pot of multi-cultures and ethnic groups. It’s no wonder that the city offers a plethora of different dishes with a unique flavour profiles for a truly memorable culinary experience. It’s truly an absolute paradise for foodies! Read on below to check out what to eat while you’re in Kuching and where to find them!
1. Sarawak laksa at Mom’s Laksa Cafe
Credit: @sarawak_laksa on Instagram
Laksa is a famous noodle soup that can be found throughout Malaysia and each state has its own version. Despite not being world-famous as its sister Penang’s asam laksa, Sarawak laksa is in a league of its own that even the late Anthony Boudain called it the “Breakfast of the Gods”.
Sarawak laksa features a shrimp-based broth that is hearty and warm. Made with a mixture of sambal belacan, sour tamarind, lemongrass, and other herbs and spices, the aromatic broth is enriched and thickened with coconut milk to give it a savoury aftertaste. Instead of the usual thick rice noodles, you’ll find vermicelli rice noodles, garnished with a generous amount of bean sprouts, shredded omelette, and chicken slices. Yum!
Halal status: Muslim-owned restaurant. Ingredients are sourced from halal-certified suppliers and no alcohol is used in their cooking.
Address: Ground Floor, SL-2, Jalan Astana, Ave Astana, Petra Jaya, 93050 Kuching, Sarawak
Opening hours: 5am - 4.30pm (Daily)
2. Manok pansuh at Lepau
Credit: @senipatisserie on Instagram
The next dish you must try in Kuching brings us closer to the roots of the local, indigenous heritage. Manok pansuh is a popular traditional dish that is often prepared by the Iban and Dayak tribes. It consists of chicken marinated in lemongrass, ginger, and tapioca leaves and then roasted over an open fire. The result is nothing short of deliciousness as the rich gravy is infused with the aromas of lemongrass and bamboo!
Lepau Restaurant is the perfect place for you to try this delicious local delicacy. They also offer other Sarawak’s traditional dishes such as prawn umai (marinated raw seafood), Bario rice and you can even try deep-friend sago worms!
Halal status: Strictly no pork, no lard. Ingredients are sourced from halal-certified suppliers and no alcohol is used in their cooking.
Address: 99, Jalan Ban Hock, Road, 93100 Kuching, Sarawak
Opening hours: 10.30am - 2pm, 5.30pm - 11pm
3. Kolo mee at Serapi Corner
Credit: @serapi_corner on Instagram
Kolo mee is another dish that you should add to your list. Although “kolo” means dry mix, a bowl of soup is usually served together. There are a few variations of kolo mee such as seafood kolo mee, beef kolo mee as well as kolo mee with black vinegar or red sauce.
Kolo mee usually comes with springy noodles, minced meat tossed in a soy-based sauce and topped with spring onions. For a halal serving of Sarawak’s iconic noodle dish, try Serapi Corner, which many locals consider the best. While the noodles look a little different compared to traditional kolo mee, the taste is still yummy!
Halal status: Muslim-owned restaurant. Ingredients are sourced from halal-certified suppliers and no alcohol is used in their cooking.
Address: Lot 2051, No 231, Blok 283, Rich Commercial Centre, Kota Sentosa, 93250, Kuching, Sarawak
Opening hours: 7am - 11pm (daily)
Explore more varieties of halal food in Kuching through this video:
This Kuching Food Trail will come in handy to choose the best restaurant during your trip and to help you plan your Kuching adventures, check out this Weekend Escapade Itinerary! We hope you've discovered the best things to do in Kuching. Enjoy exploring!
This article is brought to you by The Sarawak State And Tourism Office Singapore (STATOS).