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Kuching -
The Eye of Sarawak
 Kuching, the capital city of
Sarawak, has many things to offer to its visitors. There’s an experience to
be had for everyone, young or old. From shopping to gastronomic experience,
to nature and history. The name of the city, Kuching, is thought to derive
from the Malay word kucing which means cat or
from the Chinese word for port which is pronounced as
cochin. Others also claimed that it might have been named after a
lychee-like fruit called Mata Kuching or Cat’s Eye,
which was a popular trade item of the city.
Getting around
There are many ways to get around
in Kuching. The public transportations such as buses and taxis are efficient
and are in abundance. Apart from that tourists in Kuching can also
experience a more scenic view of the town by taking a ride in boat shuttles
that takes passengers to various points across the river. For tourists who
are staying in hotels, there’s the free City Tram that will take its
passengers to the major sights once in every hour. Walking around in the
city is also another alternative, as most of the streets are
pedestrian-friendly with tree-lined sidewalks. For those who prefer to do
their own driving and exploring of the city, there’s the car rental services
which has a selection of cars for rent, provided that the person has a valid
driving licence.
Museums & Historical Buildings
There are many things to explore
in Kuching. For those who are interested in the local history of the city,
there are clusters of museums and historical building to visit.
Sarawak Museum
This museum is considered to have
the best collection within Southeast Asia and it houses one of the best
ethnographic collections. The old wing, designed as a Normandy town-house,
first opened its doors in 1891. Located on Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg, the
grounds of the museum also houses the Aquarium, the Heroes’ Memorial and the
Botanical Gardens. Open daily from 9.00am to 6.00pm.
Islamic Museum
The Islamic Museum houses seven
galleries exhibiting Islamic artefacts and is the first Islamic Museum ever
built in Southeast Asia. The building which houses the museum is the actual
Maderasah Melayu Building which has been beautifully restored to its form
now. Located on Jalan P. Ramlee, this museum is also accessible from the
rear of the new wing of the Sarawak Museum. Open daily from 9.00am to
6.00pm.
Chinese History Museum
Located on the waterfront opposite
the Tua Pek Kong Temple, this museum houses the exhibits on Chinese
Migration, their early trade routes and trading activities. It also traces
the history of the Chinese community is Sarawak. Open daily from 9.00am to
6.00pm.
Cat Museum
This is cat lovers’ paradise, the
first museum in the world to dedicate its exhibit to all things feline, from
feline art, photos to souvenirs. The museum is located in Petra Jaya and is
open daily from 9.00am to 5.00pm. (closed on Public Holiday)
The Astana
Built by Charles Brooke in 1870 as
a bridal gift for his wife Ranee Margaret, the majestic looking Astana
consist of three separate building which is fused into one. Situated across
the north bank of the river, opposite the waterfront, this historical
landmark however is not opened to the general public as it is now an
official residence of the Governor of Sarawak.
Fort Margherita
Named after Charles Brooke’s wife
Ranee Margaret, this building was built in 1879. Strategically located along
the Sarawak River, it was built to overlook the stretch of river approaching
Kuching, to guard it from pirates. Now the building houses the Police
Museums. To enter the museum, as it is located within the Police Training
Barracks, visitors might need to present some form of identification.
The Square Tower
Built in 1879 as a fortress, the
building now is used as the multimedia information centre and video theatre,
providing information on Sarawak’s tourist attractions.
Round Tower
Constructed as a fort in 1886, the
Round Tower then was used as a dispensary. Restored in 2003, to its current
form it is now currently being used as the Sarawak Tourism Complex, which
houses the Visitor Information Centre.
Shopping
For those who love shopping, there
are many things that you can get from Kuching, from buying small souvenir
items to buying antiques. There’s a row of shops at the waterfront , known
as Main Baazar street, where you can buy souvenir items like the handcrafted
wooden mask or bowls, textiles, bemban (reed) baskets, rattan mats and
terendak hats among many other arts and crafts. In between shopping,
visitors can rest their feet and enjoy a cup of coffee at some of the
old-fashioned coffee shops.
Food
For those who enjoy good food,
Kuching has a fair share to offer. The Sarawak Laksa, the state’s signature
dish is something that is not to be missed. Made of thin rice noodle
(vermicelli) submerged in rich gravy that is made of prawn paste,
lemongrass, coconut milk, tamarind, topped with generous toppings of bean
sprouts, chicken and omelette strips, is best served piping hot.
Among other signature dishes that
are not to be missed, are the Kolo Mee, Manok Pansoh, Bubur Pedas and Ambal
or Bamboo Clam.
Cultural Experience
 For a first time visitor to
Kuching or even to Sarawak for that matter, one should not miss the
opportunity to go to the Sarawak Cultural Village which is situated
approximately 35km or 40 minutes drive away from Kuching town. Located at
the foothills of the legendary Mount Santubong, the visit to the cultural
village will usually sum up the cultural experience that one will need when
visiting Sarawak, should you have limited time to stay in Sarawak. The 14
acres living museum showcases the heritage of the major racial groups in
Sarawak. Here one will be able to see ethnic diversity, from the types of
abode that they live in, to the different forms of dance
and handicrafts that each racial group
produces.
Visitors to the Sarawak Cultural
Village will get the opportunity to visit the Bidayuh Longhouse, Iban
Longhouse, Penan Hut, Orang Ulu Longhouse, Melanau Tall House, Malay House
and Chinese Farmhouse and also participate in some of the activities that
each house offers. Also not to be missed is the 45 minutes cultural
performance of songs, dances and entertainment.
Once a year the Sarawak Cultural
Village will also play host to the Rainforest World Music Festival. This
3-day event will see renowned world musicians from all continents and people
from all around the world gathering to enjoy ethnic music and indigenous
culture of the world amidst the lush of the rainforest and the serenity of
nature.
To sum it all up, Kuching is a
city that has a lot to offer to its visitors and is an experience to be had.
The colourful city and people makes Kuching a destination that you would
want to come back to.
Book Kuching Hotels here
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