Stand on the Kuching Waterfront as the light goes orange over the Sarawak River and you will see why this is the hour people come out: the Astana across the water, the tambang boats crossing, and the whole length of the promenade filling with walkers. Kuching is a river city that rewards slow movement — a morning in a museum, an afternoon in a market, an evening on the water's edge.
It suits travellers who want culture and food in equal measure, and who are happy to plan a day around a temple, a shophouse row and a bowl of something local. This guide covers the sights within the city and the experiences the sources describe, with practical notes on how to fit them together.
Top things to do in Kuching
1. Kuching Waterfront
The Waterfront runs along the Sarawak River on the site of a line of old warehouses, and it is the most popular meeting place in the city. During the day it is the best vantage point for viewing the Astana, Fort Margherita, the adjacent Malay kampungs of Kampung Sinjan and Kampung Lintang, and the DUN complex. At night it becomes the place to watch the city's evening life.
Food kiosks are present along the stretch, including My Kampong, which serves mee mamak. If you order traditional Malay food such as grilled fish, ask for it to be warmed up. Be aware that charges at the kiosks are high.
2. Main Bazaar
A very long row of shophouses selling Sarawak souvenirs and handicrafts, running along the riverfront. It is the natural place to browse for something to take home, and it sits at the heart of the old commercial quarter.
Combine it with the Waterfront, which it adjoins, and with the Chinese History Museum at its east end. The Tua Pek Kong Temple is at the east end of Main Bazaar as well, so the three fit into a single walk.
3. Tua Pek Kong Temple
The oldest Chinese temple in Kuching and at the heart of the city, built in 1843 and located at the east end of Main Bazaar on Jl. Padungan. It sits directly opposite the Chinese History Museum. Various festivals are held here, including the Wang Kang Festival to commemorate the dead and the Ghost Festival.
Visit it as part of a Main Bazaar walk rather than as a separate trip, and check whether a festival is on during your stay, since those days draw crowds.
4. Sarawak Museum
The oldest museum in Borneo, established in 1888 and opened in 1891 in a purpose-built building, sponsored by Charles Brooke and encouraged by Alfred Russel Wallace. It now has a large new building and has been renamed the Borneo Cultures Museum, housing ethnic displays and historical items from Sarawak in a modern setting.
Many of the city's museums are clustered just south of the centre, so pair this with the Sarawak Islamic Museum and Dewan Tun Abdul Razak, which are close by.
5. Fort Margherita
Completed in 1879, the fort occupies a strategic riverside position and was once a defensive structure protecting Kuching from attack. It later became a Police Museum, and old cannons, cannonballs, guns, pistols and swords can still be seen. It is now home to The Brooke Gallery, a museum dedicated to the White Rajahs who once ruled Sarawak.
Reach it by road from the other side of the river in Petra Jaya, or by tambang boat from Kuching Waterfront. The boat crossing is the more memorable approach and puts you on the water at the same time.
6. The Astana
The palace sits on the north bank of the river, just across from Kuching Waterfront, and is the residence of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri, the Head of State of Sarawak. It was built in 1870 by Charles Brooke as a bridal gift to his wife Margaret. Next to it are the Orchid Garden and a decorated garden with an observation tower, and the sampan deck named Pengkalan Sapi is within the Astana vicinity.
It is best viewed from the Waterfront during the daytime, when the building and its surroundings are clearly visible across the river.
7. Kuching City Mosque
Formerly the Sarawak State Mosque and later re-designated as the Kuching Divisional Mosque, this is Kuching's main mosque. It was built in 1968 on a site used for a wooden mosque as early as 1852, and has a striking design combining mid-western and Italian architecture.
It is near the open air market, so it fits easily into a morning of market browsing.
8. Sunday Market (Pasar Minggu)
Held on Jl. Satok in Satok, the market comes alive from Saturday afternoon and runs until Sunday afternoon. It is divided into many sections: food, fruits, vegetables, fish including salted terubok fish, potted plants, jungle produce such as wild honey, pets, bundle clothing, magazines and toys. The Pasar Tamu, the part of the market with a permanent roofed structure, operates daily.
Wear shoes when entering the fish and chicken areas, which are wet and where traders may splash water. During big celebrations such as Gawai, Chinese New Year or Hari Raya, some stalls are closed.
9. Chinese History Museum
A small colonial-era museum at the Waterfront, at the east end of Main Bazaar. It used to be the courthouse for the Sarawakian Chinese and then the office of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, and it now houses a small permanent exhibition of Kuching's many Chinese groups.
It is small enough to see in a short stop, so slot it into a Main Bazaar and Tua Pek Kong Temple walk rather than making a dedicated trip.
10. Sarawak Islamic Museum
Behind the Tun Abdul Razak Hall, accessed via Jl. P. Ramlee, the museum consists of seven galleries set around a central courtyard garden, each with a different theme. One of the artefacts on display is a replica of a sword used by Prophet Muhammad. It is open daily from 9AM to 6PM and closed on Fridays.
Because it sits behind the Tun Abdul Razak Hall, it pairs naturally with the Sarawak Museum cluster just south of the centre.
11. Dewan Tun Abdul Razak
On Jl. Tun Abang Haji Openg, opposite the Sarawak Museum, this hall was formerly the New Wing of the Sarawak Museum. It now houses changing exhibitions, a rather good gift shop and the Sarawak Museum Department office.
Combine it with the Sarawak Museum opposite and the Sarawak Islamic Museum behind it for a single museum-focused stretch of the day.
12. Kampung Budaya Sarawak (Sarawak Cultural Village)
A living museum spanning 17 acres at Pantai Damai Santubong, across from Damai Beach Resort, where you can experience the local culture and lifestyles of the various ethnic groups in Sarawak. The annual Rainforest World Music Festival happens here each July. Adult tickets are RM95 and child tickets RM60, or RM85 and RM55 if purchased online.
Allow a proper half day for this, and note the July festival dates if music is part of your reason for coming.
13. The Cat Museum
A large collection of cat memorabilia, reflecting the city's association with the animal. It is open daily from 9AM to 5PM and closed on public holidays.
Check the public holiday calendar before you go, since the museum closes on those days.
14. Friendship Garden
At Tabuan Heights, the garden was developed to mark the symbol of friendship between China and Malaysia. It is crafted with small ponds and gardens, and is a place for sightseeing, feeding the koi fish and trying your luck at the two wishing wells.
It works well as a slower, greener stop between the denser sightseeing of the centre.
15. Taman Budaya
On Jl. Taman Budaya, its name means "cultural garden". Once a reservoir for water storage and still known as the Kuching Reservoir, it has a big pond and is a place for jogging, walking and sightseeing. The Kuching Central Prison is next to the garden.
Go in the cooler part of the day if you intend to walk the grounds.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start at the Sarawak Museum, then cross to Dewan Tun Abdul Razak opposite and the Sarawak Islamic Museum behind it. Walk down to Main Bazaar and follow it east to the Tua Pek Kong Temple at the east end, stopping at the Chinese History Museum on the same stretch.
Afternoon: Take a tambang boat from Kuching Waterfront across to Fort Margherita, where you can see the old armaments and The Brooke Gallery. View the Astana from the water and from the Waterfront, then walk the length of the Waterfront itself.
Evening: Return to the Waterfront for the sunset over the Sarawak River, which is the best time to see the city's evening life. Eat at one of the food kiosks, such as My Kampong for mee mamak, and ask for any traditional Malay food you order to be warmed up.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to see the sunset in Kuching?
The Waterfront is the obvious place to be at sunset, and the sources also name the Santubong Peninsula and Bako Peninsula as sunset spots. Plan your evening around the Waterfront if you are staying in the centre.
How do I get to Fort Margherita?
You can reach it by road from the other side of the river, which is Petra Jaya, or by tambang boat from Kuching Waterfront. The boat crossing is the shorter and more direct approach from the centre.
Is the Sunday Market open on both weekend days?
It comes alive beginning Saturday afternoon and runs until Sunday afternoon. The Pasar Tamu, the part with a permanent roofed structure, operates on a daily basis. Some stalls close during big celebrations such as Gawai, Chinese New Year or Hari Raya.
Which museums are close enough to visit together?
Many museums are clustered just south of the centre. The Sarawak Museum, Dewan Tun Abdul Razak opposite it and the Sarawak Islamic Museum behind that hall form one easy group, and the Chinese History Museum sits on the Waterfront at the east end of Main Bazaar.
Decide which of these fits your days, check the festival and public holiday dates that affect the market and the Cat Museum, and start building your Kuching itinerary around the river.