📍 Available on Booking.com, Airbnb & more

Discover Kuching with a DIY Adventure

If Borneo is a giant treasure chest, then Kuching is that quirky, charming jewel tucked in one corner—small enough to explore at your own pace, yet big enough to surprise you around every bend. As the capital of Sarawak, Kuching is a melting pot of cultures, food, history, and yes… cats. Lots of cats.

Kuching’s name literally means “cat” in Malay (though historians still debate if it’s feline-related or just a happy linguistic accident), and the city has embraced the theme with open paws—er, arms. Here you’ll find cat statues, a Cat Museum, and locals who will happily tell you their favorite cat pun.

The city is compact, walkable, and easy to navigate with Grab or the newly launched Madani Bus Service—which, for as little as RM1.50, can whisk you to places like Matang Wildlife Centre or Santubong. Think of it as sightseeing with pocket change.

So, grab your walking shoes, your appetite, and a healthy dose of curiosity—here’s how to enjoy Kuching in three days, DIY-style.

Day 1: Arrival and Old City Exploration

Upon landing at Kuching International Airport, you’ve got options:

• Option A: Book a Grab ride to your hotel in the city center (about 20 minutes).
• Option B: If you’re feeling adventurous and want to try the local way, hop on a Madani Bus—though admittedly, this works best if you’re traveling light.

Pro Tip: Need mobile data? You can grab (pun intended) an eSIM at the airport. And if you’re renting a car, make sure it’s fueled up—no one wants their holiday to start with an unplanned roadside picnic.

Once checked in, start your walking tour along Gambier Road, following the rhythm of the Sarawak River and the scent of food wafting from the stalls. Use Google Maps as your trusty sidekick to find these gems:

• Astana: The Governor’s official residence, standing proud on the north bank of the Sarawak River.
• Tua Pek Kong Temple: The city’s oldest Chinese temple, a peaceful spot steeped in history.
• The Old Courthouse: An elegant colonial building whispering tales of Sarawak’s past.

As sunset approaches, wander to the Sarawak Riverfront or board the Sarawak River Cruise for a float past historic sites like Fort Margherita, Brooke Dockyard, and Malay villages, with the golden hour painting everything in warm hues.

Dinner? Try the riverside stalls, stop by—you’re in for a friendly welcome and great local flavors.

Day 2: Cultural & Culinary Immersion

Start your morning with breakfast at the hotel or at a nearby stall (bonus points if you manage to score laksa before 9 a.m.—true Kuching style).

Museum Circuit

• Borneo Cultures Museum: Malaysia’s largest and Southeast Asia’s second largest. Five floors of history, artifacts, and a chance to meet the ‘Niah Lady’ (well, her 35,000-year-old skull fragment).

  

• Sarawak Museum: Rich in zoology and ethnology, with fascinating taxidermy displays (yes, the animals look very lifelike—don’t blink).

  

• Islamic Heritage Museum: Once a school and madrasa, now home to exhibits on Sarawak’s Muslim history and culture.

  

Google Map :  Sarawak Museum -> Borneo Cultures Museum -> Islamic Heritage Museum

Lunchtime Local Flavors

Grab a ride to Barong Tinuk  at Jalan Merdeka, Petra Jaya, 93050 Kuching for traditional dishes like linut, umai, and midin. Call ahead to reserve and save yourself the heartbreak of sold-out favorites.

Google Map : Direction from Borneo Cultures Museum to Barong Tinuk

Sweet Treats & Shopping

From Barong Tinuk, make your way to Mira Cake House  at 185, Q309, Taman Foong Joon, 93050 Kuching to Cat Museum, Petra Jaya, Kuching for the famous Sarawak kek lapis. Across the road, Kubah Ria awaits with local produce and delicacies—ikan terubok masin, terong dayak, and more.

Google Map : Direction from Barong Tinuk  Mira Cake House

Afternoon Highlights

After finishing this mini shopping, drive or book an e-hailing service to the Cat Museum at Bukit Siol, Petra Jaya, Kuching.

Google Map : Mira Cake House to Cat Museum, Petra Jaya, Kuching

• Cat Museum: A shrine to all things feline—cute, quirky, and occasionally hilarious.

  

End today's journey in the city of Kuching with a stopover at the Masjid Jamek Negeri Sarawak at  Jalan Tun Datuk Patinggi Haji Abdul Rahman Yaakub, Petra Jaya, 93050 Kuching for prayers or a brief stopover or both.  

 Google Map : Cat Museum to Masjid Jamek Negeri Sarawak

• Masjid Jamek Negeri Sarawak: Stunning Istanbul-inspired architecture, complete with domes and marble floors.

After that, continue the adventure to your hotel in Santubong, located near the sea to enjoy the beautiful sunset view today, before visiting Kampung Budaya Sarawak (Sarawak Cultural Village) the next day.

Google map : Masjid Jamek Negeri Sarawak to Damai Beach Resort, Santubong, Sarawak

Pro tip:

1. If you are e-hailing from Mira Cake Central, ask them if they can drop you off at the hotel in Santubong after a short stop at the Cat Museum and Masjid Jamek Negeri Sarawak, and book them to pick you up from the hotel the next day for the Airport transfer. Don't forget to ask for their phone number.
2. For a hotel in Santubong, choose a distance close to the Sarawak Cultural Village or a hotel that offers a free shuttle service to/from the Sarawak Cultural Village.

Day 3: Living Heritage at Sarawak Cultural Village

Located just across from Damai Beach, the Sarawak Cultural Village is a living museum showcasing the traditional homes and customs of Sarawak’s major ethnic groups—Bidayuh, Iban, Penan, Melanau, Malay, Chinese, and Orang Ulu.

Expect storytelling, demonstrations, and photo ops galore. It’s like a cultural crash course without the exam at the end.

Return to your hotel to freshen up, check out, and make your way to Kuching International Airport—hopefully with your luggage a little heavier from all those snacks and souvenirs.

Pro Tip: Book your return flight for after 6 p.m. to avoid rushing through the day.

Final Word:
Kuching isn’t just a city—it’s a warm welcome wrapped in history, sprinkled with humor, and topped with irresistible food. Whether you explore by foot, Grab, or RM1.50 bus rides, you’ll leave with stories, smiles, and probably a few more cat photos than you expected.