The Gunung Mulu National Park is a national park in Miri Division, Sarawak, Malaysia. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that encompasses caves and karst formations in a mountainous equatorial rainforest setting. The park is famous for its caves and the expeditions that have been mounted to explore them.
Malaysia: Sarawak – Kuching, visitor’s guide
Kuching is the capital city of Sarawak which is part of East Malaysia and is located on the wider island of Borneo. Anyone who has been to Peninsular Malaysia will find that Sarawak has a very different feel, and Kuching in particular, thanks to its strategic location on the snake-like Sarawak River, is one of the prettiest spots in the region. The city is known for being the home of a number of indigenous groups such as the Iban and the Dayaks, and people flock here to learn more about the unique culture found in this part of Malaysia.
CONTENTS
1. About Kuching
2. Things to do
– Check out the Borneo Culture Museum
– Visit Fort Margherita
– Explore Kuching’s Riverfront
– See the famous cat statue
– Kuching Cat Museum
– Visit the Ranee Museum
– Try some kek lapis – layer cake
– Kuching Old Courthouse
– Visit Bako National Park
– See orangutans at Semenggoh Wildlife Centre
3. Getting to and around Kuching
4. Best time to visit
5. Where to stay
About Kuching
Kuching, city, capital and chief port of Sarawak, East Malaysia, on northwestern Borneo. The city was founded in 1839 by James (later Sir James) Brooke, who also founded the Brooke Raj and became ruler of Sarawak. He built the city’s first European-style house on the jungled southern bank of the muddy, crocodile-infested Sarawak River, 15 miles (24 km) from the South China Sea. Now a busy administrative centre, Kuching is populated mainly by Chinese, although Malays, Bidayuh (Land Dayaks), and Iban (Sea Dayaks) live on its outskirts. Kuching exports rubber, pepper, and sago flour and has a seaport and an airport.
Things to do
Check out the Borneo Culture Museum
One place we really wanted to visit was the Borneo Culture Museum which was only a few minutes’ walk from the Waterfront. It is a very impressive and imposing building in the heart of downtown Kuching. The museum opened on 9 March 2022. The 30,000sq m building makes it the second-largest museum in Southeast Asia and Malaysia’s largest to date.
There are five floors dedicated to Sarawak’s unique traditional crafts and rich cultural heritage. Most of the exhibits are contained on the top four floors. We started our visit on the second floor where there is an exhibit of arts and crafts, covering the skills of traditional craftsmanship, dances, and music. There were some beautiful examples of cloths, pottery, beadwork, and wood carving.
On the next floor is the largest exhibit area with a theme of ‘In Harmony With Nature’, and it explores the relationship local communities have with the natural environment based on a river journey through three major geographical regions. The exhibits were stunning – it is truly a beautiful, world-class museum.
On the fourth floor is the ‘Time Changes’ exhibition that has displays with a strong educational focus. The narrative tells the history of Sarawak dating from the prehistoric era to modern times and includes archaeological discoveries and findings in the State.
Visit Fort Margherita
Fort Margherita is an old fort constructed in 1879 by Charles Brooke, Rajah of Sarawak situated in Kuching and is named after Charles Brookes’ wife, Ranee Margaret The fort is an important landmark and monument in Sarawak’s history which goes back to the Brooke Dynasty. The fort, built in the style of an English castle, was designed to protect Kuching from being attacked by pirates. It served as a Police Museum from 1971 before being handed over to the Government of Sarawak and now is a tourist attraction in Kuching. The fort now houses the Brooke Gallery, an exhibition showcasing the history of Sarawak under the Brooke Dynasty.
The exhibits are set out over three floors of the main building, which are linked by a narrow, spiral staircase. This is not a place to visit if you have mobility issues! This was a great place to visit to get a better understanding of the Brooke Dynasty and its impact on the recent history of Sarawak. At the end of viewing the exhibits, we headed outside into the main compound of the fort which is very small. Sadly, the walkway around the ramparts of the fort is in poor condition and is closed, so there was not much to see outside.
Explore the riverfront
Kuching’s waterfront is a wonderful place to explore. It is the centre of events and activities for locals and tourists alike. It is particularly lively at night with live music, food stands and market stalls.
Kuching’s waterfront is a wonderful place to explore. It is the centre of events and activities for locals and tourists alike. It is particularly lively at night with live music, food stands and market stalls.
The most prominent building along the riverfront is the State Assembly Hall, which is planned to be turned into a cultural performance centre.
Not too far from the State Legislature Building is the distinctive Darul Hana Bridge. Competed in 2017 this 335m pedestrian bridge connects the Kuching waterfront to the north areas of the city.
This unique 336-metre S-shaped pedestrian bridge is supported by two cables that are 45 metres high from two 48-degree outward-angled steel towers topped out with stylised hornbills, denoting the emblem of Sarawak.
The waterfront really comes to life at night. In the summer months, there is a nightly fireworks and laser show that is really quite amazing.
See the famous cat statue
Kuching, formerly named Sarawak in the 19th century, translates to ‘cats’, earning it the affectionate nickname ‘City of Cats’. Nobody knows for sure why the state’s third capital was called Kuching and what originally connected today’s feline-centric city to their four-legged meowing friends. One of the city’s famous landmarks is a statue of cats in the middle of a roundabout close to the waterfront path.
The Cat Museum
I wanted to visit Kuching’s cat museum, which is located a little way out of town. We took a Grab car out to the museum which is located on a hill inside a government building. The museum is quirky. It is filled with everything you can imagine doing with cats, including posters, dinnerware, ornaments and much more. Most of the items are kitsch and would never grace a shelf in our home. As sad as this all was it was fun to experience it all. The worst thing of all was the taxidermy exhibits of Bornean wild and domestic cats. It was not so much the concept of the taxidermy itself, but the work was so bad! We spent a good 45 minutes walking around which was just about enough time for us, before we caught a Grab car back to town.
The Ranee Museum
The First Ranee was the wife of the second White Rajah of Sarawak, Charles Anthony Johnson Brooke. Born Margaret Alice Lili de Windt, she married Brooke on 28 October 1869 at the age of 19. She was raised to the title of Ranee of Sarawak with the style of Her Highness upon their marriage.
She was an advocate for universal education, founding the first school for Malay boys in Kuching and assisting in the liberation of Malay women through increased access to literacy.
Her savvy diplomacy in England helped raise Sarawak’s profile internationally and kept the country in the spotlight.
Ranee Margaret learned to read and write Malay and became close friends with the wives and daughters of the Malay chieftains, whose customs she grew accustomed to and whose style of dress she gladly adopted. As Ranee for nearly half a century, one of her greatest contributions to the state was her appreciation for skills such as songket weaving and keringkam embroidery, leading her to be a patron of such crafts, having her personal collection which can now be shared in this exhibit.
Her life with Charles Brooke was troubled. Her first three children died within a week of each other on board a ship in the Red Sea in 1873, while returning to England with the Rajah. Once three more sons were born,[1] the couple separated again and lived estranged, with Rajah Charles living in Sarawak and Margaret in London, where she was at the centre of a social circle that included several of the leading literary talents of the 1890s, such as Oscar Wilde and Henry James.
Ranee Margaret by all accounts was an intelligent and creative person. She was a talented photographer, painted, designed dresses and jewellery, and was a writer and an accomplished musician, especially on the piano. In 1872 she composed “Gone Forth Beyond the Sea”, which served as the national anthem of Sarawak.
She was a fascinating person. The museum itself is small and made up of display panels and exhibit cases, with memorabilia of the Ranee. We really enjoyed learning about Margaret Brooke!
Try some kek lapis
The Sarawak layer cake, is a renowned delicacy from state of Sarawak, Malaysia, which comes in normal layers or in intricate patterns. This cake is distinguished by its intricate layers, vibrant colours, and rich flavours. It has become an integral part of Sarawakian culinary culture and an icon, celebrated for its craftsmanship and unique taste. This cake that has its origin from Indonesia’s lapis legit.
Kuching Old Courthouse
If you like to see heritage style architecture, pay a visit to the old courthouse which is now a tourism complex. It used to be the administrative center for Kuching and now hosts all sorts of events like weddings, corporate events and a multitude of indoor and outdoor private events.
Visit Bako National Park
One of Southeast Asia’s smallest national parks, Bako nevertheless contains almost all variety of Borneon vegetation. The star of Bako National Park is undoubtedly the proboscis money, the big-nosed, pot-bellied comedian of the rainforest. But the star has a supporting cast of long-tailed macaque monkeys, silvered leaf monkeys, monitor lizards, squirrels and flying lemurs that are easily seen in the park.
The journey to Bako National Park involves a 37-kilometre car ride from Kuching to Kampung Bako and from Kampung Bako a 20-minute boat ride to the park.
See the orangutans at Semenggoh Wildlife Centre
This is one of the best places in the world to see orangutans in their natural rainforest habitat and well worth a day trip outside the city. There are nearly 30 orangutans here and there’s a good chance of seeing quite a few during daily feedings in the rainforest. You may also see the fascinating creatures swinging above you or ambling about. For safety reasons, it’s important to stay at least five metres from the orangutans.
Getting around Kuching
The taxi is your best bet for getting to and from the airport, which lies about 10 kilometres outside the city centre. Airport taxi coupon counters can be found at the arrivals level, and one-way taxi fares from the airport are fixed at MYR 26 (MYR 39 for late-night arrivals). You can purchase a coupon at the taxi counter and proceed to the taxi stand outside the terminal.
Kuching is a very walkable city and the centre is quite compact, making it possible to walk (or bike) almost everywhere. For visiting attractions outside the city centre, or when you just need a break, taxis are a decent option.
The best time to visit Kuching
Kuching, located in Malaysia, is predominately characterized by an Af climate type under Köppen climate classification, which signifies a Tropical rainforest. With even temperatures throughout the year, Kuching encounters high levels of precipitation and elevated humidity values.
In Kuching, the monthly average high temperatures remain largely steady, varying within a range from 29.3°C (84.7°F) to 33.3°C (91.9°F). Along the same line, the low temperature values also maintain a similar steadiness, staying within a range from 22.9°C (73.2°F) to 23.6°C (74.5°F). The presence of abundant moisture is a prominent feature of Tropical rainforest climates, and Kuching isn’t an exception. Relative humidity values oscillate between 78% and 87%, with little month-to-month variation, providing the atmosphere with a consistent level of moisture.
The best time to visit Kuching
Considering the data, the optimal time to visit Kuching is between June and September. During these months, the city experiences lower rainfall, with values ranging from 49mm (1.93″) to 71mm (2.8″), and fewer rainfall days, varying from 14.6 to 15.9 days. This reduced rainfall correlates with increased amounts of sunshine, ranging from 8.1 hours to 8.4 hours daily. The temperatures remain consistently warm, with high temperatures fluctuating between 32.7°C (90.9°F) and 32.8°C (91°F), and low temperatures from 23.2°C (73.8°F) to 23.6°C (74.5°F). For those who enjoy warm, sunny days with occasional showers, this period may provide optimal conditions for exploring the attractions of Kuching.
The worst time to visit Kuching
The least favourable time to visit Kuching is between November and February. This timeframe corresponds to an increase in rainfall, varying from 125mm (4.92″) in November to 175mm (6.89″) in January. Combined with the high number of rainy days, ranging from 20.9 days to 22.8 days, the city experiences extensive periods of precipitation. The increase of rain contributes to a reduction in daily sunshine hours, from 7.1 hours to 6.2 hours, resulting in overcast and rainy conditions that may not be suitable for outdoor activities.
Where to stay in Kuching
1. Luxury – The Waterfront Hotel Kuching
Set atop Plaza Merdeka Shopping Center, The Waterfront Hotel Kuching offers modern guest rooms with free WiFi access. The property features a semi-outdoor infinity pool and 2 dining options. For guests who drive, free parking is provided.
Every room is fitted with air conditioning and a flat-screen cable TV, while the private bathroom comes with a shower and free toiletries. Some rooms have city view and a bathub.
Buffet breakfast is served daily at Cafe Via Mare, which also opens for all day dining. Drinks, snacks and live entertainment are offered at Kilig Bar Lounge.
2. Mid Range: Meritin Hotel
Located in Kuching and with Borneo Convention Centre Kuching reachable within 4.6 miles, Meritin Hotel has concierge services, non-smoking rooms, a garden, free WiFi throughout the property and a shared lounge. This 3-star hotel offers room service and a 24-hour front desk. Guests can enjoy American and Chinese dishes at the restaurant or have a drink at the snack bar.
At the hotel rooms include air conditioning, a seating area, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a safety deposit box and a private bathroom with a shower, free toiletries and a hairdryer. Meritin Hotel provides certain accommodations with city views, and rooms are equipped with an electric tea pot. At the accommodation the rooms come with bed linen and towels.
3. Budget – Upspot Kuching Waterfront Premium Hostel
Located in Kuching, 5.2 miles from Borneo Convention Centre Kuching, Upspot Kuching Waterfront Premium Hostel provides air-conditioned rooms and a shared lounge. The property is around 7 miles from Sarawak Stadium, 25 miles from Fort Margherita Kuching and 25 miles from Harmony Arch Kuching. Charles Brooke Memorial Kuching is 25 miles away and Tua Pek Kong Chinese Temple Kuching is 25 miles from the hostel.
Free WiFi and a shared bathroom equipped with a bidet and slippers are available to all guests, while selected rooms come with a game console. At the hostel each room has bed linen and towels.
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