Kuching: Latest 2025 Travel Guide
🏙️ Kuching Travel Guide | Attractions + Food + Transportation
Kuching is a laid-back and culturally vibrant city, a blend of Malay, Chinese, Aboriginal, and colonial influences. Enjoy museums, cultural villages, national park adventures, and indulge in authentic local cuisine!
📍 Must-see attractions in Kuching
1. Kuching Waterfront
- Features : The most lively walking area, stretching along the Sarawak River.
- Editor's recommendation : It's super romantic to watch the night view at night, and you can also take a boat to the other side.
2. Sarawak Cultural Village
- Features : Showcasing the traditional architecture and cultural performances of Sarawak’s various indigenous ethnic groups.
- Editor’s guide : A half-day tour is the best option, allowing you to experience the cultures of the Iban and Bidayuh peoples all at once.
3. Bako National Park
- Features : Kuching’s most popular national park, where you can see proboscis monkeys, wild boars, mangroves and a magnificent coastline.
- Editor's note : It is recommended to wear light clothing and mosquito repellent, and it is best to join a group or ask a tour guide to lead the way.
4. Kuching Cat Museum
- Features : The world's first cat-themed museum, super cute.
- Editor’s guide : Cat lovers must check in.
5. Astana Palace & DUN Building
- Features : The landmark buildings on the opposite bank, especially the golden-domed Parliament Building, are very eye-catching.
6. Main Bazaar Old Street
- Features : Kuching's oldest commercial street, selling handicrafts, wood carvings, pepper and other souvenirs.
🍴 Must-try food in Kuching
| gourmet food | Reasons for recommendation |
|---|---|
| Sarawak Laksa | Known as the "King of Breakfast", it is made with shrimp broth + coconut milk + spices, with a moderate sour and spicy taste. |
| Kolo Mee (Dry Noodles) | Kuching’s most representative Chinese noodle dish, thin noodles mixed with soy sauce and lard, a must-try. |
| Tomato Kueh Teow | Fried rice noodles with sweet and sour tomato sauce, a Kuching specialty. |
| Manok Pansoh (Bamboo Chicken) | This is a traditional Iban dish where chicken and spices are cooked in bamboo tubes, creating a fragrant aroma. |
| Laksa Prawn Cake & Satay | A must-try street food dish, kebabs served with peanut sauce. |
| Nasi Lemak | Malaysia's national delicacy can be found everywhere in Kuching. |
| Tropical fruits (durian, mangosteen, rambutan) | Borneo is rich in fruits that are sweet and fresh. |
🚐 Kuching Transportation Guide
1. How to get to Kuching
-
Kuching International Airport (KCH)
- There are direct flights from Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Kota Kinabalu.
- The airport is about a 20-minute drive from the city center, and you can take Grab or a taxi.
2. Urban transportation
- Grab (ride-sharing app) : The most convenient and reasonably priced.
- Walking : The city center is full of attractions (Riverside Park, Old Street), which are all within walking distance.
- Bus/Group Tour : If you want to go to Bako National Park or Cultural Village, it is recommended to join a local tour or charter a bus.
💡 My personal 3-day, 2-night itinerary suggestion
Day 1
Arrive in Kuching → Stroll along the Riverside Park → Main Bazaar → Dinner: Sarawak Laksa → Night tour along the river to see the lights
Day 2
Breakfast at Kolo Mee → Day trip to Bako National Park (Proboscis Monkey and Coastal Hike) → Return to the city in the evening → Enjoy seafood or bamboo chicken
Day 3
Breakfast: Tomato Rice Noodles → Sarawak Cultural Village → Lunch: Nyonya Cuisine → Cat Museum → Airport Return
💬Editor 's Thoughts <br>Kuching gives me a laid-back, culturally rich vibe. Unlike the bustling Kuala Lumpur and Kota Kinabalu, it's a place where you can slow down, stroll, and eat. My favorite is Sarawak Laksa ; a bowl of it is sour, spicy, and appetizing. I'd love to have it every morning!
