From Wikitravel

Kuching is the capital of Sarawak, East Malaysia.

[edit] Understand

Once the capital of the White Rajahs of Sarawak, now with a population of some 500,000, Kuching is small enough to walk around but interesting enough to keep you there for several days, and a good base for exploring Sarawak. It's safe and relatively clean. The name of the city, Kuching, is thought to derive from the Malay word kucing, meaning cat. Many of the locals refer to Kuching as the "Cat City" but it more likely comes from the Chinese word for port ("cochin") coupled with the Malay name mata kucing (cat's-eye) for the longan fruit, a popular trade item.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

Kuching International Airport (IATA: KCH) is Sarawak's main gateway. There are near-hourly connections to Kuala Lumpur on Malaysia Airlines [1], AirAsia [2], as well as frequent flights to Johor Bahru, Labuan, Kota Kinabalu and other cities in Sarawak like Sibu, Bintulu and Miri. MASWings [3], which took over the rural air service from FlyAsian Express (FAX) on October 1, 2007, links Kuching with Mukah. International connections are rather limited, although there are a few weekly services to Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Pontianak, Macau, Bali and Singapore.

The airport underwent a major facelift in 2005-2006 and is now modern and pleasant. When checking in, note that all flights outside Sarawak are considered "international", even if you're only going elsewhere in Malaysia. A restaurant is located on ground floor at the far end, before security. There is also a KFC and newly opened Starbucks on the 2nd floor (departure level), left of the departure gates.

Getting there/away: Kuching city is about 20 minutes away by taxi, a fixed RM17.50 from the taxi coupon stand just outside arrivals. There are also rather intermittent (once every hour or so) buses (Sarawak Transport Company No. 12A and Chin Lian Long bus No. 8A) to the city center for RM1. The most convenient place to catch the buses is at the General Post Office in Jalan Tun Haji Openg in the city centre.

[edit] By boat

Express Bahagia and Express Sejahtera express boats run once daily each from Sibu to Kuching and back. RM36 one way and the journey takes 4 hours. Boats depart from the Pending wharf to the east of the city. Getting there/away: Chin Lian Long buses No. 1A, 17 and 19 go to the express boat jetty. 60 sen one way. Taxis usually charge RM10.

[edit] By bus

Kuching's regional express bus terminal is located along Jalan Penrissen, also dubbed as "4 and a half miles", located south of the city. All long-distance express buses arrive from and leave for major Sarawak cities like Sibu, Bintulu and Miri, as well as Pontianak in Indonesia. Regional buses for some towns near Kuching such as Lundu (for the Gunung Gading National Park and Tanjung Datu National Park) and Sri Aman also arrive/depart from here. However, buses for some towns and destinations nearer Kuching, such as the Bako National Park, Bau and the Semenggoh Orang Utan Centre, leave from various locations in the city centre, depending on the bus company being used. See the individual destinations below for details.

• To/from Bau:
• To/from Bako National Park: Petrajaya (white and yellow) bus No. 6 departs from the open air market near Electra House in the city centre. RM1.50 one way,journey time 45 mins. There are also public mini buses for RM5 a little bit faster and more regular. The buses bring you to Bako Bazaar where you have to transfer to a boat to reach the national park. See Bako National Park page for details.
• To/from Lundu: Sarawak Transport Company (cream and green) express buses depart from the regional bus terminal at 08:15, 11:00, 14:00 and 16:00. Buses depart Lundu at 08:00, 11:00, 14:00 and 16:00. Travel time approximately two hours. At Lundu, take a taxi or van to the Gunung Gading National Park. For Tanjung Datu National Park, catch a connecting Sarawak Transport Company bus to Sematan where you will have to charter a boat to the park.
• To/from Pontianak: Biaramas Express [4] (Tel: +60-82-456999 at the regional bus terminal, 60-82-610111 headquarters) buses depart Kuching regional bus terminal for Pontianak via the Tebedu-Entikong border crossing daily at 07:45. RM45 adult one way. From Pontianak, buses depart daily at 21:00. Fare is Rp140,000. SJS Super Executive (Tel: +60-82-456999) buses departs the regional bus terminal at 11:00 and cost RM70. Click Pontianak_to_Kuching for travel Itenerary on this route.
• To/from Semenggoh: Sarawak Transport Company buses No. 5А depart from their bus terminal near the open air market in the city centre but are not so frequent (at 1 and a half hour or even rarely). Also there are plenty of mini buses at the open air market that can drive you there (public - RM5-10 per passеnger) and also more expensive mini bus taxies (bargaining starts from RM100 for the whole bus for return journey).
• To/from Sibu: Various express buses depart from the regional bus terminal. Most of them go via Sarikei.

[edit] By Car

Click Pontianak_to_Kuching for travel Itenerary on this route.

[edit] Get around

[edit] By bus

Kuching's hotels have banded together to offer a free City Tram (really just a bus) service that shuttles around major sights once every hour. Ask for a City Tram sticker and route map from your hotel lobby.

Other local buses are run by a colorful assortment of companies, but there's a reasonably logical line numbering system and bus stops usually have some signage.

-Green - Sarawak Transport Company (STC)

-Blue - Chin Liang Long Bus Company (CLL)

-Orange - Matang Transport Company (MTC)

-Brown/Red - Bau Bus Company

-White with Red, Yellow and Black stripes - Petra Jaya Bus Company

-Brown/Purple - Regas Transport Company (existence in doubt)

[edit] By boat

Tambang boats shuttle across the river at various points, all charging a fixed RM0.30 per passenger. Place the money on the designated plate instead of giving it to the operator.

[edit] On foot

Kuching is unusually pedestrian-friendly for a Malaysian city, with tree-lined sidewalks and pedestrian crossings, and the city core is compact enough to cover on foot. Good walks include the Waterfront and the pedestrian shopping street of Jalan India (Kuching's Little India).

[edit] Talk

Kuchingites of different ethnicities tend to speak different first languages. Typically, most Kuchingites are capable of speaking the Malay language and their ethnic tongue. On top of that, most Kuchingites are also capable of conversing in English or knows someone who does. The ability to speak either Malay, English or Mandarin is usually enough for someone in Kuching to get by.

The lack of a homogeneous language used by the peoples is also clearly reflected around the city. Signs such as road names are written in Malay and Chinese. Street signs are in Malay only. Shop names and other private signs are usually written in English and Chinese.

[edit][add listing] See

Kuching's major sights are its museums. Clustered just south of the center, a program of refurbishment started in 2002 is shuffling up the exhibits.

• Chinese History Museum, Waterfront (east end of Main Bazaar). A small colonial-era museum that used to be the Chinese Court of Kuching, now houses a small permanent exhibition of Kuching's many Chinese groups and regional worthies.

• Dewan Tun Abdul Razak, Jln. Tun Abang Haji Openg (opposite Sarawak Museum). Formerly the New Wing of the Sarawak Museum, now houses changing exhibitions and has a rather good gift shop.

• Fort Margherita, across the river. Built on the orders of James Brooke to guard his fledgling capital.

• Sarawak Museum, Jln. Tun Abang Haji Openg. Housing the largest ethnographic collection in Borneo, the Old Building of the Sarawak Museum was originally the residence of James Brooke, the first White Rajah of Sarawak. The first floor now houses a rather ordinary collection of stuffed and mounted animals as well as an oil industry panegyric sponsored by Shell; the second floor is more interesting, with a walk-through longhouse model and extensive displays of tribal artifacts. Spot the small case documenting palang, the penis piercing jewelry worn by Iban men. Free entry, open from 9 AM to 5:30 PM daily except holidays.

• The Cat Museum. This is a large collection of cat memorabilia. Many souvenirs declare the fact that Kuching means "Cat".its located at DBKU(kuching city north council) building at petra jaya,on top of a hill.

• Tua Pek Kong Temple, Jln. Padungan (east end of Main Bazaar). Ornate Chinese temple.

[edit][add listing] Do

Kuching is a great home-base for jungle trekking and exploring Borneo.

• Kuching Kayaking[5]. You can choose to kayak in the Sarawak river (in the city) for a leisurely and unique perspective of Kuching; or you can choose to kayak in the sea where you may bump into dolphins; or you may choose to kayak through the rainforest and experience the sights and sounds of the jungles of Borneo. Whichever you choose, its an experience you won't soon forget!

• Borneo Headhunter Tattoos[6]. Get a tattoo! Tattoo designs of Sarawak's indigenous tribes are not only beautiful and unique, but are also world-famous[7]. Its certainly a special souvenir that's not for the weak-hearted! There are a handful of parlours in Kuching that specialize in indigenous designs and are very clean and hygenic. Just ask around.

• Bumbu Cooking Class, No. 57 Carpenter Street, tel no. 016 8684537 or 019 8791050. Love Sarawak food? Than why not learn how to cook it at home? The setting is in a old traditional shophouse and almost resembles a typical indigenous kitchen (but more modern and hygenic). The class includes a walk to a nearby wet market where you will learn to choose and buy the best natural ingredients. Bookings are essential.

• Scuba Diving, [8]. If you love Scuba Diving, you will be anxious to find out what marine life we have in Kuching. You can choose to dive at beautiful Talang-Talang Island to see Turtles, or visit the World War II Japaneses ship wreck for more adventures!

[edit][add listing] Buy

There's some interesting shopping in Kuching. For a wide selection of tribal handicrafts and touristy gewgaws, head down to the aptly named Main Bazaar street on the Kuching waterfront. It's worth going inside for a look, as many shops have larger and more authentic collections hidden away upstairs or in a back room.

Note that, in this mostly Christian city, some shops close on Sundays.

[edit] Markets

• Sunday Market (Pasar Minggu), off Jln. Satok (between Esso gas station and Wisma Satok). A Kuching institution, starting every Saturday afternoon and winding down by noontime Sunday. Very much a workaday market, with tourists few and far between, the emphasis is on fresh food of every description. Be sure to try some apam balik (pancake with nuts and margerine, very filling, absolutely delicious and only RM1 a piece). Bring along suitable footwear plus a tolerance for heat, crowds and powerful odors.

• Two other local markets, more conveniently located and open daily, can be found at the west end of Jln. India.

[edit] Shopping Centres

• Boulevard Mall, located at Mile 4 Kuching-Serian Road (not far from Regional Bus Terminal). Opened in late December 2007. It offers a Boulevard Hypermarket and Department Store plus a variety of shopping outlets like Sony Centre, Popular Book store and fast foods outlets such as Sushi King, Kenny Rogers Roasters and Manhattan Fish Market.

• The Spring [9], located at Jalan Simpang Tiga (between the city centre and airport). Opened to the public in January 2008, The Spring is Kuching's largest and 1st true lifestyle shopping mall. Shiny and new, it offers many international brands like Esprit, Charles & Keith, Starbucks, Quiksilver etc. spread over two stories and a basement. It also has a Parkson Department Store and a supermarket offering many imported goods.

• Sarawak Plaza, Jln. Tunku Abdul Rahman (next to Holiday Inn). One of Kuching's older malls. Lea Center as the anchor tenant in it, selling variety of shoes.

• Tun Jugah, Jln. Tunku Abdul Rahman (opposite Sarawak Plaza). Stands majestically twelve storeys tall at the commercial and financial hub of Kuching City. It comprises of three levels of retail stores, nine levels of office space, and two levels of basement car park.

• Wisma Saberkas, located at the junction of Jln. Tun Abang Haji Openg and Jln. Rock, is a round tower on the outskirts (approximately 15 minutes from the Waterfront) that offers a feast of hi-tech products based around mobile telephones and computers.

• Crowne Plaza - Parkson Grand, Jln. Tunku Abdul Rahman (opposite Sarawak Plaza). Standard Parkson fare, with Times Bookstore, shoeshops, jewellery and the likes. Also Giant Supermarket under the same roof.

• Kenyalang Park, Kenyalang Suburb. A very old place that consists of a cluster of shophouses and one enclosed area. Its the place to go if you want to find cheap items like clothes, accessories and DVDs/VCDs. Around Jan-Feb, Chinese families come here to get supplies for the Chinese New Year celebrations - which are available only once a year.

• Crown Square, Towards Pending, opposite Hock Lee Centre. A small but newly refurbished shopping mall. Its tenanted by Mr. Ho's Fine Foods & Restaurant as well as a Japanese, Indonesian and Chinese restaurant - on top of several standard fashion outlets. Also, the biggest baby and kids outlet in Kuching, Mummycare and Kiddycare are located on the 2nd and 3rd floor with a total area of 6000sq ft and 5000 sq ft.

• Hock Lee Centre, Jln. Abang Abdul Rahim. The place to find and buy cheap clothes and fashion accessories for the young females. There are electronics and a supermarket in the basement and Home & Living on the ground and 1st floor.

• Wisma Satok, off Jln Satok, just a pedestrian bridge away from the location of the Sunday Market. One of the older malls in Kuching. Cheap items can be found here. There's a departmental store and supermarket. A high concentration of mediocre cyber cafe is at the fourth floor.

• Wisma Hopoh, Jalan P. Ramlee, near Syaria Court. Just a walk away from Sarawak Museum. A small and old shoping centre yet still frequented by shoppers.

Upcoming Malls

• Novotel Interhill
• Green Heights Mall
• Plaza Merdeka
• Boulevard Mall Phase2
• One TJ

[edit][add listing] Eat

Eating out is the major pastime, with a huge variety of eateries and food available. Most places are pretty cheap with excellent service but the more "local", the less English spoken. Be sure to sample some Sarawak laksa, but beware - it's considered a breakfast dish here and the popular places sell out fast. For the local Chinese, kolo mee, a noodle dish served with slices of roasted pork, is also a daily staple. Although most places are quite clean, there are some which are not. A rule of thumb is if you're not comfortable with it, then walk somewhere else. There are plenty to choose from!

[edit] Budget

• Chong Choon, Jln. Abell (opposite Maybank). One of Kuching's two famous laksa joints. Usually sold out by noon.

• Choon Hui, Jln. Ban Hock (near Grand Continental Hotel). The other famous laksa joint. Spicy and popular, get here before 10 AM.

• Bishopsgate Coffeeshop, Carpenter Street. Famous for what may be decades already, the Vinegar 'Kolo Mee' and Pork 'Spare-part' soup is what people line up for everyday. Also famous is the man who runs the stall - he is a colorful character who takes your order like a drill sergeant. It opens for breakfast and lunch, but to avoid the crowds, its best to go around 'Brunch' time. When you get a seat, expect to wait awhile for your food. And while you wait, try their excellent 'Teh-C Peng Special' (Strong iced milk-tea with a dark sweet syrup)

• Suan Chicken Rice, Jln. Tunku Abdul Rahman (next to Pizza Hut). A popular lunch-time joint where the office-crowd go for Hainanese Chicken Rice.

• Open Air Market, Jln. Market (opposite Electra House Shopping Centre and near 'Padang Merdeka' Police Station). Despite the name, the place is actually covered. It has a wide variety of stalls serving Malay and Chinese cuisine. Their most popular stall is the one serving Beef Noodles and 'Sio Bi' (pork dumplings). Also popular is the fresh porridge and seafood stalls. But beware, this area is not the cleanest of places so order your food from only the most popular stalls.

• Lau Ya Keng Food Court, Carpenter Street (just after the Harmony Arch, opposite a Chinese temple). A simple food court that has been around for decades and is very popular with locals - breakfast, lunch and dinner. You can buy very decent Kolo mee and Sarawak Laksa here. But a lot of people come here for the fish-ball soup and famous pork satay that opens in the early afternoon.

• Hock King Cafeteria * Jalan Ban Hock. Mr Hock and the staff serve up very basic, but quite generous meals though out the day. Mr Hock is one of the better hosts in Kuching and is fluent in multiple lanuages and will do almost anything to make your stay as comfortable as possible. Many local celebraties stop by for lunch reqularly as Hock King is well connected in the local sporting & entartainment scenes.

• KY Cafe, Sekama Road (A corner shop opposite Hollywood KTV Lounge, about 10 minutes walk from the Kuching City South Council building). Run by a band of three brothers, they serve what is arguably the best 'Kolo Mee' in town. Characterized by being served in an orange plastic bowl, this 'Kolo Mee' tastes a little bit on the sweet side and has the distinction of tasting much better towards the end. They also have excellent wanton soup.

[edit] Mid-range

• Khatulistiwa, Jln. Tunku Abdul Rahman (next to Holiday Inn). This distinctive circular hut modeled on a Bidayuh skull house is popular with tourists, and with reason. There's a nice, breezy open-air restaurant downstairs, serving up local and Western favorites including a decent Sarawak laksa and open 24 hours to boot. At night, the hut's upper floors open up as a bar and club, with DJs spinning the night away, though you can also take your meal up there in the evenings.

• Benson Seafood, No. 112 Jln Tunku Abdul Rahman, tel. 082-255262. A riverside restaurant that specializes in fresh seafood Chinese style. It is well-established and don't be surprised to see them catering to groups of tourists.

• Pinoy Grill Cafe, No. 143 Jln Pandungan (next to Pandungan Police Station), tel. 012-8965651. A nice and cosy place that serves delicious Filipino food. The fried whole pork leg is popular.

• Hong Kong Noodle House, Jln Pandungan, (opposite Bing! Cafe). Standard HK fare like roast duck on rice or noodles. They also serve local Chinese dishes and is open for lunch and dinner.

• SideWalk Cafe, Green Heights (Towards airport, on the right-hand side of the BDC flyover/roundabout). Alfresco style western food away from the city near the airport. Its only open in the evenings till late and is popular with locals.

[edit] Splurge

• The Junk, Wayang Street (opposite Fata Hotel), tel. 082-259450. A great restaurant within walking distance from the waterfront that serves Western/Italian fare. It is very popular with both locals and expats alike for its imaginative deco that resembles a mix of Colonial Chinese with lots of antiques adorning the place. The portions are huge and the Lamb Shanks and Fisherman's Basket seem to be the most popular. Bookings are advisable if you have a large group.

• Bla Bla Bla, Wayang Street (a few shops down from The Junk), tel. 082-233944. A Chinese restaurant which is opened by the same restaurateurs as The Junk. It quickly became an institution for fine Chinese cuisine in Kuching shortly after it opened in 2005. The interior is designed with a Balinese theme and some of the dishes they are famous for are the Ostrich-rolls, Soft-shell Crabs, and Drunken Duck. Bookings are advisable.

• See Good Food Centre, Off Ban Hock Road (opposite Hua Kuok Inn), tel. 082-251397. A very casual and laid-back restaurant that serves excellent and very fresh seafood. It is very popular with the locals and doesn't take reservations. Therefore it is best to get there early in the evenings to secure a table and minimize the waiting time.

• Top Spot Food Court, Jln. Bukit Mata (Top floor of 'Taman Kereta' Carpark, opposite Tun Jugah Shopping Mall). Has a wide range of food stalls ranging from the budget to the pricey. Most locals and tourists come here for the fresh seafood stalls which are on the pricey side. Most of the stalls serve good food, but beware; always ask to see a menu with prices - some stalls have been known to 'accidentally over-charge' tourists.

• Ristorante Beccari, Jln. Tun Abang Haji (inside Merdeka Palace Hotel), tel. 082-270808. This is Kuching's best and most authentic Italian restaurant. The wood-fired pizzas are excellent.

• Li Garden Chinese Restaurant, Jln. Abang Abdul Rahim (inside Hock Lee Centre, 1st Floor), tel. 082-340785. A popular Chinese restaurant that serves the best Peking Duck in Kuching.

[edit][add listing] Drink

Be sure to try Sarawak coffee - it is delicious and can be found in any local 'Kopi-tiam' (coffee shop). Also, try a drink called "White Lady". It usually consists of evaporated milk and a syrup base with fruit and a slice of lemon within. The colors vary from yellow to pink.

The local favourite of "White Lady" is made by Ah Meng's stall at Hui Sing Hawker Centre at Hui Sing Garden. Another of the stall's signature drink is "Metahorn", made with jellies, syrup and local fruits. There are various knock-offs in Kuching but the taste is different.

There are plenty of good bars and are usually grouped together in areas around Kuching.

[edit] Bars

Kuching has a large number of clubbing districts.

Padungan Road is in the city centre, in the Chinatown area. There are a handful of bars along this stretch that mainly cater to the working-class Yuppie crowd.

• Ipanema. A nice place for a relaxing drink. The kitchen serves good meals and tapas and they have Kilkenny Irish beer on tap.
• Soho. Loud, packed to the rafters dance club. Be sure to try the special Soho cocktail, the Maui Mudslide.
• The Office.
• MOJO@Denise. Famous for what is now known as "The De Leon Inccident", in which famous fillipino Rugby player Tom De Leon claimed to be 'a man' yet was unable to finish Mojo's favourite cocktail, the lamborgini. Locals still have a laugh about the incident to this day.
• Grappa.

Travillion in Petanak, just after Padungan Road, is home to many newer bars and mainly caters to the Young College crowd. It has bright signage, cheap alcohol, and Techno music. WARNING: Do be careful in this area as Gangster-brawls are not uncommon. (This warning info is outdated. The area very safe nowadays, try this weekend and see for yourself).

• amoeba'r. Ambient/chillout music, self-proclaimed "retro-modern" decor.
• MC3. Club that plays techno and house music.
• Zen.
• BarZing!. Probably nicest place at the Travillion mall. Friendlier than the other establishments.
• Jungle.
• Fire. one of the newest handout joint for all. Have the best music? Have the best safe record? Have Good Crowd? Come and See for yourself. Open from 2.30PM for happy hour everyday.

Taman Sri Sarawak is opposite the Hilton Hotel. This area is the closest to the Kuching Waterfront and mainly caters to the Tourist Crowd.

• Miami.
• Latino.
• Cats City.
• Rainforest.

Bukit Mata, a short stroll from Taman Sri Sarawak, . It is still popular with Tourists and the local regulars. Bars include:

• GOAL CAFE.
• FEVER.
• The Cottage.
• Piccadilly's Music Cafe.

And a few more scattered elsewhere:

• Link. Kuching Civic Centre 22F, Jalan Budaya [10]. Located 22 stories up the Civic Centre (press Level 2 in the lift). Its very posh, classy, and expensive - but has stunning 360-degree views of Kuching City. You will need to grab a taxi to get here as it is located outside of the City centre.

• The Living Room. Wayang Street (opposite Fata Hotel, a few shops from Blablabla Restaurant). A nice and very loungey Tapas bar that's decorated with a Iban/Balinese theme. Be sure to sit outside in the 'longhouse' area where you can lie on comfortable cushions and gaze at the night sky while sipping Mojitos. The food is also excellent.

• Senso. Inside Hilton Hotel. Very modern and chic design with chill-out music and the occasional live band. It is one of the nicest bars in Kuching and they have an extensive cocktail list. Unless you're somebody important, expect a dress-code policy to be enforced.

• Victoria's Arms. Inside Merdeka Palace Hotel. The only true 'English Tavern' in Kuching. Its a big place with live bands, English pub food, and expensive wooden interior. They have a cover-charge and dress-code for non-hotel guests. Fridays are 'Ladies's Nights' and are very popular.

• B3Two . Jalan Central Timor. Originally a spot which catered for large house parties, B3Two turned itself into on of the crazier night spots. Expats, who own the business, organise drinking games where locals and foreigners come together for wild after dark adventures. For 18-30 yr olds seeking a fun night out, be sure to head there.

• Rentap. 3rd Mile Area. One of Kuchings more refined venues, chilled out Rentap is a great place to enjoy a cocktail. The only thing classier than the clientel is the slick decor. However, be sure to dress up- if you're not wearing a collar, don't even bother. Every Saturday is Latin Jazz night, so bring your dancing shoes!. Free entry, closes at 1am sharp.

[edit] Espresso / Juice Cafes

• Bing!, Padungan Road. A laid-back cafe with a Balinese theme that serves excellent Lattes and fresh fruit juices. They are also popular for their cakes, deli-style gourmet sandwiches and light meals.

• Tao, Padungan Road. A cafe with a funky Buddha theme, and relaxing water-feature inside. They serve espresso coffees, fruit juices, cakes and sandwiches. They also have a private art gallery upstairs.

• The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, inside Sarawak Plaza Shopping Centre and departure lounge of Kuching International Airport. That popular franchise.

• Starbucks, inside Kuching International Airport, next to KFC; and inside The Spring. Another popular franchise.

• Frappe, Travillion area. A small cafe with contemporary furnishings. They have excellent coffee and cakes.

• Caffe` Cino, Inside Hilton Hotel. They serve good coffee, desserts and meals. But the prices are a bit on the high side.

• Scoops, Taman Sri Sarawak (opposite Hilton Hotel). A cool joint that opened in 2006. They specialise in a range of Gelatos and change the flavors daily. They also serve coffee and cakes. Very good ambience and nice atmosphere.

• Kluang Station, Inside The Spring. A franchise offering old-school 'kopitiam' coffee with toast and half-boiled eggs in a relaxing and clean setting reminiscent of indo-china colonial coffee shops.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Budget

• Pinnacles Kuching, Level 1, Lot 21, Block G, Taman Sri Sarawak Mall, Jalan Borneo, 93100, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, Tel.: +60-82-419100, [11]. Located right smack in the middle of Kuching’s golden triangle which comprises Hilton, Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza Hotels, so rest assured that you will be strategically and conveniently located in close proximity to the best amenities and services the city can offer. Reasonable price and CLEAN. [12]

• The Fairview, No.6 Jalan Taman Budaya, Tel.: +60-82-240017, +60-13-8011561, [13]. Colonial House with tropical garden, a nice place that feels like home.

• Singgahsana Lodge, No.1 Temple Street, 93000 Kuching (opposite Harbour View Hotel). Tel.: +60-82-429 277, [14]. A relatively new and hip Back-packers lodge that is centrally located at the Kuching waterfront. It is clean and very reasonably priced. Possibly the best-value budget accommodation you can find in the city area.

• Carpenter Guesthouse, No.94 Carpenter Street, 93000 Kuching (behind Main Bazaar). Tel.: +60-82-256050 [15] New guesthouse, extremely clean and well maintained. Friendly knowledgeable staff who make you feel like part of the family. Highly recommended. Internet and Breakfast included.(closed all november '07, refurb.)

• Berambih Lodge, No.104 Ewe Hai Street, 93100 Kuching (behind Main Bazaar). Tel.: +60-82-238589 [16] New guesthouse, clean and friendly. Longhouse style. Highly recommended. Breakfast included.

[edit] Mid-range

• Harbour View Hotel. Lorong Temple, 93100 Kuching. Tel: +60-82-274 666, [17]. A two-three star business-class hotel that is centrally located in front of the Kuching Waterfront. The standard rooms are actually quite basic and is nothing to shout about. Despite that, its still usually occupied by Tour Groups.

• Hotel Grand Continental. Jln. Ban Hock, 93100 Kuching. Tel: +60-82-230 399, [18]. A comfortable 3-star hotel located about 15 minutes walk from the Kuching Waterfront.

• Kuching Park Hotel. Lot 606 Pandungan Road, Kuching. Tel: +60-82-239 888, [19]. A standard 2-3 star hotel located a short drive away from the city centre.

• Kingwood Inn. Lot 618 Pandungan Road, Kuching. Tel: +60-82-330 888, [20]. Another standard hotel that's probably abit better than Kuching Park Hotel.

[edit] Splurge

• Crowne Plaza Riverside Kuching, Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, tel. +60-82-247777, [21]. Despite the name, this is the one riverside hotel that isn't actually riverside (although it's just across the street).

• Hilton Kuching, Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, tel. +60-82-248200, [22]. Probably the top digs in town, with great riverside location.

• Holiday Inn Kuching, Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, tel. +60-82-423111, [23]. Getting a bit old, with a dumpy pool area - although guests can also use the facilities at the Crowne Plaza across the road.

• Merdeka Palace Hotel, Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg, tel. +60-82-258000, [24]. Kuching's oldest luxury hotel, its rooms aren't quite as spectacular as the lobby, but the hotel has infinitely more colonial character than the riverside set. Located right next to the Sarawak Museum, yet still within striking distance of the riverfront. The rooftop pool has a great view over Kuching. Rack rates steep at around RM300, but steep discounts in the off season can chop that in half.

• Somerset Gateway Kuching, Jalan Bukit Mata, tel: +60-82-250958 [25]. Part of the Ascott group of hotels, they offer comfortable serviced-apartments in the city centre.

[edit] Get out

If you're looking for a change of scenery - but don't want to stray too far from the city, then Kuching is the ideal place to be in. Most of the National Parks and other outdoor activities are not located far away. In less than an hour, you can be transported into a world of lush rainforests and fresh air, and than be back in Kuching before dinner time!

• Bako National Park — home to the odd-nosed proboscis monkey

• Kubah National Park — jungle trails and waterfalls only 40 minutes away from Kuching

• Sarawak Cultural Village[26]. located 35 km away from Kuching, is a "living museum" that showcases the different races and cultures of Sarawak. It is also the site of the annual Rainforest World Music Festival [27].

• Semenggoh Rehabilitation Centre [28]. A few kilometres past the airport is this well-run rehabilitation centre where it is possible (if you're lucky) to spot or if you are luckier even to walk together with one of the 28 resident orang-utans. Feeding times at the centre are at 9am and 3pm, but be aware that these beautiful primates might NOT make their appearance if there is enough fruit to forrage in the jungle (especially in during the wet season). Other animals include a few very dreary looking honey-bears in very confined cages, crocodiles or other animals temporarily hosted there.

• Mount Santubong. This is a good 810m climb to the summit. It is about 40min from Kuching City. Trail are well laid out and easy to follow. Bring plenty of water.

• Gunung Gading National Park[29]. Best place to see the famous and rare Rafflesia flower. Check with the Park to find out the flowering seasons. There are refreshing and beautiful waterfalls and a few jungle trails including one to the summit. This is also an historic site.

• Jong's Crocodile Farm Tel no.: 6082-24 2790. Located 30 kilometers from Kuching on the Kuching-Serian road. The best time to visit is during feeding time. It is open daily from 9am – 5pm, and Sundays from 10am. Admission Charges are RM8.00 for adults and RM4.00 for children under 12.

• Annah Rais Longhouse. If you want to experience life in a authentic tribal longhouse, this is the place to go. The accommodation is clean, the hosts are very friendly, and there is a fantastic hot spring nearby. You can even join the hunters on a short hunting trip or relax under a cold cascading waterfall at the rock pool.

• Fairy Cave Located in Fairy Cave Nature Reserve. There is a concrete enclosed stairway allowing visitors to climb to the cave. There is, however, no lighting in the cave and bringing a strong light source is recommended. The cave has designated walkways and a few benches for people to sit on.

• Wind Cave A small entrance fee (RM 3) is charged for this show cave, which is located near Fairy Cave, in the Bau area.

This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!