Situated on the Sarawak River, close to the north-western tip of Borneo, Sarawak’s capital of Kuching retains its roots as a trading town.

KUCHING

With its British colonial legacy still largely intact, the city and its pleasantly landscaped waterfront presents a pleasing mix of character with a distinct modern edge, and is widely regarded as one of South-east Asia’s most attractive cities.



A visit to Sarawak Museum will reward with a deep view into the vivid reality of the land of Borneo, its nature, peoples and cultures. The city’s principal religious buildings are the Masjid Bandaraya and Masjid India Mosques, Hong San Si and its lovely dragon pillars, Tua Pek Kong and Kuek Seng Ong Chinese temples, and St. Thomas’s Cathedral.



Of the remaining colonial buildings, the most interesting examples are Fort Margherita, the General Post Office, the Court House and the Round Tower, the latter now home to Sarawak Handicraft Centre.

BEYOND THE CITY BOUNDARY

Just north of Kuching, on the coast, the beach resort of Damai offers water sports and an 18 hole golf course. The nearby Sarawak Cultural Village is a thoughtfully created visitor experience, and gives daily cultural shows, featuring the crafts and costumed dances of the Iban, Kayan, Kenyah Melanu and Bidayu peoples.

ORANG UTANS

Another attraction is the Semonggoh Orang-utan Sanctuary, a facility dedicated to the preservation of the Orang-utan and reintroducing orphaned animals back to the wild. Matang Wildlife Park carries out similar important work and also provides a chance to meet these fascinating creatures.



Nearby, a little to the west, the Fairy Cave, close to the town of Bau, affords an opportunity to experience the awesome scale of Sarawak's underworld.



Surrounding Kuching are several parks at which to get a taste of the natural abundance of the country’s wildlife. Bako National Park and Kubah National Park both provide good walking in wildlife rich forests.



Along the coast to the west, Gunung Gading National Park is home to Rafflesia flowers, and Tanjung Datu National Park sits close to the shore at Borneo’s western extremity, and has some remote beaches to visit for the wandering soul.