Kuching, the Capital of Sarawak, is a cosmopolitan city and this is reflected in the faces on the street. It has the International airport connecting with many important cities of this region.
Kuching city center is preserved with ornate Chinese Temples, The Astana, City Tower, Colonial-style architecture buildings. The waterfront is also very beautiful. There are few museums, like the Sarawak Museum & Cat Museum. The famous landmark of the City, the Cat Monument, Market, Main Bazaar, China Town, Old State Mosque & etc.
Kuching is the best place to collect souvenir such as woodcarvings, “Pua Kumbu” with local design, Peper products, Pottery. Sarawak Bird’s Nest are also one of the famous souvenirs which can be found in Kuching.
Tourists can start with a visit to SARAWAK CULTURAL VILLAGE, the ‘Living Museum’, the Village is a showcase of a kaleidoscope of Sarawak’s cultures and traditions. These are prepared and preserved to attract the visitors. Visitors may explore the 7 authentic replicas of ethnic houses.
- Chinese Farm House,
- Malay’s Stilted House,
- Melanau Tall House,
- Penan Hut
- Longhouse of the Iban,
- Bidayuh and
- Orang Ulu.
Displayed in each house are the many artifacts made by the individual dwellers. Demonstration of arts and crafts like bead work, wood and bamboo carvings, “Pua” weaving and straw weaving can be seen while touring the Village.
Tourists can also enjoy the traditional ethnic cultural show performed by the local villagers.
Other popular tourist attraction are, Semenggoh Nature Reserve. A hike through the dipterous forest. This is a 740 hector reserve forest, where the Orang Utans are set free. Here, young Orang Utans, who were either orphaned or rescued from captivity, are trained to survive in the wild. Visitors may spot their delicate nest watch their skillful movements at the tree tops and also their interesting behavior during feeding time. Their are trained guides to and guide through. Orang Utan, meaning ‘Man of the Forest’.
Next is to visit is Crocodile Farm & Zoo. Over one thousand Crocodiles housed here. And this is set amidst tropical fruit trees and lush-greenery. It serves as a perfect sanctuary to these fearsome reptiles where they are kept in an enclosure designed and built similar to the natural habitat of the reptiles.
In the mini Zoo, there are fascinating animals such as the bear cats, civets, deer, pythons etc. All these are of Sarawk province.
Tourists like to visit Fairy & Wind Cave. This cave is about 40 feet high. This cave climbing of this hight, visitors need torchlights to reach the main chamber. Sunlight lights the main chamber and it enables visitors to view the limestone formation of several types. View the beautiful and some eerie shape of nature creations, the stalactites and stalagmites. There is a formation that has been likened to the Goddess of Mercy which at about 3 meters in height resembles a woman dressed in classical Chinese robes, look down benignly upon worshipers. Another formation looks like an old man crouching down.
Wind Cave is nearby. This dark tunnel like cave is filled with bats and swiftest. Wall of the cave to be seen by torchlight to spot the bird nest with some eggs in it.
A cruise along the Sarawak River by a sail boat is a relaxing way to enjoy the various phases of the city. It retrace the trip James Brooke made when he first arrived in Sarawak. On this sail boat river cruise may pass the Waterfront, Brooke Dockyard, the 100 year old Malay Kampung, Fort Magherita, Astana, Square Tower and the Industrial Estate. On way to the sea or river mouth, tourist can watch the colorful fishing boats nearby Bako after the Chinese and Malay villages are the villas and mansions of Kuching’s affluent society. This trip will give the idea of the picture of history and lifestyles in Kuching.
