11 Best Things to Do in Kuching, Sarawak

Featured image: Marufish, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Flickr.

11 Best Things to Do in Kuching

Prices and hours checked November 2026. We group the list by area: old town and river first, then the day trips. Tua Pek Kong Temple opens 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily. Main Bazaar sits on a self-guided heritage walk of about 2 hours.

1. Kuching Waterfront

Kuching Waterfront is the riverside promenade along the Sarawak River, and it is where we'd start any first visit. Walk it at first light or after sunset, when the river breeze beats the midday heat. Cafés and food stalls line the path, and Fort Margherita is visible across the water.

Our full Waterfront walk maps the route stop by stop. Allow a slow hour, and skip it at noon if direct sun wears you down.

2. Main Bazaar on Jalan India

Main Bazaar is the old shophouse row on Jalan India, and it fronts the Sarawak River. It sits on the self-guided heritage route through old Kuching, which takes about 2 hours, so it anchors a city-core morning. Browse handicrafts and local snacks, then read our Main Bazaar guide before you buy.

Carpenter Street is the other old-town street we'd add for souvenirs. Skip both if you want air-conditioned malls and fixed prices.

3. Tua Pek Kong Temple

Tua Pek Kong Temple is a Chinese temple in the old town, open 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily. It stands right next to the Miri Fish Market and is easy to reach from the city centre. Step in for incense and a quiet pause between museum stops.

Dress modestly and keep your voice low, because worshippers use it daily. Our pick is to pair it with the Chinese History Museum on one loop, and to skip it after 5:00 PM.

4. Fort Margherita and the Brooke Gallery

Fort Margherita lies across the Sarawak River from Main Bazaar, so you plan a crossing rather than a stroll. It dates from the White Rajah era, and the Brooke Gallery inside covers the Brooke family's rule of Sarawak. Come for river and skyline views from the fort.

We'd pair it with the Waterfront in one morning, since both face the same stretch of river. Skip the gallery if colonial history leaves you cold.

5. Chinese History Museum

Chinese History Museum is housed in a former Chinese courthouse in the old town. Exhibits cover the arts, crafts, traditions and artifacts of Sarawak's Chinese community. Expect a short, focused visit rather than a half-day.

It is our first wet-weather swap, because everything is indoors. Skip it if you only have time for one museum, and choose the State Museum instead.

6. Sarawak State Museum

Sarawak State Museum gives the broadest introduction to the state's cultures, history and artifacts. Visit before your day trips, so its displays give context to what you see at Sarawak Cultural Village. It is another indoor option when showers roll in.

Textile Museum Sarawak is the follow-up for weaving and batik designs. Skip these museums if you only want outdoor sights.

7. Darul Hana Bridge

Darul Hana Bridge, also called the Golden Anniversary Bridge, opened in 2017 for the 50th anniversary of Sarawak's statehood. Walkers use it to cross between the north and south banks of the Sarawak River. It lights up at night, with views toward the State Legislative Assembly building.

Our night-time plan builds an evening around it. Skip it at midday if you dislike heat.

8. Sarawak River Cruise

A Sarawak River cruise shows the riverside landmarks from the water, with commentary on historic sites. Sunset sailings from the Waterfront are the popular choice. Cloud can hide the sunset, so the commentary and skyline matter more than the colour.

Our river cruise guide helps you pick a sailing. Skip it on a tight budget, since the free Waterfront walk gives similar views from land.

9. Semenggoh Nature Reserve

Semenggoh Nature Reserve is an orangutan rehabilitation centre on the outskirts of Kuching. Visits revolve around feeding sessions, so arrive early to claim a viewing spot. Sightings depend on the fruiting season, and we would never promise orangutans on a given day.

Reach it by Grab or on a tour that includes transport. Skip it if you need guaranteed wildlife.

10. Bako National Park

Bako National Park needs a boat transfer from a terminal, so plan a full day and an early start. Trails cross mangrove, kerangas and dipterocarp forest to coastal beaches. Proboscis monkey sightings vary, so treat bearded pigs and macaques as your backup.

Wear sturdy shoes and carry water. Skip it in heavy rain, and swap to the museums instead.

11. Sarawak Cultural Village

Sarawak Cultural Village is a living museum at the foot of Mount Santubong. Traditional houses from different ethnic groups stand beside crafts and cultural performances. Pair it with Damai Beach for a north-side day.

We'd choose it over a second museum if you want hands-on culture. Skip it if time is short and you have already seen the State Museum.

Bako or Semenggoh: choosing a day trip

Bako needs a boat transfer and a full day, while Semenggoh is a shorter wildlife stop built around feeding sessions. Get current times, fees and permits from the Sarawak Tourism Board or Sarawak Forestry before you book.

A 1 to 3 day Kuching plan

With one day, do the Waterfront and Main Bazaar, then Tua Pek Kong Temple before it closes at 5:00 PM. Add the river cruise at sunset. Day two belongs to Bako, starting early. Save Semenggoh and Sarawak Cultural Village for day three. Rain on a nature day means swapping to the Chinese History Museum and Sarawak State Museum.

Rain, heat and timing

Showers are frequent, so keep the museums and Main Bazaar as your swaps. Do outdoor sites in the morning and save shaded or indoor stops for the afternoon. We won't name a single best month, since wildlife and weather both shift. Look at the forecast a few days out.

What to Eat in Kuching

Make food part of your old-town walk rather than treating it as a separate detour. The self-guided heritage route around Main Bazaar takes about 2 hours, leaving time to pause for local snacks between riverfront sights. Look for Sarawak laksa, kolo mee and kek lapis, the layered cake that also travels well as a souvenir.

Main Bazaar and nearby Carpenter Street are useful for browsing packaged snacks and handicrafts. Start before the heat builds, then combine the area with Tua Pek Kong Temple, which is open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily. The temple sits beside Miri Fish Market, so it fits naturally into a food-and-heritage loop.

For meals, choose busy local coffee shops or hawker-style stalls where turnover is high. Ask about ingredients if you have dietary needs, especially for broth-based dishes and traditional cakes.