Kuching and its surroundings guard some of the most noted cultural and historical exhibitions in Malaysia. The Sarawak Cultural Village leads as one of the most fascinating museums: living proof of Sarawak’s distinct and varied cultures. While the city center’s museums embrace the culture and heritage of the region, such as the Cat Museum and the modern Borneo Cultures Museum.
Sarawak Cultural Village (Kampung Budaya Sarawak)
The Sarawak Cultural Village sets the scene as Malaysia’s only living museum in the region. The award-winning venue explores the various cultures of Sarawak’s multiple ethnic groups, including live cultural demonstrations and narration by native staff from the represented ethnicities. A Penan jungle settlement, Malay town house and Chinese farmhouse are just a handful of the living cultural exhibits open to visitors. Other on-site attractions and services include a theater with multi-cultural performances, a restaurant serving Kampung food, and a shop selling handmade crafts related to the village’s groups. The Sarawak Cultural Village is one of the most popular and iconic attractions for those visiting Kuching.
Address: Pantai Damai, Santubong, PO Box 2632, 93752, Kuching
Phone: +6082 – 846 108
Operating Hours:
– Tuesday – Sunday: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Admission Cost:
Entrance pass
– 2 – 12yrs old: RM55
– Adults: RM85
Entrance pass including lunch
– 2 – 12yrs old: RM80
– Adults: RM117
Website
Cat Museum
The Kuching North City Hall is the place to be for animal lovers, because it has an entire museum dedicated to cats. Exhibits are made up of art, photographs, sculpture and souvenirs dedicated to your favorite felines. A whopping 4,000 individual objects on display fit into an area bigger than 1,000 square meters. Though opened in 1988 elsewhere, today’s museum launched from the city hall in 1992. Four unique galleries form the museum, with exhibits spanning from sacred cats in ancient Egypt to felines who became household names in Japan, Hello Kitty and Garfield. With a large gift shop on site, visitors can continue the cat-craze with gifts for cat lovers of all ages. Visitors should note that ‘Kuching’ may have derived from the Malay word for cat, ‘kucing’.
Address: Kuching North City Hall, 93050, Kuching
Phone: +6082 – 446 688
Operating Hours:
– Daily: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Admission Cost:
– Free of charge
Website
Borneo Cultures Museum
Located in a modern five story building, the Borneo Cultures Museum is considered a landmark in Kuching. With more than 2,100 square meters of exhibition space, the largest level looks at all things that are ‘In Harmony With Nature’. Other points of interest include a children’s gallery, arts and crafts center, historical and archeological gallery. The first floor contains an auditorium and bookable function rooms which host frequent events, seminars and classes, as well as school groups from the local community. Other activities include classes that teach visitors traditional skills such as dance and music.
Address: Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg, 93400, Kuching
Phone: +6082 – 548 215
Operating Hours:
– Monday – Friday: 9:00 am – 4:45 pm
– Weekends & Public Holidays: 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
– (Closed during major Public Holidays)
Admission Cost:
– Free of charge
Website
