Kuching, Sarawak, East Malaysia Travel Guide

Kuching is the capital city of the Malaysia state of Sarawak located in East Malaysia Borneo. Kuching is the 4th largest city in Malaysia. Kuching in the Malay language means cat so Kuching city is often called Cat City. Population of Kuching is around 1 million people.

The main part of Kuching city is overlooking the Sarawak river which is interconnected with a series of rivers that travel inland into the heart and highlands of Borneo. Deep inland are a number of traditional Dayak villages with family communities still living in the longhouses along the river.

Bako National Park is located 37kms from Kuching and one of the most interesting National Parks in Sarawak. With a combination of jungle and secluded beaches Bako National park has some great trails for trekking. Along the coastline are some amazing sandstone formations carved out by the waves and tides of the ocean.

Within the Bako National Park you will find a variety of animals including the Proboscis Monkey (which is only found in Borneo), macaques monkeys, squirrels, mouse deers, otters, tarsiers, monitor lizards, snakes and over 150 species of birds.

Getting to Kuching Malaysia

By Plane

The airport in Kuching is located around 25 minutes by taxi from the centre of the city.

The following airlines have flights to Kuching, Sarawak, East Malaysia.

MASwing's is a small regional airline operating direct flights from Kuching to Bintulu, Kota Kinabalu, Miri, Mukah, Sibu and Tanjung Manis. www.maswings.com.my

Tiger Airways is a budget airline that has direct flights from Kuching to Bangalore India, Perth Australia and also to Singapore www.tigerairways.com

Jetstar is a low cost airline with direct flights from Kuching to Singapore. www.jetstar.com

Air Asia has direct flights from Kuching to Bintulu, Johor Bahru, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Miri, Penang and Sibu. International destinations from Kuching are to Jakarta Indonesia, Macau and to Singapore. www.airasia.com

Silk Air have direct flights from Kuching to Singapore, flight time is around 1 hour 25 minutes. www.silkair.com

Brunei Air have direct flights from Kuching to Brunei Darussalam. Flight time is around 1 hour 15 minutes. www.bruneiair.com

Malaysian Airlines have flights from Kuching to all the major cities of Malaysia with connecting flights to all over the world. www.malaysiaairlines.com

By Ferry

By Bus

There are bus services from Kuching to Pontianak Kalimantan Indonesia. The bus trip from Kuching to Pontianak takes around 8 hours. The border crossing into West Kalimantan, Entikong can issue Indonesian Visa on Arrivals. Prices are US$10 for a 7 day visa and US$25 for a 30 day visa of Indonesia.

Last updated 8th August 2009

Hotels in Kuching Malaysia

Following is a list of hotels in Kuching including current 2009 prices and direct contact details:

Tune Hotel is a new modern chain of quality budget hotels with one located on the waterfront in Kuching close to restaurants and shops. Room prices start from RM35+ taxes per night (US$10) www.tunehotels.com

Liwah Hotel is a budget hotel located in walking distance to Kuching's waterfront, shopping centres and restaurants. Ideal for travelers and backpackers. Room prices start from RM70 (US$20) www.liwahhotel.com.my

Telang Usan Hotel a 3 star hotel in Kuching with unique decor based on the traditional ethnic people of this area - the Orang Ulu. Their restaurant also serves traditional Dayak food. Room prices from RM100 (US$29). They accept all major credit cards. www.telangusan.com

Kingwood Inn located in the centre of Kuching close to shopping centres and restaurants.

Harbour View Hotel Kuching is a business class hotel with a view over Kuchings Waterfront and Sarawak River. The hotel has WiFi wireless internet connections in the public areas of the hotel. Room prices start from RM155 (US$44) www.harbourview.com.my

Four Points by Sheraton Hotel one of the newest luxury hotels in Kuching, located 5 minutes by taxi from the airport and around 15 minutes to the centre of Kuching. Room rates start from RM276 nett per night (US$79) www.starwoodhotels.com

Hilton Kuching Hotel is in the centre of Kuching overlooking the Sarawak River. Room rates start from RM319 (US$91) www1.hilton.com

Basaga Holiday Residence a unique resort style hotel located 7 minutes drive from Kuching's city centre with a swimming pool. Room rates start from RM130 (US$37) including breakfast and pick from the airport. www.basaga.com

Damai Puri Resort Hotel located on Damai Beach, Kuching. A luxury resort with secluded villas, 2 outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts, a range of watersports including banana boat rides, kayaking, jet skis, parasailing and windsurfing. The resort has it's own spa facilities for massage therapy and hair dressing. All villas have WiFi wireless internet access. Room prices start from RM340+ taxes per night (US$97) www.damaipuriresort-kuching.com

Merdeka Palace Hotel is a modern luxury hotel located in the heart of Kuching across from the Padang Merdeka. Room rates start from RM360+ taxes per night (US$103) www.merdekapalace.com