I think the best person to tell you what you should do if you are planning to visit Kuching is myself. Do you know why? Because I was born in Kuching, and I spend most of my youth time in Kuching. I went to my first disco bar in Kuching, sorry (I was just curious!).
People always comparing Kuching and Kota Kinabalu, but for me both places has their own specialty. Traveling alone in Kuching actually works and doable, do not worry, there is no head hunters around here.
Accomodation
For accommodation, you can get as low as RM15 for the dorm room. Cheap right?. If you want to know the backpackers area, look for Chinatown area or known as Carpenter Street. Myself as a Kuchingians loves Chinatown. It reminds me the backpacker vibes whenever I traveled.
Where to find cheap accomodation? I always book with Traveloka.com. For your info, Traveloka.com currently have Great Sale Promo from 27 August 2016 till 12 September 2016. Why I love it? Because it offering great fares, fast and easy booking (Why queue or buy travel deals in crowded area when you can buy online?). Actually you can book flight also from Traveloka.
How to get here
You can get to Kuching from Kuala Lumpur, or Kota Kinabalu or even Singapore using the Malaysian Airlines. They always have a a good deals and competitive prices. Book here! Today might be your lucky day.
Whether you are Malaysian or Foreigner, you will need a Passport to enter Sarawak, and they will have their own immigration. Do not get surprise.
Simcard
The best sim card in Kuching will be Celcom. As you know, Malaysia Google Map is not working offline. So, it might a good idea to have data plan once you in Kuching, as in here, most of the places you need to walk, and google map might help you in your journey. Where to get the simcard? Airport arrival hall.
Airport to Town
You can get taxi to town area for RM35, it is quite expensive for solo. But if you are 4pax, go for the taxi. Do you know Uber is coming to Kuching? Yes, but as for now, still no Uber, they are planning to have. Please check the UBER website for more updates.
For solo traveler, what is the best choice? You can check 360xpress Hotel in Kuching, because they offered shuttle bus as low as RM6 per way, but you need to book one day in advance subject to availability.
You are now in Kuching, where you need to go
DAY 1
1. Waterfront Kuching
Walk along waterfront Kuching during evening and night. There are street musician, resturants, chinese history museum, chinese temple along the way, some souvenir stall. If you get lucky, you can watch cultural performance at the open amphitheater, and also a street Sape performance. Sape is one of the traditional instrument looks like guitar.
Source: theborneopost.com
2. Cross the river using traditional boat "Perahu Tambang"
It only cost you RM0.50. A lot of things you can do across the river. First thing, there are food court if you like to taste some local foods, or one of the restaurant there called Baruk Village. "Baruk" is a word from Bidayuh community which mean the storage of the skulls and the place of the religious ceremony. You also can taste one of Sarawak signature cakes call "Kek Lapis Sarawak" or Sarawak Layer Cake at Mira Cakehouse or Dayang Salhah Cakehouse. If you like historical building, you can hike up a little bit for Fort Margherita.
Source: sarawak.attractionsinmalaysia.com
3. Stroll over Main Bazaar
This is where the best place to get souvenir. Some of the shop have a scary vibes with moody light. LOL. Just across the road from waterfront.
Source: blog.sarawaktourism.com
4. British Colonial Buildings
You can walk to Main Post Office Sarawak, Old Courthouse, Textile Museum, and Sarawak Museum as all the buildings are British Colonial architecture. It is walk able, and google maps might helpful.
Source: theborneopost.com
DAY 2
5. Sarawak Cultural Village & Damai Central & Camp Permai
You should spend your time to go to Sarawak Cultural Village. In here, you can learn all about Sarawak ethnicity. Do not miss their cultural show. How to go to here? A Kuching-Damai shuttle bus service departs regularly from outside the
Hotel Grand Margherita with drop offs at the resort hotels and Sarawak
Cultural Village. One way fare is RM 12 (adults), RM 6 (children), takes
approx. 40 mins. First bus (from Kuching) 7.30 am, last bus 10 pm. Last
bus back from Damai 9 pm. For the full timetable check with the bell
counter at the Hotel Grand Margherita.
Spend your extra time to stroll over Damai Central, there is a bar and food court over there. Spend your RM5 for the entrance ticket of Camp Permai. Here you can swim into a forest pool or enjoy the beach itself.
Source: a.travel-assets.com
DAY 3
6. Bako National Park
OMG. This place is amazing. If you love hiking, there are a lot of trails that you can follow. It is possible to go for 1 day. But make sure you go early in the morning so you can share the boat with others. Rates for boat transfer is RM30 return.
To go to here: Petra Jaya City Bus (Tel: 429418) serve Bako, Buntal and
Kota Samarahan. Their white and yellow buses depart from the open air
market near Electra House.
Source: a.travel-assets.com
DAY 4
7. Semenggoh Wildlife Centre
Do not miss out Orang Utan in the itinerary. Coming to Borneo but did not see any Orang Utan is a mistake.The best time to visit Semenggoh is during the morning and afternoon
feeding sessions when there is a good chance of seeing semi-wild orang
utan returning to the Centre for a free meal. Feeding takes place
between 9.00-10.00am and between 3.00-3.30 pm.
To go to here: From Kuching, take Sarawak Transport Company bus No. 6 which stops
outside the main gate, from here it is a 20 minute walk to the Centre.
The last return bus to Kuching is at 1700 hrs. Visitors can also take a
taxi from the main taxi stand in Kuching, or from outside their hotel.
Local travel Agents also run guided tours to Semenggoh.
Source: tripinasia.com
8. Jong Crocodile's Farm & Zoo
Sarawak is well-known as "Bujang Senang". Bujang Senang is one of the name of legendary crocodile in Sarawak which believe was a human before being cursed becoming crocodile.
In here you can see a lot of crocodiles!
To go to here: If you wish to use public bus service from the city area, you can take bus No.3A at bus station located at Jalan Masjid Kuching
Source: theborneopost.com
DAY 5
9. Wind & Fairy Cave
Let's go to the cave ya! Both caves situated in Bau. Bau is popular for its two beautiful limestone caves and has two
important historical events. It is also a prime rock climbing
destination of Kuching.
The Fairy Cave takes its name from a
stalagmite structure at the entrance that is said to resemble a Chinese
deity. Inside, you will notice the great contrasts between the light
entering the cave and its shadowy darkness, along with hues of brown and
grey of the rocks – highlighted by the rich green of the moss – which
offer many opportunities for the avid photographer. The rock surface
outside the cave is where rock climbers do their ascent of varying
difficulties.
Another cave is called the Wind Cave,
named after the constant cool breeze that blows throughout the cavern.
Take the chance to observe the many swiftlets and bats that dwell within
this large cave while you relax besides a subterranean stream that runs
through the cave.
To go to here: Two bus companies run regular service to Bau town proper. From there,
take a connecting bus service if you wish to visit the caves. Ask to be
dropped off at the road junction to the respective caves. Distance to
walk is about 1.5 km respectively.
Sarawak Transport Company - No.2 departs every twenty minutes. From
6.20am - 6pm. Fare is RM4.00
Bau Transport Company - No.2 departs every half an hour. 6.20am -
4.30pm. Fare is RM4.50
Alternatively you can hire a car or motorcycle.
Source: pictures.wayn.com
DAY 6
10. Annah Rais Bidayuh Longhouse & Hotspring
Annah Rais Longhouse is a Bidayuh settlement about 100km south of
Kuching, at the foothill of Borneo Highlands near the mountains marking
the border to Kalimantan. Other than the authentic longhouse experience,
it is also famous for the hot springs nearby.
To here here: Unfortunately, due to te fact that Annah Rais village is so remote & not many local
will travel to such remote village at Annah Rais so often, hence there
is no bus service serving this route. The only public transport
available for you is Taxi. Generally, the local Taxi will charge RM100
to RM150 (when approached directly by tourist) for 1 way transfer from
Kuching city to Annah Rais longhouse. You can hire a Taxi right in-front
of you hotel, or ask the hotel’s reception to book one for you, in
which you can probably get RM100 in rare cases. Pls agree on the price
first!
Another option is renting a motorcycle! Using WAZE!
Source: theborneopost.com
So, thats all 10 things To Do in Kuching Sarawak in 6 days itinerary. You can contact me anytime if you have any question.
Great post! Figured a Kuchingite should know his/her City like the back of his hand. :-) Food next!
ReplyDeleteI have been to Kuching twice, and there's still plenty more of things to do in this list that I haven't done. Guess I have to plan my third trip to check out the remaining things on this list. :p
ReplyDeleteI been to kuching but not exploring much. perhaps should have go back soon
ReplyDeleteIt's seems so eye opening. Love the sunset.
ReplyDeleteThanks for ur information. Such a long time I didnt visit Kch already, its my grandparents hometown!
ReplyDeleteNow only I know that kuching have such a place to visit...thx for the info ...
ReplyDeleteThis post recall my Sarawak trips few years ago ~ I still havent visit the place that you have listed . Looks like i have to pay a visit again !!
ReplyDeleteI would definitely go to sarawak if my husband got long leave :D :D indeed an interesting place to go
ReplyDeleteI born in Kch, after reading your 10th things, now my mind pops out a lot of Childhood & teenhood Sweet memories. I love Your Day1-#2, the Perahu, today i still bring my foreign friends to across the river just to have Supper at Boyan village :)
ReplyDeletehttp://anna1100.pixnet.net/blog/post/193495768
I've been to Kuching only ones and I know that I have missed visiting many attractions. Now I know where they are. Thanks for your list!
ReplyDeleteI've never been here but it looks like a great place to visit, I'll check it out!
ReplyDeleteWa I never been to Kuching Sarawak before! Can visit 6 days in total its looks really fun =)
ReplyDeleteOMG. thanks for summarize all the interesting places and activities in Kuching! Save up my time for next visit :p
ReplyDeletesuper. will keep this in mind the next time i'm in sarawak.
ReplyDeleteI love Kuching too as I was born in Kuching. I will go back Kuching two to three time and enjoy the food and hangout with family.
ReplyDeletealways wanted to visit kuching as a kid because of all the cat statues!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing! Bookmark this if I travel to Kuching in future.
ReplyDeletewow seems like Kuching is quite an interesting place to visit. would love to have trip over there some time!
ReplyDeleteGreat suggestion for my coming Sarawak trip, thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeletenever been to kuching, but I will bookmark this article. who knows I will visit this place someday. hehehe
ReplyDeleteDalam Malaysia ni Sarawak je belum pernah pergi ! Harap dapat pergi pada masa yang menyusul akan datang ! ;)
ReplyDeletelove this town a lot. stayed before 3yr and half for study in 90s now so much changes.
ReplyDeleteGood recommendations. I have been to the Cultural village many years ago.
ReplyDeleteYup... is in my bucket list la. Really need to jot down the things that need to do at Sarawak that recommend by you. ^.^
ReplyDeleteHey its my home town! Thank you for promoting sarawak tourism :)
ReplyDeleteI have never been to Kuching before. Looks like a fun place to visit.
ReplyDeleteUseful information on Kuching. Will keep some of the recommended locations on my list for my next trip to Kuching.
ReplyDelete