By Ling Hui
You only have 72 hours to spend in Kuching, and you don’t know where to start? Let DayakDaily plan your trip for you!
Day 1 – A day that leaves you breathless
The Kuching Waterfront, without a doubt should be your very first stop in Kuching.
Walking along the scenic riverside overseeing the Sarawak River which measures about 900 metres in length, you get to witness Kuching’s top attractions such as the new Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) building, Southeast Asia’s tallest flagpole dubbed the Sarawak’s Ibu Pertiwi flagpole, the Darul Hana pedestrian bridge, and the Floating Mosque.
A short walk away is the Old Courthouse, a historical landmark that now serves as a cultural and exhibition centre. From the courthouse, make you way to the adjacent India Street. This bustling pedestrian street is lined with shops selling textiles, spices, and local handicrafts. It’s a great place to pick up souvenirs and traditional Dayak attire.
Continue your cultural exploration to Gambier Street. This street has been a trading hub for decades, and you can find an array of spices, local eats, and textiles. End your morning at Carpenter Street where you’ll find traditional Chinese shops, temples, and historical murals.
If all that walking worked up an appetite, you don’t have to go too far to find good food. Drop by Lau Ya Keng Foodcourt opposite the Hiang Thian Siang Ti Temple for a snack. The pork satays there are the best!
History buffs are encouraged to pay a visit to the Sarawak Cultures Museum, the magnificent five-storey building overseeing Padang Merdeka. It is known to be the largest museum in Malaysia and the second largest in Southeast Asia.
The Brooke Gallery at Fort Margherita is also worth a visit, as it provides a look at Sarawak in the early days when it was under the rule of the White Rajah.
The Astana, General Post Office building, Square Tower, the Sarawak Museum old building, Round Tower, and the Central Police Station are other heritage sites or structures that are worthy of a visit in the vicinity of the city centre.
For dinner, experience the local street food culture at Lok Lok along Ban Hock Road. This popular dining style involves skewered meats, seafood, and vegetables, served either boiled or deep-fried. Their fried chicken and beef noodle (‘mee sapi’) are also popular among customers.
If you’re feeling fancy, restaurants such as Zinc Restaurant & Bar, Bear Garden, Bla Bla Bla, Chabo, La Havana Bar & Bistro, The Wayang, The Junk, and KANTIN at The Granary are all within walking distance from the hotels near the Kuching Waterfront.
Day 2 – Wake up above a sea of clouds
Day two is all about nature. Pack your bags and head to Kiyau Campsite at Kampung Sapit in Padawan, which is about a 90-minute drive from Kuching city.
Situated 1,000 metres above sea level, the Bidayuh village is well known for its perch above the clouds. It’s a great spot to disconnect and escape all the modern bustles. In the morning, you will find yourself walking up to a view of mountaintops emerging from a sea of clouds.
From the campsite, you can embark on your choice of adventure: take a hike through the forest, go for a dip in a nearby waterfall, explore the village, or simply relax on the bamboo decks better known as ‘tanju’. There’s another activity you absolutely cannot miss—trekking to the Malaysia-Indonesia border pegs.
Glamping at Borneo Highlands is another getaway option that allows you to have an out-of-the-world experience. To get there, you will need to drive, also about 90 minutes from Kuching city, to Borneo Highlands Resort, the only hilltop resort in Sarawak presently.
Besides enjoying the breathtaking views and cooling weather, one can also visit the Kalimantan border, have a shower or picnic at the waterfall, watch the sunrise amid a sea of clouds, and go kayaking.
While the estate is currently closed to the public, local startup Borneo Glamping organises seasonal glamping trips with extra activities such as movie night and barbecue, opening doors to enthusiasts who would like to experience Borneo Highlands in person.
Wait, there’s more!
Another gem is Kampung Sting in the Bengoh Range, Padawan. It’s approximately a 40-minute drive from Kuching. From there, you’ll take a short boat trip to the starting point of your hike up to the village.
It can be a nature lover’s paradise, offering picturesque views of the surrounding landscape and exciting outdoor activities. Immerse yourself in local culture and nature.
Day 3 – Start off with Sarawak Laksa, the “Breakfast of the Gods”
By now, you should be back to Kuching from your brief getaway, and it’s time for a satisfying brunch to kick start your final day.
Try Sarawak Laksa—the spicy, rich and aromatic noodle dish dubbed ‘Breakfast of the Gods’ by the late Chef Anthony Bourdain in 2005 when he tasted it during his show, ‘No Reservations’.
We cannot stress this enough; when in Sarawak, especially Kuching, you must try Sarawak Laksa. It is an addictive dish served with rice vermicelli in a spiced broth added with coconut milk and topped with pulled chicken breast meat, plump prawns, bean sprouts, omelette strips, and coriander leaves.
Google the term ‘the best laksa in Kuching’ and you’ll find several recommended locations around the city, including Poh Lam Laksa at Chong Choon Cafe, Sin Chong Choon Cafe, Madam Tang’s Cafe, and Fat Cat Cafe.
But here’s a personal favourite—Double Happiness Cafe at Green Heights, which also serves the perfect ‘teh c peng special’ (three-layered tea).
Care for a little road trip after such a hearty meal? Now, which would you like to spend your afternoon with crocodiles or orang utans? Kuching has the right place for both of them.
Jong’s Crocodile Farm, which is about a 20-minute leisure drive from Kuching, is the largest crocodile farm and mini zoo in Malaysia. There, you get to see the fearsome living predators up-close as well as the skull of the legendary killer croc known as Bujang Senang.
Of course, one cannot come to Kuching and not visit the orang utans at Semenggoh Wildlife Centre, which is located only about half an hour away from Kuching.
Unlike a zoo, orang utans here are free to roam in the jungles and the only way you can see them is during feeding time. If you’re in luck, these furry friends will come out of the jungle and down from the treetops to grab their meals of bananas and coconuts for the day.
Situated at Jalan Song in Kuching, the Malaysia-China Friendship Park is a charming neighbourhood park built to commemorate 30 years of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China.
Lush trees, shrubs, and flowering plants adorn the park, while a lake in the middle teems with fish. The free-to-enter public park also features a giant statue of Admiral Zheng Ho and a friendship globe as well as 14 concrete panels, each representing a state or region in Malaysia.
The park is a favourite among locals for leisure walks, jogging, square dancing, Tai Chi, and family outings, especially during the cooler evening hours. While it can be too hot for outdoor activities just past noon, the teahouse, serving premium tea beverages, offers the perfect spot to relax and enjoy a chilled afternoon.
When dinner time rolls around, head to Lepau Restaurant for a taste of authentic Sarawak cuisine.
Some of their must-try signature dishes are Tempoyak Anchovies (anchovies stir-fried with fermented durian), Terung Asam Fish (Gravy), Spicy Bunga Kantan Fried (served with a side of Pansuh Chicken), and Daun Ubi Goreng (stir-fried pounded tapioca leaves).
Don’t forget to pair your meal with their Purple Bario Rice wrapped in Itun Sip, which is a traditional way of serving rice to preserve the freshness of the rice.
At Lepau, the waiting time for walk-ins is between 30 to 40 minutes, making an early reservation necessary if you’re short on time as it is always packed with hungry customers.
Kuching is a city full of surprises. If you ask any Kuchingite, 72 hours is never enough to experience the richness of culture that Kuching has to offer. Now and tomorrow, it promises an unforgettable adventure that will leave you wanting more.
One more thing: be sure to buy some ‘kek lapis’ (layered cake) — Sarawak’s iconic delicacy at Kuching International Airport (KIA) before you bid farewell to the city. — DayakDaily
| Time | Activities |
| Day 1 | |
| Breakfast | Lau Ya Keng Foodcourt (opposite Hiang Tian Sing Ti Temple) |
| Destinations | Old Courthouse, India Street, Gambier Street, Carpenter Street |
| Lunch | KANTIN at The GRANARY |
| Destinations | Borneo Cultures Museum, Brooke Gallery at Fort Margherita, Astana, General Post Office Building, Square Tower, Sarawak Museum Old Building |
| Dinner | Lok Lok @ Jalan Ban Hock / Zinc Restaurant & Bar / Bear Garden / Bla Bla Bla / Chabo / La Havana Bar & Bistro / The Wayang / The Junk |
| Destination | Satok Bridge |
| Day 2 | |
| Breakfast | Noodle Descendants (Padungan) |
| Destinations | Kiyau Campsite @ Kampung Sapit, Padawan / Glamping at Borneo Highlands / Kampung Sting @ Bengoh Range, Padawan *Lunch & Dinner provided by the place of stay |
| Activities | Kiyau Campsite: Hiking, Waterfall, Malaysia-Indonesia border trekking Borneo Highlands: Visit Kalimantan border, Waterfall, Kayaking, BBQ Kampung Sting: Boat trip, Hiking, Picnic by the waterfall |
| Day 3 | |
| Breakfast | Laksa: Double Happiness Café @ Green Heights / Poh Lam Laksa @ Chong Choon Café / Madam Tang / Fat Cat Café |
| Destination | Semenggoh Wildlife Centre, Jong’s Crocodile Farm |
| Lunch | Peach Garden @ Jalan Song |
| Destination | Malaysia-China Friendship Park |
| Dinner | Lepau Restaurant @ Jalan Ban Hock |
| Destination | Evening stroll at Kuching Waterfront (Darul Hana Musical Fountain) |
