Kuching

Capital of the state of Sarawak, the small city of Kuching sits picturesquely on the River Sarawak, backed by mountains, and is charming and relaxed in its manner. The seat of the White Rajas, ruler of the Kingdom of Sarawak between 1841 and 1946, the city has a fascinating history and a plethora of cats, in the form of statues and images, due to the fact that ‘kuching’ means cat in Malay.

Easily explorable on foot, the bustling, vibrant streets boast a range of distinctive architecture, from the gold domed mosque and Victorian fort, to the Chinese temples and shophouses that sit beside colonial buildings and modern museums. While the city is a delight to discover, it is perfectly located to be the gateway to both the jungle and the sea, a well-placed base for exploring Sarawak, its nature and indigenous cultures as a whole. In both respects, Kuching is an essential stop on any tours of Malaysia.