Kuching Travel Starter Pack

Kuching, which means 'cat' in Bahasa Malayu, is known as 'Cat City'. It's a wonderful place to spend a day or two and perfect as a starting point for travel in Sarawak. When you book a Kuching travel starter pack, we'll take care of your transfer to and from the airport and we'll also make arrangements for hotel accommodation for the first 2 nights of your stay. Which hotel you stay at is up to you; choose from hotels in prime locations, ranging from a mid-class hotel to a five star hotel with swimming pool.

Kuching has a very lively waterfront, perfect for long leisurely strolls or people watching. This is 'the' place to be to meet people in Kuching and there are plenty of opportunities here to get a light snack or perhaps even a sit-down meal. Traditional taxi boats, with colourful adverts on them, will take you across Sarawak River where you'll have an even better view of the city. While in Kuching you can also visit one of the city's Chinese temples, get a taste of local culture in the famous Sarawak Museum or visit endearing orangutans.

Option 1: City Hotel

Duration	3 days - 2 nights	Accommodation	City Hotel Comfort level 3 (see accommodation)
Price	£58 per person - based on 2 people sharing	Includes	2 nights in a hotel with breakfast and transfer from airport to hotel
Transport	Transfer from the airport to the hotel	Excludes	Other meals and transport

This well maintained mid-class hotel is located in the centre of Kuching, within walking distance from all local attractions and the boulevard. Hotel rooms have a shower, toilet, colour television, air conditioning, mini bar and a safe.

Option 2: Luxury city hotel

Duration	3 days - 2 nights	Accommodation	Luxury hotel Comfort level 5 (see accommodation)
Price	£86 per person - based on 2 people sharing	Includes	2 nights in a hotel with breakfast and a transfer from the airport to your hotel
Transport	Transfer from the airport	Excludes	Other meals and transport

This luxurious five star hotel is located in the centre of Kuching. Stay at this hotel on our Kuching travel starter pack and go on a culinary trip around the world. During your stay you can enjoy the Cuban cigar lounge, an Italian restaurant, an English pub, a Seattle coffee and tea café and tasty local delicacies at the Aurora Court. The hotel's classic style rooms have all the necessary creature comforts. If you would like to spend your first days in Malaysia in style, then the Merdeke Palace Hotel is the place to be.

Local Attractions

The Sarawak Museum
Want to know more about Borneo's culture and heritage while on your Kuching travel starter pack? Then we recommend a visit to the Sarawak Museum. This fascinating museum is opened daily from 9am to 5pm. Click here for more information about the Sarawak Museum.

Semenggoh Orangutan Sanctuary
Did you miss Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary on Sabah? Then here's another chance to get up close and personal with these endearing primates at the Semenggoh orangutan Sanctuary. It's located an hour away from the city centre and is open daily from 8am to 12:45 and from 14:00 to 16:15. You can book a tour with one of the travel agencies in the city or if you want to visit it on your own catch bus number six at the Ban Hock Wharf, on Jawa Street or at the bus stop across from the post office on Jalang Tun Haji Openg. Ask the bus driver to stop at Semenggoh. If you prefer, you can also take taxi cab for about £6 or £7.

Tua Pek Kong Temple
This oldest Chinese temple in Kuching is also known as Siew San Teng by locals. Afterwards head east until you reach Jalan (=street) Padungan to visit the most beautiful traditional Chinese tea and coffee houses in Kuching.
Hian Tien Shian Tee Temple
This temple is located on the intersection of Jalan Carpenter and Jalang Wayang. It's also known as the Hong San Temple and the God Kuek Seng is worshipped here. This god is known to grant all of the wishes of those who come to worship him
State mosque of Sarawak (Masjid Bandaraya)
You won't be able to miss this temple located at the heart of Kuching.
Justice building
One of the most noticeable buildings in Kuching, built in the English colonial period.
Astana
This former home of the 'White Rajas of Sarawak' can be visited by sampan/ water taxi on the other side of the Sarawak River (taxi ride costs less than 20 cents).

Restaurants
Khatulistiwa Café: located at the waterfront, across from the Crowne Plaza Hotel. This café is open 24 hours a day and provides you with a magnificent view of the waterfront. Its local cuisine is very tasty, but you can also enjoy western cuisine here as well. Starting at around 11pm, the 2nd floor becomes a disco for those who want to kick up their heels on the dance floor.
Aunt Mary's Kitchen: A small, modest restaurant located just before China Street at the Main Bazaar. An absolute must if you would like to enjoy a typical Malaysian breakfast, 'Laksa Mee'. This restaurants prices will keep you coming back for more.

Water taxi
A water taxi is also known as a Sampan or Perahu Tambang by the locals. This is the ideal way to see the city in a relaxing way while sailing calmly on the water. You can rent a boat and skipper for less than £10 at the waterfront.