Kuching is the capital of the state of Sarawak in Malaysian Borneo. Thanks to its proximity to nature reserves, Kuching is often the gateway to seeing endangered species in the wild. Travelers often use Kuching as a starting point to their adventures in Borneo but fail to properly visit the city. I'm here to say Kuching is worth a full day or even two. I actually stayed about a week in Kuching. I was surprised at how inviting this small city turned out to be. It's thanks to its small-scale that things to do in Kuching are all accessible on foot.

I won't lie; Kuching isn't the most vibrant city but it does hold a special kind of appeal. It's clean, safe and easily walkable. That being said, I think what makes Kuching truly deserving of your time is its ethnic and cultural diversity. This diversity is apparent not only in its people but in its gastronomy, languages/dialects, religions and architecture, as well. Most of the population in Sarawak are Dayak (native people of Borneo) deriving from as many as 30 different tribes. The second largest ethnic group is the Chinese who arrived in Sarawak as far back as the 6th century. Kuching is a perfect example of how interwoven these two distinct cultures really are.

THINGS TO DO IN KUCHING (MALAYSIAN BORNEO)

KUCHING ESPLANADE

Undoubtedly, the most pleasant thing to do in Kuching is to take a stroll on the Kuching Esplanade. The nicely-paved esplanade meanders along the milky green Sarawak River. Along the way, you'll surely see sampans (traditional boats), ice cream vendors, food stalls, buskers and men fishing at sunset. You can take a leisurely cruise down the milky green Sarawak River. On weekends, free live performances are given at the open-air Waterfront Amphitheater. I was lucky I got to see a local band, Pinanak Sentah, They're a family of 7 siblings each playing a different instrument. Their repertoire is a fusion of traditional folk music and contemporary rock. The show included two more bands.  It was really, really good!

LITTLE INDIA

It seems almost every city in Malaysia has a Little India. Kuching is no exception. As expected, Little India is splashed with vibrant colors. The entryway to Little India is India Street - an outdoor pedestrian mall. Given that Little India is one of the top tourist attractions, many of the shops sell souvenirs related to Sarawak. Nuzzled among the shops is the small India Mosque with its turquoise entrance. There really isn't much on India Street that actually conveys India but you can head to Jalan Gambier for shops selling a variety of Indian spices.

VISIT CHINESE TEMPLES

Tua Pek Kong Temple is by no means spectacular but it's of great importance to the Chinese community. Dating back to 1843, Tua Pek Kong Temple is the oldest Chinese temple in Kuching. Sitting on a foothill, it's said to occupy the best Feng Shui location in the city. The temple is located at a busy intersection in the city center near the waterfront - you can't miss it.

Another Chinese temple worth mentioning is Guan Thian Siang Ti (pictured below) located on Jalan Carpenter in the heart of Chinatown. Painted in pink and plastered with images of mystic animals, this small temple was built by Teochew Chinese immigrants in the mid-19th century.

NEW SARAWAK STATE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY BUILDING

As the name suggests, this building is where state assemblies take place. The New Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Building has the most unique architecture in all of Kuching. It kind of looks like an hibiscus, Malaysia's national flower. Or a UFO. This landmark building can easily be seen from the waterfront promenade. If you want to get a closer look, you can use the S-shaped Darul Hana pedestrian bridge to cross the river.

AMAZING STREET ART

The street art in Kuching is so amazing, I wrote a whole post about it. There's no denying how talented Kuching's street artists are. Most of the street art can be seen in and around the historical center. From elaborate murals to funky graffiti, you'll be swooned by the diversity and caliber of the artistic work displayed on Kuching's walls. Apart from the commissioned art, keep your eyes peeled for some folkloric works inspired by the Sarawak culture. Many of these are painted on the colonnades of Main Bazaar Street.

Read also: Discovering Amazing Street Art in Kuching

CHINATOWN

I'll start by saying there are two Chinatowns in Kuching: a new one and an older one. Both beckon passersby with their elaborate Chinese gateways. Old Chinatown is in the middle of all the action. That is to say, adjacent to Main Bazaar Street and Little India. The architecture consists of wonderful Chinese shophouses ubiquitous in Malaysia. Chinatown is a popular hub for travelers. Lots of trendy restaurants, hip bars, boutique hotels and rambunctious hostels are in Chinatown.

Similar in character to its predecessor, New Chinatown stretches along tree-lined Jalan Padungan. This area also has a plethora of accommodation and eateries but it's not as charming as the original Chinatown. Don't miss the local icon, "The Great Cat of Kuching" (more on cats later) in front of the gateway.

KUCHING MOSQUE

I stumbled upon this mosque on one of my many walks. This isn't the only mosque in Kuching but it's certainly the most striking - not to mention it's pink. Come on, it's not every day you see a pink mosque! Affectionately known as 'Masjid Lama' (Old Mosque), the tops of the gilded minarets look like dumplings. While you're there, take notice of the interesting tomb stones in the Muslim cemetery right in front of the mosque.

FORT MARGHERITA

Fort Margherita was built in 1970 to protect Kuching from the invasion of pirates trying to enter its waterways. The fort is named after Charles Brooke's wife, Ranee Margaret. Charles Brooke was a prolific entrepreneur who was born in England. He's the one who ruled the then-independent state of Sarawak from 1868 to 1917. The fort now houses an extensive collection of memorabilia from the Brook Era. There's a minimal entrance fee to visit the museum but it's free to roam the grounds. To get to Fort Margherita, simply cross the pedestrian bridge. As you can see, both the fort and the assembly building can be visited at the same time.

CATS, CATS AND MORE CATS

Did you know that Kuching is known as "The City of Cats"? The origin of this name is debatable. Some say it's because 'kucing' means cat in Bahasa Malaysia (or Malay). Others claim the city got it's name from a local fruit or Cochin, the trading port city in India. Wherever the name comes from, Kuching has wholeheartedly embraced its cutesy moniker. You'll come across all sorts of 'cats' all over Kuching - bronze statues, street art, cats guarding roundabouts. Even if you're not a lover of these furry felines, you'll no doubt be amused by the number of kitschy cats you'll encounter.

Read also: An Ode to the Felines of Kuching - The City of Cats

MAIN BAZAAR STREET

Main Bazaar Street, the oldest street in Kuching, is a treasure trove of shops. Many of the shops sell antiques and local handicrafts (wood carvings) from all over Sarawak. Of course, you can also find typical souvenirs (t-shirts, bags, etc.) on offer for tourists. Main Bazaar Street is a great place to shop hassle-free to your heart's content. Shopping here will take you back in time as you bop in and out of beautiful 19th century Chinese shophouses. Stop in one of the quaint coffee shops or cozy restaurants for a break. By the way, antique shops are usually closed on Sundays.

SATOK WEEKEND MARKET

Lastly, if you're in Kuching on a weekend, I suggest you go to the Satok Weekend Market. Held on Saturdays and Sundays only, Satok Weekend Market has loads of outdoor stalls. A large part of the market is under a domed roof. The market features not only locally-grown fruits and vegetables but jungle produce as well. Really, it's the jungle produce that makes this market so special. You'll discover edible wild flowers and strange-looking fruits only found in Borneo. Many of the vendors come from the surrounding rural villages to sell their homegrown stock.

The Satok Weekend Market is the only thing that isn't within walking distance. I mean, you can walk if you wish. Just know that the market is about 5 km outside of Kuching in a complex called Medan Niaga Satok. I tried to get to the market by bus but it was much easier to use GRAB (ride-hailing service of Malaysia). The fare was nearly the same as the bus and it took a lot less time.

Have you been to Kuching? Do you have anything to add?