Weekend In Kuching

Tourists are beginning to return to the region’s hotspots. Keen for something quieter? As YIMIN HUANG discovers, Kuching in Sarawak is an enticing alternative.

- Yimin Huang

With a name that sounds similar to the Malay word for cat – hence its nickname, “Cat City” – Kuching is known for its amazing wildlife, cultural relics, heritage food and friendly, laidback atmosphere. And, at only about an hour by plane, it’s a comfortable distance for a weekend away or a short holiday escape.

What to See

Kuching is home to one of Borneo’s endangered species: the orangutan. Semenggoh Nature Reserve is on most travellers’ itineraries, and it’s not difficult to see why. Take a half-day trip here and you’ll witness semi-wild orangutans at feeding time, including, if you’re lucky, every member of the family, from the domineering adult male to the mother with baby clinging to her body, and the old yet alert grandmother.

Did you know that orangutans build a nest on top of a tree, like birds do? Or that when they rest and stretch their legs, they can look uncannily human? These are some things you’ll discover in this rare glimpse into their day-to-day life.

For more views of animals in their natural habitat, try a wildlife cruise in the Kuching Wetlands National Park. The Mangrove & Irrawaddy Dolphin Watching cruise follows the renowned Santubong River, providing close-up views of the mangrove swamp that’s home to crocodiles, otters, mudskippers, mangrove crabs and more. Keep your eyes peeled for Irrawaddy dolphins, too – the endangered species tends to frolic around fishing boats; they’re tough to spot and even more difficult to capture on camera!