Page 10 - Sarawak-Visitors-Guide-2014v1
P. 10
PART 1 - KUCHING & SOUTHWEST SARAWAK
INTRODUCTION
Note: The area code for all telephone numbers in
Kuching and its surroundings, unless otherwise stated,
is 082 from outside the area and +6082 from overseas.
All addreses are 93000 Kuching unless otherwise stated.
Kuching has an unusual name - the word means “cat”
First Impressions in Malay. There are a number of stories as to how this
Kuching, the capital of Sarawak, is simply unique. No name came about, but it is unlikely that it has anything
other city in Malaysia has such a romanic and unlikely to do with cats. The two more likely explanaions are
history, nor displays its charms with such an easy grace. that it derives from the Chinese word kochin , meaning
The residents of Kuching (pop. 650,000 approx.) enjoy “harbour,” or that it is named ater the mata kuching
living here, and take great pride in their fascinaing city, or “cat’s eye” fruit, a close relaive of the lychee that
which is relected in their aitude to visitors. Kuching grows widely here.
welcomes visitors warmly, but it does not put on an
act for them. Instead it goes about its own business Sarawak is a unique and enjoyable tourism desinaion,
in a relaxed manner that hasn’t changed in 160 years. and Kuching is the ideal base from which to go exploring.
The nearby naional parks include the famous Bako,
It is impossible to really enjoy Kuching from the air
condiioned comfort of a tour bus. To make the most of home of the rare proboscis monkey, Gunung Gading,
your visit you must put on your walking shoes, take to where giant ralesia lowers bloom, Kuching Wetlands,
the streets (and the water), and join in. which protects a fascinaing mangrove ecosystem,
Kubah, with its rare palms and orchids, and Semenggoh
Like all towns and ciies in Borneo, the focal point of and Matang Wildlife Centres with their resident
Kuching and the reason for its existence is the river. orangutans. Literally hundreds of Iban and Bidayuh
Hiring a sampan to meander slowly up and down the longhouses are within easy travelling distance. Damai,
Sarawak River is the best way to get your irst impression on the nearby Santubong Peninsula is Sarawak’s main
resort area, and many travel agents ofer “two-centre”
of Kuching. From the river you will see picturesque
Malay villages (kampungs), a golden-domed mosque, a packages allowing you to explore Kuching, go on a
Victorian fort, a whole street of 19th century Chinese longhouse trip, visit Bako and the rainforest and then
shophouses and an imposing wooden-roofed palace, all relax on the beach ater the rigours of jungle trekking.
set against a background of distant mountains. See the Damai and Santubong secion for details.
Kuching is also the ideal base for visiing longhouses.
Kuching’s city centre is well preserved and very
Local travel agents have a variety of tours, ranging from
compact; virtually everything that is worth seeing
half-day trips to nearby Bidayuh longhouses, to week-
can be reached on foot or by sampan. The narrow,
long safaris to Iban longhouses on the Skrang, Lemanak
bustling streets are crammed with shops selling all
manner of goods, from the mundane to the exoic. and Batang Ai river systems.
There are ornate Chinese temples, many ine examples
of colonial-style architecture, a beauiful waterfront The People
and a number of interesing museums, including the Kuching is a cosmopolitan
historic Sarawak Museum. There is an excellent range city, and this is relected
of accommodaion, from luxury via bouique to budget, in the faces on the streets.
good restaurants, and nightlife to suit most tastes and Whilst the populaion is
pockets. You can try local delicacies such as deer meat predominantly Chinese
and jungle fern, drink a glass or two of tuak (local rice and Malay, Kuching is
wine), or feast on a vast array of seafood dishes. home to people from
1
INTRODUCTION
Note: The area code for all telephone numbers in
Kuching and its surroundings, unless otherwise stated,
is 082 from outside the area and +6082 from overseas.
All addreses are 93000 Kuching unless otherwise stated.
Kuching has an unusual name - the word means “cat”
First Impressions in Malay. There are a number of stories as to how this
Kuching, the capital of Sarawak, is simply unique. No name came about, but it is unlikely that it has anything
other city in Malaysia has such a romanic and unlikely to do with cats. The two more likely explanaions are
history, nor displays its charms with such an easy grace. that it derives from the Chinese word kochin , meaning
The residents of Kuching (pop. 650,000 approx.) enjoy “harbour,” or that it is named ater the mata kuching
living here, and take great pride in their fascinaing city, or “cat’s eye” fruit, a close relaive of the lychee that
which is relected in their aitude to visitors. Kuching grows widely here.
welcomes visitors warmly, but it does not put on an
act for them. Instead it goes about its own business Sarawak is a unique and enjoyable tourism desinaion,
in a relaxed manner that hasn’t changed in 160 years. and Kuching is the ideal base from which to go exploring.
The nearby naional parks include the famous Bako,
It is impossible to really enjoy Kuching from the air
condiioned comfort of a tour bus. To make the most of home of the rare proboscis monkey, Gunung Gading,
your visit you must put on your walking shoes, take to where giant ralesia lowers bloom, Kuching Wetlands,
the streets (and the water), and join in. which protects a fascinaing mangrove ecosystem,
Kubah, with its rare palms and orchids, and Semenggoh
Like all towns and ciies in Borneo, the focal point of and Matang Wildlife Centres with their resident
Kuching and the reason for its existence is the river. orangutans. Literally hundreds of Iban and Bidayuh
Hiring a sampan to meander slowly up and down the longhouses are within easy travelling distance. Damai,
Sarawak River is the best way to get your irst impression on the nearby Santubong Peninsula is Sarawak’s main
resort area, and many travel agents ofer “two-centre”
of Kuching. From the river you will see picturesque
Malay villages (kampungs), a golden-domed mosque, a packages allowing you to explore Kuching, go on a
Victorian fort, a whole street of 19th century Chinese longhouse trip, visit Bako and the rainforest and then
shophouses and an imposing wooden-roofed palace, all relax on the beach ater the rigours of jungle trekking.
set against a background of distant mountains. See the Damai and Santubong secion for details.
Kuching is also the ideal base for visiing longhouses.
Kuching’s city centre is well preserved and very
Local travel agents have a variety of tours, ranging from
compact; virtually everything that is worth seeing
half-day trips to nearby Bidayuh longhouses, to week-
can be reached on foot or by sampan. The narrow,
long safaris to Iban longhouses on the Skrang, Lemanak
bustling streets are crammed with shops selling all
manner of goods, from the mundane to the exoic. and Batang Ai river systems.
There are ornate Chinese temples, many ine examples
of colonial-style architecture, a beauiful waterfront The People
and a number of interesing museums, including the Kuching is a cosmopolitan
historic Sarawak Museum. There is an excellent range city, and this is relected
of accommodaion, from luxury via bouique to budget, in the faces on the streets.
good restaurants, and nightlife to suit most tastes and Whilst the populaion is
pockets. You can try local delicacies such as deer meat predominantly Chinese
and jungle fern, drink a glass or two of tuak (local rice and Malay, Kuching is
wine), or feast on a vast array of seafood dishes. home to people from
1
