ISLAMIC MUSEUM IN KUCHING

 Over the hill from the Sarawak Museum, the Islamic Museum is well worth the walk. It’s divided into seven thematically based rooms: weapons; decorative arts and domestic utensils; Qurans; Islamic architecture; science, technology, economy and literature; music and costumes; and the coming of Islam to the Malay Archipelago. Of particular note are the fantastic wooden and metal boxes in the decorative arts section and the fine carved panels in the architecture section.

KUCHING FESTIVAL 2012

The Council of the City of Kuching South in celebrating the 24th Anniversary of Kuching as a City, will be organizing the following activities during the month of August. The ever-popular Food Fair will continue to whet the appetites of both locals and holiday makers.  The Kuching Festival Programme also includes the Concert of Traditional Oriental Music by a local Chinese Music Orchestra and a Folk Dance Display. In conjunction with the Kuching Festival.
There will be different sports events prepared for the public to test their muscle and sinew. Apart from that, the Martial Arts Display showcases the various arts and skills of Wushu, Taichi, Silat, Taekwando, Silamban and Akido.

TOMATO KUEH TIAW SARAWAK

Signs around Kuching advertise this local noodle dish in a myriad of different spellings. Wide kueh teow noodles are stir-fried with pork and vegetables in a special tomato soup originating from Kuching. "Tomato mee" is a version of tomato kueh teow served with thin, deep-fried noodles rather wide noodles.

SARAWAK RACES

Sarawak has more than 40 sub-ethnic groups, each with its own distinct language, culture and lifestyle. Cities and larger towns are populated predominantly by Malays, Melanaus, Chinese, Indians and a smaller percentage of Ibans and Bidayuhs who have migrated from their home-villages for employment reasons.
 In general, there are six major ethnic groups in Sarawak: Iban, Chinese, Malay, Bidayuh, Orang Ulu, Melanau and several minor ethnic groups placed collectively under 'Others', such as Indian, Eurasian, Kedayan, Javanese, Bugis, Murut and many more. Unlike Indonesia, the term Dayak is not officially used to address Sarawakian's native ethnicity.

SARAWAK LAKSA

The local Sarawak laksa is a creamy, spicy, local variation of Malaysia's ubiquitous soup-noodle bowl. Jumbo prawns, fresh lime, and coriander lend a unique flavor to the broth which is thicker than that found in most noodle bowls - heavy but delicious. The noodles are usually made from thin vermicelli.

GUNUNG MULU NATIONAL PARK

Important both for its high biodiversity and for its karst features, Gunung Mulu National Park, on the island of Borneo in the State of Sarawak, is the most studied tropical karst area in the world. The 52,864-ha park contains seventeen vegetation zones, exhibiting some 3,500 species of vascular plants. Its palm species are exceptionally rich, with 109 species in twenty genera noted. The park is dominated by Gunung Mulu, a 2,377 m-high sandstone pinnacle. At least 295 km of explored caves provide a spectacular sight and are home to millions of cave swiftlets and bats. The Sarawak Chamber, 600 m by 415 m and 80 m high, is the largest known cave chamber in the world.

Gunung Mulu National Park, situated in the Malaysian State of Sarawak on the island of Borneo, is outstanding both for its high biodiversity and for its karst features. The park is dominated by Gunung Mulu, a 2,376 m-high sandstone pinnacle and the property is the most studied tropical karst area in the world. The geological Melinau Formation contains a remarkable concentration of caves, revealing a geological history of over more than 1.5 million years.

High in endemism, Gunung Mulu National Park provides significant natural habitat for a wide range of plant and animal species, both above and below ground. The 52,865 ha park contains seventeen vegetation zones, exhibiting some 3,500 species of vascular plants. Its palm species are exceptionally rich, with 109 species in twenty genera recorded, making it one of the worlds richest sites for palm species. Providing protection for a substantial area of Borneo’s primary tropical forest and a home for a high diversity of species, including many endemics and threatened species, the large cave passages and chambers provide a major wildlife spectacle in terms of millions of cave swiftlets and bats.

The property is home to one of the world's finest examples of the collapse process in karstic terrain and provides outstanding scientific opportunities to study theories on the origins of cave faunas.  The deeply-incised canyons, wild rivers, rainforest-covered mountains, spectacular limestone pinnacles, cave passages and decorations found within the property produce dramatic landscapes and breathtaking scenery that is without rival.

Important both for its high biodiversity and for its karst features, Gunung Mulu National Park, on the island of Borneo in the State of Sarawak, is the most studied tropical karst area in the world. The 52,864-ha park contains seventeen vegetation zones, exhibiting some 3,500 species of vascular plants. Its palm species are exceptionally rich, with 109 species in twenty genera noted. The park is dominated by Gunung Mulu, a 2,377 m-high sandstone pinnacle. At least 295 km of explored caves provide a spectacular sight and are home to millions of cave swiftlets and bats. The Sarawak Chamber, 600 m by 415 m and 80 m high, is the largest known cave chamber in the world.

SARAWAK MUSEUM

The Sarawak Museum is often touted as one of the finest museum in South East Asia. Built in 1891 by the Second Rajah of Sarawak, Sir Charles Brooke, it is situated on the fringe of the old quarter of Kuching a stone throw away from Merdeka Palace Hotel, or about 5 minutes walk from Carpenter Street.

 A wide display of stuffed animals, birds, fish and reptiles can be found on the ground floor. There are also dispaly of a printing press machine, tribal weapons, replicas of tribal war boats. The first floor has an interesting actual size replica of the inside of an Iban longhouse which the visitor can enter and experience. The floor are made of wood and bamboo and creak when you step on them. visitor can get up close to even touch the vases and urns on display. The is also an actual cluster of human skulls hanging from the celing, which is a common sight in longhouses, a reminder of the Iban's headhunting tradition of the olden days.

 There is a new wing of the museum, but one has to cross the busy road via a pedestrian walkway. This is a much bigger premises, and is called the Tun Abdul Razak Exhibition Hall (after Malaysia's 2nd PM).  Large amount of vases and urns of the various tribe of Sarawak are displayed here. There are cannons, weapons, write-ups on history of Sarawak and many other interesting artifacts. A well stock souvenir shop and a canteen can be found on the corner. On the museum ground, there is an actual period Iban war boat and an impressive Kenyah tribal burial pole with intricate carvings, both are worth a look.

MATANG WILDLIFE CENTRE

Matang Wildlife Centre, part of Kubah National Park, houses endangered wildlife in large enclosed areas of rainforest or spacious cages. The main attraction is the orang utan adoption programme, where young orang utans, who were either orphaned or rescued from captivity, are taught how to survive in the wild. As well as orang utans, the centre includes spacious enclosures housing sambar deer, crocodiles, sun bears, civets and bear cats, and three large aviaries featuring hornbills, eagles, kites, storks and a host of other birds native to Sarawak.

There are some pleasant riverside picnic spots a short walk from the information centre and four jungle trails. The Pitcher Trail, which follows a circular path through the forest, takes approximately two hours and trekkers should not have too much difficulty in spotting the various specious of pitcher plants that litter the forest floor at the sides of the trail. The Rayu Trail leads to the Kubah National Park headquarters and takes 3-4 hours. The Sungai Buluh Trail leads to two secluded waterfalls and takes 2-hours (one way).

There is an information centre, accommodation facilities and a small canteen just a short walk from the car park.

WATERFRONT KUCHING SARAWAK

More than any other feature, the Waterfront epitomizes how Kuching has modernized itself without losing any of its charm. Kuching is a riverine city. Its location on the Sarawak River was chosen not only for its strategic and commercial importance, but also for its enchanting natural beauty. In days gone by the river was the city's main highway. The river still retains its importance and picturesque charm in the modern era. Present day life is still concentrated on the waterfront.
A meander on the Kuching waterfront is a walk through time; from Kuching's humble, ancient origins, to its status as a modern city. No visit to Kuching would be complete without a stroll on the modern esplanade, or to sit, relax and experience a Sarawakian sunset.

SARAWAK CULTURAL VILLAGE

 Known as the 'Living Museum', the Cultural Village was set up to preserve and showcase Sarawak's cultural heritage. Located at Pantai Damai, Santubong, just 32km from the state capital, Kuching, it is the perfect place to get introduced to local culture and lifestyle.

Sprawled across 17 acres, there are about 150 people living in the village, demonstrating traditional daily activities from Sarawak's diverse tribes like the processing of sago and the making of handicrafts. They wear traditional costumes and also put on dances for visitors.

The village residents provide information on their various traditional cultures and lifestyles. You can see replicas of buildings that represent every major ethnic group in Sarawak; longhouses of the Iban, Bidayuh and Orang Ulu, a Melanau tall-house and a Chinese farm house among others.

The village also has a theatre, where you can enjoy multicultural dance performances. Besides this, there is a restaurant and handicraft shop. You can even get married at the Sarawak Cultural Village, in traditional Iban, Malay, Bidayuh or Orang Ulu style.

The Iban longhouse has separate rooms placed side by side, all of which open to a long communal hall, used for leisurely activities like wood carving and basket weaving.

Guests are often invited to attend nightly ceremonies and drink a potent rice wine, tuak, which the Iban make themselves. Comfortable guesthouses are also available for visitors.