Editing Kuching (section)

==Culture, leisure and sport==

===Attractions and recreation spots===

====Cultural====
[[File:Old Sarawak Museum.jpg|thumb|The [[Sarawak State Museum]] building was built by Rajah Charles Brooke in 1891 and designed based on the [[Architecture of Normandy|architecture]] of a [[Normandy]] town hall.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://seeds.theborneopost.com/2015/07/27/discover-sarawak-museums-architectural-origins/ |title=Discover Sarawak Museum's architectural origins |publisher=The Borneo Post Seeds |date=27 July 2015 |access-date=3 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803094516/http://seeds.theborneopost.com/2015/07/27/discover-sarawak-museums-architectural-origins/ |archive-date=3 August 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref>]]
Kuching maintains several museums showcasing its culture and history. The [[Sarawak State Museum]] is one of the finest museums in Asia and is known as Kuching's oldest and most historical building, which exhibits collections of the indigenous races in Sarawak.<ref>{{cite book |author=Alice Yen Ho |title=Old Kuching |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GlhvAAAAMAAJ |year=1998 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-983-56-0050-0}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=Robert L. Winzeler |title=The Architecture of Life and Death in Borneo |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=niS2FbfVzj4C&pg=PA160 |date=January 2004 |publisher=University of Hawaii Press |isbn=978-0-8248-2632-1 |pages=160–}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author1=Jan van Harssel |author2=Richard H Jackson |author3=Lloyd E. Hudman |title=National Geographic Learning's Visual Geography of Travel and Tourism |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=B1LmAgAAQBAJ&pg=PT530 |date=23 January 2014 |publisher=Cengage Learning |isbn=978-1-305-17647-8 |pages=530–}}</ref> Directly opposite the Sarawak Museum is the Borneo Cultures Museum which replaced the Tun Abdul Razak Hall. The Borneo Cultures Museum (opened on 9 March 2022) is a modern five-storey building with a distinctive architectural design that reflects Sarawak's unique traditional crafts and rich cultural heritage.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sarawak Museum Department |url=https://museum.sarawak.gov.my/page-0-209-169-Borneo-Cultures-Museum.html |access-date=23 September 2022 |website=museum.sarawak.gov.my}}</ref> While located right behind the Borneo Cultures Museum is the [[Islamic Heritage Museum]].

Other museums in Kuching include the [[Chinese History Museum]], [[Kuching Cat Museum]], Sarawak Timber Museum and [[Textile Museum Sarawak]]. Kuching is also home to the first ever [[planetarium]] in Malaysia,<ref>{{cite book |title=Asiatechnology |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ynq5AAAAIAAJ |publisher=Review Publishing Company Limited}}</ref> the [[Sultan Iskandar Planetarium]] which is adjacent to the [[Kuching Civic Centre]].

====Historical====
[[File:Astana Sarawak.JPG|thumb|[[The Astana, Sarawak|The Astana]], one of the historical landmarks in the city.]]
Interesting historical landmarks and sites of Kuching include [[The Astana, Sarawak|The Astana]] (the former palace of the [[White Rajahs]] and currently the official residence of the [[Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak]]), and Fort Margherita.

The oldest street of Kuching is the Main Bazaar, a row of 19th century Chinese shophouses located along the Kuching Waterfront overlooking the Sarawak River. It offers the city's best concentration of antique and handicraft shops. The Main Bazaar is part of Kuching's old town, which also includes Carpenter Street and India Street.<ref name="carpenter street">{{cite web |url=https://sarawaktourism.com/attraction/main-bazaar-carpenter-street/ |title=Main Bazaar and Carpenter Street |publisher=Sarawak Tourism |access-date=7 March 2017 |location=Kuching}}</ref> The old Courthouse building, which sits in between Carpenter Street and India Street, has undergone major [[renovation]] and now houses the Sarawak Tourism Board complex.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sarawaktourism.com/blog/explore-kuching-heritage-in-2-hours/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150207231949/http://sarawaktourism.com/blog/explore-kuching-heritage-in-2-hours/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 February 2015 |title=Explore Kuching Heritage in 2 hours |publisher=Sarawak Tourism |date=14 September 2012 |access-date=7 March 2017 |location=Kuching}}</ref> Some other interesting areas around the central business district include Padungan Street, which is the [[Chinatown, Kuching|Chinatown of Kuching]].<ref>{{cite book |author1=Charles de Ledesma |author2=Mark Lewis |author3=Pauline Savage |title=The Rough Guide to Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UfojoOlXKDcC |year=2000 |publisher=Rough Guides |isbn=978-1-85828-565-8}}</ref> In 2014, calls for the Historic Monuments of Kuching's inclusion in the world heritage list were made public.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2014/11/19/call-for-nomination-of-kuching-waterfront-to-become-unesco-world-heritage-site/ |title=Call for nomination of Kuching Waterfront to become Unesco World Heritage site |newspaper=The Borneo Post |date=19 November 2014 |access-date=23 January 2019}}</ref> In 2017, a study was conducted on the possibility of Kuching to be nominated in the world heritage list.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2017/11/30/improving-kuchings-chances-of-receiving-unesco-recognition/ |title=Improving Kuching's chances of receiving Unesco recognition |author=Geryl Ogilvy |work=The Star |date=30 November 2017 |access-date=23 January 2019}}</ref>

[[File:Darul Hana Purple.jpg|thumb|Darul Hana Bridge at night]]

====Leisure and conservation areas====
A number of leisure spots and conservation areas can be found in Kuching. The Talang-Satang National Park was established with the primary aim of conserving Sarawak's marine turtle population.<ref name="turtles">{{cite web |url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/03/20/talang-satang-national-park-a-sanctuary-for-endangered-turtles/ |title=Talang Satang National Park a sanctuary for endangered turtles |work=Bernama |publisher=The Borneo Post |date=20 March 2012 |access-date=6 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140806055933/http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/03/20/talang-satang-national-park-a-sanctuary-for-endangered-turtles/ |archive-date=6 August 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> It covers a total area of approximately {{cvt|19,400|hectare|0}}, and comprises all lands below the high tide marks on the respective islands.<ref name="tforestry">{{cite web |url=http://www.sarawakforestry.com/htm/snp-np-satang.html |title=Talang-Satang National Park |publisher=Sarawak Forestry Corporation |access-date=6 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140806060315/http://www.sarawakforestry.com/htm/snp-np-satang.html |archive-date=6 August 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The park also comprises the coastline and sea surrounding four islands of the southwest coast of Sarawak; Talang Besar, Talang Kecil off [[Sematan]], and Satang Besar and Satang Kecil off Santubong, near Kuching.<ref name="turtles"/> These four "Turtle Islands" are responsible for 95% of all the turtle landings in Sarawak and the park also includes the Tukong Ara-Banun Island Wildlife Sanctuary, two tiny islets which are important nesting sites for colonies of [[bridled tern]]s and [[black-naped tern]]s.<ref name="tforestry"/>

Damai, one of Sarawak's main beach resort area, is located on the Santubong Peninsula, about 35 minutes drive from Kuching.<ref name="spdb">{{cite web |url=http://www.etawau.com/Geography/Sarawak/01_Kuching/Kuching/JalanJalan/Santubong.htm |title=Santubong Peninsula (Damai Beach Resort and its surrounding) |publisher=e-tawau |date=4 April 2013 |access-date=6 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140806080857/http://www.etawau.com/Geography/Sarawak/01_Kuching/Kuching/JalanJalan/Santubong.htm |archive-date=6 August 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The area has sandy beaches at the foot of an imposing jungle-covered mountain. Damai features three world-class resort hotels such as the Damai Beach Resort, Damai Puri Resort and Spa and One Hotel Santubong.<ref name="BickerstethHinton1996">{{cite book |author1=Jane Bickersteth |author2=Amanda Hinton |title=Malaysia & Singapore Handbook |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=E5cuAQAAIAAJ |year=1996 |publisher=Footprint Handbooks |isbn=978-0-8442-4909-4}}</ref> Each resort has their own private beach, swimming pool and offers [[Personal water craft|jet-skiing]], [[waterskiing]], [[windsurfing]], [[mountain biking]], tennis, squash and [[Health club|fitness centres]]. There is also an international standard 18-hole [[golf course]] designed by the legendary [[Arnold Palmer]] located nearby.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.damaigolf.com/aboutus.php |title=About Damai Golf |publisher=Damai Golf and Country Club |access-date=6 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140730105219/http://www.damaigolf.com/aboutus.php |archive-date=30 July 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Other attractions include the Damai Central, Permai Rainforest Resort, Sarawak Cultural Village and the sleepy fishing villages of Santubong and Buntal with their excellent seafood restaurants.<ref name="spdb"/> While for visitors who like adventurous activities, there is a [[Backpacking (wilderness)|trekking activity]] on [[Mount Santubong]].<ref name="BickerstethHinton1996"/>

Aside from that, Damai is also one of the places in Sarawak to see the [[Irrawaddy dolphin]] as the mammals can be spotted along the Salak River, Santubong estuary and at the Bako-Buntal Bay.<ref>{{cite book |author=Helen Oon |title=Malaysia |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uT77tYHpde8C&pg=PA60 |year=2008 |publisher=New Holland Publishers |isbn=978-1-84537-971-1 |pages=60–}}</ref> The Santubong Peninsula offers a few sites for bird watching with the [[BirdLife International|BirdLife International Organisation]] has registered the whole area on Bako-Buntal Bay as an 'Important Bird Area'.<ref name="Thiessen2012"/> Between October and March, the Buntal River becomes an important wintering ground for [[bird migration]].<ref name="Thiessen2012"/> Birds which have been spotted by the [[Malaysian Nature Society]] (Kuching Branch) at Buntal include a variety of plovers, [[sandpiper]]s, [[egret]]s, [[tern]]s, and other rare migrants, while resident birds include [[collared kingfisher]], the [[white-bellied sea eagle]], and [[brahminy kite]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.etawau.com/Island/indexSarawak.htm |title=Islands and Beaches of Sarawak (Damai Beach, Santubong Peninsula) |publisher=e-tawau |date=6 August 2013 |access-date=6 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140806095847/http://www.etawau.com/Island/indexSarawak.htm |archive-date=6 August 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

National parks in Kuching include the [[Bako National Park]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sarawakforestry.com/htm/snp-np-bako.html |title=Bako National Park |publisher=Sarawak forestry cooperation |access-date=28 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150129164858/http://www.sarawakforestry.com/htm/snp-np-bako.html |archive-date=29 January 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and the [[Kuching Wetlands National Park]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lonelyplanet.com/malaysia/kuching-wetlands-national-park |title=Introducing Kuching Wetlands National Park |publisher=[[Lonely Planet]] |access-date=28 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150211155038/http://www.lonelyplanet.com/malaysia/kuching-wetlands-national-park |archive-date=11 February 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> as well as the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre which operates an [[orangutan]] orphanage and rehabilitation program.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sarawakforestry.com/htm/snp-nr-semenggoh.html |title=Semenggoh Wildlife Centre |publisher=Sarawak forestry cooperation |access-date=28 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150211155038/http://www.lonelyplanet.com/malaysia/kuching-wetlands-national-park |archive-date=11 February 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Also available near Kuching are the Gunung Gading National Park<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sarawakforestry.com/htm/snp-np-gading.html |title=Gunung Gading National Park |publisher=Sarawak forestry cooperation |access-date=28 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140804060000/http://www.sarawakforestry.com/htm/snp-np-gading.html |archive-date=4 August 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and the Kubah National Park.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sarawakforestry.com/htm/snp-np-kubah.html |title=Kubah National Park |publisher=Sarawak forestry cooperation |access-date=28 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202200259/http://www.sarawakforestry.com/htm/snp-np-kubah.html |archive-date=2 December 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Located about 40-minutes drive from Kuching is Santubong, a prominent beach resort area home to numerous world-class beach resorts. Other beaches near Kuching are the Lundu Beach and the Sematan Beach.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sarawak-vacation-destinations.com/Lundu-tourist-attractions.html |title=Lundu Tourists Attractions is a mixture of nature beauty and sandy beaches |publisher=Sarawak -vacations-destinations.com |access-date=28 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130623085807/http://www.sarawak-vacation-destinations.com/Lundu-tourist-attractions.html |archive-date=23 June 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The Borneo Highlands Resort (currently closed) is also nearby, located 1000-metres above sea level.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.borneohighlands.com.my/ |title=Welcome to Borneo Highlands Resort |publisher=Borneo Highlands Resort |access-date=28 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121194453/http://www.borneohighlands.com.my/ |archive-date=21 January 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

====Other sights====
[[File:DUN Sarawak.JPG|thumb|right|[[New Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Building]].]]
[[File:Islamic Heritage Museum - Madrasah Melayu Kuching (Old) 01.jpg|thumb|right|Former [[Madrasah]] Melayu Kuching (which is now as [[Islamic Heritage Museum]]).]]
The Kuching Waterfront is a 2&nbsp;kilometre long riverside [[esplanade]] stretching from the main hotel and commercial heartland of the city to downtown Kuching.<ref name="arts">{{cite book |title=Craft Arts International |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=M7BUAAAAMAAJ |year=1994 |publisher=Craft Art Pty. Limited}}</ref> Designed by Sydney architects,<ref name="arts"/> the waterfront landscaped is served with food stalls, restaurants, benches and offers an excellent views of the Astana, Fort Margherita, and the [[New Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Building]].<ref name="Chang1999"/> The waterfront also features an observation tower, an open-air theatre and musical fountains.<ref name="Chang1999"/>

The Kuching Orangutan Murals are vital images of a [[wheelbarrow]] filled with eight young [[orangutan]]s and another baby orangutan swinging from a pipe. It was painted by [[Ernest Zacharevic]] along Power Street in the city on 27 April 2014. This latest mural is painted in Zacharevic's usual interactive style, with an actual wheelbarrow sliced into half and secured to the wall to enable the public to take selfies while holding onto the handle. On the other hand, the baby orangutan was painted over a nail on the wall, where people can 'place' items in its hand.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2014/04/29/zacharevic-moves-on-to-five-more-masterpieces-on-kuching-walls/ |title=Zacharevic moves on to five more masterpieces on Kuching walls |newspaper=The Borneo Post |date=29 April 2014 |access-date=4 August 2015}}</ref>

====Sport====
[[File:Stadion MBKS 2024 03.jpg|thumb|MBKS Stadium in Bintawa.]]
In [[Association football|football]], Kuching is represented by [[Kuching City F.C.]], who plays at [[Sarawak State Stadium]] and [[Sarawak United F.C.]], who plays at [[Sarawak Stadium]].

====Shopping====
[[File:Medan Niaga Satok.jpg|thumb|Medan Niaga Satok.]]
{{See also|List of shopping malls in Malaysia}}
Kuching features a number of shopping malls. These include VivaCity Megamall, Aeon Mall Kuching Central, The Spring, Plaza Merdeka, Farley Mall, CityONE Megamall, Kuching Sentral, Emart Lee Ling, Emart Batu Kawa, Emart Tabuan Jaya, Eco Mall, MetroMall, Aeroville Mall, Eastern Mall, Matang Mall, Sarawak Plaza, Riverside Shopping Complex, Majma' Mall, Moyan Square, Genesis Parade, Green Heights Mall, Wisma Saberkas, and many more.<ref name="Group2008"/> More shopping malls are set to open in the city as construction continues.<ref name="Group2008"/> The Satok Weekend Market is located at Medan Niaga Satok and operated in Saturdays and Sundays. A varieties of vegetables and fruits can be found there including other handicrafts, forest produce (such as wild honey), orchid plants, and a whole range of local snacks and delicacies.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sarawaktourism.com/attraction/satok-weekend-market/ |title=Satok Weekend Market |publisher=Sarawak Tourism |access-date=7 March 2017 |archive-date=21 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021070652/https://sarawaktourism.com/attraction/satok-weekend-market/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

====Entertainment====
[[File:The National geographic magazine (Page 165) BHL40563162.jpg|thumb|A puppet show in Kuching, {{circa|1919}}.]]
There are five cinemas located around the city, most of them located inside shopping mall buildings (The Spring, CityONE, VivaCity, Riverside, Summer Mall). Most of the cinemas are owned by either [[Golden Screen Cinemas]], [[MBO Cinemas]], [[TGV Cinemas]] and mmCineplexes.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thesundaily.my/news/782646 |title=TGV to open first cinema in Sarawak next year |newspaper=[[The Sun (Malaysia)|The Sun]] |date=28 July 2013 |access-date=21 December 2015 |archive-date=15 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180915192315/http://www.thesundaily.my/news/782646 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Bookaroo, a children's literature festival, has been travelling from India to Kuching every year since 2016 and takes place in April to feature the Bookaroo Kuching Fest. The festival invites authors, illustrators, storytellers, and performers from all over the world, urging children to bring books with them.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bookaroo.in/city-homepage/kuching-2016/ |title=Bookaroo Festival Kuching 2016 |publisher=Bookaroo |access-date=21 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170421040200/http://www.bookaroo.in/city-homepage/kuching-2016/ |archive-date=21 April 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bookaroo.in/year/ |title=Bookaroo Festival Kuching 2017 |publisher=Bookaroo |access-date=21 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170421040339/http://www.bookaroo.in/year/ |archive-date=21 April 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Music===
Since 1997, Kuching has been host to the [[Rainforest World Music Festival]] (RWMF), an annual music festival which brings performers and spectators to the region from all over the world. Hosted by the Sarawak Cultural Village near the Mount Santubong, the festival is now one of the largest musical events in Malaysia.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://goasia.about.com/od/Events-and-Holidays/a/Rainforest-World-Music-Festival.htm |title=Rainforest World Music Festival - Tips for enjoying the RWMF near Kuching in Sarawak, Borneo |publisher=goasia.about.com |access-date=28 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140710104118/http://goasia.about.com/od/Events-and-Holidays/a/Rainforest-World-Music-Festival.htm |archive-date=10 July 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fest300.com/festivals/rainforest-world-music-festival |title=Rainforest World Music Festival - Join tens of thousands of melody-makers and party-goers in the Malaysian jungle for a three day-long celebration of diverse musical styles from around the globe. |publisher=fest300.com |access-date=28 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024184440/https://www.fest300.com/festivals/rainforest-world-music-festival |archive-date=24 October 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.asiarooms.com/en/community/festivals-and-events/music-festivals-asia/ |title=7 Biggest Music Festivals in Asia for 2014 |publisher=asiarooms.com |access-date=28 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140828162028/http://www.asiarooms.com/en/community/festivals-and-events/music-festivals-asia/ |archive-date=28 August 2014 |url-status=usurped}}</ref> RWMF had been voted as Top 25 Best International Festivals by the British-based magazine [[Songlines (magazine)|Songlines]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thestar.com.my/story/?sec=sarawak&file=%2f2011%2f4%2f8%2fsarawak%2f8437342 |title=RWMF among 25 top festivals |work=The Star |date=8 April 2011 |access-date=28 January 2015 |archive-date=11 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150211155938/http://www.thestar.com.my/story/?sec=sarawak&file=%2f2011%2f4%2f8%2fsarawak%2f8437342 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Radio stations===
[[Music radio|Music radio station]] set up in [[Sarawak]] is [[Radio Klasik FM]] (87.6), [[Nasional FM]] (88.1), [[Sarawak FM]] (88.9), [[TraXX FM]] (89.9), [[Ai FM]] (90.7), [[Cats FM]] (99.3), [[Hot FM (Malaysia)|Hot FM]] (94.3), [[Hitz (radio station)|Hitz]] (95.3), [[Era (radio station)|Era]] (96.1), [[My (radio station)|My]] (96.9), [[Mix (Malaysian radio station)|Mix]] (97.7), [[One FM]] (98.3), [[Lite (radio station)|Lite Sarawak]] (100.1), [[Bernama Radio]] (100.9), [[Sinar (radio station)|Sinar]] (102.1) and [[Melody (radio station)|Melody]] (103.7).