Borneo Cultures Museum
Sarawak's heritage told through distinctive architecture and exhibitions on local communities, nature, history and material culture.
About Kuching
About Kuching
The capital of Sarawak, on the banks of the Sarawak River in Borneo, and host city of the 22nd ICOMOS General Assembly and Scientific Symposium 2026.
The city
A riverside city shaped by many cultures
Known for its relaxed character, cultural diversity and close relationship with the surrounding natural environment, Kuching provides a distinctive setting for ICOMOS GA2026.
The city reflects the cultural diversity of Sarawak, home to communities including the Iban, Bidayuh, Malay, Chinese, Orang Ulu and many others. Their traditions, languages, crafts, architecture, music and food contribute to the living heritage that gives Kuching its identity.
At the heart of the city is the Kuching Waterfront, stretching along the Sarawak River and connecting historic areas with contemporary landmarks. Nearby, the Main Bazaar, Carpenter Street, traditional shophouses, temples, mosques and historic buildings tell the story of Kuching's growth as a trading settlement and administrative centre.
Arriving & getting around
From the airport into the city
Kuching International Airport (KCH) is the main gateway, about 10–12 km from the city centre. Depending on traffic and where you are staying, the journey takes around 20–30 minutes by taxi or e-hailing.
Getting around with Grab
Grab is the easiest way to travel around Kuching: for airport transfers and for trips between hotels, the conference venue, restaurants and places of interest. It works like other ride-hailing apps, with the estimated fare and driver's details shown in the app.
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Before you travelDownload the Grab app and set up your account before arriving in Malaysia.
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At the airportFollow the airport signage, or the directions in the app, to the designated e-hailing pick-up point.
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Before you get inCheck the vehicle registration number and driver's details in the app.
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Food deliveryThe same app lets you order from restaurants and cafés.
Whichever way you travel from the airport, keep your hotel's name and address to hand.
Around Kuching
Where the Kuching adventure begins
Museums, living cultural traditions, rainforest encounters and marine conservation, all within reach of the city.
Sarawak Cultural Village
A living museum of the state's communities, with traditional houses, cultural performances and local cuisine.
Talang Satang National Park
Sarawak's first marine protected area, gazetted in 1999 for marine turtle conservation, covering the waters around four islands off the coast.
Semenggoh Nature Reserve
Established in 1975, an orangutan rehabilitation centre and home to semi-wild orangutans among a wide variety of flora and fauna.
Annah Rais Longhouse Homestay
About 60 km from the city, through rainforest and the Padawan range. The longhouse has more than 80 doors, or families, and parts still use traditional ironwood and mature bamboo construction.
Beyond Kuching
Where the adventure continues
Kuching is a gateway to Sarawak's national parks, highlands, caves and rainforests, including two UNESCO World Heritage properties.
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Gunung Mulu
Sarawak's largest national park, renowned for limestone cave systems including the Sarawak Chamber, Deer Cave and Clearwater Cave, with a bat observatory, rainforest canopy skywalk and trails through dramatic terrain.
UNESCO World Heritage -
Niah National Park
Around 100 km south of Miri, an extensive cave network with cave paintings and ancient wooden coffins. The caves are associated with some of the oldest human remains found in Asia, dating back about 40,000 years.
UNESCO World Heritage -
Bario Highland
Homeland of the Kelabit community in the heart of Borneo, known for traditional longhouses set in highland landscapes about 1,200 metres above sea level, near Pulong Tau National Park.
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Batang Ai National Park
Part of a major trans-national rainforest conservation area shared with protected landscapes in Malaysia and Indonesia, supporting one of the important Bornean orangutan populations.
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Gunung Gading National Park
Near Lundu, with rainforest trails and the chance to see the Rafflesia, the world's largest flower, in bloom. The mountains form a backdrop to Lundu and the beaches of Pandan and Siar.