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Guide to Kuching, Malaysia
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Click to go to Flight Prices for Kuching
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KuchingKuching
Kuching, Malaysia, is a city-town positioned closely to the Indonesian border playing an integral role as an entry point for travel between the nation's eastern, semi-autonomous peninsula and it's own homeland. Host to millions of visitors each year, Kuching has been unofficially delegated as one of the country's premier coastal visitor centers, a default result of its location. If you've come to Kuching for its own attractions, or by circumstances somewhat or entirely out of your control (be it a flight connection or a stop in port), there are distractions aplenty within and without the city's limits which often guide temporary visitors to make the decision to stay longer than planned. This is no surprise, when some time in Bako National Park is all one needs to solidify that "rescheduling" thought. A coffee or tea break along the Main Bazaar is always a great option while whittling away those midday hours amongst dozens of outdoor merchants, grouped to provide easy access to/from the markets and the waterfront. The most popular shopping center of all, Wot Market, is located closely to the city's main transit depot, Sarawak Station. Nearly everything within Kuching is held within relative walking distance, and because the streets are easily navigable, you can tour the city's most important sights in just a few hours. Kuching's main mosque is in the city's northwestern quarter.
When to go:
Tropical is the key word when discussing the climate of the South China Sea region. Malaysia situated in the west-central portion of this area, one of the foremost candidates for yearlong balmy weather. Kuching, the southernmost popular city in nation, undoubtedly experiences the warmest seasons, though differentiating between, say, the nation's capital and itself, proves, on average, to be unnecessary. Now for the handy knowledge. The city rarely sees fluctuations throughout its 12-month calendar exceeding the 25-30C bracket, assuring locals and visitors alike one of the most consistently temperate climates in the hemisphere. Rain is seen more often at the start and end of the year (February, October), and though Kuching's region is shielded from the majority of immense storm systems found brewing in the South China Sea, it's good to keep an eye out for any unfamiliar signs heading Kuching's way.
Getting there and around:Kuching Airport, intentionally kept at a good distance from the city's center, is located in its southernmost sector, and though the primary reason for its placement can be deduced to have been the idea of safety-minded individuals to keep the Kuching's highly valuable terminal from inclement coastal conditions, it's still somewhat of a nuisance to get to, especially in heavy traffic. If it's too far to walk there, hire a taxi. Follow this rule and you'll rarely come across any trouble. City dwellers are friendly and more than willing to point out cab stops, and sharing (dividing fare costs with other riders) is also a practice in Kuching.
Attractions:
Known just as well for its cultural and academic affiliations as its proximity to an abundant natural habitat, Kuching is home to, almost literally, back-to-back libraries (DBKU and State run); fantastic museums, including a well-stocked Sarawak Museum (it's new wing is separate from the main building, accessible by crossing Tun Abang Haji Openg Road); a Civic Center, both Roman and Anglican Cathedrals, and a Hindu Temple in its eastern quadrant.
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