ON any given afternoon along Kuching’s waterfront, you will hear a symphony of accents from around the world. Cat City is no longer Southeast Asia’s best-kept secret.
While Bali drowns in overtourism and Bangkok’s streets overflow with selfie sticks, Kuching has emerged as the region’s refreshing alternative.
Visitors arrive seeking orangutans and leave enchanted by something harder to define – the unhurried pace, the genuine warmth, the way modernity and tradition share space without tension.
The timing could not be better. Malaysia has launched its ambitious Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign, aiming to welcome 43 million tourists nationwide. The country had already recorded more than 38 million foreign visitors as of Nov 2025.
Sarawak is pulling out all the stops, with celebrations held across five land entry points and four airports statewide. The state remains fully committed to supporting the national tourism agenda, having welcomed 4.42 million visitors as of Nov 2025.
But what exactly puts this Bornean capital on travellers’ radars? How do they spend their days, and does the reality match the promise?
Sarawak Tribune visited popular tourist spots around Kuching to find out. The answers reveal a city winning hearts not despite its understated charm, but because of it.
For Yamamoto Kana, 26, an office worker, Kuching is more than a destination – it’s a place that feels like home.
The Tokyo office worker first visited in 2023 during an attachment with a local school. The experience left such an impression that she returned with an entire month of accumulated leave.
“I discovered the beauty of Sarawak not only from the places but from the friendliness of the people,” she said.
“They welcomed me warmly, and I grew accustomed to their culture. That’s why I decided to come back.”
The contrast with Tokyo is striking. Where her home city pulses with crowds and concrete, Kuching offers breathing room.
“There are more greens in the city itself, and that makes me feel much calmer than being surrounded by buildings and skyscrapers,” she explained.
“There are also fewer people when I go sightseeing during weekdays. I feel like I can breathe better.”
At the Borneo Cultures Museum, where Sarawak Tribune met her, she was captivated by the depth of Sarawak’s history.
“There are so many stories behind what I see every day, and I’m amazed by how large this museum is. I learned so much in one day,” she said.
The culinary journey has not been disappointing either. From roti canai to laksa Sarawak, she’s embracing the diverse food scene.
“I really enjoyed the nasi ayam, the laksa Sarawak and many others,” she said with a laugh. “I will need to watch my diet when I get back to Tokyo.”
Her month-long stay includes plans to explore beyond Kuching, seeking out more of what first drew her back: the people, the pace, and the unexpected peace of Sarawak.
Not all visitors arrive well-informed. Sugimura Kenta, 26, a salesman, came to Kuching for business with barely any knowledge of where he was heading.
“I have heard of Malaysia and Dr Mahathir (former prime minister), but the other side of Malaysia? Not so much,” he admitted. “To be completely honest, I had little knowledge about Sarawak.”
What started as a work trip turned into an impromptu New Year’s exploration. After hearing about the waterfront celebrations, Sugimura extended his stay through the weekend to experience the city first-hand.
His crash course in tropical weather came quickly.
“I was enjoying my time walking around the waterfront when it suddenly started raining,” he recalled. “The weather forecast said nothing about rain. I guess living in a tropical climate can be full of surprises.”
The unpredictable weather aside, it was the people who have made the strongest impression.
“Everyone here is so friendly with tourists. They always help and suggest where to go,” he said. “I have made new friends in Sarawak.”
The food, however, has been both an adventure and a challenge. As someone who struggles with spicy dishes, he’s discovered that Sarawakian cuisine does not hold back on the heat.
“Every dish has some sort of spice in it, and my palate cannot take it very well,” he said. “But I still enjoy trying new things like laksa Sarawak. It is something I have never had before.”
Limited to the waterfront area due to transportation constraints, Sugimura has made the most of his immediate surroundings – strolling by the Sarawak River, crossing the Darul Hana Bridge, and capturing the scenery through his camera lens.
“One day, I might come back with my friends and explore other places like the Sarawak Cultural Village or Bako National Park,” he said.
For someone who arrived knowing almost nothing about Sarawak, he is leaving with plans to return.
