St Joseph’s Cathedral is easy to miss if you only judge it from the road. I would put it into a slow old-town walk: the tent-like 1969 building, coloured glass and a living parish make it more interesting than a quick exterior photo suggests. The present cathedral replaced the earlier Gothic church. That contrast is the useful part of the visit: the site carries Kuching’s Catholic history, while the current building chooses a bold modern form rather than trying to imitate a European cathedral. [image: 1781921130365-st_joseph_1-resized.jpg] Source: St Joseph’s Cathedral Kuching Inside, the stained-glass windows are the detail I would prioritise. They bring colour into a large, restrained interior, but this remains an active place of worship, not a museum arranged for visitors. Go quietly, avoid photographing people during services, and accept that access may be limited when Mass or parish activities are underway. [image: 1781921135527-st_joseph_2.jpg] Source: Wikimedia Commons Who should add it? Architecture fans, visitors interested in Kuching’s religious history and anyone wanting a calm pause between the Waterfront and Padungan will get the most from it. Families can manage a short stop, but I would not promise children an attraction with lots of exhibits. [image: 1781921136163-st_joseph_3.jpg] Source: The Borneo Architecture Journal My route would be Main Bazaar or the Waterfront → St Joseph’s Cathedral → Padungan, with Carpenter Street and nearby food stops fitted around the church schedule. From the central area, walking is practical; e-hailing is easier with elders or in heavy rain. Parking is limited and can be affected by services, so do not treat the church compound as guaranteed tourist parking. [image: 1787702709059-st_joseph_cathedral_kuching.jpg] Source: Wikimedia Commons Practical check before you go Time: Allow 20–40 minutes for a respectful visit; longer only if you are attending a service. Entry: No general tourist ticket is listed; worship access is not the same as unrestricted sightseeing. Opening information: The parish website is active and currently lists cathedral events, including a September 2026 ordination. Check its Mass and parish notices on the day because service times and access can change. Status check — 2026-08-26: The official parish site and current Google Maps listing indicate an active cathedral; I found no reliable closure, relocation or renovation notice. Tripadvisor reviews remain an independent visitor signal, but neither reviews nor this post should replace the parish’s same-day notice. My verdict: worth a thoughtful 20-minute detour, especially as part of the old-town–Padungan route. Come for the architecture and atmosphere, but behave like a guest in a working church rather than a customer at a sightseeing venue.

You know that UFO-looking building in Kuching? 🛸 Yes, the Kuching Civic Centre (Dewan Suarah Kuching) on Jalan Taman Budaya. I'll be honest — every time I drive past, I can't help but look up at that umbrella-shaped observation tower. As a kid, it felt straight out of a sci-fi movie. [image: 1781834773579-civic1-resized.jpg] Source: Wikipedia From Landmark to "White Elephant" The Civic Centre officially opened on 1 August 1988, right after Kuching was granted city status. Its 74-metre observation tower offers a 360-degree panoramic view — on a clear day, you can see Mount Serapi, Mount Santubong, and even the mountains of Kalimantan. Unfortunately… the tower has been closed to the public for over a decade. There used to be a restaurant and pub at the top — weekend nights with a drink and city views was a whole vibe. Now? All shut down. [image: 1781834782157-civic2.jpg] Source: TripAdvisor What's Still Open? Things that are still running: Planetarium Sultan Iskandar PetroSains Playmart (great for kids) The carpark was converted into a skate park — quite popular with the youngsters The rest? Mostly closed. The Borneo Post has reported on this several times, and even the Tourist Guides Association called for the tower's restoration back in 2025. [image: 1781834782383-civic3.jpg] Source: KuchingBorneo What People Are Saying "Actually Civic centre is a very nice place. But now neglected didn't do much improvement or maintenance." — TripAdvisor user "During its glory days there was a restaurant on top. Nice structure but it's a pity that it's not well maintained." — Google review "The surrounding park is worth to go for a walk if you're in the area." — Another visitor Overall rating on TripAdvisor is just 2.8/5 — not because it's ugly, but because it's been neglected for years. The good news though: the government has a refurbishment plan underway in 2025-2026. The roof has been spotted undergoing renovation! [image: 1781834782621-civic4.jpg] Source: Borneo Post Practical Info Address: Jalan Taman Budaya, Kuching Opening: Outdoor area is freely accessible Planetarium / PetroSains have their own hours (check ahead) Observation tower: CLOSED (waiting for renovation) Getting there: ~20 min walk from city centre, or a quick Grab ride Nearby: Walking distance to Sarawak Museum & Waterfront Anyone here old enough to remember the restaurant at the top? What was it like? Drop your memories below!

If you've only been to Bako and skipped Kubah, you're missing out on something special. Kubah National Park is just 20km from Kuching city — about a 40-minute drive. But the vibe here is completely different from Bako. While Bako is all about coastal sandstone formations, Kubah is deep, wet, dense jungle that barely lets light through the canopy. I went there once around 7am, and the morning mist was still hanging in the air. The whole forest felt like a steam room. As I made my way to the Waterfall Trail, the first rays of sunlight broke through — honestly one of those moments where words don't do it justice. [image: 1779933787452-kubah_waterfall-resized.jpg] Source: Kelvin Toh / Wikimedia Commons What makes Kubah special? Palm trees. This park has one of the highest palm diversity in the world — 98 different species across 2,230 hectares. It was gazetted as a national park in 1989 mainly because of its palm richness. And the frogs here are something else. The Bornean narrow-mouthed frog is only found around Kubah. What people are saying: "Waterfall trail is pretty easy and the waterfall itself is gorgeous. Saw wild boars and a monitor lizard." — Muhammad A., Google Maps "You can easily spend 3-4 hours here on different trails. The palm collection is insane." — Sarah L., TripAdvisor "Best to come early, before 8am. Do Waterfall Trail first then Summit Trail, finish by noon. Bring enough water, there's nowhere to buy on the mountain." — Ah Hau, FB Kuching Hiking Group [image: 1779933795933-kubah_canopy-resized.jpg] Source: Angeline Ting / Wikimedia Commons The Trails: There are 7 colour-coded trails ranging from 255m (Palmetum) to 5km (Summit Trail). My pick: Waterfall Trail — moderate difficulty, about 1 hour to the waterfall. If the weather's good, continue on the Summit Trail up to Gunung Serapi viewpoint at 800m. Trails are well-maintained but can get slippery after rain. Definitely wear hiking shoes. [image: 1779933797308-kubah_trail2-resized.jpg] Source: Angeline Ting / Wikimedia Commons Wildlife spotting: Besides palms and frogs, keep an eye out for bearded pigs, hornbills, squirrels, and mouse deer. I was lucky enough to spot a large hornbill flying overhead. Right next door is Matang Wildlife Centre, which runs a orangutan rehabilitation program. [image: 1779933798775-kubah_trail3-resized.jpg] Source: Angeline Ting / Wikimedia Commons Practical Info: Location: Kubah National Park, Matang, Sarawak Open: 8:00AM - 5:00PM daily Entry: RM10 (Malaysian adult) / RM5 (child) Foreign tourists: RM20 Accommodation: Forest lodge available, book in advance Bring: Water (at least 1.5L), insect repellent, sunscreen, raincoat (weather is unpredictable) [image: 1779933800260-kubah_trail5-resized.jpg] Source: Angeline Ting / Wikimedia Commons Overall, Kubah is perfect for a half-day trip. Not too exhausting, plenty of trail options, and close to the city. If you love nature but don't want the scorching sun you'd get at Bako, this is your spot. Been to Kubah? Which trail is your favourite? Drop a comment below! [image: 1779933801221-kubah_hiking.jpg] Source: Ayu Farhana / Wikimedia Commons

If I have one full day from Kuching for wildlife, I would start before the city gets hot and aim for Bako’s Kampung Bako jetty—not because the park is the easiest box to tick, but because the short boat ride is part of the arrival. The skyline gives way to mangrove, sandstone and a coastline that feels much farther away than the drive suggests. [image: 1779770950255-bako_rock.jpg] 来源：Borneo mobilegrapher / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA The park suits travellers who enjoy choosing a trail, watching for movement and accepting that wildlife follows its own timetable. Proboscis monkeys, macaques, monitor lizards and wild boar are possibilities, not a guaranteed show. That is the honest trade: you get a compact taste of rainforest, beach, cliff, mangrove and kerangas landscapes, but anyone expecting a smooth, air-conditioned attraction may find the heat, insects, uneven paths and boat timing a lot. [image: 1779770950586-bako_panorama.jpg] 来源：Borneo mobilegrapher / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA From central Kuching, allow roughly an hour by road to Kampung Bako, then around 20 minutes by boat, with weather and sea conditions able to stretch the schedule. I would keep the day flexible: take an easier walk around the headquarters and coast if travelling with children or older family members, or reserve several hours for a longer trail only when everyone is comfortable with heat and mud. The boat back is the part not to gamble with, so ask the operator for the day’s last return and leave a generous buffer. [image: 1779770951024-bako_trail.jpg] 来源：Orizan / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY The park and jetty arrangement, trail access, conservation rules, fees and boat charges can change with weather, maintenance or management updates. Published figures are often quoted around RM10/RM5 for Malaysian adults/children and RM20/RM7 for foreign adults/children, before transport and boat costs; treat those as a planning guide, not a promise. Bring water, sun protection, mosquito repellent and sealed food—macaques are a good reason not to leave snacks loose. Check the Sarawak Forestry Corporation notice and the day’s jetty update before leaving, especially after heavy rain or if a trail is under repair. [image: 1779770951430-bako_mangrove.jpg] 来源：Wikimedia Commons I would give Bako a full day, not squeeze it between two city attractions. It is worth the boat and the early start for travellers who want a real outdoor day near Kuching; it will disappoint anyone who needs guaranteed animal sightings or a polished resort-style walk. Pack light, keep your eyes on the trees, and let the return boat set the pace.