Did you know Kuching means "cat" in Malay?
And true to its name, Kuching is home to the world's FIRST Cat Museum - yes, THE first one! It's tucked away inside the DBKU building (Kuching North City Hall).
I went there thinking it'd be just a small room... boy was I wrong. The entire floor is ALL about cats!
Here's what you'll find inside
[image: 1780884416332-kuching_cat_museum_entrance.jpg]
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Over 2,000 Cat Artifacts!
From actual cat mummies (yes, really), ancient Egyptian Bastet statues, to cat-themed stamps, artworks, comics, and cartoons - this place is basically a museum of cat history.
There's a whole gallery dedicated to Borneo's wild cats, plus exhibits about how different cultures around the world view cats.
[image: 1780884416567-interior_view_of_kuching_cat_museum.jpg]
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Google Rating: 4.0 Here's what visitors say:
"Best part? It's FREE! Not boring at all" - Google Review
"Thought I'd finish in 30 mins, stayed 2 hours - so much to see" - Google Review
"Great for kids, interesting cat displays, adults will enjoy it too" - TripAdvisor
"If you love cats, this is a must-visit in Kuching" - Google Review
Some folks mention the exhibits look a bit dated and the lighting could be better in some areas. But for free admission? It's absolutely worth it
[image: 1780884416787-666_-_kuching_cat-museum.jpg]
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Practical Info
Address: DBKU Building, Bukit Siol, Jalan Semariang, Petra Jaya, 93050 Kuching
Hours: 9:00AM - 5:00PM Daily (including Public Holidays)
Admission: FREE!
️ Parking: Free parking at DBKU compound
From City Center: About 15-20 mins drive
[image: 1780884421939-cat_museum_001.jpg]
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Pro Tips
Come in the morning when it's less crowded
Museum is on the 4th floor (take the lift)
Don't miss the giant cat statue outside DBKU - great photo spot
If you're a real cat person, set aside 1-2 hours
[image: 1780884422139-cat_museum_002.jpg]
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Have you been? Is it worth the visit? Drop a comment below