If you like quiet little stops where you can slow down and actually look at details, the Textile Museum is one to keep on your old-town list. Quick heads-up first: as of 19 July 2026, the Sarawak Museum Department website says the museum is temporarily closed for maintenance, so treat this as a save-for-later spot until it reopens.
[image: 1784427122557-education_department_-_sarawak_pavilion_01.jpg]
Source: Wikimedia Commons / Yeojiuntzen
[image: 1784427122699-education_department_-_sarawak_pavilion_02.jpg]
Source: Wikimedia Commons / Yeojiuntzen
[image: 1784427122771-wanderlog_textile_01.jpg]
Source: Wanderlog
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Source: Wanderlog
What makes this place interesting is not that it is huge. It is more of a close-up look at Sarawak textiles, clothing and craft. The official museum page mentions Pua Kumbu from the Iban community, Kain Songket Melayu Sarawak, and displays that follow the process from yarn to finished cloth. If you usually only see the finished pieces around Main Bazaar, this museum helps the patterns and workmanship make more sense.
I checked a few visitor sources and the mood is pretty consistent. On TripAdvisor, visitors liked the three floors of textile and history displays, and several mentioned that it is easy to include because it sits around the waterfront district. Trip.com reviewers describe it as a small, easy-to-find white building, free to visit, and good for a simple introduction to local customs and older fabric-making techniques. Wanderlog’s Google review summaries lean the same way: people like it as a free heritage stop, with the building itself getting a lot of love. Asian Itinerary also points out that the 1907 Pavilion Building is part of the attraction, not just the exhibits inside.
My take: do not plan this as a half-day museum mission. It works better as a 45-minute to 1-hour stop on an old-town walk. Pair it with Padang Merdeka, the Old Courthouse area, Waterfront, or a coffee break around Carpenter Street and it feels just right.
Useful info:
Address: Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg / 5, Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg, 93000 Kuching, Sarawak
️ Entry: older visitor sources list it as free; check again after reopening
Status: official page shows temporary closure for maintenance as of 19 July 2026
Time needed: around 45 minutes to 1 hour once reopened
Tip: the exterior is still worth a look if you are nearby, but check the official page or call first before planning an indoor visit
Anyone here visited before the closure? I am especially curious about the Pua Kumbu section. Those patterns never feel like “just decoration” once you start looking properly.
