Kuching - City of Malaysia

Kuching is the capital of the East Malaysian state of Sarawak. Being the most populous city in the state of Sarawak, Kuching emerged as one of the most vibrant cities in the region and it is the largest city on the island of Borneo and the fourth largest city in Malaysia.Kuching was elevated to city status on 1 August 1988 and carries the nick name of Cat City.

Sarawak was a part of the Sultanate of Brunei 200 years ago but as a reward for help in putting down a rebellion, it was ceded to the British adventurer James Brooke who ruled it as his personal kingdom. Kuching was made his capital and headquarters. The Brooke Administration was given the status of Protectorate under Rajah Charles Brooke's rule and was placed behind the Indian Rajs and Princes. The Brooke family ruled Sarawak until the Japanese occupation in December 1941.

Kuching was surrendered to the Japanese forces on 24 December 1941, and Sarawak was part of the Japanese Imperial Empire for three years and eight months, until the official Japanese surrender on 11 September 1945 on board HMAS Kapunda at Kuching. From March 1942 the Japanese operated a POW and civilian internee camp at Batu Lintang, three miles outside Kuching.

After the end of World War II the third and last Raja, Sir Charles Vyner Brooke ceded Sarawak to the British Crown in 1946. Sarawak and the British Commonwealth fought an "Undeclared War" with Indonesia to keep Sarawak from being absorbed into Sukarno's Indonesia. The British gave Sarawak independence in 1963 and together with North Borneo, Sabah and Singapore, helped form Malaysia on 16 September 1963. Singapore became an independent nation in 1965.

Within the city area, there are several museums such as the Sarawak Museum, Chinese Museum and the Kuching Cat Museum, which attract tourists who visit Kuching. Interesting landmarks and sites include the Astana , Fort Margherita, the Tua Pek Kong temple and the Main Bazaar. The Kuching waterfront, which is a riverside esplanade, is situated right next to the main hotels and commercial heartland of the city. Located opposite the waterfront are old shops selling antique items and craft.

Some other interesting areas near the centre of town include Padungan Street, which is the main Chinatown area of the city. Shops here appear unchanged from 20 years ago. Meanwhile, Carpenter Street and India Street contain rows of traditional shop houses. The old Courthouse building, which forms the link between Carpenter Street and India Street, has been restored and modernised. There are also several city parks around Kuching.

Numerous natural attractions including the National Parks and the Semenggoh Wildlife Center which places an orang utan orphanage and rehabilitation program are also popular attractions near Kuching.

Kuching is also noted for its beautiful sunsets, often complimented by tourists as "one of the most beautiful in the world".

Since 1997, Kuching has been host to the Rainforest World Music Festival, an annual music festival which brings performers and spectators to the region from all over the world.