This Spectacular RM323 Million Museum Is The Newest Landmark In Kuching, Sarawak

The next time you’re in Kuching, don’t just chow down endless bowls of Sarawak laksa, but take the time to soak up some culture too.

The Borneo Cultures Museum which opened its doors on 9 March 2022, is located in a building spanning a whopping 30,000 square metres and boasts 6,726 sq. m of exhibition of space.

Malaysia can now proudly say that we own the second largest museum in Southeast Asia, which of course also makes it the largest in the country. Who says only Europe has fantastic museums? Malaysia Boleh!

The exterior of the cultural museum itself is stunning with a distinctive architectural design, and is worth a visit even after hours at night. Spread over five floors, visitors can learn about Sarawak’s rich culture and history through 1,000 artefacts. Sounds way more interesting than poring over boring ‘sejarah’ textbooks in secondary school to us!

The museum isn’t like dusty buildings of old that we know as it even incorporates audio-visual technology and augmented reality to give visitors a highly immersive and interactive experience. It includes a children’s gallery and an arts & crafts gallery. By incorporating green building design elements, it is the first museum in Malaysia to be certified as a Green Building under the Green Building Index (GBI).

Levels three to five features permanent exhibitions with various themes such as ‘In Harmony With Nature’, ‘Time Changes’, and ‘Objects of Desire’ showcasing the relationship of the communities with the environment, artefacts allegedly having designs with divine powers and more.

You will be wishing the museums you visited during your ‘lawatan sambil belajar’ back in the day were this cool.

Their facilities also include function rooms, auditorium spaces, restaurant, canteen, and a souvenir shop. The disabled can also enjoy the museum as there are ramps and tactile maps integrated into the building.

Visitors, do make sure to fill in this form before you visit as there is a daily limit.

Address: Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg, 93400 Kuching, Sarawak

Opening Hours: 9.00am – 4.45pm Weekdays | 9.00am to 4.30pm Weekends

Entrance fee: Free entry until further notice

Image credit: @ wan_adruce, @ shahransuuit, @ snnngorious, @contemporaryairbnb, @ vnialatif, https://museum.sarawak.gov.my/, @super_bryanxx, @ _domter11, @ siva_wwc