Experience Kuching After Sundown
The allure of Sarawak’s capital city Kuching can be experienced not only at daytime but also after sundown. With bistros, cafés, restaurants, and many more hangout places popping up of late, this East Malaysian city has plenty to offer if you’re up for a little night out. Here is a list of places to enjoy nightlife whenever you’re in the city of Kuching:
1. Stroll by The Waterfront
Your tour to Kuching will remain incomplete if you do not swing by The Waterfront. Offering a beautiful view of the north bank of Sarawak River, this 900-metre long esplanade comes to life during the night hours with bright and colourful lights making for a splendid scenery. The Darul Hana musical fountain transforms this place into a vibrant place in which to spend a lovely evening. You can also drop by the treasured historical buildings located near the waterfront.
2. Visit Chinatown
To get a Chinese vibe in Kuching, drop by to see its bustling Chinatown. This main bazaar in Chinatown is replete with inviting coffee houses and antiques and handicraft shops. Indulge in these stores – Arts of Asia, Atelier Gallery, Sarawak House, Rainforest, Nelson’s Gallery, and Native Arts and take back some unique souvenirs for your family and friends. The Chinatown area of Kuching houses some of the best bars and pubs in Kuching, making it a must-visit spot to enjoy the nightlife.
3.Go Frog Hunting in Kubah National Park
Venture out to Kubah National Park, which boasts an extensive biodiversity with a wide range of flora and fauna that includes hundreds of palm trees, innumerable bird species, and amphibians. Visitors can catch a glimpse of some 60 species of Bornean frogs that come in all colour and sizes at the frog pond and jungle streams in this national park. This cool tropical forest also offers a sight of freshwater crabs, shrimps, forest catfishes, and pitcher plants.
Photo credit: Lepau Restaurant Facebook
4. Eat Sarawakian Food at Lepau Restaurant
Endowed with Kayan crafts and bamboo, Lepau Restaurant is the best place to savour some traditional Sarawakian grub. Wrapping both culture and cuisine together, this eatery reasonably priced all its food items. It’s an awesome place to end your day after all your sightseeing and strolling. Red rice wrapped in banana leaves, pansuh manok, and stir-fried pounded tapioca leaves are among the must-try items.
Photo credit: Santy Tan Facebook
5. Siniawan Night Market
Lined with wooden townhouses aged over 100 years old, along with Chinese lanterns for an amazing scenery after sundown, the Siniawan night market is an ideal place to try traditional Chinese, Malay, and Dayak food, and purchase souvenirs as well as other interesting stuff. Head out for this night market in the afternoons so that you get an opportunity to enjoy the shimmering lights and lanterns in the night that give one brief insight into the olden days of Siniawan. Popular food to try at this market include Lemang Periuk Kera or Pitcher plant rice, Lui Teh, and Ngo Hiang.