Kuching, Malaysia
Kuching Cats
Malaysia’s “Cat City” — where cat monuments, a cat museum, and feline-themed street culture define the town.
Before you go
- The Great Cat of Kuching stands on a busy roundabout — cross carefully for photos.
- The Cat Museum is air-conditioned and a good stop on hot afternoons.
- Cat statues are sometimes dressed in traditional costumes during festivals — worth checking if your visit coincides with a local celebration.
About Kuching Cats
Kuching — the capital of Sarawak on Borneo — is widely known as Malaysia’s “Cat City.” The name is linked to the Malay word *kucing* (cat), and the city embraces that identity with cat statues at roundabouts, the world’s first dedicated Cat Museum, and cat-themed souvenirs across the old town. The main cluster for visitors is around the Kuching Waterfront and Padungan: a cat stone statue, the Great Cat of Kuching at Padungan Roundabout, and walkable lanes such as Carpenter Street. Live street cats appear here and there, but the draw is cat culture and monuments rather than a large colony. The Cat Museum sits on Bukit Siol in Petra Jaya, a short Grab ride north of the waterfront.
How to get to Kuching Cats
Fly into Kuching International Airport (KCH), then continue to the city centre by Grab, taxi, or airport bus (about 20–30 minutes). The waterfront, cat stone statue, and Carpenter Street form a compact walking area. Padungan Roundabout and the Great Cat of Kuching are about a 10–15 minute walk east along Jalan Padungan from the waterfront.
The Kuching Cat Museum is in Petra Jaya (Kuching North City Hall, Bukit Siol) — about 15–20 minutes by Grab from the waterfront. Open daily 9:00–16:30 except public holidays (confirm before visiting). Arrive at least 30 minutes before closing.
- Fly into Kuching International Airport (KCH).
- Continue to the city centre by Grab, taxi, or airport bus.
- Head to the Kuching Waterfront area in the city centre.
- Walk the waterfront and Carpenter Street, then continue east to Padungan Roundabout for the Great Cat of Kuching.
- Take a Grab to the Kuching Cat Museum in Petra Jaya if you want to see the world’s first cat museum.
Location & map
Open in Google MapsKuching Walking Map
This map covers the cat stone statue, Kuching Waterfront, Carpenter Street, the Great Cat of Kuching at Padungan, and the Cat Museum. The waterfront area is walkable; the museum in Petra Jaya is best reached by Grab. Mind traffic at the Padungan roundabout. Locations are approximate.
Kuching Spot Guide
More Cat Art & Culture spots
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George Town Cats (Penang)
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UNESCO old town in Penang where street cats and famous cat murals share the lanes.
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