1. Sarawak at the Nexus
  2. Practical Information

Practical Information

Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia

Located on the banks of the Sarawak River on the island of Borneo, Kuching is the capital of the Malaysian state of Sarawak. The city brings together the histories and cultures of Sarawak's diverse communities, including Iban, Bidayuh, Malay, Chinese, and Melanau populations. Its urban landscape combines historic architecture, lively commercial streets, markets, cafés, museums, and contemporary cultural spaces.

At the heart of the city is the Kuching Waterfront, a riverside promenade that traces an area historically associated with Kuching's development as a nineteenth-century trading port. The forum will be held near the waterfront (venue to be announced). Participants can walk along the Sarawak River, explore nearby historic districts, sample local food, and cross the distinctive Darul Hana pedestrian bridge.

Kuching's museums, including the Borneo Cultures Museum, the Sarawak Museum, and the Chinese History Museum, tell the stories of Borneo's peoples, biodiversity, and history. In 2021, Kuching joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network as a City of Gastronomy, recognized for a cuisine rooted in the forests, rivers, and seas of Borneo and shaped by the many communities who have made the city home.

Kuching is also an excellent starting point for discovering the cultural and ecological diversity of Sarawak. The city is a gateway to national parks and other destinations in the surrounding region, including Bako National Park. For participants interested in Southeast Asian history, culture, environment, and society, Kuching offers a chance to experience many of the forum's themes beyond the conference room.

We encourage participants to allow extra time to explore the city, its museums and markets, enjoy Sarawakian food, walk along the waterfront in the evening, and experience the hospitality and cultural diversity that make Kuching such a memorable destination.

Participants should fly to Kuching International Airport (KCH). Kuching is well connected to the rest of Malaysia and has direct international services. Kuala Lumpur (KUL) and Singapore (SIN) are particularly convenient gateways, with frequent onward flights to Kuching.

  • Indonesia: Direct services are currently available from Jakarta and Pontianak, with additional options via Kuala Lumpur or Singapore.
  • Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam: Connections via Kuala Lumpur or Singapore generally provide the most straightforward routing.
  • Philippines: Plan for a connection, with Kuala Lumpur and Singapore providing direct onward services to Kuching.
  • United States and Europe: Most travelers will connect through a major Asian hub. Kuala Lumpur and Singapore both provide frequent direct connections to Kuching.
  • Australia: Connecting through Singapore or Kuala Lumpur provides convenient access to Kuching.

Search for Kuching (KCH) as your final destination, and confirm current airline schedules, connection requirements, and Malaysian entry requirements before booking.

International participants should check Malaysia's visa and entry requirements well before traveling, as requirements depend on nationality, passport type, purpose of travel, and length of stay. The Immigration Department of Malaysia maintains the official list of countries whose citizens require visas.

  • The Immigration Department of Malaysia states that ASEAN nationals do not require a visa for stays of less than one month, with an exception for Myanmar nationals. Many participants traveling on U.S., Australian, UK, Canadian, and European passports can make short visits to Malaysia without obtaining a visa in advance. Because requirements vary by nationality and can change, confirm your status before booking travel. European participants should check the rules for their specific nationality rather than assuming they are the same for all European passports.
  • Check requirements and apply for a visa if needed through the official Malaysia eVisa portal.
  • Passport validity: Your passport should be valid for at least six months from your date of arrival.
  • Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC): Malaysia requires foreign visitors to complete a free online arrival card within the three days before arrival. The MDAC is separate from a visa, so being visa-exempt does not mean you are exempt from the MDAC. Visit the official Immigration Department of Malaysia, since paid look-alike sites exist.
  • Entering Sarawak: Sarawak operates its own immigration control. If you fly into Kuala Lumpur or another city in Peninsular Malaysia and connect to Kuching, you will pass through immigration again on arrival in Kuching and receive a separate entry stamp. Keep your passport handy.
  • Invitation letters: UiTM Sarawak will provide letters of invitation for accepted participants who need one for a visa application. Details on how to request a letter will be sent with acceptance notices.

Important: Visa and immigration regulations can change, and the organizers cannot determine an individual participant's eligibility to enter Malaysia. Before purchasing tickets, please confirm:

  • Whether your nationality requires a visa.
  • The permitted duration and purpose of a visa-free visit.
  • The MDAC requirements that apply to you.
  • Any additional requirements associated with your passport or travel history.
  • Your travel documents meet Malaysia's current entry requirements.

Participants are responsible for meeting all Malaysian immigration and entry requirements that apply to them.

Kuching is a compact city that is easy for visitors to navigate. Kuching International Airport (KCH) is about 8 km (approximately 5 miles) from central Kuching.

  • Airport to hotel: Taxis, e-hailing services such as Grab, and pre-arranged private transfers are convenient ways to travel from the airport to your hotel. A typical taxi fare to central Kuching is approximately RM30-45, depending on your destination, traffic, and the service used.
  • Hotel to venue: Taxis and e-hailing services are convenient for trips between hotels and the venue. Delegates traveling together may wish to share a vehicle.
  • On foot: Central Kuching, particularly the waterfront area, is enjoyable to explore on foot.
  • Farther afield: For attractions outside central Kuching, consider a taxi, private vehicle, or organized excursion, and arrange both outward and return transportation in advance.

Tip: Keep the name and address of your hotel and the conference venue on your phone, and allow extra travel time during busy periods.

August in Kuching is warm, humid, and tropical. Daytime temperatures are generally around 30-33°C (86-91°F), with warm evenings of about 24°C (75°F). Rain showers are common throughout the year, and August receives about 200 mm (8 inches) of rain on average.

We recommend lightweight, breathable clothing, comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, and a small umbrella or light rain jacket. A light sweater or shawl is useful in air-conditioned conference rooms and hotels.

Tip: Keep an umbrella with you when sightseeing. Kuching's weather can change quickly, but rain need not stop you from enjoying the city.

Central Kuching offers hotels for a range of budgets within walking distance of the waterfront. Options include:

August is a busy travel period, so we recommend booking early.

Questions?

Track 2 Organizers
Trude Jacobsen Gidaszewski, Ph.D.
Melissa Lenczewski, Ph.D.
CSEAS_Sarawak2027@niu.edu