9 Best Things To Do Alone At Borneo Cultures Museum!
Ever got overwhelmed visiting a museum? There’s just so much to see and do that by the end of your visit, you either ran out of time or didn’t get the chance to see the museum’s highlights.
Bummer, right?
In this article, I’ll share with you the Best Things To Do Alone at the Borneo Cultures Museum, helping you make the best of your solo trip there!
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About Borneo Cultures Museum
Borneo Cultures Museum is the Second-largest museum in South East Asia.
The state-of-the-art museum is easily recognized through its elaborate shiny gold facade that stands majestically on Sarawak Museum Complex, at Padang Merdeka Kuching.
The building is built intentionally. The exterior facade resembles the woven traditional motif of Sarawak State’s songket and rattan mat. The interior panels are made from Eco-friendly wood materials, certified by PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification).
Inside the five-story building is a collection of fascinating historical and cultural artifacts showcased through respective exhibition galleries.
Best 9 Things To Do Alone At Borneo Cultures Museum
While there are so many Things To Do Alone At Borneo Cultures Museum, here are the best nine that would make your visit memorable!
Learn About the Different Indigenous Peoples in Sarawak
One of the Things To Do Alone At Borneo Cultures Museum is to learn about the different Indigenous Peoples there.
The State of Sarawak in Borneo has a diverse fabric of indigenous groups. Statistics have shown that the State has about 26 different ethnic groups. So, to learn about them individually outside this museum would take time!
At Borneo Cultures Museum, the stories and histories of each indigenous Sarawak group take in various forms like important objects, relationships with nature, and one’s way of life.
Some exciting displays are:
1 — The importance of the Songket, Keringkam & Pua Kumbu textiles
To the Sarawak Malays, and Iban native group, these are important fabric that gives identity to them. Learn all about it, how they’re processed and their traditional weaving machines (Level 5)
2 — Why the Melanau thrive on fishing and sago palms
Where? Level 3
3 — Different types & purposes of Fibre-based Sarawak baskets
Some sacred, some vital for livelihoods. Each with its own style and significance to different tribes like the Kelabit and Penan tribes.
Where? Level 5
4 — Smell The Scents of Sarawak natural products
Enjoy The Panoramic View of Kuching City
At Level 5, you will be greeted by a large, panoramic view of Kuching’s Padang Merdeka (Independence Square in literal Malay translation).
Here, you’ll see icons of Kuching City, such as the State Legislative Assembly, the century-old Silk-Cotton tree by the side of the green Padang Merdeka, and the clear blue skies of Kuching.
Have a Crash Course on Sarawak’s History
From the Brunei Sultanate era to the Brooke dynasty, and now, a state in Malaysia, The Gallery in Level 3 lets you see how Sarawak has evolved.
It also showcases the prominent figures that helped Sarawak flourish at different historical timelines.
One thing to listen here is Brooke Centenary Celebrations via the antique-looking wired hearing aid. The recording will transport you back in time!
Watch The Interactive Theater Panels on Puteri Santubong Legend
Each part of the world has its famous folklore. And in Sarawak, that is the legend of Santubong and Sejinjang Princesses!
See this folklore retold in the form of an interactive theatrical panel rendition of traditional puppet-shadow play (Wayang Kulit), on Level 3.
Experience Interactive Beads Following Your Footsteps!
Beads are essential pieces of jewelry that determine the status of one’s tribe in Sarawak.
On Level 4, near the exit, is an interactive room that lets you create your own piece of beaded jewelry via holographic technology!
All you need to do is walk to your bead of choice and let the beads form into a piece of jewelry on the floor!
See Large Heritage Monuments & Artefacts Inside The Museum
The museum is a great place to see significant monuments you would not be able to find elsewhere in Kuching City. Usually, they can only be found deep in the remote parts of the State!
Some of them include the towering, heavily carved Kelirieng tower, the Bidayuh Baruk House on Level 3, and the Iban war boat.
See Thousands Years Old Paintings in Painted Cave Replica!
It is no surprise that people visit Borneo to visit its mesmerizing caves.
But if you don’t have time to visit caves like Mulu, Fairy Caves in Bau, or Niah, you can see a replica of Niah’s significant cave, Painted Cave in Borneo Cultures Museum!
Painted Cave is an archaeologically-significant cave known for its wall paintings that is today restricted to visitors with fences surrounding it. Should you really visit Painted Caves in Niah, it’s also hard for you to see the wall painting from beyond the fence protection unless your eyes are accustomed to the light.
However, in Borneo Cultures Museum, you’ll see these wall paintings via the interactive wall displays, where the paintings will light up upon a touch!
Play A Game on Love Our Rivers & Sign A Pledge At Children’s Gallery!
Don’t be fooled by the name of Children’s Gallery because it is not only meant for Children!
Often, adults would miss out on the opportunity to visit the Children’s Gallery because of the impression it gives that it’s only a place for children.
In Borneo Cultures Museum, the best part of the Children’s Gallery is the Game on Love Our Rivers, where you can rest on a bean bag and learn about the different rivers of the world by moving a console next to the bean bag.
After that, take photos, decorate it, and sign your River pledge!
Bring A Piece of Sarawak Home!
Finally, the final best thing to do alone at Borneo Cultures Museum is to gift yourself a piece of Sarawak from the Arts & Craft shop on the 2nd Floor.
You’ll find books, clothes, postcards, art pieces, handmade soaps, food, and all sorts of Sarawak-made products and goods in this shop.
Getting To Borneo Cultures Museum
A few ways you can get to Borneo Cultures Museum are by car, by public transport such as free Hydrogen bus, taxi, or e-hailing services like Grab.
Borneo Cultures Museum Parking
Going to Borneo Cultures Museum with a car? There are several parking spots where you can park:
1 — In front of the Museum (as of date, parking is free of charge). It can be full of cars of the museum staff people
2 — Nearby Baitulmal area (this one requires the display of Kuching City Coupon, which is available from green booths nearby or selected supermarket)
Check the map below for exact locations
Entry Procedures
As of to date, entry to Borneo Cultures Museum is FREE of charge. You can just walk in and get the pass at the museum entrance.
Do check their official social media or website for the latest information on the status of entry tickets.
Click for the latest Borneo Cultures Museum Opening Hours & Contact No
Muslim Solo Travel Tips for Visiting Borneo Cultures Museum
- Come early in the morning, or on weekdays if you would like to avoid crowds.
- Start by visiting the exhibition galleries from Level 5 first, then continue downwards so you can wrap up your visit with some souvenir shopping at the gift store.
- The prayer room is on the First Floor (or Ground Floor). Look for the sign, or ask the museum staff at the information booth for the exact directions.
- The estimated time spent here would be about 3 hours on average.
Where To Go & What To Do After Your Solo Trip To Borneo Cultures Museum Visit?
Explore the rest of Kuching
Nearby attractions around where you can continue your museum exploration are the Islamic Museum (by just a walking distance to the back area of the museum), and the Natural History Museum (connected via the overhead pedestrian bridge).
If you’re in the mood for some shopping, Plaza Merdeka Shopping Mall is just an 8-min walk. Or, you can also buy souvenirs and some local goods at India Street (an open-air pedestrian market), accessible from the Mall.
Besides that, Old Court House Kuching (remains of the British Brooke legacy), where chic-looking cafes are mainly located, are 10-min walk away from the museum, and Waterfront Kuching is reachable by a 12-min walk.
Have Some Shaved Ice Goodness
Shaved ice is the best remedy to beat the scorching weather in Kuching, Sarawak!
Some nearby Muslim-friendly shaved ice outlets are Swee Kang Ice Kacang (15-min walk, but a car ride is recommended). And if you do happen to proceed to Waterfront Kuching, Gula Apong (local palm sugar) ice cream at IG Gula Apong Kiosk is a must!
But if you’re wondering, in between the two, which are more solo travel-friendly, go for Gula Apong Ice Cream time because you can buy take-out and enjoy the ice cream on your own!
Swee Kang Ice Kacang, on the other hand, is an open-air shop where diners would come in groups (& the crowds here can get crazy packed where you’ll have to wait for a table to be clear!)
- check out the map above for exact locations
Muslim Solo Travel Takeaway
And there you have it—the Best 9 Things To Do Alone At Borneo Cultures Museum! This place is without a doubt a great attraction to check out for the Muslim Solo Traveler when in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia!
Hopefully, this article helped give you insights on what to expect upon your solo visit to the museum! Enjoy 😀
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