Kuching accommodation from AU$24

In the heart of the city, you can marvel at Tua Pek Kong Temple, the oldest in the city. For science lovers, the Sultan Iskandar Planetarium is the first ever built in Malaysia, and offers fascinating presentations about the solar system. The Kuching Civic Centre is one of the city's most iconic skyscrapers. Close to the lush green jungles, it'sthe best place for a 360 degree view of the city skyline. Once you're back at street level, check out the Kuching City Mosque and its striking design that combines mid-western and Italian architecture.

See the locals racing remote-controlled speedboats in the man-made lake in the centre of the Medan Raya Complex, or enjoy a walk through the lovely gardens. The Kuching Waterfront is the most popular meeting place in the city, and is a great place to enjoy the sunset across the water. The paved walkways, gardens, flowers and trees make for an ideal setting to enjoy the tranquillity of the park.

Love shopping? The Weekend Market is massive, with endless sections to find anything and everything. Full of food, fish, potted plants, pets, clothing and even toys, it begins around midday on Saturday as the sellers start to set up fruit stalls, fresh vegetables and spice stores. Check out the Main Bazaar which is a long row of shop houses to find the best souvenirs and handicrafts, or take a picnic lunch to Kuching Reservoir Park and relax in the gardens. You can see inside a palace that was built in 1870, and enjoy the beautifully decorated orchid garden that's just next door. The Friendship Garden is brilliantly crafted with small ponds, gardens and pools where you can feed the fish and try your luck with a handful of coins thrown into one of the wishing wells.

See the excellent Sarawak Museum to explore the historical items and wonderful ethnic displays. Another interesting attraction is Fort Margherita, which was once a defensive structure that has been converted into a Police Museum. Today you can see many old cannons, guns, pistols and items from the armoury. Love cats? Kuching actually means cat in Malay and the city is home to a massive Cat Museum, which has a wide range of exhibits, photos and feline art and souvenirs.

For a taste of local life, try the Bidayuh Longhouse Adventure. You'll get to sample many ethnic dishes and homemade rice wine, try tropical jungle trekking, bamboo rafting and have a dip in natural hot springs. Rent a kayak and explore the sea where you may encounter friendly dolphins, or follow the winding rivers through the rainforest. You can learn to cook the local ethnic food yourself in an indigenous kitchen, so you can surprise all your friends when you return from vacation. Love scuba diving? The sites at Talang Talang Island are amazing, and you can see turtles or dive a World War II Japanese shipwreck.

Kuching is the ideal destination for your next holiday to Malaysia. Learn about the history of the region while getting time for yourself to shop, relax and discover the strong local culture. You won't regret coming to Kuching on your next holiday so book it in today! Grab a flight to Malaysia and don't forget your Kuching accommodation!