Off the beaten path in Malaysian Borneo

Kuching is the capital of Sarawak State and the usual entry point into Borneo for travelers coming from mainland Malaysia. It has a fascinating history with the Brooke dynasty, the White Rajahs, who ruled this land until 1946. Today the legacy of the Brookes can be explored through many well-preserved architectural landmarks across Kuching, including the Old Courthouse, Fort Margherita and the stunning Astana palace. Kuching is a compact city and easy to explore on foot with narrow, bustling streets where flamboyant Chinese temples brush up against grand mosques, traditional wooden houses on stilts, colonial-era architecture and shops selling a myriad of exotic curios. The city is few of high rise buildings and has a multiracial population allows for a distinctive, diverse range of cultures with a welcoming approach to visitors. Divided into north and south by the sinuous Sarawak River, Kuching is ideally located for exploring both the coast and the interior with its ancient rainforests. Kuching is also the perfect base for exploring Sarawak. There are number of excellent national parks and wildlife reserves all located within a short drive from the city so there is a wide variety of day tours on offer. These include Bako National Park, home of the rare and endemic Proboscis monkey; Gunung Gading National Park where Rafflesia flowers bloom; the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre with its semi-wild orang utans; the Kuching Wetlands National Park with its mangrove attractions and diverse range of wildlife; Kubah National Park with its ferns and frogs; and Tanjung Datu National Park where the rainforest meets the South China Sea. Kuching as well is the jumping off point for the visits to Bidayuh villages and homestays such as Peraya; the Iban longhouses and rainforest attractions of the Batang Ai region.

Kota Kinabalu is a small city located in Malaysian part of Borneo. Its coastal location and mountain backdrop give it one of the most spectacular settings of any city in the country. As a growing tourist destination, Kota Kinabalu offers wide array of beautiful attractions over the city, powdery-white sand beaches, tropical rain forests, historical sites, amazing landscapes and its main jewel, the Mount Kinabalu. Surrounded by a wild and rugged national park of the same name, Mount Kinabalu stretches dramatically towards the heavens from amid the enormous Crocker Range that dominates Borneo’s skyline. Standing at 4,095 meters, the Malay Archipelago’s highest mountain is very popular with both hikers and rock climbers. It is said to be one of the easiest mountains in the world to summit, as no climbing equipment or special skills are required. Mount Kinabalu is also one of the most biodiverse places on Earth with thousands of fauna and flora species, including orchids and the carnivorous pitcher plant; more than 300 species of bird and over 100 mammal species. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in December 2000 for its outstanding universal values. Located 3km away from Kota Kinabalu, the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park is a state park situated in Gaya Bay, home to five stunning islands namely Gaya Island, Sapi Island, Manukan Island, Mamutik Island, and Sulug Island. Each island is unique in its own way; all offer excellent diving, snorkeling, and sunbathing opportunities. Besides exploring its underwater wonders, one can go on a hike through the dense jungle that blankets the islands, or relax and lounge on one of its many gorgeous sandy beaches.