Discover Kuching Malaysia: Most Instagrammable Street Art in City of Cats (Borneo) - Kai Joo
Asia,  Full Itinerary,  Travel

Kuching: Most Instagrammable Street Art in the City of Cats

Read this if:

  • You love Street Art;
  • You’re visiting Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia; and
  • Are looking for a local’s travel guide & tips to finding all the incredible Kuching street art worth of that Instagram shot.

BONUS

You get a proper itinerary on exactly how to find all of the recommended Kuching street art in sequence alongside plenty of fun local tips to make your stay in the City of Cats a truly memorable one!

Table of Contents

Instagrammable street arts are in trend. 

Everywhere I turn, I see some form of mural art being painted across windows and down the sides of three storey buildings. Singapore with its colourful depictions of local life, Iceland with dramatic animal forms running along Laugavegur Street and finally, Malaysia.

When you talk about Malaysia and street art, talk tends to turn towards Malaysia’s northern island of Penang. But have you heard of Kuching, the City of Cats?

Kuching street art is rejuvenating derelict walls while immortalising the history of the places that it is being painted upon, and I am so excited to show them to you!

Iceland Laugavegur Street Mural Art
Street Art along Laugavegur Street, Reykjavik, Iceland

This Kuching street art phenomenon is relatively new but its influence is spreading.

My first introduction to the Kuching street art world was not so very long ago – sometime in early 2019 – and you can read about my encounter and the history behind the burgeoning Kuching mural art scene in an article I published with Buro 24/7 Malaysia on “Through the Eyes of a Local: How Mural Art is Transforming the City of Cats”.

Kuching, the City of Cats

Kuching is the capital city of Sarawak, located in Borneo.

An interesting fact that many might not know is that the land mass of Sarawak is greater than the whole of West Malaysia combined! The culture, history, people and even language of Sarawak is very different from West Malaysia. However, that is a tale for another time. For now, let me show you how to some of the most instagrammable street art in Kuching, Malaysia.

Bearing in mind that there are lots of mural art available, if you follow this route, you will be able to hit some of my favourite Kuching street art while experiencing a lot of the history of the City of Cats. 

My proposed route will take us from one end of the Kuching Riverside beginning at Singgahsana Lodge to the other end where the old Court House stands. You will then walk the same way back albeit facing the Sarawak River because there is just so much to see! And the mural art at the end will be worth it, I promise. 

Discover Kuching Malaysia: Most Instagrammable Street Art in City of Cats (Borneo)

When You Should Start

I recommend beginning your self-guided mural art walking tour as early as possible in the day. The Kuching sun is strong and it gets VERY hot during the day. 

You will be out under the sun, and while there is some shelter along the way, the afternoon sun will feel like it’s burning through your skin. Not fun and definitely not something you want to embark on without layers of sunblock & an umbrella (even then, not really. It’s really that bad.).

Transportation in Kuching, Malaysia

Kuching may be the capital city of Sarawak, but it is easy to go from one point to another. At most, the city jam might take you 40 minutes (assuming peak hour is at its worse) but it generally takes you around 15 – 20 minutes to go from Point A to Point B at any time.

Your options for transportation include the local taxi or Grab. Grab is the most convenient as you can get the car to come straight to where you are and bring you to where you intend to be.

Furthermore, we Kuchingites are very friendly and it’s a great chance to get some insider tips! When I was in town with friends, one of the uncle taxi drivers (we call everyone older than us “uncle” or “aunty”, regardless of blood relations) was even so kind as to say, “I don’t recommend this place for Sarawak Laksa. I’ll bring you to a better one!”

The Ultimate Instagram Street Art Hunt

Singgahsana Lodge 

To begin your self-guided tour, look for Singgahsana Lodge

All three sides of Singgahsana Lodge have been covered in mural art, and you can catch a glimpse of it from Temple Road:

Discover Kuching Malaysia: Most Instagrammable Street Art in City of Cats (Borneo) - Singgahsana Lodge

To be honest, this wall was where I first became aware of the existence of mural art in my own hometown!

The baby orang utan intrigued me so I got off the car to gain a closer look at the baby orang utan peering down at me.

Discover Kuching Malaysia: Most Instagrammable Street Art in City of Cats (Borneo) - Singgahsana Lodge
Discover Kuching Malaysia: Most Instagrammable Street Art in City of Cats (Borneo) - Singgahsana Lodge

Isn’t this an incredible sight?

This mural art was commissioned by the “What About Kuching” Festival in 2017, which is an annual month-long celebration of arts and culture. It was painted by a local Kuchingite, Leonard Siaw, who spent 30 days working on this wall using over 100 liters of weatherbond paint! The baby orang utan is so adorable and was specially requested by the owners of the Singgahsana Lodge. 

As for the big guy beside the baby, at 14 meters in height and 38 meters in total length, it is the largest anamorphic street art in Borneo! He is Aman, and can be found in Kuching’s Semenggoh Wildlife Center.

Other Parts of Singgahsana Lodge

After your fill of orang utans, make sure you walk around the length of the building. Behind Singgahsana Lodge, you will find these lovely birds.

Discover Kuching Malaysia: Most Instagrammable Street Art in City of Cats (Borneo) - Singgahsana Lodge

On the other side of Singgahsana Lodge, you will find some lovely cat graffiti. 

Discover Kuching Malaysia: Most Instagrammable Street Art in City of Cats (Borneo) - Singgahsana Lodge

#Tanahairku 1: “Children” mural art on Wayang Street, Kuching

That is not all, however!

If you follow the little back alley leading away from Singgahsana Lodge, you will happen upon another road facing an old red Hong San Si Taoist Temple. At the road junction to your left, you will find this amazing “Children” mural.

Discover Kuching Malaysia: Most Instagrammable Street Art in City of Cats (Borneo) - #tanahairku - Ranee

This mural art was one of three mural art known collectively as the #tanahairku murals (which means “my homeland” in Malay). 

These #tanahairku murals were executed by Mohd Afiruddin (Dean R) and Armey Sheikh Ali – members of the 9Lives. This group of contemporary artists are  based in Kuching and were commissioned by Petronas in 2015 to celebrate Malaysia Day from 8 – 14 September 2014. The hashtag is a reference to a Tanah Air poem by a famous local poet, Usman Awang. It depicts children of different ethnic races living harmoniously together. 

One of Malaysia’s main newspapers, The Star, even reported on the #tanahairku street art installation occurring across Malaysia.

#Tanahairku 2: Hornbill

Discover Kuching Malaysia: Most Instagrammable Street Art in City of Cats (Borneo) - #tanahairku

The second of the #tanahairku mural street art series can be found at the corner of Jalan Main Bazaar & Lebuh Wayang. It faces the famous Kuching Waterfront and is situated at the start of Kuching’s Chinatown – one of the oldest and most atmospheric of places to be found. 

Once you find this hornbill, walk along the shops facing the waterfront as they are full of really interesting ethnic and local arts and crafts. Most of them really cheap & unique! Try negotiating with the storekeepers, but bear in mind that some of them do not allow photography.

TL;DR

No time to read but want to save it for later? Pin it!

Tinsmiths in China Street

Discover Kuching Malaysia: Most Instagrammable Street Art in City of Cats (Borneo) - China Street tinsmithers

In my humble opinion, I think this is one of the most Instagrammable street art walls you will find in Kuching.

You will come across this side street as you are walking along the Main Bazaar of the Kuching Riverfront. My first glimpse of this wall was at night as I was passing by.

My advice: Come in the early morning to find the three tinsmiths painted on the wall – Mr Liew, Mr Lo and Mr Ho. 

Discover Kuching Malaysia: Most Instagrammable Street Art in City of Cats (Borneo) - China Street tinsmithers

Mr Liew 

Discover Kuching Malaysia: Most Instagrammable Street Art in City of Cats (Borneo) - China Street tinsmithers
Mr Liew

Mr Liew works at the shop right beside the mural art wall.

He informed me that a young person had come to take his photo before painting his likeness on the wall beside his shop. This young artist being none other than Leonard Siaw, whose mural artwork we shall be seeing a lot of later in this article!

Discover Kuching Malaysia: Most Instagrammable Street Art in City of Cats (Borneo) - China Street tinsmithers
Mr Liew at work

Mr Lo

Discover Kuching Malaysia: Most Instagrammable Street Art in City of Cats (Borneo) - China Street tinsmithers
Mr Lo

The second person in the mural art is Mr Lo (above). 

Mr Lo works in the shop directly across from the mural art wall, which you can see below. 

Mr Lo works together with his older brother in the shop even to this day.

His older brother, whom you can see in the photo above, told us that he was initially approached to have his likeness drawn on the wall but he refused. In the end, his younger brother ended up being the face on the wall! 

Mr Ho 

Discover Kuching Malaysia: Most Instagrammable Street Art in City of Cats (Borneo) - China Street tinsmithers
Mr Ho

Mr Ho’s shop is located along Bishop Gate Street, which is the road running parallel to China Street. It is a tin smithing shop that has been running since 1849. 

Discover Kuching Malaysia: Most Instagrammable Street Art in City of Cats (Borneo) - China Street tinsmithers - Ho Nyen Foh

Every morning at 8am, Mr Ho will begin his trade by sitting on his little seat by the corner of the shop. 

Discover Kuching Malaysia: Most Instagrammable Street Art in City of Cats (Borneo) - China Street tinsmithers - Ho Nyen Foh
Mr Ho's working chair

We spoke to his son and son’s wife, who told us that Mr Ho is now something of a minor local celebrity at the young age of 84 years old. 

Sometimes he will have huge gaggles of visitors crowding around him to take his photo. When he is in a good mood, he will let them take his photo. When his mood isn’t that great, he will give a “black face” or even hide in the back! I felt sorry for the Mr Ho; he probably had no idea of the power of social media!

It is also a good idea to visit this place in the morning as Mr Ho doesn’t tend to work in the afternoon. We visited twice, but he turned out to be taking a nap (or hiding from us, one can never be too sure & I won’t blame him!). Even so, his relatives were so lovely to chat with and kept explaining the various things being sold in their shop, including this fun fact:

“Mr Ho is a third generation tin smither. He loves his meat and hates his veggies. People always say you will die if you don’t eat your vegetables but look at Mr Ho! He never eats his veggie and is still alive. No problem. Healthy, strong, and not diabetic. We even grew fat!”

Don’t you just love it when people tell it straight as it is?! 

Here, you can see Mr Ho’s son hard at work:

As for some of the unique things you can find (and purchase!), they include:

For a little bit of history, we were told that the Ho family has been in this line for the past three generations but that the current generation no longer has an interest in continuing this line of work. 

Despite working in this shop lot for the past three generations, the Ho family continues to rent the place.

When queried as to why they hadn’t gone around to purchasing the place, the Ho family explained that back in the 1960s, despite the purchase price being less than RM 100 (USD 25 / £ 20), the fact was that they simply couldn’t afford it. Not when a bowl of noodles was 50 cents (USD 0.1 / £ 0.98), which even then was considered expensive. 

In fact, the idea of each person having one bowl of noodles was unimaginable; they were always shared. And having chicken was a grand, once a year, event that the entire family looked forward to.

Truly, we live in different generations! It made me realise how often I take things for granted, not understanding that everything I have is a privilege that one generation ago, would have considered to have been the height of luxury.

#Tanahairku 3: Leaping Feline

Discover Kuching Malaysia: Most Instagrammable Street Art in City of Cats (Borneo) - China Street - Carpenter Street, Bishop Gate Street - #tanahairku Leaping Feline

At the junction between Carpenter Street and Bishop Gate Street, you will find this lovely street mural and the third installation of the #tanahairku series. This mural was completed by local artists, Sonia Luhong (a founder of 9Lives) and Amy Amin.

The Leaping Feline depicts a domestic cat with the hind of a clouded leopard (a Borneo feline that is at the cusp of extinction), signifying its strong Sarawkian roots. A traditional Iban headgear graces its head to represent the Ibans, the Chinese clouds represent the Chinese race that strongly dominates Kuching, and the Malay “pucuk rebung” and Indian “mandala” are also included. These four elements ensure that all four dominant races in Kuching are represented. 

LOCAL INSIGHT

The Leaping Feline mural art sits atop Ethnic Tribal Cafe, but this restaurant wasn’t always there. 

When I was young, I would come to this place every Sunday for the noodle shop that used to be situated here. It was hot, stuffy, and boiling cooking water would splash straight into the longkangs (sewers) right where we stood waiting. If you looked down, chances were that you would see gigantic rats scurrying around. 

However, we all came and waited. If there were no seats available, we would stand around and wait for around 1 to 2 hours. 45 minutes was considered a miracle, but we waited religiously because the noodles were so worth it. They are unlike any noodles you will ever taste ANYWHERE, including the famous Sarawakian kolo mee and Foochow kampua.

That noodle shop, called Noodle Descendants (麵家湯), has now moved No. 188 Jalan Padungan. It is a MUCH nicer place with proper fan and a clean and open setup – a place I patronise every time I return home.

The same family members run it, and the noodles and soup taste just as they always have. Oh, and the waiting time is no longer that long (we sometimes only wait up to 45 minutes!).

Across from Ethnic Tribal Cafe, Bishop Gate Street

Discover Kuching Malaysia: Most Instagrammable Street Art in City of Cats (Borneo) - China Street - Carpenter Street, Bishop Gate Street

Before we move on, don’t forget to cross the street from the Leaping Feline mural art into the lovely open space between two building blocks to find this!

Kuching’s Chinatown

Discover Kuching Malaysia: Most Instagrammable Street Art in City of Cats (Borneo) - China Street - Carpenter Street, Bishop Gate Street

Since you are already in the area, I would advise looking for the Leaping Feline mural art and tinsmiths at your leisure. 

The entire place is very atmospheric and the shops look almost exactly as they did when I used to visit them 20 years ago! 

Discover Kuching Malaysia: Most Instagrammable Street Art in City of Cats (Borneo) - China Street - Carpenter Street, Bishop Gate Street
Discover Kuching Malaysia: Most Instagrammable Street Art in City of Cats (Borneo) - China Street - Carpenter Street, Bishop Gate Street

Stop by, talk to the locals, maybe even buy a trinket or two. It is a lovely place and the people are lovelier, I promise 🙂

You also get extra brownie points if you can speak Chinese, which is what most of the locals converse in! But English does the job too, to a certain extent.

“The Early Mercers” in Little India

Having had your fill of Kuching’s Chinatown street, head towards the Old Court House at the end of Carpenter Road.

Discover Kuching Malaysia: Most Instagrammable Street Art in City of Cats (Borneo) - Little India - Textile Merchants - augment reality mural art

We are here for these two textile sellers. 

This is another mural art by Leonard Siaw entitled “The Early Mercers”. The two men were pioneer textile traders in Kuching’s India Street: Wee Aik Oh and Sayed Ahmad. Back in the olden days, textile trading was one of the most prominent commercial activities around. Many Indians and Chinese got into the trade in the 1930s. 

FUN FACT:

This is the first augmented reality mural art in the whole of Malaysia.

Accessing this feature is simple. Go to your iOS app store and download the Art Xense app. Open that app and point it towards the mural art. Let it load, and you will see the mural art come to live as scenes appear in your phone along with a voiceover telling you about the history of the place. 

Download the ARx Xense app HERE (iOS devices only)

You might no longer see these old uncles plying their trade on the streets like the tin smiths, but this wall is just as alive in the best of technological ways!

Once you’ve recharged, step out of the cafe and over to the covered walkway of India Street because I am about to introduce to my MOST favourite art mural of all. 

Kai Joo Street

Discover Kuching Malaysia: Most Instagrammable Street Art in City of Cats (Borneo) - Little India - Kai Joo Lane

Kai Joo Street is easy to find.

With the Old Courthouse behind you, keep walking until a small alleyway opens up to your left. And if you haven’t already guessed, this wall was also painted by Leonard Siaw. 

Discover Kuching Malaysia: Most Instagrammable Street Art in City of Cats (Borneo) - Little India - Kai Joo Lane - Leonard Siaw
Discover Kuching Malaysia: Most Instagrammable Street Art in City of Cats (Borneo) - Little India - Kai Joo Lane - Leonard Siaw

This wall is long and features three main figures: vendors selling chargrilled cuttlefish, chicken porridge & soya bean curd. 

This project was initiated by Kuching North City Hall (DBKU) in collaboration with For Art (F’Art), a non-profit organisation from Perth, with the ultimate aim of engaging and instilling a sense of belonging for Kuching among the locals.

Each of vendors on the wall were chosen after hours of interviews and careful determination. An artistic endeavour meant to capture the history of the place. 

Discover Kuching Malaysia: Most Instagrammable Street Art in City of Cats (Borneo) - Kai Joo

This is a man selling chargrilled cuttlefish (sotong ketuk in Malay), which is a trade that has been around for the past 50 to 60 years. Rumours have it that he sold the best sotong ketuk in the area. 

Discover Kuching Malaysia: Most Instagrammable Street Art in City of Cats (Borneo) - Little India - Kai Joo Lane

Next, we have a man selling chicken porridge. Another prominent stall back in the olden days.  

Discover Kuching Malaysia: Most Instagrammable Street Art in City of Cats (Borneo) - Little India - Kai Joo Lane

Finally, we have a vendor selling soya bean curd (or taufufa) – a local favourite and absolutely not to be missed if you are ever in town!

It is a sweet dessert and comes either chilled or hot. Back in the olden days, they were served in tiny octagonal bowls for RM0.10 each (do you even want to bother converting this amount?).

For the full view of the entire wall, look here:

Discover Kuching Malaysia: Most Instagrammable Street Art in City of Cats (Borneo) - Little India - Kai Joo Lane

Power Street

Discover Kuching Malaysia: Most Instagrammable Street Art in City of Cats (Borneo) - Little India - Power Street - Ernest Zacharevic

If you are done with Kai Joo Lane, head back into the main road for India Street and continue walking towards the end. Along the way, check out the local food stalls and even buy one of the classic local drinks that came in a plastic bag tied with string (you will see why later)!

Power Street contains one of THE most prolific and busy of street art in Kuching. There is something for everyone here. First off, let’s meet the orang utans again!

Discover Kuching Malaysia: Most Instagrammable Street Art in City of Cats (Borneo) - Little India - Power Street - Ernest Zacharevic
Discover Kuching Malaysia: Most Instagrammable Street Art in City of Cats (Borneo) - Little India - Power Street - Ernest Zacharevic

These little ones were drawn by Ernest Zacharevic, the famous mural artist most known for the Penang street art that the island is now so famous for. 

These orang utans were sponsored by Spago Property Sdn Bhd in an attempt to “add colours to the city’s historical site” and were reportedly completed within 5 hours!

Discover Kuching Malaysia: Most Instagrammable Street Art in City of Cats (Borneo) - Little India - Power Street

Ernest was not the only one who contributed to this wall. 

In late April 2017, 20 Arts and Designs students from the UiTM Kota Samarahan campus decorated this wall by depicting an olden day version of a bustling Kuching town complete with a girl running and feeding pigeons.

Discover Kuching Malaysia: Most Instagrammable Street Art in City of Cats (Borneo) - Little India - Power Street
Discover Kuching Malaysia: Most Instagrammable Street Art in City of Cats (Borneo) - Little India - Power Street
Discover Kuching Malaysia: Most Instagrammable Street Art in City of Cats (Borneo) - Little India - Power Street

Tapping into the local Sarawakian heritage, you will find an Iban dressed in his traditional costume, a proboscis monkey gazing down, little cats, buskers, a cobbler, a traditional blue public bus, rainforest inhabitants and even a vendor selling his drinks and lok-lok (a roadside food stall that sells skewers for eating. Steamboat on the roadside). 

The Kuching Riverfront

What is Kuching without its cats?

If you leave the orang utan murals behind and head towards the river, you will see these cat statue installations.

Discover Kuching Malaysia: Most Instagrammable Street Art in City of Cats (Borneo) - Kuching Riverfront

Now I would advise walking along the Kuching Riverfront because it is gorgeous.

If you came down using Carpenter Street, now is the time to walk along the Main Bazaar. Stop by all the local shops to look for something unique to bring home. 

Discover Kuching Malaysia: Most Instagrammable Street Art in City of Cats (Borneo) - Kuching Riverfront

Look out for this tiny rattan bag!

It sells for RM 39 (USD 9.50 / £8). My schoolmates and I used to carry this to school in our kindergarten years (ages 4 to 6 years old). 

After 20 years, the little rattan bag looks exactly the same as the day it was purchased. Definitely a nice gift for you to bring home! Something unique, cheap, well-made and durable. And don’t forget, you will be supporting the local community!

Keep walking the length of the way back until you see the #tanahairku Hornbill mural. You will need to keep walking until you reach the Riverside Majestic Hotel. If in doubt, ask a local or use Google Maps.

Riverside Majestic Hotel Kuching, Malaysia

In front of the Riverside Majestic Hotel facing the Sarawak River, you will find this:

In case you were wondering, this is in fact another mural artwork done by Leonard. We caught him at work again! 

This mural artwork was done in conjunction with the Kuching Waterfront Jazz Festival 2019

Discover Kuching Malaysia: Most Instagrammable Street Art in City of Cats (Borneo) - Kuching Riverfront - Riverside Majestic Hotel - Kuching Waterfront Jazz Festival
Discover Kuching Malaysia: Most Instagrammable Street Art in City of Cats (Borneo) - Kuching Riverfront - Riverside Majestic Hotel - Kuching Waterfront Jazz Festival

Gosh isn’t it hot? I can’t imagine working under the sun for so long. Leonard is so used to it now, he says that he no longer feels the heat. I, on the other hand, was burning up. It was like the heat was reaching into my bones! 

Conclusion

Discover Kuching Malaysia: Most Instagrammable Street Art in City of Cats (Borneo)

And there you have it! A highlight of what, to me, are some of the best and most instagrammable streets for mural art to be found in Kuching, Malaysia. If you’ve made it this far, well done! It was a long one. 

I’ve planned the route such that you can go through the Main Bazaar twice. The experience of walking along Carpenter Street amidst the old school Chinese shops & the Main Bazaar facing the Sarawak River are TOTALLY different and worth doing. 

If you lack the time, consider starting off where the cat statue / Power Street is and make your way down towards the Riverside Majestic Hotel

This journey will take you around 2 – 3 hours, depending on how long you spend at each location and whether you opt to do a little shopping at the Kuching Riverside Main Bazaar. 

Any questions?

Feedback on the proposed itinerary?

Leave a comment below and fire away.

And if you haven’t already done so, don’t forget to read my Buro 24/7 Malaysia article on “Through the Eyes of a Local: How Mural Art is Transforming the City of Cats”!

Pin / Share this Kuching Street Art Travel Guide

Enjoyed learning about Kuching street art or looking to save this article for later? Don’t forget to pin & share it!

36 Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *