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 Welcome
to Asia's Best Kept Secret
Kuching,
Cat City of the World
Facts
to Know
Other
Interesting Links
Welcome
to Asia's Best Kept Secret
Sarawak is
located in the heart of Southeast Asia, nestled between
Peninsula Malaysia to the west and Indonesia to the south and
east. Being the largest state in Malaysia, Sarawak houses one
of the world's richest and most diverse ecosystems.
Comprising one third of the
island of Borneo,
it has emerged as a premier tourist attraction in the region,
promoting its richness in culture, nature and adventure.
Despite its growth and development, Sarawak still maintains its reputation as the most exotic
state in Malaysia and Asia's best kept secret.
Its rainforests are among the
oldest in the world, boasting the Rafflesia – a flower the
size of a coffee table - snakes that “fly” and bearded
monkeys.
Kuching, Cat City of the world
 Kuching,
in the national language, means cat. This is accentuated by
dozens of cat statuettes around the city plus a world-famous
cat museum featuring statues, photographs and memorabilia
gathered from all over the globe.
The capital city of Sarawak was
famed in the early days as a river port ruled by legendary
White Rajahs. The olden day stories of Kuching are enchanting,
as acknowledged by the dozens of biographies and books
published and screenplays written based on its rich history.
As the largest city in the
state, Kuching is now a rapidly developing city, boasting a
population of almost half a million. In the city itself, one
can find bustling shopping hubs and eclectic buildings that
consist of a mix of modern and post-colonial architecture.
Within minutes of journey to its outer boundaries are
magnificent mountains, unspoilt beaches and even an award
winning "living" museum, the Sarawak Cultural Village.
Kuching's environment is safe
and peaceful - ideal for students from any nation. Its
topography is free from earthquakes, tsunamis and other
natural disasters with a wonderfully tropical climate that is
full of sunshine.
Voted as one of the most livable
cities in Asia in year 2000, Kuching is a superb choice for
local and international students to live while pursuing
quality tertiary education.
Facts to know
 TIME
Sarawak
is 8 hours ahead of GMT and 16 hours ahead of the U.S. Pacific
Standard Time
CAPITAL
Kuching City - population: 600,000 and growing
LANGUAGE
The official language is Bahasa Malaysia but English is widely
spoken. Other languages include Chinese dialects, Iban and a
number of other native dialects.
RELIGION
The official religion is Sunni Islam. There are also
Christians, Buddhist-Taoists, Sikhs and followers of various
traditional beliefs. Freedom of worship is respected.
CLIMATE
Typically equatorial with daily temperatures in the lowland
varying between 23°C and 32°C. Rain falls throughout the year
but the heaviest falls occur from November to February.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Visitors to Malaysia must be in possession of a valid passport
or travel document with a minimum validity of six months
beyond the intended visiting period. Most nationalities do not
require visas for social or business visits. Sarawak issues
its own visit passes upon entry into the territory. These passes are valid for the rest of Malaysia. For further
information please check with Malaysian diplomatic missions or
Tourism offices.
HEALTH
No vaccinations are required unless you have been in a yellow
fever area in the last six days. Very good overall health
situation with most tropical diseases eradicated. Consult a
physician if in doubt. Clean and efficient clinics are found
throughout Sarawak.
WORKING HOURS
Government offices open from 8.00a.m. to 4.30p.m.; private sector
offices from 9.00a.m. to 5.00p.m.; banks from 9.30a.m. to 3.30p.m.,
Monday to Friday, half day on Saturday; shops generally open
from 10.00a.m. to 9.00p.m., Monday to Saturday.
CURRENCY
The local currency is the Malaysian Ringgit (RM). Money can be
exchanged at banks, hotels and licensed money-changers. There
are also Automated Teller Machine (ATM) in the towns and at major airports. For
the latest on-line currency information go to the
The Oanda
Currency Converter or
The Universal
Currency Convertor.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS
IDD phones are widely available, many accepting credit cards.
Mobile phones are affordable, with many different packages for
pre-paid talk plans.
ELECTRIC
CURRENT
Electric supply is on a 220 - 240 volt/50 cycles system, with
three pin British-type plugs.
WATER
Safe to drink from taps in towns. Bottled mineral water is
widely available.
WHAT TO WEAR
Visitors should bring light, comfortable, casual clothes. A
jacket and tie or evening dress may be required for formal
wear, but only in an air-conditioned venue.
ETIQUETTE
Sarawakians appreciate good manners as much as anybody else.
Please take care to remove shoes before entering homes,
longhouses or mosques. Dress appropriately when visiting
places of worship. Pointing with the index finger or foot
should be avoided. When refusing food or drinks, the dish
should be lightly touched with two fingers of the right hand.
Never handle or pass food with the left hand. Public displays
of affection are frowned upon as are unnecessary losses of
temper. Nude sunbathing or swimming (other than for very small children)
is unacceptable.
SAFETY
Probably one of the safest places in the world. Crime rate is
very low and there are few animals or plants in the rainforest
that may be harmful to people. And because Sarawak is
politically stable, kidnapping, terrorism or religious/ethnic
internal strife are unheard of.
Other
Interesting Links:
http://www.sarawaktourism.com/
http://www.sarawak.gov.my/
http://www.sbc.org.my/
http://www.tourism.gov.my/
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