Sarawak offers a variety of museums that highlight its rich cultural heritage, history, nature, arts and unique ethnic identity. Whether you are a history enthusiast, student, tourist or local resident, visiting these museums provides valuable knowledge and meaningful experiences about Sarawak’s background and cultural diversity.
1. Sarawak Museum Complex (New Wing)
The newest and largest museum complex in Borneo featuring modern exhibitions, interactive learning, and detailed displays of Sarawak’s cultural evolution.
- Location: Kuching City
- Highlights: Interactive galleries, archaeology, natural history
- Best for: Family visits, students, tourists
2. Sarawak Natural History Museum (Old Building)
The heritage wing of the Sarawak museum featuring historical collections, zoological specimens and early anthropological records.
- Location: Kuching (Old Colonial Building)
- Type: Historical museum
- Best for: History and research interest
3. Borneo Cultures Museum
A modern museum space with multi-level exhibitions showcasing Sarawak’s ethnic groups, traditional lifestyle, festivals and cultural evolution.
- Location: Central Kuching
- Category: Culture & Anthropology
- Features: Interactive zone, lifestyle gallery, indigenous arts
4. Brooke Gallery at Fort Margherita
A specialty museum dedicated to the Brooke Dynasty era, showcasing artefacts and historical documents from the “White Rajahs” administration.
- Location: Petra Jaya, across Kuching Waterfront
- Highlights: Colonial history, restored fort, historical exhibits
- Best for: History lovers
5. Cat Museum
A unique museum themed entirely around cats, symbolising Kuching’s identity as “Cat City.”
- Location: Bukit Siol, Kuching
- Highlights: Figurines, art, historical references
- Best for: Families & children’s visits
6. Textile Museum Sarawak
Showcasing textiles, weaving techniques and costumes of Sarawak’s ethnic groups.
- Location: Opposite Kuching Waterfront area
- Known for: Songket, weaving, fabrics
7. Islamic Heritage Museum
A curated space highlighting Islamic civilisation influence in Sarawak, artefacts and early settlement traces.
- Location: Kuching museum trail area
- Best for: Cultural research and school groups
8. Chinese History Museum Kuching
A small but valuable museum focusing on Chinese settlers in Sarawak, trade history, clan associations and cultural development.
- Location: Opposite Waterfront
- Category: Historical heritage
- Free entry (usually)
9. Sarawak Timber Museum
A specialised museum focusing on forestry, timber evolution and wood-based industry history in Sarawak.
- Location: Kuching outskirts
- Highlights: Timber species information & historic industry data
- Best for: Technical learning, academic visits
10. Petroleum Museum (Miri)
Standing at the historical Canada Hill, this museum highlights Malaysia’s early petroleum discoveries and Shell’s history in Sarawak.
- Location: Miri
- Highlights: Oil rig replicas, historical photographs
- Viewpoint: City skyline + heritage oil well
11. Miri Handicraft Museum
A museum dedicated to local crafts, cultural motifs and ethnic carving traditions.
- Location: Miri City
- Popular items: Beads, woven fabric, Borneo crafts
12. Baram Regional Museum (Marudi)
A local museum capturing the history of Marudi settlers, Baram River community and early trade.
- Location: Marudi town
- Category: Regional heritage museum
Which Museum Should You Visit First?
- For culture & history: Borneo Cultures Museum
- For heritage & colonial history: Brooke Gallery
- For family activity: Cat Museum
- For scenic location: Petroleum Museum
- For traditional textile arts: Textile Museum
Tips Before Visiting
- Check opening hours especially weekends
- Some museums offer free entry
- Parking is limited during weekends
- Better to visit morning to avoid crowds
- Some museums offer guided tour schedules
FAQ – Museums in Sarawak
Are all museums open daily?
Most operate daily except certain public holidays. Some open half-day on weekends.
Do museums in Sarawak charge entrance fees?
Many state-managed museums are free, except special exhibitions or premium sections.
Which museum is largest?
The Borneo Cultures Museum is currently the biggest museum complex in Borneo.
Kuching and other divisions in Sarawak continue to expand museum offerings through upgrading, documentation and digital collections. For latest updates, follow WhatsOnSarawak.com.
