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Sarawak State Museum

Museum

In Kuching, the Sarawak State Museum holds ethnographic collections, natural history specimens and longhouses displays documenting Borneo's indigenous groups; visitors come for cultural exhibits and regional anthropology.

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In this guide

Sarawak State Museum essentials

Address: Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia (approx.)
Website: museum.sarawak.gov.my
Hours: Typically Tue-Sun 9:00am-5:00pm, closed Mondays (verify locally)
Admission: Admission fees apply for exhibitions (varies)
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About Sarawak State Museum

The Sarawak State Museum is a major museum located in Kuching, the capital of Sarawak, Malaysia, and was founded in the late 19th century. It is one of the oldest museums in Borneo and holds extensive natural history and ethnographic collections.

Exhibition highlights include long-term displays of indigenous material culture, taxidermy and natural history specimens, and archaeological finds from Sarawak. The museum has served both research and public-education roles and has been a centre for collecting and documenting the region’s biodiversity and cultures.

The institution was established during the Brooke era and expanded its collections and facilities over subsequent decades to serve as Sarawak’s principal museum. Conservation, cataloguing and exhibition work have continued into the modern period.

The museum is situated in Kuching city, the administrative and cultural hub of Sarawak on the island of Borneo, and is accessible from the urban centre.

  • Founding and collections: The museum was founded in the late 19th century and is one of the oldest institutions of its kind in Borneo, with substantial ethnographic and natural history collections.
  • Collection strengths: Displays are strong on indigenous material culture from Sarawak’s Dayak, Malay and other communities, and are useful for visitors seeking regional anthropology and natural history in one place.

What to See#

  • Main galleries: Permanent galleries showing natural history specimens, ethnographic collections of indigenous Bornean peoples and archaeological finds from Sarawak and the wider region.
  • Historic building: Historic museum building dating from the late 19th century that houses display rooms and long-term collections assembled during the colonial period and thereafter.
Things to Do
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Sarawak State Museum

Museum visits are possible year-round; plan outdoor excursions around the island's wetter months.

Dry season
May-Sep · 24-32°C
Easier travel around Sarawak and more predictable day trips to surrounding cultural sites.
Wet season
Nov-Mar · 23-30°C
Heavy rains may affect outdoor excursions but the museum remains accessible.

Weather & Climate near Sarawak State Museum

Climate

Sarawak State Museum's climate is classified as Tropical Rainforest - Tropical Rainforest climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 22°C to 33°C. Heavy rainfall (4185 mm/year), wettest in January.

Air Quality: AQI 60 Moderate
Best Time to Visit
JanuaryJulyApril
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
32°
Warmest Month
22°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Good 23° - 30° 26° 710 mm overcast 90% 2.1 m/s 1.8 very high 11.9h
February Acceptable 23° - 31° 27° 499 mm overcast 89% 2.0 m/s 2.0 very high 12.0h
March Acceptable 23° - 31° 31° 341 mm overcast 87% 1.9 m/s 2.2 extreme 12.0h
April Acceptable 23° - 32° 32° 269 mm overcast 86% 1.8 m/s 2.3 extreme 12.0h
May Acceptable 23° - 32° 32° 250 mm overcast 85% 1.9 m/s 2.1 extreme 12.1h
June Acceptable 23° - 33° 32° 222 mm overcast 85% 2.3 m/s 2.0 very high 12.1h
July Acceptable 23° - 32° 31° 196 mm overcast 85% 2.4 m/s 2.0 extreme 12.1h
August Acceptable 23° - 32° 31° 242 mm overcast 84% 2.5 m/s 2.0 extreme 12.1h
September Acceptable 23° - 32° 31° 263 mm overcast 85% 2.0 m/s 1.9 very high 12.0h
October Acceptable 22° - 32° 31° 321 mm overcast 86% 1.8 m/s 1.8 very high 12.0h
November Acceptable 23° - 32° 31° 359 mm overcast 88% 1.7 m/s 1.9 very high 11.9h
December Acceptable 23° - 31° 27° 513 mm overcast 89% 2.1 m/s 1.8 very high 11.9h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Sarawak State Museum

The museum is in central Kuching, a short taxi or Grab ride from the waterfront promenade. Local buses also serve routes into the city centre.

Tips for Visiting Sarawak State Museum

  • Allow time for ethnographic displays upstairs - the Sarawak collections are among the most complete for Borneo's indigenous cultures.
  • Check opening times in advance; the museum has had phased restorations and relocated some collections.
  • Visit the nearby Kuching waterfront to pair colonial architecture with the museum's native displays.