I'm going to visit Kuching for the first time at the end of January and really looking forward to it.

Someone told me that I can expect all shops and businesses to be closed for Chinese New Year. Can someone verify this? If so, which days are they likely to be closed?

hi mike

yes, most shops are closed. most shops are like 98%.. they are open only after the 6th day of Chinese New Year, which is after the 1st week of Feb.

Hope this help!

Welcome to the site.

Okay..seriously, most business and shops WILL be closed on chinese new year. It will be rather quiet on the streets. Some people might continue to run their business on the 4th day of chinese new year.

Chinese new year falls on 28th January nexy year (2006).
Shops might close early on 27th which is chinese new year's eve.

Well there are still places to experience and see during chinese new year. the local chinese traditions. When the clock strikes 12 on chinese year year 1st day... there will be booming and firecrackers... fireworks all over the town and specially in neighbourhood areas. Usually last for from 45mins to an hour.

Hmmm. We arrive on 27 January staying for 5 nights, then to KL on 1 Feb. Does this mean that nothing will be open the whole time we are there?

We were looking forward to doing some heavy duty shopping!

What about parks and tourist attractions? Like the museums, Bako and other parks... will they be closed too?

Shopping shopping.. there are not much of a shopping centres around here.

As for the interesting and popular places like china town (padungan), china street will be very quiet on chinese new year.

For main tourist spots like museums and such.. i will try to ask around and get back to ya. Most probably they will still open cause its under the goverment.

I assume you're not joining the tour? Backpackers?

Thanks for taking the trouble to ask around.

No tour, we're coming on our own - my son and me. He might be interested in backpacking, but my backpacker days are long gone! We're staying at the Merdeka Palace. Is that a good hotel? We haven't got anything planned. Will just see what happens when we get there.

This is my first trip to Sarawak. We usually go to Bali for holidays (we are from Perth, which is very close to Bali) but thought we would try somewhere different for a change.

As for shopping, not so much interested in shopping centres, we'll probably get those in KL. In Bali there are streets with lots of small family-run shops selling tourist stuff, clothes, antiques, etc. Is there somewhere similar in Kuching?

Sorry to ask so many questions.

No trouble at all. This site is for locals and tourists too.

Today is still a public holiday.. (xmas), no one is working.I will head down to the tourism centre to ask for more information tomorrow or sometime this week.

Merdeka Palace is one of the biggest hotels here. Looks classy.
Kuching Map. Find a green spot on the map which says "Padang Merdeka". The hotel is just infront of it. Visitors Information Center is across "Padang Merdeka". As you can see, the museum is in a walking distance.

You can find local tribal handicrafts and artwork at a place called Main Bazaar. Its just opposite the Waterfront. If you check out the map, they are all nearby.

I'll post more once i get more information.

Webbie, i really think that our new friend come at the wrong timing... As everybody mentioned here, most of the shops in Kuching is closed during chinese new year time.

If that is the case, i will suggest Mike and family go to RIVERSIDE for new year shopping on 27/01 & 28/01, that is 1 day before chinese new year.

At the same time, they may go to Tun Jugah and Sarawak Plaza for some shopping too. I believed they are still open on that day.

Damai Resort, Permai, Damai Lagoon are surely fully book during that time too... But, if you wish to close to nature, Bako national park or Lundu town will be the best choice for you.

I don't believed those two places are as crowded as others resort.

Anyway, have a nice time in Kuching.

Hi Mike,

What the webmaster suggested is a good idea. Since there are only 2 of you, then moving about shouldn't be a problem

Since you like popular tourist spot, look no further. Kuching offers a wide variety of local produce (the Dayak's and antiques souvenir) that is very attractive. Main bazaar, Carpenter street is the place too lookout for.

If you can drive, you can also rent a car at a reasonable price(Mega Asia Auto - banner) so you not need to worry about having no place to stay are Damai or at Lundu and Sematan. Bako is a different story tough cause you need to take a boat there.

Hi Miker,

Welcome. It's a wrong timing. During CNY nothing much u can see in Kuching. There will be some peole open for business but the price will be different. I noticed that since last year there are some chinese shops opened on the first day, second day... and the stuff are expensive.

Don't worry, places like KFC, McD or Pizza Hut will remain open and the prices are not hike ;p

If you would like to get any Sarawak crafts, don't think u can get it much here during this period of time as all shops are closed but u sure can get it in Sarawak Cultural Village which I believe it will be opened for everybody and if not mistaken they will also have CNY open house there. As for this, you can try to arrange transportation to go there from your hotel. How to arrange I really don't know but u ccan always ask the hotel's staffs and they will sure help you out by hiring cars and so on. The beach is just around the corner too :) It will be less than 1 hour drive from Kuching to Damai.

A day trip to Borneo Highlands would be nice too but there are members that went there before do not recommend day trip as you can't enjoy it fully, it will be pretty rush. You might want to arrange this too and can directly arrange it with Borneo Highlands directly: link, call them up or contact them vis their feedback form, their online booking form can't be used.

Hope this helps.