KUCHING (Sarawak)

Kuching (which means "cat") is the capital of Malaysia's largest state, Sarawak, on the island of Borneo, and its beautiful 19th century colonial buildings and Chinese shophouses lie along the graceful curves of the Sarawak river. The waterfront has been pleasantly landscaped into a cool and peaceful esplanade for locals and visitors to stroll along. Exploring the nearby fresh market and shopping streets is fun. The Sarawak Museum is also nice (just next to the evening cruise park) and there is also a museum (the world's largest) devoted to cats.

Like nearby Sabah, the population is very mixed here with lots of indigenous ethnicities, and Muslims are in the minority. Kuching has a decidedly small town atmosphere so even though there are lots of local gays around, aside from a few mixed clubs and cruising spots, they tend to make connections online using Sarawak chatrooms, particularly on Dalnet IRC. If you plan to visit, start looking for local friends well in advance of your arrival.

The population of Kuching is around half a million (that's 20,000 Utopians).

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• Kuching Gay Scene Updates message forum
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The updated and expanded 2nd Edition of the Utopia Guide to Malaysia surveys the gay and lesbian scene in 17 cities. Listings include gay scene maps, organizations, bars, discos, spas, accommodations, restaurants, and more. A special section highlights venues that are especially welcoming for women. Click here to order

• The Cottage
  Jln Permata, just next to Eagle's Nest.

  Comments from Utopians:

  "The Cottage has lots of friendly gay staff, most of them students." -- vbil21, May 17, 2006

• Bristol Latino (mixed)
  Jln Bukit Mata, next to Hilton. Lots of foreigners here.
• The Gallery Arts and Café (mixed)
  Riverbank Suite. Mostly young crowd. Popular on weekends.
• Victoria Arms (mixed)
  Mostly locals.

  Comments from Utopians:

  "Went to Fling (4 1/2 Miles, near Banquet Restaurant) on Tue night (during Chinese New Year). The crowd was OK. The ambiance was fantastic! Very nicely decorated. The music was not too loud, which allows you to have casual chats with your friends. Highly recommended!" -- younggun80, Feb 14, 2008

  "Fling at 3rd Exchange, is mixed, but lots of gays in the crowd." -- morfy72, Jan 21, 2008

  "I'm from Kuching. Some bars have quite a lot of gays and transvestites. If you are looking for a happening place, go out to Eagle's Nest or The Cottage. For cruising try the waterfront in the evening time and on the Hilton hill...lots of transvestites." -- vbil21, May 17, 2006

  "A new mixed chill out bar has started operation in the Hilton. Dress code: men must wear long pants and shoes." -- Hotsaqu, Feb 2, 2006

• Khaturistiwa (mixed)
  Kuching Water Front. Crowd mostly young Chinese.

• Planet (mixed)
  3rd Mile, Jln Rock, Sarawak. Crowd is mostly Chinese.

  Comments from Utopians:

  "Planet still has a gay crowd around, mostly mature Chinese." -- morfy72, Jan 21, 2008

• Borneo Traditional Massage
  Muara Tabuan, appointments: 016-888-9956, email. Native traditional massage by well trained male masseurs, helping to ease stress and tension. In and outcall.

  Comments from Utopians:

  "Borneo Traditional Massage provides a fair massage service. It depends very much on the masseurs. Normally there are only three massuers around and most of them are from West Malaysia. Call before you go. The boss is very friendly, especially when it comes to giving road directions." -- younggun80, Feb 15, 2008

  Comments from Utopians:

  "For massage, go to Oriental Pearl Massage on the road heading to the airport from Kuching city center (Choice 101 supermarket is nearby). No erotic massage (maybe), but massage by young Chinese men is guaranteed!" -- namisenshi, Jan 19, 2008

• Shopping Centers
  • Kuching Waterfront, foreigner cruising area, after 9pm nightly.

    Comments from Utopians:

    "Waterfront was quite happening but Kuching gays were too shy to even meow...they just glance at you from afar." -- S. Hong, Jan 15, 2006

  • Lake Park
    Kuching Reservoir Park (Jln Taman Budaya). Open T-Su from 3-11pm. A social spot for local gays who hang out and relax with friends. Inexpensive food and drinks.

• Sarawak Museum, back garden, track up hill. After 7:30pm nightly.
• Sarawak Plaza, ground floor facilities.
• Wisma Satok, 1st floor facilities.
• Wisma Saberkas, ground floor facilities
• Swimming Pools
  • KMC public swimming pool
    Padungan area of the city. Mixed crowd (be discreet). Evenings best.
  • Setampak Swimming pool.
  • Waterworld
    In the housing estate of BDC Stampin area. Formerly Stampark swimming pool. Mixed crowd (be discreet). Very cruisy in the evenings.

• Starbucks Coffee
  The Spring. Opened in Jan 2008 and quickly drawing a gay crowd.

• Grand Spa (mixed)
  Grand Continental Hotel. A spa with dry and wet saunas. Some gays frequent the sauna, in the afternoon mostly, but you have to be discreet as it is basically a straight spa.

  Comments from Utopians:

  "The steam room at the Hilton Kuching Gym is great! But, have to be discreet." -- namisenshi, Jan 19, 2008

  "Grand Spa at Grand Continental Hotel is closed at the moment due to internal management problems. I hear they will reopen, but no confirmed date yet." -- morfy72, Nov 22, 2006

  "Merdeka Palace Fitness Centre sauna is actually a unisex outfit and mind you don't even think of going in your undies there for bound to be some ladies with their young daughters or sons in it...very boring." -- S. Hong, Jan 15, 2006