Kuching Mosque is known by a bewildering variety of names, including Masjid Bandaraya Kuching, Masjid Bahagian Kuching, Masjid Lama (Old Mosque), the Old State Mosque, and Kuching City Mosque. Whatever you call it, its distinctively Malaysian design and colorful exterior make it a common stop on Kuching city sightseeing tours. The mosque is at its most attractive when seen from the water on a Sarawak River trip: sunset river cruises show the pink and gold palate at its very best.
Kuching Mosque’s modern interior will be mainly of interest to Muslims who wish to worship.
The mosque is free for all to visit, including non-Muslims.
As with any mosque, you should dress modestly and remove your shoes before entering. Robes are provided for women to cover up.
Kuching Mosque sits on the south bank of the Sarawak River, on the western end of Kuching’s old quarter, near the Open Air Market. You can reach it by walking along the waterfront from most of the old city, or take a taxi, self-drive, or use the Grab rideshare app from further afield.
Kuching City Mosque is open for prayers seven days a week. Non-Muslims should avoid visiting after noon on Fridays, when the mosque is busy with Friday prayers, and keep touristic visits to the middle of the day. The mosque photographs particularly well at sunset.
Founded by “White Rajah” James Brooke in 1839, Kuching might be a young city, but it still offers plenty of history. The 19th-century Fort Margherita is a striking white fortress named for the next rajah’s wife and used to guard the river from pirates; you can learn more about Margaret at the Ranee Museum in Kuching Old Court House, built in 1868. The Sarawak Museum is the oldest in Borneo, while the colorful Tua Pek Kong Temple is a classic example of Chinese Taoist architecture.