Sarawak Cultural Village, Kuching, Malaysia

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Sarawak is the largest state in Malaysia and the population comprises of local ethnic groups namely Iban, Bidayuh, Orang Ulu, Melanau and other minor tribes plus the Malays, Chinese and Indians living together in harmony for more than a century. Sarawak is also known as the Land of Hornbills because as the name suggest, it is filled with hornbills.

Sarawak Cultural Village is one of the must see attractions here in Kuching Sarawak, simply because it is one of a kind Living Museum in the world. It is located at the base of the legendary Mount Santubong and only a few minutes walk away from Damai Beach Resort. Since I was staying at Damai Beach Resort, it was quite convenient. Sarawak Cultural Village is roughly 35KM from Kuching town and if you’re driving, it will take 45-50 minutes to get there. Sarawak Cultural Village is an Award Winning cultural showcase and it is also the venue for the yearly World Harvest Festival and the Rainforest World Music Festival (held in July or August).

Sarawak Cultural Village Damai Kuching Borneo

Sarawak Cultural Village - Try your luck at the Blowpipes

SVC - Bikung Stone Axe (Granite) Sculptured by Masahiro Saji, a Japanese

SVC - Stone Carvings (Sand Stones)

Dreamer(Sand Stone) sculptured by Ellen Butler of Hamshire USA

One of the first things that the SVC does is to give you your own personal SVC Passport where there is a full detail of the Sarawak Cultural Village, including a map. There are also spaces for you to get stamps from at each house that you visit. As you walk around the village, you will get to see the culture and lifestyle of their local people. They even do their cooking, washing of clothes and so on there and then. You’ll also get to see their local traditional dances and musical (singing and instrument playing) at each one of the houses. The tribe home includes the Iban Tribe, Penan Tribe, Bidayuh Tribe, Melanau Tribe, Traditional Malay and Chinese House, and also the Orang Ulu (Ulu People).

SVC - Rumah Cina - Chinese House

SVC - Rumah Cina - Chinese House

SVC - Rumah Melayu - Malay Traditional House

Sarawak Cultural Village - Melanau Tall House

Sarawak Cultural Village - Melanau Tall House

Sarawak Cultural Village - Melanau Tall House - Sago Processing

SVC - Rumah Orang Ulu - Ulu Peoples House

SVC - Rumah Orang Ulu - Ulu Peoples House

SVC - Rumah Penan - Penan Tribe House

SVC - Iban Longhouse

SVC - Iban Longhouse

Sarawak Cultural Village - Bidayuh House

The entrance fees to Sarawak Cultural Village is RM60(USD20) for adults and RM30(USD15) for child between the ages of 6 to 12 years old. Those below 6 get to enjoy the journey free of charge. The tickets can be purchased at the entrance of Sarawak Cultural Village, but I’ll suggest that you buy them from agents because they usually give you a discount. I bought my tickets at Damai Beach Resort and it cost RM55. Sarawak Cultural Village is open daily from 9am till 5.15pm. There are 2 cultural shows which are at 11.30am and 4pm and they last 45 minutes. From my experience, you’ll need roughly 2 hours to cover this place comfortably.

The  Cultural Show at the Sarawak Cultural Village is highly recommended, so do make sure that you do not miss them. This is where you get to see dances from most of the Ethnics in Sarawak. It is really entertaining and they do involve the guest as well. You’ll get to see the experts use a blowpipe to hit balloons from quite a distant. The theater that the cultural show is represented is quite comfortable, some sort like siting in a cinema with air condition.

Sarawak Cultural Village temporary Tattoo station

Sarawak Cultural Village Theatre Gallery

Sarawak Cultural Village Cultural Show

Sarawak Cultural Village Cultural Show

After a long day at the Sarawak Cultural Village, you can sit and relax at their restaurant and enjoy some freshly made Sarawak Laksa. The restaurant there is named Restaurant Budaya and their wood interior is very unique. Do also visit their souvenir shop before leaving the Sarawak Cultural Village (SCV) where you can buy home souvenirs like musical instruments, books, carvings that are made from wood and many more. At each one of the houses that you visit do also sell newly made cookies and fried items like chips and local delicacies.

Sarawak Cultural Village
Pantai Damai, Santubong,
93752 Kuching,
Sarawak, Malaysia.
Tel: (6082) 846 411
Fax: (6082) 846 988
Email: enquiry@scv.com.my
Website: http://www.scv.com.my