Kuching Cat Museum

Kuching is generally read as the Malay word for cat, though other derivations are argued, and the city has run with it: there are cat statues at roundabouts through the town and, on a hill in Petra Jaya, a municipal museum given over entirely to the animal. The collection runs to several thousand items across four galleries - Egyptian material and reproductions, cats in advertising and film, taxidermy and skeletal specimens, ceramics and figurines from across Asia, cat breeds and biology, folklore, and a section on the city's own naming. It is exactly as odd as it sounds and is handled without irony, which is part of the appeal; it also sits below the city hall with a good view over Kuching, which is a reason to make the drive even if cats leave you cold.

History

The collection, drawn from the National Museum, was first shown on 1 August 1988 at the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur and later given to the Kuching North City Hall; the origin of the city's name, often read as the Malay word for cat, is not known (Wikipedia, Kuching Cat Museum).

What to look for

• Several thousand cat objects - figurines, ceramics, advertising and film material.
• Egyptian and folklore sections - the animal's place across cultures.
• Specimens and breed displays - taxidermy, skeletons and biology.
• A view over Kuching - from the hill below the city hall.

When to go

All year; check opening days. An hour or two.

Before you go

There is a separate camera fee. Displays are dated and some material is reproduction rather than original. It is out of the centre and needs a taxi or car. Taxidermy is present.

Nearby

Kuching centre and the waterfront are a short drive south.

Key facts