MALAYSIA
MALAYSIAN BORNEO – SARAWAK •• Southern Sarawak lonelyplanet.comBUS
Long-distance buses depart from the Express
Bus Terminal (Jln Penrissen), 5km southeast of
the centre. There are regular services to
Sibu (RM45, eight hours, 10 departures
daily between 6.30am and 10pm), Bintulu
(RM60, 10 hours, nine departures daily be-
tween 6.30am and 10pm), and Miri (RM80,
14 hours, eight departures daily between
6.30am and 10pm).Getting Around
For information on travelling into Kuching
from the airport, express boat wharf or
express bus station, see boxed text, above.
There are taxi ranks at the market and at
the Express Bus Terminal. Most short trips
around town cost between RM6 and RM10.
Taxis in Kuching do not have meters, so be
sure to settle on the fare before setting out.SOUTHERN SARAWAK
Kuching’s biggest asset is its proximity to a
dozen natural wonders. The city is a great base
for day trips to the coast and into the jungle.
Almost all of the destinations in this section
are within arm’s reach of Kuching.Bako National Park
Sarawak’s oldest national park proves that
you don’t have go too far to find Borneo’s
signature jungles stuffed to the treetops with
wildlife. Bako National Park (%082-478011; admission
RM10; hpark office 8am-5pm) is a 27-sq-km natural
sanctuary located on a jagged jade peninsula
jutting out into the South China Sea. Although
it’s only a stone’s throw from the capital, it’s
well worth spending the night here.Bako is a storehouse of incredible natural
diversity: biologists estimate that the park is
home to 37 species of mammals, 24 reptile
species and 184 bird species (some of which
are migrant species). The park has a total of
17 trails ranging from short walks around
park headquarters to strenuous day treks to
the end of the peninsula. Guides are available
(RM20 per hour), but it’s easy to find your
way around because all trails are colour-coded
and clearly marked with splashes of paint.
Register for the park (adult/child RM10/5)
upon arrival at the boat dock in Bako Bazaar.
From here it’s a choppy 20-minute boat ride
to park headquarters ( Telok Assam), where you’ll
find accommodation, a cafeteria and the park
office. Staff will show you to your quarters
and can answer any questions you have about
trails. At the time of research, some of the
chalets were getting a much-needed renova-
tion. Accommodation bookings can be made
at the National Parks & Wildlife Centre ( p509 )
in Kuching.GETTING THERE & AWAY
Arriving and departing Bako is dependent on
the tides. Call %082-431336 for daily tide
information.
To get to Bako from Kuching, first take a
bus to Bako Bazaar in Kampung Bako, then
charter a boat to the park. Petra Jaya Bus 6
leaves from near the hawker centre (open-air
market) near Kuching Mosque in Kuching
every hour (approximately) from 7.20am
to 6pm (RM2.50, 45 minutes). The last bus
back to Kuching leaves Kampung Bako at
5pm. You can also go by taxi all the way from
Kuching (RM35, 30 minutes).GETTING INTO TOWN
Kuching International Airport (KCH) is 12km south of the city centre. At the time of research
there were no public buses connecting the airport and the city centre. If you don’t want to take
a cab, head left when exiting the airport (which will feel counterintuitive as taxis head right) and
walk for 500m until you hit the main route. Venture across the road to the bus shelter and flag
a bus down (all buses in this direction are heading downtown). It may require a bit of patience,
but the ride will only cost RM1. Taxis will cost around RM24; buy a coupon before you leave the
airport at the counter outside the terminal entrance.
The express-boat wharf is 6.5km east of town in the suburb of Pending. Chin Lian Leong (CLL)
Bus 1 (RM1.50, 40 minutes) connects the wharf with Kuching. It operates from the STC-CLL bus
stand near Kuching Mosque and stops on Jln Tunku Abdul Rahman just west of the Hotel Grand
Margherita Kuching. Taxis from town cost RM20.
The express bus terminal is 5km southeast of the city centre. Numerous STC buses run between
the terminal and city for 90 sen. A taxi costs RM20.514