Instead Of Spending Countless Hours Doom-Scrolling Over The Weekend, It's Time To Call Your Loved Ones Out For A Fun & Relaxing Time By Going Picnic In Kuching!
It's been over 40 hours of sitting at your office desk, and you're itching to head outdoors and recharge for the weekend with your loved ones.
Everyone knows that Kuching is a melting pot of cultures and is famous for its Sarawak laksa, kolo mee, and kek lapis. Not to mention the vibrant markets highlight the state's diverse ethnicity from various handicrafts and traditional textiles. You'd be surprised to learn it is also home to many breathtaking hiking spots with some of the best views and sightings of endemic species.
But if you're not up for trekking through the jungles, you'll be pleased to know that Kuching boasts an abundance of green spaces perfect for hosting your weekend picnics. These include family-friendly parks, a national park, serene beaches to lounge about with friends, and even a farm that offers entry either for free or at very affordable rates.
Don't forget to bring along your Montigo thermoregulated bottle to stay hydrated throughout the picnic. Of course, your outing would not be complete without loading up tasty food in your picnic baskets to eat, conveniently stored in the Montigo Lunch Stacker. This handy food container makes it easy for you to carry around while keeping your food fresh.
11 Tranquil Places To Enjoy A Wonderful Picnic In Kuching During The Weekend
1. Reservoir Park, Kuching (a.k.a Unity Park)
Unity Park, formerly known as Reservoir Park, is well cherished by the Kuchingites. It was formerly a water supply infrastructure used to provide treated water to the residents of Kuching from 1895 to the 1930s before being transformed into a recreational park in the 1970s.
After going through major renovations in 2022, Unity Park has restaurants and cafés where you can buy food for your picnic if you don't want to go through the hassle of preparing the picnic on your own.
Pavilions are also located throughout the park, representing different ethnicities in Sarawak. The park's lush greenery makes it an idyllic place for hosting a picnic at one of its many shaded spots as you enjoy the scenic lake views.
Your little ones can also get energy out of their system by running around the playground. Some people also love buying fish food to feed the fish and turtles swimming in the ponds. Overall, this park is perfect for anyone who wants to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.
Entrance Fee: None
Opening Hours: 24 hours, daily
Location: Taman Budaya, 93000 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
2. Pustaka Negeri Sarawak Park
Pustaka Negeri Sarawak Park is a lovely green oasis, located next to Pustaka Negeri Sarawak (Sarawak State Library). After a long day of working or studying indoors at the library, you can head outside for some fresh air in the vast park where the Minaret Gardens and the State Mosque are.
The park has an artificial lake, a playground, bicycle lanes, and walkways surrounded by stunning flower gardens and towering trees. You can also host your picnic here at one of its many picnic areas.
For fitness enthusiasts, there's also an open space for group activities such as Zumba and aerobics. It's best to go early in the morning or evening after 5:00 pm to avoid the midday heat.
Entrance Fee: None
Opening Hours: 24 hours, daily
Location: Petra Jaya, 93050 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
3. Batu Kawah Riverbank Park
Batu Kawah Riverbank Park is a clean and spacious park offering different facilities. It's the locals' favourite spot to go jogging here or even hang out at the park at night. The park has a store that provides bicycle rental services and sells snacks as well. Imagine cycling along the well-maintained paths before sitting on the manicured lawns to have your picnic!
The park's highlight would be the "Sky Window" where you climb 8 stories of stairs or take an elevator to the bridge, which gives you a bird's eye view of the river and surrounding city. However, the "Sky Window" is only open from 8:00am to 10:00pm, and the last time you can go upstairs to the bridge is at 9:45pm.
Batu Kawah Riverbank Park also features an impressive selection of facilities suited for various sports, such as skateboarding, pickleball, basketball, table tennis, and pétanque (lawn bowling). There's a children's playground as well, where the floor of the swing area has been upgraded with recycled tyre rubber to reduce waste and improve safety standards.
Entrance Fee: None
Opening Hours: 24 hours, daily
Location: Lorong 2, Batu Kawa, 93250 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
4. Malaysia-China Friendship Park (An Homage To The Admiral Who Travelled Across The South China Sea)
The Malaysia-China Friendship Park was built on 2.8 hectares of land to commemorate the 30th anniversary of both countries' close diplomatic relations in 2005. Ever since then, the park has been frequented by Kuchingites for outdoor activities such as jogging, evening walks, or even meditation.
Some couples even come here to stage their wedding photoshoots! Locals and tourists typically visit the park early in the morning, late in the evening, or even at night, which results in limited parking available here.
As a symbol of Malaysia and China's friendship, the park features elements typically found in both countries. The Malaysia-China Friendship Park has two main sections - Malaysia and China. Each section is designed based on the country's unique culture and architecture; think Chinese pavilions where one can enjoy a shaded picnic, oriental archways, and more.
The China section has a statue of Admiral Zheng He (also romanised as Cheng Ho), who was well-known for travelling across the South China Sea, Mediterranean Sea, and Indian Ocean to visit more than 37 countries. It also has other unique elements ranging from the Zig Zag Bridge to the Tea Pavilion, Chinese Gateway, the Rock Garden, and the Beijing Pavilion.
The Malaysia section of the park features the local culture, such as the Sarawak Fountain, Hibiscus Garden, Malaysia Murals, and Baruk Pavilion. The Sarawak Fountain is a monument that has seven arms overhanging a fountain, where the seven arms represent the major Sarawakian tribes.
Aside from the country sections, the park has several large and small beautifully landscaped gardens. One unique garden, in particular, has a reflexology path called the Path of Good Health, which displays a guideline on utilising the path for better well-being. You can also feed fish in the pond, but only using the fish feed sold at stalls onsite.
Overall, the park is a good place for taking photos, as many interesting photo spots can be found here. No matter which section you're in, you'll be left in awe of its stunning architecture. As Malaysia-China Friendship Park is not dog-friendly, you may want to check out the next park!
Bonus Tip: There's a Chagee tea store on-site where picnickers can purchase an array of freshly brewed tea or milk tea. Bring a thermoregulated tumbler or coffee cup to enjoy your tea on-the-go!
Entrance Fee: None
Opening Hours: 5:00 am to 10:00 pm, daily
Location: Jalan Song, Tabuan Heights, 93350 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
5. Hui Sing Park
Hui Sing Park is a dog-friendly park that comes to life after 5:00pm, where lots of nearby residents drop by for daily exercise. It features a reflexology path, outdoor gym equipment, a jogging trail, and a children's playground.
You might even come across a few stalls selling fruit, which is a nice addition to your picnic food. The park has a small gazebo for you to sit down and have a picnic to unwind after a long weekend.
While the park is small, it is clean and safe enough for families to picnic here. As long as your dogs remain leashed, they are all welcome here for their daily walks around the park. A public restroom is available at the park as well. Expect to see many kids having fun at the playground and the locals using the exercise machines scattered around the park.
Entrance Fee: None
Opening Hours: 24 hours, daily
Location: Hui sing Ui, Taman Hui Sing, 93350 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
6. Garden Park MBKS
Garden Park MBKS is located in the heart of Kuching and is considered one of the largest recreational parks in the state. The jogging paths around the lake are maintained well, making it any frequent joggers' favourite spot, not to mention the lovely scenery and lush greenery of the park. Sometimes, you might even see the aunties and uncles doing tai chi or walking along the reflexology path.
The park also features a large kid's playground, a bridge across the lake, and exercise machines amongst its landscaped lawns. The lawns also make for a nice place to sit and have a picnic while surrounded by nature and fresh air. You are permitted to feed the fish in the lake with fish pellets only to not contaminate the lake.
Entrance Fee: None
Opening Hours: 24 hours, daily
Location: 93450 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
7. Taman Jubilee Mas Recreation
Taman Jubilee Mas Recreation is a park that has a lot of shaded spots perfect for picnicking or having a barbecue with your loved ones. Several pavilions are located around the park if you're not up for sitting on the grass.
The park also has a creek where people like to bathe and play in the water. But keep in mind that there's no place for you to change as the toilet is damaged and has not been repaired for a long time.
Entrance Fee: None
Location: Batu 11, Q309, Matang Land District, 93050 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
8. Taman Botani Sarawak
Taman Botani Sarawak is a 206.10-acre park located within the area near the Sarawak Legislative Assembly, Wisma Bapa Malaysia, and Fort Margherita. The park's core garden is home to 14 subzones of plants, such as ferns, fruit trees, a limestone forest, bamboo, and many more.
Several gazebos are scattered across the park, which take on elements from Sarawakian ethnicities such as Melanau and Bidayuh. The park also has many shaded spots, making it a great place to host large picnic groups. It's best to visit the park with a friend in the morning as the park tends to be quiet during the earlier hours.
Taman Botani Sarawak also has a lot of walkways, outdoor gyms, and a kids' playground for everyone to exercise outdoors while surrounded by nature. We recommend easing yourself before dropping by the park, as the toilets aren't usable.
Opening Hours: 24 hours, daily
Location: Q104-4, Kampung Istana, 93050 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
9. Bako National Park
Bako National Park, known as Taman Negara Bako, is Sarawak's oldest national park. It is located about 40km away from Kuching. This green lung is home to diverse ecosystems, various animals, some secluded, serene beaches, and hiking trails. The park is also known for its beautiful coastline and ragged rocky cliffs. To get there, you need to take a boat, which is about RM200 for a round trip of a maximum of 5 people.
Employing guides are highly recommended for their expertise and knowledge of the national park, which are not included in the price of the tickets. Remember to book your guide ahead of time, as you can't arrange for a guide on the spot.
Some even consider Bako National Park one of the best places to admire wildlife in Sarawak, the home to about 275 endangered proboscis monkeys. If lucky, you might even spot the Bornean bearded pig, silvered langur, plantain squirrel, and other animals!
The park also has a wide variety of ecosystems, from the mangrove forest to the peat swamp forest, heath forest, and more. You might even come across carnivorous plants such as sundews, bladderworts, and pitcher plants.
Many people like staying overnight at the park for a chance to spot the nocturnal animals such as palm civet, pangolin, mouse deer, and various bats. While the national park offers rooms for you to stay overnight, you may even stay at a nearby hotel.
Regardless of whether you're here for a day trip or staying overnight, always remember to bring enough food, water, sunscreen, and insect repellent wherever you go, as it could get blistering hot in the open areas. You will also want to wear a pair of proper hiking shoes for better grip if you intend to go for a hike.
While you are allowed to picnic, it is not recommended to swim at the beach here due to the several sightings of crocodiles. The currents here may be quite strong as well, making it less safe to go for a dip in the sea.
Entrance Fee (Malaysian - Senior Citizen, 60 and above): RM5
Entrance Fee (Malaysian - Adult, 18 to 59): RM10
Entrance Fee (Malaysian - Kid, 6 to 17 years old): RM3
Entrance Fee (Foreigner - Adult): RM20
Entrance Fee (Foreigner - Kid, 7 to 18 years old): RM7
Location: Kuching Division, Sarawak, Malaysia
10. Matang Family Park
Matang Family Park offers a quick escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. The picturesque park is situated within the rainforest, with refreshing streams to bathe and swim around.
Picnic facilities are provided as well, where you can enjoy your feast on one of the many picnic tables after barbecuing your food. It's a peaceful place to unwind after a long week of work as you listen to the birds chirping while dipping your feet in the water. Depending on the timing you visit the park, the river's water flow may not be strong during the dry season.
While no entry fee is required, you must sign in at the hut to receive a pass to enter the park. The latest time you are allowed to enter the park is at 3:00pm. The park has a parking lot near its entrance, making it easy for you to access Matang Family Park.
Entrance Fee: None
Opening Hours: 8:00am to 5:00pm (the latest time to enter is at 3:00pm)
Location: Jalan Matang, Petra Jaya, 93050 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
11. Borneo Happy Farm
Borneo Happy Farm is the perfect place for families with young children to visit, and it is a 45-minute drive from the city centre. There's ample free parking available at the farm, so you don't have to worry too much about looking for parking and focus on the fun activities available instead!
I recommend spending at least 3 hours on the farm to make the most of all the attractions available. For the travellers visiting Sarawak, this farm isn't open on the weekdays, which is something to consider for your itinerary.
The farm started off as a private orchard in 1999 before officially opening to the public in 2019. The founders hoped to educate the public on nature conservation, farming, and green ecology.
While the farm has plenty of shaded spots, I recommend packing things such as sunscreen and hats to be on the same side, as it can still get quite hot. You might even want to bring a mini handheld fan to keep yourself cool while exploring the farm to your heart's content.
The farm also has automated audio commentary systems available in Malay, Chinese, and English, making it convenient for a visitor to listen to the explanation in a language of his or her choice.
The farm has many animals, from turtles to poultry, goats, Saanen, horses, and more! Feeding sessions are available throughout the day for different animals, making them exciting experiences for your little ones. You don't have to worry about bringing food for the animals as the staff will supply the food for you to feed.
Borneo cuisines are also served at the farm's restaurant to fill your tummies after a few hours of exploring the farm. You may even check out the Food & Handicraft Gallery next to the restaurant, which displays Borneo's handicrafts and agricultural products.
If you want to experience an exhilarating moment, head to the Rainforest Station or the Bunny Farm Station to buy tickets to try Borneo's first dual zipline! Don't forget to check out and take a picture with the majestic Tapang tree, the tallest and oldest tree within the region.
Overall, Borneo Happy Farm is an idyllic place with a breathtaking view of the rolling hills and the clear blue sky, far away from the stress of the city. For a magical weekend escape from the city, you may even book a room here and savour the beauty of the natural environment for another day.
Entrance Fee (Senior Citizen, 60 and above): Charged at child rate
Entrance Fee (Disabled): Charged at child rate
Entrance Fee (Normal Rate - Adult): RM65
Entrance Fee (Normal Rate - Kid, 3 to 12 years old): RM45
Entrance Fee (MyKAD - Adult): RM35
Entrance Fee (MyKAD - Kid, 3 to 12 years old): RM25
Opening Hours: 8:30am to 5:00pm (Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Public Holidays only)
Ticket Counter Closing Time: 3:30pm
Location: Lot 485 & 490 Jalan Sungai Moyan No.3 Jalan Pei Yuan Selatan Jalan Batu Kawa-Bau Bau, 94000 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
