Borneo Cultures Museum is an iconic museum in Malaysia! If you have always wanted to discover the amazing cultures of the people in Borneo, especially in Sarawak, this is the right place. The museum is right in the heart of Kuching city, near Padang Merdeka. It's a five-story building that looks super modern and cool, showing off Sarawak's special crafts and cultural history.

The Borneo Cultures Museum consists of five levels and each floor has a different theme. The second floor is all about loving our rivers, the third floor is about being in harmony with nature, the fourth-floor talks about how time changes, and the fifth floor has a gallery called 'Objects of Desire.' All those levels provide a complete exploration of how Borneo people live through the ages. If you are wondering how amazing this museum covers all the things about Borneo, take 10 minutes read to our article now.

The construction of The Borneo Cultures Museum was led by a person named Dato’ Seri John Lau Kan Sieng, who is from Sarawak and has worked on many big projects worldwide in Africa, Hong Kong, China, United Arab Emirates, and Singapore. This museum is a big and ambitious plan that took four years to finish and cost RM308 million. The design of the museum is inspired by Borneo's diverse culture, with a golden arched roof that looks similar to Sarawak’s State Legislative Assembly across the Sarawak River. The panels inside are shaped like the traditional woven rattan mats and songket of the state. Meanwhile, the panel wall claddings are created in a unique way that is inspired by Sarawak's traditional weavings, symbolizing the museum's duty as the guardian of the state's cultural heritage. In the middle of the front, there are glass panels that let sunlight enter the indoor galleries and light up the room. The best thing about this building is that the wood used for the panels and floor inside is certified by PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) to be eco-friendly and reduce their impact on the environment.

The Borneo Culture Museum consists of five levels with different themes. Each theme tells stories about the Borneo people and their cultural and historical heritage. Explore all those five levels through our guide here before you go.

The first level of the Borneo Culture Museum consists of a lobby, auditorium, restaurant, and gift shop. Besides for the visitor’s registration process, Level 1 also functions as a main place for events. They provide the auditorium for the private or public events. Before exploring the thematic exhibition from Level 2 to 5, you can collect your visitor pass at the reception counter. Then, after completing your museum journey, you can extend your experience by buying souvenirs at the gift shop or enjoying a meal at the restaurants inside the museum.

Moving up to Level 2, you will find the Children’s Gallery and the Arts and Crafts Gallery. The Children’s Gallery provides an interactive learning environment and gives educational experiences about sustainability to kids’ awareness of taking care of the environment. With the theme 'Love Our Rivers,' this space focuses on the preservation and conservation of knowledge to keep the rivers clean. In this gallery, you may find many artworks that are made of river junk. Meanwhile, in the Arts and Crafts Gallery, you can explore traditional craftsmanship, dances, and music, creating an immersive and educational atmosphere. To enhance the family-friendly ambiance, Level 2 also features a playground and lounge area for children and parents to relax.

Level 3 is the largest gallery of the museum with 2,188 square meters wide. The theme of the exhibition on this floor is 'In Harmony with Nature,' which depicts the intimate relationship between Borneo people and their mother nature. In this exhibition, you may find the traditional stuff used by Borneo people for living such as fishing equipment, the traditional house, hornbill dance costume, and so on. There are also many unique handcrafted items related to Borneo people’s lives.

On Level 4, the 'Time Changes' exhibition provides a comprehensive exploration of Sarawak's historical background. The gallery is divided into four informative sections: Cave Discoveries, Borneo and Empires, The Making of Sarawak, and Sarawak in Motion. This level offers educational features which suitable for school groups and align with history curriculum topics. The exhibition presents the history of Sarawak, starting from prehistoric times to the modern era which are displayed through the archaeological discoveries and historical findings. The discoveries may include ancient ornaments, the Sarawak Map, the Sarawak Proclamation, and so on.

Reaching the summit on Level 5, you will find the 'Objects of Desire' gallery. This gallery displays the museum's masterpieces and the finest examples of Sarawak’s material culture. This gallery focuses on the unique artistic designs of artifacts. The astounding artifacts are believed to possess supernatural powers and symbolize social status. The gallery allows you to admire the artistic beauty of these artifacts, which has a strong emphasis on object-focused exhibits that celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Sarawak.

The Borneo Cultures Museum is located Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg, 93400 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. This museum is in the center of Kuching city next to Padang Merdeka.

The opening hours Borneo Culture Museum are from 9 AM to 4.45 PM from Monday to Friday. Meanwhile, from Saturday to Sunday, it opens from 9.30 AM to 4.30 PM. The museum is closed during Malaysia’s public holidays. The public holidays include Eid al-Fitr (First day), Chinese New Year (First day), Labor Day, Gawai Day (First day), Sarawak Governor’s Birthday, Independence Day, and Christmas Day. It is advisable to check Malaysia’s Calendar before visiting the museum to know whether the Borneo Culture Museum is open or not.

The Borneo Culture Museum ticket price varies depending on the age and nationality category. Here is the list of Borneo Culture Museum ticket prices:

Malaysian (Sarawakian)

Malaysian (non-Sarawakian)

Foreigners

Annual Unlimited Visits for all nationality: RM 100

Before visiting the Borneo Cultures Museum in Kuching, Sarawak, it's essential to consider a few helpful tips to enhance your experience:

Ensure you are aware of the museum's operating hours to plan your visit accordingly. This information will help you maximize your time and explore the galleries at your own pace. It is advisable to check Malaysia’s calendar before you visit this museum because this place is closed during public holidays.

Verify the admission fees and any applicable discounts for students, seniors, or group visits. Having this information in advance will streamline your entry process and avoid any surprises.

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with the museum's layout and the themes of each gallery on different levels. Planning your route in advance can help you prioritize areas of interest and make the most of your visit.

Check if there are any temporary or special exhibitions happening during your visit. These exhibits might offer unique insights into specific aspects of Borneo's culture or history.

Consider the time you have available for your museum visit. Each level offers unique experiences, so allocate time accordingly to fully appreciate the diverse exhibits and galleries.

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