About Kuching Cat Museum
The Kuching Cat Museum is a cat-themed museum located in the Kuching North City Hall building on Bukit Siol in Petra Jaya, Kuching, Sarawak. Established in 1993, it is regarded as the world's first museum dedicated to cats. It houses over 4,000 artifacts, artworks and exhibits related to cats, reflecting Kuching's name which means cat in Malay. The museum documents feline history, culture and folklore and serves as a distinctive cultural landmark of the city.
Visitors guide
Visitors can expect a museum housed on the ground floor of the Kuching North City Hall headquarters on Bukit Siol hill. The interior is divided into four galleries displaying over 4,000 cat-related artifacts including taxidermy, figurines, posters, stamps, Hello Kitty memorabilia, Egyptian cat mummies and historical documents about cats in Borneo. Exhibits are arranged with informational panels, display cases and photo opportunities, including a large cat statue at the entrance. The hilltop location also offers views over Kuching city.
Key highlights
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World's first museum dedicated entirely to cats with over 4,000 artifacts
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Four themed galleries covering history, culture, art and folklore of cats
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Collection includes Egyptian cat mummy, wild cat species exhibits and Hello Kitty collection
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Located in Kuching North City Hall on Bukit Siol with panoramic city views
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Reflects Kuching's identity as the Cat City of Malaysia
History of Kuching Cat Museum
Established in 1993 by Kuching North City Hall (DBKU) on the initiative of former Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud. It was conceived as the world's first museum devoted to cats and was opened to document and preserve cat-related history, artifacts and folklore, coinciding with Kuching's promotion as the Cat City.
Culture & Context
Reflects the cultural identity of Kuching, whose name translates to cat in Malay. The museum celebrates the cat as a symbol of the city, showcasing its role in local folklore, popular culture and community pride, and has become an iconic cultural attraction for residents and visitors.
Route
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