#1. Kuching
Kuching, capital of the Malaysian state of Sarawak on the island of Borneo, is a bustling, diverse city of old colonial buildings and modern towers. Along its Sarawak River waterfront are food vendors, shophouses selling handicrafts and an esplanade with views of 19th-century landmarks: The Astana, former palace of the White Rajahs, and Fort Margherita, built to thwart pirates.
Nearby is the contemporary, umbrella-roofed New Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Building. Kuching has many temples, mosques and churches. Museums range from the Sarawak State Museum complex, with art, ethnology and natural history collections, to the feline-themed Cat Museum. Kuching is a popular base for exploring Sarawakâs parks and reserves, which shelter endangered wildlife such as proboscis monkeys. Bako National Park offers rugged terrain and walking trails through rainforest and along beaches. The craggy Santubong Peninsula, jutting into the South China Sea, features white-sand beaches and resort areas including Damai.