Introduction
Padawan is a sub-district of the city of Kuching, in the state of Sarawak, Malaysia and is fast becoming a new destination in Kuching for its varied tourism experiences mainly themed around culture, adventure and nature.
This write up is intended to give you additional information on other interesting things to do other than the main star attractions usually offered at the hotel tour desks in Kuching.
The main star attractions associated with Padawan and usually promoted by various tours desks are the Semenggoh Orangutan, Annah Rais Longhouse.
The clean rivers found in Padawan are popular with day trippers for the Rafting and Kayaking Adventure.
Location
Click this for google map location for Kota Padawan, This is just to give you an idea on where it is and this is usually the starting point for tourism experiences around Kuching.
Kota Padawan is the administrative hub for this sub district and is about 25 kilometres south of Kuching and the council is mainly responsible to oversee such tourism potentials in its district.
Nature Attractions
Semenggoh Orangutan Centre
The star wildlife attraction of Sarawak is located in Padawan.
Semenggoh Orangutan offers a great introduction to the habitat of these adorable apes. Get to see them up close during feeding time.
Daily feeding times are at 9.00am and 3.00pm daily.
Temurang Rafflesia Discovery
When it has not bloom, the Rafflesia is really ugly looking
Not many locals know about this. Mention the word Rafflesia and the top location that comes to mind is Gunung Gading National Park.
Gunung Gading National Park takes about two hours to get to. Whereas Temurang Village in Padawan is only about an hour away from Kuching.
Temurang Information Centre
The Rafflesia site is about twenty minutes trek from the Kampung Temurang Information Centre.
A guided tour with a local village guide is a must.
Padawan Pitcher Plant Garden
Discover the various species of Borneo’s carnivorous pitcher plants from the big ones to the small ones.
The garden also have a small orchid collection for you to admire.
Located in Kota Padawan itself.
Entrance Fees art RM 3.00 for Malaysians and RM 6.00 for non Malaysians.
Closed on Mondays and fromTuesday to Friday from 9.00 am to 4.00 pm
Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm.
Heritage Attractions
Rajah Charles Brooke Memorial Hospital.
Display of impressive batik prints produced by the society in the museum.
With the advancements in medicine in treating leprosy, Rajah Charles Brooke Memorial Hospital no longer serves as settlement for lepers.
Not many know that there is a mini museum that gives an insight to the lives of the leper society during the pre war era.
Built and completed on 10th October 1925, this used to house patients from as far as Sabah and Brunei were also admitted to RCBM settlement.
The Settlement was renamed as Rajah Charles Brooke Memorial Hospital in 1962 and remains so till today. Today, RCBM Hospital also provide Out patients services for general public health.
Cultural Attractions
The main culture featured in Padawan is of the Bidayuh community.
There are a few villages that you can either visit on a half day tour or an overnight stay.
Annah Rais Longhouse
Annah Rais Longhouse is the most visited village in Padawan.
Tours to this longhouse is usually combined with the tour of Semenggoh Orangutan Centre.
One of the main attraction at this longhouse is the pangah, or the headhouse. Skulls from headhunting days are kept here and can be very intriguing.
Saloma Village Stay
One of the many waterfalls of Sadir
Saloma Village Homestay is located at Sadir Village, which is further up from Annah Rais.
A perfect place for those seeking a combination of culture, adventure and nature.
Trek and have a picnic at the many waterfalls near this village.
Such a serene view from Saloma’s Village Stay
Join the locals and learn how they farm. Learn jungle cooking methods like cooking with bamboo.
Trip Advisor ratings are at a high 5.
Adventure Attractions
Blessed with beautiful limestone hills and mountains, lush green forests, Padawan offers plenty of jungle trekking.
These can be experienced from Temurang and from Sadir as explained earlier.
The other element recommended to be explored is the Semadang River.
Semadang River Kayaking
This is very easy kayaking and children as young as 6 years old can participate.
The Semadang river is easy flowing and takes little effort to get from starting point to the end.
There are various tour companies that can arrange this and is usually combined with Semenggoh Orangutan tour.
One of the few short mini rapids along Semadang River
Start around 10.30 am from Bengoh village and kayak down to Danu village for a local lunch.
After lunch continue with kayak and reach the end point at Semadang Village at around 4pm.
Golfing
Padawan is home to one of Sarawak’s top golf course, Borneo Highlands Resort.
Some dub this place as “golfing in the skies” especially when teeing of in the mornings.
Mist covered green. Expect this on your morning flight. Golfing in the skies.
The resort has an eighteen hole golf course and is one of the most scenic and challenging golf course in Sarawak.
If you are not planning to golf to can go on a walk to their Kalimantan look out point.
Kalimantan View Point
It is recommended you stay one night here to enjoy the cool natural fresh air. This is one place where air-con is not needed.
Home of Culture, Adventure and Nature
Padawan is indeed a tourism treasure throve and is just a stone’s throw away from Kuching.
Packed with various Culture, Adventure and Nature attractions, Padawan shows us that Sarawak, More to Discover.
Dayak Wanderer 