Continue for Kuching trip

  CITY  LIFE                                                                                               

1.Kuching Waterfront

• The Waterfront, now transformed into a landscaped esplanade, was an important place in the founding of Kuching. Take a leisurely stroll along the Waterfront to explore its historical buildings and admire the modern sculptures, open-air theatre and the musical fountains. While doing so, imagine the scene back in 1839, when English adventurer James Brooke first landed here and created history in Sarawak. 

2. Tua Pek Kong Temple

• The oldest Chinese temple in Sarawak, the Tua Pek Kong Temple is believed to have been around since 1843 although official records only recognised its existence in 1876. One of the city's prominent landmarks, the Chinese pay homage to the Tua Pek Kong deity here for peace and prosperity. This temple is situated at the traffic light junction near Jalan Bazaar.

3.India Street Mall

• Along India Street, which is designated as a pedestrian walkway, are a variety of shophouses trading colourful textiles, clothing, crockery and other essentials in a manner which has not changed much in the past decades. Bargaining is very much a way of life here.

  HISTORICAL  BUILDING                                                                    

1.Sarawak Steamship Building 

 

• #Built in 1930, this was previously the office and warehouse of the Sarawak Steamship   Company.Extensively restored, its now houses a restaurant, a fast food outlet and a convenience store. 

 
   2.Square Tower

• It was built in 1879, the same year Fort Margherita on the opposite bank of the river was erected. Originally, it was used as a prison, and it even had dungeons. Then, it was turned into a fortress, and even into a dance hall.

3.The Court House

• The Court House was built in 1874 to bring together all government offices and be the venue for all state ceremonies. State council meetings were held here from the fifth council meeting in 1878 until 1973. Befitting its status, this is an impressive building with belian (iron wood) roof and is decorated with beautiful engravings reflecting local art form. It now houses the High Court, the Magistrate's Court and several government departments. Back in 1847, this was originally the site of a missionary which was turned into a judicial administration office. It was demolised in 1858 and two more buildings were put up in its place before the Court House came into being.

4. The Astana

• The Astana which lies in regal splendor across the river, is a majestic building with romantic history. The second Rajah, Charles Brooke, built this palace in 1870 as a bridal gift for his wife, the Ranee Margaret. Then known as the Government House, it is actually three separate buildings fused into one, with each connected to the other by short and narrow passageways. First occupied by Charles Brooke in 1870, it was the private residence of the second Rajah. It has undergone substantial alterations and renovations and is today the official residence of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri, the Governor of Sarawak. 

5. Fort Margherita

• Completed in 1879, Fort Margherita commands a breathtaking and strategic position along the Sarawak River, with a location chosen to overlook the long stretch of river approaching Kuching. Named after the second Rajah, Charles Brooke's wife, the Ranee Margaret, it was built in the defensive edifice/castle style of the late English renaissance. Fort Margherita has been converted into a Police Museum and many of its old cannons, cannon balls, guns, pistols, swords and other vestiges of its artillery can still be seen. The armoury still exists as does the condemned prisoner's cell. The Police Museum has a display of old police weapons, reconstructed opium dens and scenes of hanging and other forms of criminal punishment

 6.Round Tower

• Constructed in 1886, the reason for the building of the Round Tower remains a mystery. Because of its structure, it is claimed the building was meant to serve as a fort in an emergency. Instead it became the Dispensary and was then used by the Labour Department until 1980. It now houses a section of the Judicary department. In earlier days, the Round Tower was strategically located to provide an excellent view of the town.

 
  MUSEUMS                                                                             


1.Cat Museum

• The Cat Museum at the Kuching North City Council is the world's first museum devoted to cats. Here you can find a large range of exhibits of cats including pictures, books, souvenirs and etc.

 

 2.Chinese History Museum

 

• Located at the Waterfront, this museum is devoted to the Chinese community of Sarawak. It exhibits the routes of early trading, migration from various provinces of China, early pioneers, trading formation, political history and Chinese associations.

 3.Sarawak Museum

•  Originally built in 1891 to house and display arts and crafts of the indigenous people of Borneo, the Sarawak Museum has gained a reputation for having the single most comprehensive collection of Borneon artefacts to be found anywhere. After extensive extensions, the Sarawak Museum now straddles both sides of Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg, with both buildings connected by an overhead pedestrian bridge. The original 1891 building was designed in style of a Normandy town-house and was extended to its present structure in 1911. The new wing, just across the road, was built in the 1970s and has a reconstruction of life in the prehistoric Niah Caves.