Place of Attraction: Kuching

Kuching, Sarawak (The Land of Hornbill)

Kuching’s Landmark

Sarawak’s age-old secrets are housed in Borneo’s oldest house of records and artifact – The Sarawak Museum. The blueprint for the original building was drafted by a French Man in 1888 but the museum only officially opened its doors in 1891. Its collection, along with its reputation, has grown steadily since and is now recognized as having the largest collection in the state.

                        

Kuching’s Street

A vibrant collage of colours and aroma greets visitors at India Street, reputedly Malaysia’s first pedestrian mall. Two rows of pre-war shops frame the ancient street, selling everything from souvenirs to fabrics, household goods, spices and gold jewellery. A tiled walkway, lined with palm trees and resting benches, separates the two rows, creating a relaxing atmosphere. Nestled between the shops is a well-known lane,  only two feet wide, which eventually leads to a mosque that was built in 1876 and is still being used today.

                            

Kuching’s Flora

This century old kapok tree is as important a landmark as the field it’s rooted in: Padang Merdeka (Independence field), the venue for all important state open-air functions and activities. Also known as the “5 O’Clock Tree” for reasons unknown, it stands solitary on one side of the field, as if upholding its position as the key witness to Kuching’s numerous historical events.

                       

Kuching’s architecture

It’s all white façade, supported by elegant, Tuscan style colonnades is a vestige of the glory days of Sir Charles Brooke, the Second Rajah of Sarawak. Within its spacious corridor, a nostalgic trail of Kuching’s legal past prevails. Built in 1874, it was then the Court House of Sarawak, housing the magistrate courts, session court and the High Court of Borneo. In 2002, it was restored to preserve its structure and the complex was expended, an exercise so successful, the Heritage of Malaysia Trust bestowed it the National Heritage Award 2004. Today, it is the Sarawak Tourism Complex, a multi-purpose venue for conference hall, meeting rooms and a performing art theatre.