Kuching Trip 20-22 Jan 2011 (Part II) - Places of Interests in Kuching City Center

Photos courtesy of David Bates. :)

The Great Cat of Kuching, a monumental kitsch statue, is situated at the junction of Jalan Padungan and Jalan Central.

The well-known Kuching Waterfront, located along Jalan Main Bazaar and Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, is a must-go venue if you are visiting Kuching. It is a beautifully landscaped esplanade of almost 900m, dotted with wooden benches and food stalls.

The Square Tower on the Waterfront was built in 1879 as a fortress.

The Court House Complex, located at the junction of Main Bazaar and Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg, facing the Waterfront, was built in 1871 as the seat of Sarawak's government and was used for this purpose as late as 1973.

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The Waterfront offers excellent views of the Astana (Head of State official residence), Dewan Undangan Negeri (new State Legislative Assembly), and Fort Margherita.

The Astana, the imposing palace on the north bank of the river opposite the Waterfront, was built in 1870 by Charles Brooke as a bridal gift to his wife Margaret. It is nowadays the official residence of the Governor of Sarawak, and therefore not open to visitors.

This is Dewan Undangan Negeri (new State Legislative Assembly).

Fort Margherita was built in 1879 to guard Kuching's river approaches from pirates. Named after Charles Brooke's wife, Ranee Margaret, it is an extremely attractive and interesting building.