Darul Hana Bridge
A footbridge joining the two banks since 2017.
Marufish from Alor Setar, Malaysia — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Thomas Quine — CC BY 2.0 · Rulwarih — CC BY-SA 4.0
The waterfront is the heart of Kuching and its loveliest part: a promenade of about two kilometres along the south bank of the Sarawak River, opened in 1993 as the first riverside waterfront built in Malaysia and renewed between 2017 and 2019. Along it are gardens, benches and historic buildings, with Main Bazaar, the city's oldest street, right behind it, lined with old shophouses and handicraft stores. From the promenade you see the city's great landmarks on the opposite bank: the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly with its golden roof, opened in 2009; the white Fort Margherita from the Brooke era; and the Astana, the governor's residence. Linking the banks is the Darul Hana Bridge, a pedestrian bridge opened in 2017 and the only one joining the north and south of the city on foot. The promenade is free and always open, and at its best at sunset and in the evening, when the buildings and bridge are lit and the musical fountain shows begin on the river. You can cross on the small wooden tambang boats for a tiny fare, or take a sunset river cruise for a fee. Start your stroll in the late afternoon at the western end near the Borneo Cultures Museum, walk slowly to the bridge, then cross to Fort Margherita. It is safe and busy with families in the evening, with plenty of restaurants around, halal ones among them.
A footbridge joining the two banks since 2017.
The Legislative Assembly on the far bank.
Crossing the river in a small wooden boat.
South bank of the Sarawak River, city centre
Fort Margherita and the Brooke GalleryA small white fort in the style of an English castle, built in 1879 by Charles B5 minutes walk
Chinese History Museum, KuchingA small, elegant building on the waterfront, built in 1912 as the headquarters o6 minutes walk
Kuching City Mosque (Old Mosque)One of Kuching's loveliest and most distinctive landmarks: a mosque with pink wa7 minutes walk
Borneo Cultures MuseumThe largest museum in Malaysia and the second largest in Southeast Asia, opened 8 minutes walk
Sarawak Islamic Heritage MuseumA quiet museum in a handsome historic building, put up in the early 1930s under 9 minutes walkLate afternoon into the evening: walk while it is cooler, then watch the sunset, the lit buildings and bridge, and the fountain shows. At midday it is hot and parts of the promenade are exposed.