Kuching, Sarawak · normah medical specialist centre t aman church t aman sri w angi t aman trinora...
Transcript of Kuching, Sarawak · normah medical specialist centre t aman church t aman sri w angi t aman trinora...
1. Kuching Divisional Mosque (Masjid Bahagian Kuching)2. Old Fire Station3. Sikh Temple (Gurdwara Sahib Kuching)4. The Sarawak Islamic Museum5. Old Government Printing Office6. Masjid Bandar Kuching (Masjid India)7. Central Police Station8. The Astana9. The Square Tower10. Rajah Charles Brooke Memorial11. Old Court House12. The Japanese Building 13. The Round Tower14. The Pavilion (Textile Museum)15. Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Building (Bangunan Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Sarawak)16. Sarawak Steamship Building17. General Post Office18. St. Thomas’ Cathedral19. The Sarawak Museum20. Hiang Tiang Siang Ti Temple21. Hong San Si Temple22. Fort Margherita23. Chinese History Museum24. Tua Pek Kong Temple (Siew San Teng Temple)25. Reservoir Park
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The imposing Old Kuching State Mosque
was built in 1968 on the site of an older
wooden mosque, the Masjid Besar, dating
from the 1840s. It served as the Sarawak
State Mosque until the current State Mosque
was constructed across river in Petra Jaya in
1990. It is enclosed by an old and delightfully
tranquil Muslim cemetery that is well worth
a visit in its own right. Its gilded cupolas
make it one of the city’s most striking
landmarks, particularly at sunset.
The Old Court House was built in 1871 as the seat of Sarawak’s government, replacing an earlier wooden court house built in 1847, and was used for this purpose as late as 1973, with all Council Negeri meetings being held there since the fifth meeting in 1878. It is a superb collection of buildings, possibly influenced by Roman courthouse design, with magnificent belian (ironwood) roofs, massive columns enclosing outer galleries and beautiful detailing inside and out, reflecting local art forms. The colonial-baroque Clock Tower was added in 1883. The Old Courthouse has recently been transformed into a dedicated cultural and art space, with frequent exhibitions, concerts and other activities.
The Japanese Building was the only
administrative building constructed by the
Japanese Occupational Force in Sarawak
during World War II (1941-1945). Prisoners
of war from Sabah and Sarawak (detained
at Batu Lintang Camp) were marched daily
to the site to provide the labour force for
its construction.
A wooden Sikh Temple existed on this site since 1912, catering to Sikh families living in the Police Barracks nearby. It was demolished to make way for the new golden-domed temple which was opened in 1982. It is one of the city’s most notable landmarks and is the religious and cultural centre of Kuching’s Sikh community. When viewed from the Padang Merdeka end of Jalan Masjid it forms a stunning panorama together with the Kuching City Mosque, a visual testament to Sarawak’s racial and religious harmony.
The Old Fire Station was constructed to
house the first coal-powered fire engine
to be delivered from the UK in 1917. It was
later demolished when the new Fire Station
at Jalan Padungan was completed, but the
Drying Tower survives as a notable local
landmark. An alfresco food court sprang up
around the Drying Tower, and even though
it is now roofed-over, locals still fondly refer
to the location as the ‘open-air market’.
The Central Police Station was built to
replace the old police station formerly
located on the site of the General Post
Office. It opened in 1931 and has retained its
original function and façade to the present
day. It stands out prominently among
the buildings lining the Padang Merdeka
thanks to its blue and white colour scheme,
common to all police stations in Malaysia.
The Round Tower is an austere, fort-like
building and may have been originally
intended for military use, but became the
new Public Dispensary on its completion
in 1886. It replaced the former dispensary
and hospital operated at Mission House
by Bishop Frank McDougall (a qualified
surgeon). It remained a dispensary until
1947 and was later used by the Labour
Office and the Subordinate Courts Registry.
It is nowadays, the headquarters of the
Sarawak Craft Council.
Dominating the
north bank of the
Sarawak River,
the nine-storey
Sarawak State
Legislative Complex (Dewan
Undangan Negeri Sarawak or DUN) is where
Sarawak’s 82 elected state assemblymen
meet and preside over debates and the
passing of laws. It is fully equipped with
high-tech information and communication
technology. Described as one of the most
beautiful buildings in Southeast Asia with
its distinctive payung (umbrella) roof, it is an
iconic landmark for Sarawak. It was officially
opened by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong
(King) of Malaysia, Tuanku Mizan Zainal
Abidin of Terengganu, on 27 July 2009.
This magnificent building has been in continuous use as the General Post Office since its completion in 1931. Designed by Denis Santry of Swan and Maclaren Architects, Singapore, it is the only building in Sarawak to employ the use of Corinthian columns in its facade treatment, along with semi-circular arches and ornamented column capitals and friezes. Deep parapet walls hide the pitched roof while the colonnaded portico serves as a corridor, while the rear of the building is simple and austere.
Fort Margherita was built in 1879 to guard Kuching’s river approaches from pirates. Named after Charles Brooke’s wife, Ranee Margaret,
The Pavilion Building, designed in the style of
a New Orleans Creole townhouse, was the first
building in Sarawak to use reinforced concrete.
Completed in 1909, it housed the Medical
Headquarters and Hospital for Europeans
until the mid-1920s, was then occupied by
various government departments and was
the Japanese propaganda centre during the
World War II occupation. It was extensively
restored in 2005, and opened to the public
as a Textile Museum, housing a remarkable
collection of traditional Borneo textiles.
The Sarawak Steamship Company and its
predecessor, the Sarawak and Singapore
Steamship Company, helped build
Sarawak’s infrastructure and encourage
trade since 1875. The Sarawak Steamship
Building was built to house its offices in
1930. It is nowadays used as a restaurant,
with adjacent retail and display space.
The current St. Thomas’ Anglican
Cathedral was completed in 1956, exactly
100 years after Frank McDougall was
consecrated the first Bishop of Sarawak
in 1856. It replaced the old neo-gothic
wooden built by McDougall with the
assistance of a German carpenter in 1857.
It is built in typical mid-20th century
British style and has an imposing bright
red barrel-vaulted ceiling.
Kuching’s Reservoir Park is a green lung in
the heart of the old city, centered around
two small lakes that were dug in 1895 to
serve as reservoirs for Kuching’s piped
water supply. By the 1930s, the reservoirs
fell into disuse, replaced by a much larger
installation at Matang, but remained a
popular recreational area. In 1975 the entire
area was landscaped and footbridges,
pavements, walkways and an auditorium
built. The park is equally popular with
joggers and wedding photographers
thanks to its serene atmosphere.
The Taoist Hong San Ti Temple is one of the
most ornately decorated houses of worship
in Kuching, with beautiful ceramic artwork,
ceramic carp and other creatures adorning
its rooftop. Dedicated to the Hokkien child
deity Kong Teck Choon Ong, it is claimed
to date from 1848. It is widely believed that
the child deity appeared on the rooftops of
Ewe Hai Street during the Great Fire of
Kuching in 1884, warning the people
and summoning the rain to put out the
fire. The temple’s annual procession, to
commemorate Deity’s birthday, falls on the
22nd day of the 2nd lunar month.
The building housing the Chinese History
Museum was originally the Chinese
Courthouse, completed in 1912. It was
taken over by the Sarawak Chinese General
Chamber of Commerce in 1930, then
restored and converted into the Chinese
History Museum in 1993. The museum
portrays the rich and fascinating history of
Sarawak’s diverse Chinese dialectic groups,
their respective traditional skills and cultural
heritage, and the involvement of the Chinese
community in modern, multi-racial Sarawak.
The Hiang Tiang Siang Ti Temple (also
called Lao Ya Keng in Teochew) is
dedicated to the Taoist deity of the same
name and was built in 1889 to replace a
smaller and simpler temple on the same
site that had been razed by the Great
Fire of Kuching in 1884. It features a small
turtle pool and has a stage erected
directly across the street for opera
performances to entertain the deities. An
imposing procession is held by the temple
devotees on its feast day, which falls on
the 4th day of the 12th lunar month.
The second Rajah, Sir Charles Brooke, died in
England on May 17, 1917 and was buried in the
country churchyard of Sheepstor, Devon. The
government erected a memorial in the form
of a 6-metre granite obelisk with a bas relief
of the Rajah in marble, with bronze panels
on each corner depicting raised figures of a
Malay, a Dayak, a Chinese and a Kayan. During
the unveiling ceremony, on October 16, 1924,
Kuching received its first ever visit from
an aircraft, a British navy seaplane. When
it landed in the Sarawak River, some of the
more superstitious members of the audience
fled for cover, thinking it was the spirit of the
old Rajah came to express his displeasure.
it was never put to the
use for which it had been originally
intended; only attack on the fort, though
unsuccessful, came from the air when the
Japanese bombed Kuching on Friday,
19 December 1941. This imposing landmark
served as a Police Museum from 1971
before being handed over to the State
Government. After extensive restoration
work, it now houses the Brooke Gallery
which showcases the history and legacy
of Sarawak under the Brooke era.
The Sarawak Islamic Museum is housed in the Maderasah Melayu Building, built by the Brooke Government in 1930 as a boy’s secondary school to educate Malay students. The school was closed in 1964 and the building taken over by the Education Department. It was extensively renovated and opened as the Islamic Museum in 1992. It presents a clear picture of the rich historical heritage and special culture of the Muslim community in Sarawak and throughout the Malay-Indonesian archipelago, and traces connections with the development of Islam in the rest of the World. It consists of 7 galleries set around a central courtyard garden, each with a different theme.
The Sarawak Museum Old Building
(Ethnographic Museum), opened in 1891,
was originally designed in Queen Anne style
but after many renovations nowadays more
closely resembles the French provincial
style. It was built by Rajah Charles Brooke to
house and display indigenous arts and crafts
and collections of local animals, encouraged
by the famous naturalist, Alfred Wallace,
who was collecting specimens in the
country. It formerly housed an exceptional
ethnographic collection but is currently
closed until mid-2020 for conservation
work before the collection is relocated to
the new Sarawak Museum Campus, a major
exhibition and research centre currently
under construction across the footbridge.
The Siew San Teng Temple is popularly known as the Tua Pek Kong Temple after the name of its principal deity. Although the name translates to “Big Grand Uncle” in Hokkien, the deity is worshipped here by all dialectic groups. The temple has existed on this site since 1770, undergoing major reconstruction in 1856, 1965 and 2002. The site was carefully chosen, in accordance with feng shui principles, and it is believed the temple will bring peace, harmony and eternal prosperity to Kuching’s Chinese community.
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Kuching Divisional Mosque(Masjid Bahagian Kuching)
The Masjid Bandar Kuching (Masjid India) is
accessible via a narrow lane from India Street
or through its main entrance on Gambier
Road. It is the oldest intact mosque in the
State, built in 1876 on the site of an old
wooden surau (prayer room). Prominent
members of the Indian Muslim community
constructed the shophouses that surrounded
the mosque in the early 20th Century and
donated them to the mosque as a revenue
source. Inside the mosque is a huge drum or
bedok, which accompanies the call to prayer.
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Masjid Bandar Kuching (Masjid India)
Built in 1879, the Square Tower is situated
at Pangkalan Batu on the south bank of the
Sarawak River at the eastern end of Kuching
Waterfront. Originally intended as a fort and
jailhouse, with its stout walls and massive gun
emplacements, it fortunately never fired a
shot in anger, unlike its wooden predecessor
which was burnt down in the 1857 gold miners’
rebellion. It has served as a jail, administrative
office and even a dance hall, and is currently
used as a fine-dining restaurant.
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The Square Tower
Sikh Temple (Gurdwara Sahib Kuching)Central Police Station The Astana, across river from the
Kuching Waterfront, was built in 1870 by Charles Brooke as a bridal gift to his wife Margaret. Laid out in the style of an English manor house, it is the third and last residence built by the Brooke Rajahs and was occupied by the reigning Rajah until the Japanese Occupation in 1941. Now the Official Residence of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak (Governor of Sarawak), the Astana has occupied a significant place in the history of Sarawak; it was the venue for the various meetings of the General Council from 1873 to 1937.
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The Astana
Old Fire Station
Rajah Charles Brooke Memorial
Old Court House
Japanese Building
SarawakState Legislative
AssemblyBuilding
Sarawak Steamship Building
Hiang Tiang Siang Ti Temple
Chinese History Museum
The Pavilion Building (Textile Museum)
General Post OfficeSt. Thomas’ Cathedral
Fort Margherita
Reservoir Park
The old Government Printing Office was
built in 1908 at the junction of Khoo Hun
Yeang Street and Barrack Road, on the
former site of the first Ladies’ Club. When
the Printing Office moved out in 1951,
the building was extensively renovated
to house the newly-formed Kuching
Municipal Council, later Kuching City South
Council. When the council moved to its
new premises in Jalan Padungan, the
building served as the Kuching Resident’s
Office until 2014. It is now occupied by
the Sarawak Museum Department.
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Old Government Printing Office
The Round Tower
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Hong San Si Temple
The Sarawak Islamic Museum
The Sarawak Museum
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Tua Pek Kong Temple
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Take a quick look around Kuching and you will certainly notice a historical building or
site, stately and unique, enchanting always; these are just some of the attractive charms of the city. Singularly or clustered, these fascinating cultural and historic icons are found at almost every turn and step you take around the city.
Starting from the Brunei Sultanate Empire during the 17th and 18th Century to the White Rajahs for much of the 19th and 20th Centuries, the city’s wealth of heritage sites offer an exciting mix of western and eastern influences spread within walking distances of each other. A haven to most, it is also bewilderment in choice of venues to visit for those with premium on time.
Amidst the skylines of the City today, you will also find distinctive buildings from the days gone by, from the Brooke Era and British Colonial style architectures, archaic Chinese temples and alleyways to surprisingly fresh new looks for centuries old shophouses. This once riverine trading post has since then grown to be a strategic port, administrative town, business centre and capital city. Almost all the modern amenities expected of a city are available here, minus the hustle and bustle of a metropolis. Careful planning of the surrounding environment to maintain this leisurely pace is Kuching’s gift to residents and visitors alike, a feeling of warmth and comfortable existence that is real and stimulating.
!Important Contacts
Kuching Visitors’ Information CentreSarawak Tourism Complex (Old Court House),93100 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.Email: [email protected]: +6082 410 944Fax: +6082 256 301Open Mon-Sun: 9am to 6pm
Sarawak Tourism BoardLevel 4, Plaza Aurora, Jalan McDougall,93000 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.Email: [email protected]: +6082 423 600Fax: +6082 416 700
Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Sarawak2nd Floor, Bangunan Baitulmakmur Medan Raya, Petra Jaya, 93050 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.Tel: +6082 319 313Fax: +6082 445 311
Useful Telephone NumbersTourist Police Unit(Kuching Waterfront, 8am - Midnight)Tel: +6082 250 522
Central Police Station(Opposite Padang Merdeka)Tel: +6082 241 222
Immigration(UTC Building, Jalan Padungan)Open every day except for public holiday(8.30am-9.00pm)Tel: +6082 245 661
Police (Emergency only)Tel: 999
Fire & RescueTel: 994
MINISTRY OF TOURISM, ARTS, CULTURE, YOUTH
& SPORTSJABATAN MUZIUM SARAWAK
Multi-culturism is the face of Kuching; most visitors cannot tell the residents from the out-of-towners as this melting pot of ethnic diversity is both fascinating and interestingly confusing. The rich varieties of food can be tempting, challenging; indecisions on choices are positively understandable. Also, those travelling with pocket dictionaries quickly discover their usefulness - inside the backpacks! as English is both spoken and welcomed here. Discover Kuching and be prepared to be surprised by its rich historical, cultural treasure trove and warm friendly people.
Welcome to Kuching, Sarawak
James Brooke
Sarawak’s Early History (1841-1941)
T he early history of Sarawak is unique in Malaysia as the state was ruled not by a
foreign empire, but by a family. The Brookes (also called the White Rajahs) were responsible for most of the early architectural and urban development of Kuching, having been in rule for 100 years.
The First Rajah, James Brooke (born 29 April 1803, died 11 June 1868) was a man of adventure. Born in Benares, India, he served in the Burmese war in 1825 and began his sailing adventures with the purchase of a schooner, The Royalist, in 1835 from an inheritance of 30,000 Pounds upon the passing of his father.
On April 15 1839, James arrived in Sarawak and was enlisted by the then Governor, Pengiran Muda Hashim, uncle of the Brunei Sultan, to put down a revolt. With superior weapons and tactics, he quickly quashed the rebels and in return, was made Rajah in 1842, thus initiating the reign of the White Rajahs here.
Kuching then consisted of humble timber huts with nipah thatched roofs nestled along the Sarawak river, primarily the stretch along the present Main Bazaar. Some of the notable buildings during James’ reign were Bishop’s House (1849), old State Mosque (1847), the Government House (1857), the St. Thomas Cathedral (1857) and the Tua Pek Kong (pre1839).
Charles Brooke (born 3 June 1829, died 17 May 1917) was the nephew of James and succeeded the first Rajah in 1868. Charles was the consummate administrator and a sticker for order and decorum.
Mr. A.B. Ward, a civil servant who served under the Rajah from 1899 to 1923, had remarked that dinners at the Astana were always formal and punctuality was obligatory. At the sound of the guns from Fort Margarita at 8pm sharp, diners were led in personally by the Rajah.
Punctually at 10pm, the Rajah would bid his guests and officers good night before retiring to bed, leaving his guests to depart as best they could.
Charles Brooke
Charles Vyner Brooke