Kuching Waterfront
A nearly one-kilometer riverside promenade along the south bank of the Sarawak River, lined with old shophouses, antique shops, and traditional sampan boats. Across the river is the State Legislative Assembly building with its golden umbrella-shaped roofs.
The Kuching Waterfront stretches about 1 kilometer along the south bank of the Sarawak River and is the best place to start getting to know Kuching. Along the promenade are historic Chinese shophouses, the Old Courthouse complex (now a visitor center and dining area), the Square Tower, the Chinese History Museum (free admission), and a statue of a figure wearing a bamboo hat. Traditional wooden sampans (tambang) ferry people back and forth across the river.
The evening is the best time to visit. The setting sun lights up the State Legislative Assembly building across the river with its golden umbrella-shaped roofs, along with the Astana and Margherita Fort. After dark, you can cross the river on the Darul Hana Bridge, an S-shaped pedestrian bridge, where you can see the riverside lights on both banks. In the evening, there is also a musical fountain show in front of the State Legislative Assembly building. You can also take a Sarawak River cruise (about 1 hour, evening departures, around RM 60 to 90) to see the stilt houses of the riverside kampongs on both banks.
Suggested route: Old Courthouse → Chinese History Museum → stroll along the river to Darul Hana Bridge → cross to the Malay kampong on the other side to eat grilled chicken wings and Kek Lapis (layered cake). Then take a sampan back (about RM 1 one way).
The waterfront is backed by the Main Bazaar and Attap Street, which are worth exploring on the way.
Opening hours
Open all day
Nearby sights
- Sarawak Textile Museum
- Kuching City Mosque
- Carpenter Street & India Street
- New Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Building
- Borneo Cultures Museum
- Fort Margherita
- Top Spot Food Court
- Satok Weekend Market