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Sunset view
of Kuching Waterfront's Tambang Jetty - STBpic
Picture
is courtesy of the Sarawak
Tourism Board
More
than any other feature, the Waterfront epitomizes how
Kuching has modernized itself without losing any of its
charm.
Kuching
is a riverine city. Its location on the Sarawak River was
chosen not only for its strategic and commercial importance,
but also for its enchanting natural beauty. In days gone by
the river was the city's main highway. The river still
retains its importance and picturesque charm in the modern
era. Present day life is still concentrated on the
waterfront.
A
meander on the Kuching waterfront is a walk through time;
from Kuching's humble, ancient origins, to its status as a
modern city. No visit to Kuching would be complete without a
stroll on the modern esplanade, or to sit, relax and
experience a Sarawakian sunset.
There
have of course been many changes since James Brooke's time,
but there are still many landmarks that are legacies from
the White Raj. For the first time visitor, it would be easy
to imagine the scene in 1839 when James Brooke first landed
in Kuching, and started a new chapter in the annals of
Sarawak's history.
The
Waterfront has of course undergone several transformations
since the 19th century - from a small settlement with a few
atop buildings, to a busy port with warehouses and wharves,
to the landscaped riverside walk it is today. The Waterfront
is now also home to modern sculpture, an open-air theatre
and a musical fountain.
Several
buildings, originally built in the 19th and early 20th
centuries to cater to Kuching's earlier development as a
port and administrative center, have been restored to their
former glory and are worth visiting, starting with the
Sarawak Steamship Building.
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