Along with Fort Margherita, the Square Tower, built in 1879, once guarded the river against marauders. Over the past century the structure – still emblazoned with Sarawak’s Brooke-era coat-of-arms – has served as a prison, a mess and a dance hall. Currently, it hosts a dinner-only restaurant.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
0.29 MILES
Housed in the century-old Chinese Court building, this museum provides an excellent introduction to the nine major Chinese communities – each with its own…
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0.29 MILES
Built by Charles Brooke in 1879 and named after his wife, Ranee Margaret, this hilltop fortress long protected Kuching against surprise attack by pirates…
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0.39 MILES
Closed at the time of writing and scheduled to reopen in mid-2020 after extensive conservation work, the Sarawak Museum was established in 1891 by Charles…
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0.04 MILES
The Old Court House was built in the late 19th century to serve as the city’s administrative centre. It now houses a cafe and bar, the excellent Ranee…
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Linking the northern and southern parts of Kuching, the city's spectacular pedestrian bridge (335m) is constructed to resemble the letter 'S' (for Sarawak…
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0.36 MILES
Closed at the time of writing and scheduled to reopen in mid-2020. This museum featured an exhibit called Urang Sarawak, which deftly and succinctly…
11.18 MILES
One of the best places in the world to see semiwild orangutans in their natural rainforest habitat, swinging from trees and scurrying up vines, Semenggoh…
0.23 MILES
Built by Charles Brooke in 1869, the Astana (a local word meaning 'palace’) – conveniently labelled in giant white letters – and its manicured gardens…
Nearby Kuching attractions
0.04 MILES
Linking the northern and southern parts of Kuching, the city's spectacular pedestrian bridge (335m) is constructed to resemble the letter 'S' (for Sarawak…
0.04 MILES
The Old Court House was built in the late 19th century to serve as the city’s administrative centre. It now houses a cafe and bar, the excellent Ranee…
0.05 MILES
Opened in 2018, this excellent museum focuses on the colourful and exciting times of Ranee Margaret of Sarawak. Born Margaret Alice Lili de Windt in Paris…
0.11 MILES
An ornate arch that marks the official entrance to Kuching's Chinatown district.
6. Darul Hana Musical Fountain
0.12 MILES
Although bathed in controversy over its funding and contracting, this garish addition to the Kuching waterfront is certainly a head turner – when it's…
0.13 MILES
Housed in a ‘colonial Baroque’–style building constructed in 1909, this museum displays some superb examples of traditional Sarawakian textiles, including…
0.13 MILES
This temple, rebuilt shortly after the fire of 1884, serves the Teochew congregation as a shrine to Shang Di (the Emperor of Heaven). On the 15th day of…