Hello guys, I went back to Kuching a few months ago for a holiday and to visit my family, relatives and friends. The City of Kuching, also known as the Cat City, is the capital of East Malaysia’s Sarawak state located on the Island of Borneo. This old historic city is modern, laid back and so far still the largest city in Borneo. One of the best ways to explore the city is on foot around the streets of old parts of the city to discover the historic buildings, local business vibes, vibrant street arts, warm friendly locals and hidden gems. Some of the places worth to visit along the trails are Kuching Waterfront, Gambier Street, Market Street, Power Street, India Street, Court House Street, Carpenter Street, China Street, Bishopsgate Street, Main Bazaar Street and Padungan Street. In this video, we walked from Power Street to India Street, the Sarawak Tourism Board Complex, Carpenter Street, Bishopsgate Street and surrounding areas.
Power Street is one of the oldest streets in the old Kuching city centre and named after the electric power station which was built here in 1922. It has some old and newly renovated shophouses and buildings such as the Electra House shopping mall, a covered open air market, etc. Along the street, there are several shops selling various items, banks, cafes, restaurants, etc. There are some murals on the side and back walls of shophouses beside the Electra House but the murals are not something special/actual attraction to visit, just a place to get a couple of quick look and pictures. There is another mural outside the Open Air Market just by an ice cream stall. There is nothing much to see along the street, however, it is worth to see the murals or have a meal and drink at the open air market if you are in the area.
The walk continued from Power Street to nearby India Street, a covered pedestrian walkway. Along the walkway, there are many more shops and small stalls selling various things such as clothes, shoes, fabrics, food, drinks, fruits, souvenirs, golds, jewellery, Sarawak ‘gambir’, etc. There are also some Indian Muslim restaurants or cafes along the street. There is a small and old Indian Muslim Mosque, built in the middle of the 19th century by the Indian Muslims, located in a narrow alley, off the Indian Street, which leads to Gambier Street. The alley, also known as ‘Lorong Sempit’ by the locals, is just opposite Kai Joo Lane, off the India Street. Don’t forget to see some murals on Kai Joo Lane. We walked to the end of the India Street towards the Court House Street.
The Court House Street is dotted with several shops and where the Sarawak Tourism Board Complex, formerly known as the Old Court House Complex, is located. The charming white colonial building complex is a historical landmark of Kuching and houses the Sarawak Tourism Board’s Visitor Information Centre, the Ranee Museum, a restaurant/café, a bar and venues for various functions. The architecture of several blocks of buildings in the complex with its internal green courtyard and surrounding gardens are stunning and well worth a visit. There is a clock tower and a memorial to Charles Brooke at the complex. There is a big mural on the side wall of a shophouse block next to the complex and Plaza Merdeka shopping mall. After wandering around the complex, we proceeded to nearby Carpenter Street.
Carpenter Street, located in the Chinatown district of Kuching, is an interesting street to wander along. This bustling street, with its iconic big arch called the ‘Harmony Arch’, is one of the oldest and historical streets of old Kuching City. There are a great mix of shops selling various items, some coffee shops, restaurants, bars, lodges, etc. along the street. There is an old Chinese temple, Hiang Thian Siang Ti Temple, which is worth to visit. There is nothing special along the street for tourists but worth to visit the Chinese temple and try some of the eating places there for Sarawak Laksa, Kueh Chap, Kolo Mee, Pork satays, fish balls noodle soup, banana fritters, etc. The Lau Ya Keng Food Court is a small hawker centre located opposite the Chinese Teochew Temple, not far from the big arch. Don’t forget to look for a small coffee shop selling coffee beans and drinks to experience a bit of old local coffee drinking culture.
Bishopsgate Street is located off the end of Carpenter street and which leads to Main Bazaar Street and Kuching Waterfront. It is one of the oldest streets in the old Kuching City dotted with several shophouses and having similar vibes to Carpenter Street.
Music in video: Cats searching for the truth (Nate Keefe & Hot Buttered Rum/Country & Folk/Dramatic). Downloaded free from Audio Library – Youtube.
Recording equipment: Samsung Galaxy S8 smartphone
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