Kuching, Sarawak City Tour

June 13, 2014

Kuching, in Malay means cat. It is a cat city. Kuching is the place where The International Bornean Frog Race held this year. So today I'm gonna share some places I managed to visit during the first day city tour in Kuching, Sarawak.

Kuching, 马来文的意思是猫。这是一个猫城。Kuching 就是今年国际婆罗洲青蛙比赛的举办地点。所以今天我将会分享我第一天在这城市内参观的地方。

Dewan Bandaraya Kuching Selatan (Kuching South City Council)

Kuching is the only city in Malaysia to be administered by two mayors, the city is divided into Kuching North and Kuching South.

Kuching 在马来西亚是唯一一个由两个市长管理的城市，被分为北Kuching和南Kuching。

Just in front of the archway is the cat statue.

在这牌楼的前面是个猫的雕像。

The cat statue at Kuching South.

在南Kuching的猫雕像。

Built in 1988 for documenting Kuching obtained city status.

建于1988年为了纪念Kuching升格为市

Cats statue built by Dewan Bandaraya Kuching Utara (Kuching North City Hall)

由北Kuching市政局建立的猫雕像

Kuching's cat statue

When I thought there are only 2 places with cat statues, here is another one. I found this when I went for breakfast alone in the morning.

当我以为这里只有2个地方有猫的雕像的时候，这里突然还有一个。当我独自一人去吃早餐的时候发现这个的。

I think the cat is saying hello to visitors.
我想这猫在对访客说哈咯。

Saint Mary's Primary School

One of the school located at the city.

其中一间坐落在城市的学校。

Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Building

This is the new and current Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Building where state assemblymen from all over Sarawak will meet and preside over debates and passing of laws.

这是现今的砂劳越州立法会大楼，所有来自砂捞越的州议员都会聚集这里主持辩论和通过法律。

Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Building

The complex is located at the north bank of the Sarawak River in between The Astana and Fort Margherita.

这座建筑位于砂捞越河的北部，在The Astana 与Fort Margherita之间。

Astana

The Astana is the official residence of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri (Governor) of Sarawak. Due to time limit, I did not have a chance to visit this place and only able to capture a picture of it from opposite shore.

The Astana 是现任砂劳越统治者的官邸。因为时间有限，我没有机会参观该地方，只能从对岸拍个照。

Kuching Waterfront

While taking a walk at the riverbank, there are some iron plates at the ground with history of the city being written.

在河边散步，一路走的时候，会发现地上有一些铁板，上面记载着这城市的历史。

Kuching Waterfront

It was fun for me to stroll along the place while reading the stories of the city from the iron plates.

对于我来说，在这里一边走走时，一边阅读脚下的铁板故事，是件有趣的事。

Kuching Waterfront

Not only the iron plates, there is a big piece of art made with some parts of the bicycles. I just got to know that now Sarawak also rent out bicycles to tourists, following the footprint of Penang.

不只是铁板，这里还有一个大块利用脚踏车做的艺术品。我现在才知道砂捞越也有出租脚踏车给游客，效仿槟城。

Kuching Waterfront

The tripod structure, embedded in the solid rock (earth) symbolizes the stability & strength of Sarawak State. The ladder demonstrates the route to prosperity. The funnel (based on dart container) portrays the co-operation & success of politics, economy and society. The cone form is derived from the Bidayuh Warrior & symbolizes progressive society and shelter. The crowning Hornbill or Kenyalang is revered as a deity & protector by the indigenous people of Sarawak. The traditional motifs of Sarawak around the funnel & cone form a rhythmic pattern to celebrate the dynamic State of Sarawak.

三脚架结构，嵌在坚硬的岩石（土）象征着砂捞越州的稳定和实力。阶梯演示走向繁荣的路线。漏斗（基于镖容器）描绘了合作＆政治，经济和社会的成功。锥体的形式衍生于Bidayuh战士，象征着进步的社会和住所。加冠的犀鸟或Kenyalang被土著人尊为砂拉越的神＆保护者。

Haha then towards the end of the riverbank, there are a few crocodile statues. No iron plates or any signboard explaining the statues so I just having fun by taking some pictures here.

在往河边的尾端走去，那里有几只鳄鱼的雕像。这里没有任何的铁板或告示讲解该雕刻所以我就在那里拍些搞笑的照片。

Square Tower

This building is known as Square Tower, used as prison initially when built in 1897.

这座建筑叫四方塔，1897竣工，初时是座监狱。

Old Court House/ Sarawak Tourism Board Office

Facing opposite of Square Tower is the old court house. It is currently served as Sarawak Tourism Board office.

在四方塔的对面是座旧法庭。现在是砂劳越旅游局的办公室。

Brooke Monument

In front of the complex is Brooke Monument, constructed in 1924 to pay homage to the second white Rajah, Charles Brooke.

这座建筑的前面是Brooke纪念牌，建于1924年，祭奠第二任国王，Charles Brooke。

Sarawak Steamship

One of the historical building along Kuching Waterfront is Sarawak Steamship Company.In 1875, The Sarawak Steamship Company was formed to solve the shipping problem in Sarawak. In 1919, the company started the first travel business in Sarawak. Today, after more than 132 years, The Sarawak Steamship Company has diversified to travel and tours, creative advertising, gallery and air cargo services.

在Kuching Waterfront其中一个历史建筑是砂劳越轮船公司。1897 年，砂劳越轮船公司的创办是为了解决砂劳越州内的船务问题。1919年，该公司在砂劳越开始了第一单旅游生意。今天，超过132年后，砂劳越轮船公司的业务已经被多元化，有旅游，创意广告，画廊以及空运服务。

Siew San Teng (Tua Pek Kong) Temple

This temple faces water and mountains, ensuring good feng shui for its devotees. It has presided over the Kuching bazaar since 1770, but it has been renovated for many times. The main image represents Loh Hong Pek or Hong Tek Cheng Shin or Tua Pek Kong (Pak Long). At the time of the Japanese invasion in 1941, the temple survive unscathed though nearby buildings were demolished by bombs.

这个寺庙面临水和山，为其奉献者确保良好的风水。自1770它曾主持Kuching集市，但它已被重新装修了很多次。主要形象代表是Loh Hong Pek or Hong Tek Cheng Shin or Tua Pek Kong (大伯公)。在1941年日本侵略的时候，附近的建筑物被炸弹拆除，但寺庙却毫发无损的保留着。

In front of the temple is Chinese History Museum.
寺庙的前面是华族历史文物馆。

It was closed when I went that early morning.
在我清晨去的时候，这馆子还没开门。

It was built in 1912 and used as a court by the Chinese community from 1912 to 1921. The museum aims at portraying the rich and fascinating history of Sarawak's diverse Chinese groups. Most significantly it endeavors to educate the present generation to appreciate the struggles and values as encountered and instilled by the early pioneers. (from:http://www.museum.sarawak.gov.my)

建于1912年，1912年至1921年的时期，被当地的华族同胞作为法庭用途。该博物馆的目的是描绘砂拉越华族同胞多元化，丰富且迷人的历史。最主要是它致力教育这一代去珍惜早期拓荒者的斗争和所灌输的价值。

A very red painted building along the shop houses.
在这一排店屋有个非常红的建筑物。

It is named Hong San Si.

它是Hong San Si (凤山寺）。

Dayak Arts

Dayak 艺术

carving

雕刻

亚答街 (Attap Street)

According to history, Carpenter Street was called "Attap street" in old days because of the thatch houses on both sides. This was where carpenters set up their workshop, earning the street its name. The Chinese archway marks the entrance to Kuching Chinatown, where one can see a lot of Chinese opened shops at this street.

依据历史，在旧时代，工匠街被称为“亚达街”是因为两边的茅草屋。这是以前木匠开设工作坊的地点，而后来就得此名。这中华牌楼标记着进入Kuching 唐人街的入口，从这可以看见这条街上许多华人开的店面。

Sarawak Craft Council

Exiting Chinese Archway, there is a white building at the opposite road. It is Sarawak Craft Council constructed in 1886.

从中华牌楼出来，对面马路有一个白色的建筑物，这是1886年建设的砂劳越手工政务会所在。

Next to it is Textile Museum Sarawak.
隔壁则是砂劳越纺织品博物馆。

Textile Museum Sarawak

The Textile Museum is situated at The Pavilion Building in Kuching City. Its architecture is a mixture of the English Renaissance and English Colonial. Constructed in 1907 as a medical centre, it later became the headquarters of the Education Department. Opened to public in August 2005, it houses and displays authentic local textiles and costumes made by the ethnic community of Sarawak.(from:http://www.museum.sarawak.gov.my)

纺织博物馆位于Kuching的圣廷苑大厦。它的架构是英国文艺复兴和英国殖民地的混合物。建于1907年，当时是一家医疗中心，后来成为教育署的总部。 2005年8月向公众开放，它设有和展出砂拉越民族社会的当地纺织品和服装。

There is a few jetty here. The one that take you to opposite shore is located in front of the brown building. Others are river cruise boat jetty.

这里有几座码头。能载你到对岸的只有巧克力色建筑物前的码头。其他的是河游船。

The last day of my stay in Kuching, I decided to take the wooden boat to opposite shore.

我在Kuching的最后一天，我决定搭木船到对岸去。

boat ride at Kuching Waterfront

There was only 2 persons in the boat, but the boatman did not wait for all seats occupied. That was somewhat I impressed.

船上虽然只有2人，但是船夫也没有等到满人才划。这是令我蛮惊喜的地方。

boat ride at Kuching Waterfront

Simple, clean and tidy boat

简单干净整齐的船只

In KL city, I rarely take a boat and can say never going to happen in a city like KL. But here in Kuching city, one of the main transport is boat. That is how the boatmen earn the income for the family. Honestly, that is a very tough job, work under hot sun with just merely RM0.50 per way per customer. Thumbs up for them!

在吉隆坡市中心，我非常少坐船，可以说在吉隆坡大城市内搭船是没有可能发生的事。但是Kuching城市内，其中一个主要交通便是船只。这就是船夫赚钱养家的生计。老实说，这是一项艰难的任务，在炎热的太阳底下做工，每一个客户每一趟只收区区RM0.50而已。我不尽为他们竖起拇指！

View from opposite shore
从对岸望去的景色

Walking out from the jetty, it is totally different. It's just a humble small village.

从码头出来，这里是另外一个景色。这里只是一个小小的村庄。

A very nice wooden Malay house.
非常漂亮的木质马来式房子。

That's a road heading to Fort Margherita. I followed the track initially but gave up because I was short of time and need to rush to airport for flight. But if you want to go there through the road, make sure you find a company. It is a very silent track down and no houses around.

这里有条路可以去到Fort Margherita。初始我好奇所以跟着路牌走去，但是最终放弃了因为不够时间以及要赶飞机。但是如果你要从这条路去那里的话，一定要找个伴。这是一个很静很静的小路，两旁都没有房子。

boat ride at Kuching Waterfront

Here the very humble boatman. Working so hard under hot sunny day. Nevertheless, he still keep smiling after all. A very simple man indeed.

这就是一个非常谦卑的船夫。在大太阳底下辛勤的工作劳碌。虽然如此，他还是挂着笑容。实在是一个非常简单的人！

Like the view in the middle of river ^^
喜欢在河中央观望那景色^^

All these places are within walking distance. Kuching is a city that worth to discover and visit. There are more interesting places such as Bako National Park that I am still not yet have a chance to visit. Stay tune to my blog for the long house I visited in Kuching!

这全部地方，步行都可以抵达。Kuching是一个值得探索和参观的地方。除了我介绍的，这里还有许多值得参观的地方如Bako国家公园等。希望你们会继续关注我的部落格，下期分享我在Kuching参观的长屋。