For the tourist, they should not miss going to the Satok Market also known as Sunday Market.
The Satok Weekend Market on Jalan Satok starts on Saturday afternoon when traders bring produce from their farms and continues on till Sunday. There are also many unique ferns and plants, wild honey, wild orchids, traditional herbs (used as medicine) and fruits from the jungles. Handicrafts and ethnic carvings are also available. There are a wide variety of snacks to be bought.
Margherita Fort (Kota Margherita)
Fort Margherita is situated across the Sarawak river near Astana, the official residence of the yang DiPertua Negeri Sarawak. Fort Margherita named after Ranee Margaret Brooke; wife of Charles Brooke was built in 1878 and completed 2 years later just in time to defend Kuching against the pirate attacks. The fort was built by Charles Brooke according to the style of an English Tudor castle and commanded a breathtaking and strategic position along the Sarawak river. Fort Margherita was very suitable as a place for defence against the enemies. The two rooms in the front portion of the fort was used as a control room. Constant vigilance of the fort was carried every hour throughout the day. The height of the stonewall around the fort which was about 5 meters high prevented the enemies from attacking the fort.
Therefore by the late 19th century, Kuching was a peaceful and prosperous town. Nevertheless the Brookes maintained a constant vigilance of the fort. The first army battalion to occupy the fort after the it was completed was the Sarawak Ranger. However, during the Second World War, the fort was occupied by the Japanese and it was nearly destroyed. After the war the fort became a training center for police telephone operators. Later this fort became the Mess for the Sarawak Police Officers In 1971 the fort was renovated and became the Police Museum. The artifacts kept in the Museum included weapons, bullets, cloths, cooking utensils, furniture and other equipments used by the police while they were carrying out their duties in the fort.
Therefore by the late 19th century, Kuching was a peaceful and prosperous town. Nevertheless the Brookes maintained a constant vigilance of the fort. The first army battalion to occupy the fort after the it was completed was the Sarawak Ranger. However, during the Second World War, the fort was occupied by the Japanese and it was nearly destroyed. After the war the fort became a training center for police telephone operators. Later this fort became the Mess for the Sarawak Police Officers In 1971 the fort was renovated and became the Police Museum. The artifacts kept in the Museum included weapons, bullets, cloths, cooking utensils, furniture and other equipments used by the police while they were carrying out their duties in the fort.
Tourist Attraction
In the city of Kuching, there are several museums such as the well-known Sarawak Museum, Chinese Museum, Cat Museum, and more which are definitely not to be missed when visiting Kuching. Interesting landmarks and sites are the Astana (the Rajah's former palace), Fort Margherita, Tua Pek Kong temple and Main Bazaar. The Kuching waterfront, which is really a riverside esplanade, is situated right next to the main hotels and commercial heartland of the city, and offers a pleasant walk in the evening. When you are tired of strolling, the old shops on the opposite side of the waterfront will gladly sell you all manner of 'antiques' and tradecraft.
Some other interesting areas near the centre of town include Padungan Street, which is the main Chinatown area of the city. Shops here appear virtually unchanged from 20 years ago, and offer fascinating insights into life as it was then. Meanwhile, Carpenter Street and India Street still maintain their olde world charm, though the relentless process of globalisation is slowly encroaching. The old Courthouse building forms the link between Carpenter Street and India Street, and is well worth a quick stroll as you re-live the faded colonial splendour (now restored and modernised). The many well-manicured parks dotted around the city are also great to visit.
Kuching Festival
Kuching hosted an annual carnival known as the Sarawak Festival. During the occasion, there were colourful lantern processions with giant butterflies, school badges, grasshoppers and dragons of traditional Chinese designs. These were accompanied by a parade of colourfully-decorated and brightly-lit floats as well as inter-secondary school drama competitions making this a truly art-orientated event. Sadly, the period of emergency which followed, saw the death of the Sarawak Festival and killed off any enthusiasm to reenact the event after Sarawak joined Malaysia in 1963.
The idea of the Kuching Festival was first suggested in November, 1985 with the intention of reviving a similar festival, which was originally organized a couple years, prior to the formation of Malaysia, but which had subsequently been abandoned. The earlier festival was called "The Sarawak Festival" and aimed at promoting the development of arts. The Kuching Festival materialised the following year, and has been held annually eversince.
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