Kuching Waterfront in the 1960s

The Waterfront has undergone several transformations since the 19th century - from a small settlement 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.

The location where the photographer took this photo in those day was an empty space where they sales sand for construction.  In those day of 1960s this location was my 'Kuching Water Front' where I used to come in the afternoon to relax and enjoy the river view and activities.  Sand were carried by small boats from somewhere and embarked here and uploaded to this location.  The loading were done by labors using rattan basket and carry by hand from the boat to the river bank.

Drab warehouses have been replaced with 900m long esplanade of beautifull landscaped and dotted with wooden benches, food stalls, restaurants and entertainment facilities.

A number of old buildings originally built in the 19th and early 20th centuries have been preserved and incorporated into the design, including the Chinese History Museum, the Sarawak Steamship Building, an open-air theatre and the Square Tower.

At night-time the waterfront comes alive.

Kuching Water Front in the year 1957

A stroll on this modern Kuching waterfront esplanade is a walk through time  from Kuching's humble origins  to its status as a modern city. Drab warehouses have been replaced with 900 meters long esplanade, beautifully landscaped and dotted with wooden benches, food stalls, restaurants and entertainment facilities.

The Kuching waterfront esplanade offers excellent views of the Astana, Fort Margherita and the Malay kampungs which line the north bank of the river.

The Waterfront of Sarawak River, a landscaped esplanade, was an important place in the founding of Kuching. Take a leisurely stroll along the Waterfront to explore its historical buildings and admire the modern sculptures. This is the place English adventurer James Brooke landed and created history in Malaysia.

Kuching Waterfront, a major rest oration and land reclamation project, has become the most popular meeting place in the city.

The Sarawak Steamship Company building on the Waterfront was built in 1930. Previously the offices and warehouse of the Sarawak Steamship Company, is now the home of the Kuching Waterfront Bazaar, with dozens of stalls selling a wide range of handicrafts and souvenirs.

In 1875, a group of Kuching merchants engaged in the lucrative sago trade founded this company. One of its luxury liners. the Vyner Brooke, saw wartime services and was lost at sea. Today the company no longer owns ships. While the river was the artery of Sarawak's commerce, the waterfront was lined with warehouses which have given way to the esplanade. The SSC godown was restored in 1988.

Sarawak River was the city's main highway and still retains its importance and picturesque charm in the modern Kuching City.