The Tambang is a permanent feature of Sarawak River. Though the oldest river-crossing transport around, the Tambang is still relevant today.

The cheap 40-cent fare has made this quaint-looking boat a tourist attraction in its own right, ferrying not only the kampung folk across the river but tourists as well.

This small wooden river craft — with a triangular-shaped (sometime flat) roof and a plank cover on both sides with  small windows – has become so popular among tourists that it has become an icon of Sungei Sarawak.

It is paddled manually or driven by a small outboard engine and can seat up to seven or eight persons.

Like strolling along the Kuching Waterfront and looking for a bargain at Main Bazaar, taking a Tambang across river has become a not-to-be-missed experience for visitors. Despite their no-frills operation, all the Tambangs are registered with SRB for regulatory and safety purposes.

And though only a few Tambangs are seen crossing the river at a time, SRB has actually given out 118 licenses to cover the 24km stretch of the river.

The Tambangs of Kuching : Mike Reed takes to the water for an alternative view of the city.