Kuching - ComeSarawak |
| <b>Kuching</b> still a mystery to Chinese nationals – BorneoPost Online <b>...</b> Posted: 15 Nov 2013 08:26 AM PST Posted on November 16, 2013, Saturday KUCHING: Most Chinese nationals still do not know about Kuching despite its many attractions. China's consul-general in Kuching Liu Quan, who was appointed to the state early this month, said there is a lack of promotion on the capital city of Sarawak in his country. "Many Chinese (nationals) know only three places as far as Malaysia is concerned. They are Kuala Lumpur, Sabah and Penang. "Kuching is a beautiful city, which lacks promotion. It is therefore my job and the responsibility of the consulate to bring in more tourists," he told a welcoming dinner hosted by the Federation of Kuching-Samarahan Chinese Associations on Thursday. Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh was the guest of honour. Liu commended Sarawakians for being friendly and said the state has a lot to offer investors. "Even the staff and security officers at the consulate here are friendly. There is an enormous potential to promote tourism, and we will go all-out to do so." He said the consulate could play a role in establishing direct flights between Kuching and Chinese cities, but suggested that Kuching International Airport be upgraded. "Hence, the need for an expansion to handle larger aircraft like the Boeing 747." Liu was responding to Federation of Kuching-Samarahan Chinese Associations president Temenggong Lu Kim Yong's calls for direct routes between major Chinese cities and Kuching. Lu said many Sarawakian businessmen would travel more if direct flights were available, suggesting flights to "As of now, the only international direct flight we have is Kuching-Singapore. We are hoping the China consulate, under the leadership of His Excellency Liu Quan, will support our call to see more direct air services between major Chinese cities and Kuching."  << Previous Entry - Next Entry >> To enable your comment to be published, please refrain from vulgar language, insidious, seditious or slanderous remarks. This includes vulgar user names.  |
| <b>Kuching</b>: A Trip down History's Lane | The Daily Roar Posted: 15 Nov 2013 07:51 PM PST It was a rather sunny day in Kuching the moment when I type this article. The past few days had been a weird weather. It was cloudy, a bit hazy. Sometimes there were raindrops, but that was about it. There were also some of the days when it was a total heat the whole morning, and a total rainstorm during the evening, sometimes until nightfall. Despite of the inconsistency of this weather, I managed to take a 45-50 minute bus ride from my hometown Siburan to the main city, Kuching. After I arrived, I just walked myself out, sight-seeing the place. And that was when I realized I was strolling down through the history lane. Kuching has and always been an attraction to tourists due to its historical values. My first stop was India Street, the local pedestrian mall. I actually had no idea why it is called 'India Street'. My guess is that the street was given that name because there are Indian textile boutiques, Indian spice merchants and Indian-Muslim food stalls set up along the street. There are also some souvenir shops for tourists. For the local thrift-shoppers, India Street is the place to be.
After a short walk through India Street, I walked past the Old Court House. Remember what I said about strolling down history's lane? Kuching has a number of well-preserved 19th century buildings; they were left-overs from the time when the Brooke family became the Rajah, or the ruler of Sarawak. These buildings are witnesses of key-events within history; survived the Japanese Imperial Army occupation during World War 2, the moment when the British assumed their rule over Sarawak, and also the historical moment when Sarawak officially entered Malaysia. Currently the Old Court House is known as the Sarawak Tourism Complex.
Just opposite of The Court House is the Kuching Waterfront. Normally for me and my family, walking around the city would not be complete without a long stroll along the riverside. But due to the weather inconsistencies, I cannot walk that long. Not to mention my internal wounds at my right leg, which I obtained during an unfortunate car accident about a month ago. But, every time I took a stroll there, the Square Tower always caught my interest. There was not much history about it, but I heard that the Square Tower was used as a prison. I always wondered what it was like being inside the tower.
Anyways, tourists who are visiting the waterfront can take a ride along the river using the cruiser or the river cab. It is a one-hour cruise along the Sarawak River and tourists riding it would have the chance sight-seeing the both sides of Kuching; the other side is the city, and the other is the Malay settlements and its denizens living their usual day-to-day lives. If you want a more authentic and a rather traditional way to cross the river, you can always ride the 'penambang', a boat used by the locals as a transport to cross.
/// Written by Galileo Petingi, Malaysia |
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