Kuching is also known as the "Cat City". The word "kuching"
is said to mean "cat" in the Malay language although
the local Malay word for cat is "pusa". Some people
believe the capital city's name is really derived from "kuchin"
which is said to mean "harbour" in Chinese.
It matters not one of Kuching's landmarks is a giant plaster
cat sitting at the end of Jalan Padungan with one front paw raised
and its backside turned toward the city. More to the point, Kuching is believed to have the world's only
cat museum, in suburban Petra Jaya.
Kuching seems bigger than its 330,000 residents. It is spread
out, with big parks and recreation areas and some distinct ethnic
enclaves.
The main city, on the western side, has markets, hotels, nightclubs
and the waterfront. A newish waterside promenade runs along the river to the clean
white lines of the Kuching Hilton at the southern end, with other
major hotels clustered nearby.
The broad waterfront promenade is the city's most popular meeting
place now, with cafes and live entertainment, benches for watching
the passing parade and restored old buildings including the Square
Tower, which is now a tourist information centre.
Behind the waterfront are the main bazaar with everything from
good tour operators to antique shops, a clock tower and the court
house, with its obelisk remembering Charles, the second of three
of English Brookes - the White Rajahs - who ruled Sarawak for
for more than 100 years.
Attractions in Kuching:
More information on Sarawak:
This page: http://www.cockatoo.com/english/malaysia/malaysia_sarawak_kuching.htm
