Square Tower

The tour departs at either 9.00 AM or 2.00 PM. You will be able to meet and greet our friendly English-speaking driver at the hotel lobby and proceed for the tour. The White Rajahs were a dynastic monarchy of the British Brooke family, who founded and ruled the Kingdom of Sarawak, located on the North West coast of the island of Borneo, from 1841 to 1946. The first ruler was an Englishman James Brooke. As a reward for helping the Sultanate of Brunei fight piracy and insurgency among the indigenous peoples, he was granted the province of Kuching which was known as Sarawak Asal (Original Sarawak) in 1841 and received independent kingdom status. Don’t miss the Square Tower at the edge of the Waterfront as you stroll along the south bank of Sarawak River. From the top of the tower you can view the same spectacular vistas of Mounts Santubong and Serapi that enchanted such illustrious visitors as Somerset Maugham. It was originally meant as a prison when it was built in 1879. It later became a fortress but it never fired a shot in any conflict, unlike its wooden predecessor which was burnt down in the 1857 Gold Miners’ Rebellion.

Astana

The imposing palace on the north bank across the river from the Waterfront was laid out in the style of an English manor house. It is the third and last residence built by the Brooke Rajahs and was occupied by the reigning Rajah until the Japanese Occupation in 1941. Today, Astana Kuching is the official residence of the Governor of Sarawak, and therefore not opened to visitors. However, during Hari Raya (Aid-Fitr) celebration, the gate will be open to welcome visitors in the best tradition of Malaysia Open House practice.