KUCHING : UNDERSTAND KUCHING - History and places in Kuching

KUCHING : UNDERSTAND KUCHING

Once the capital of the White Rajahs of Sarawak, now with a population of some 600,000, Kuching is small enough to walk around but interesting enough to keep you there for several days, and a good base for exploring Sarawak. It's safe and relatively clean. The name of the city, Kuching, is thought to derive from the Malay word kucing, meaning cat. Many of the locals refer to Kuching as the Cat City but it more likely comes from the Chinese word for port (cochin) coupled with the Malay name mata kucing (cat's-eye) for the longan fruit, a popular trade item.

History

Sarawak was a part of the Sultanate of Brunei 200 years ago but as a reward for help in putting down a rebellion, it was ceded to the British adventurer James Brooke who ruled it as his personal kingdom. Kuching was made his capital and headquarters. The Brooke Administration was given the status of Protectorate under Rajah Charles Brooke's rule and was placed behind the Indian Rajs and Princes. The Brooke family ruled Sarawak until the Japanese occupation in December 1941.

Kuching was surrendered to the Japanese forces on 24 December 1941, and Sarawak was part of the Japanese Empire for three years and eight months, until the official Japanese surrender on 11 September 1945 on board HMAS Kapunda at Kuching. From March 1942 the Japanese operated a POW and civilian internee camp at Batu Lintang, three miles (5 km) outside Kuching.

After the end of World War II the third and last Rajah, Sir Charles Vyner Brooke ceded Sarawak to the British Crown in 1946. Sarawak and the British Commonwealth fought an Undeclared War with Indonesia to keep Sarawak from being absorbed into Sukarno's Indonesia. The British gave Sarawak independence in 1963 and together with North Borneo, Sabah and Singapore, helped form Malaysia on 16 September 1963. Singapore became an independent nation in 1965.
People

Kuching prides itself on being one of the most multi-racial city in Malaysia. The largest group are the Chinese, who form about 45% of the population. Among the Chinese, Hokkien speakers form the majority, while Hakka and Foochow speakers round out the top three. Other notable dialect groups among the Chinese include the Cantonese, Teochew, Hainanese and Heng Hua. The Malays, who are comprised of Kuching's original inhabitants as well as migrants from neighboring Indonesia, form just short of mere 13,000 of Chinese population, while Ibans form about 5% of the population. There are also original Indian migrants who live in Kuching for many decades ago. The Indians are divided evenly to Tamils, Sikhs and Punjabis. The remainder are other indigenous races, most notably the Bidayuhs, Melanaus, Javanese and Orang Ulu settlers. What makes Kuching city unique from other towns in Sarawak is, Kuching city population does not reflect the true demography of the whole Sarawak.

Most of Kuching of Chinese decent live in South Kuching area, with some areas constitute more than 90% of the population as Chinese like Padungan and Pending. While Malay mostly live at North Kuching area, and spread evenly throughout South Kuching area. Other races like Iban, Bidayuh, Melanau and Orang Ulu spread themselves evenly throughout Padawan and some at South and North Kuching. Indian communities of Tamil descent mostly live at Batu Lintang and Gita area, while Javanese communities mostly live at Mile 20 Kuching-Serian Road, Rantau Panjang (Batu Kawa) and Kg. Kolong at Matang.
Climate

Kuching enjoys sunshine throughout the year as any other tropical cities. Rains and heavy showers occur occasionally which always due to precipitation and monsoon season. Hail might sometimes happen in Kuching. However, strong winds, tremors and heavy thunderstorms are very unlikely to occur. It is recommended to visit Kuching during hot season which is from March to October every year. Monsoon season normally occur between November to February. However, the monsoon does not hinder too much of the tourists' activities.
Holidays

Kuching, and Sarawak as a whole celebrate all Federal holidays except Deepavali. Sarawak has also declared holiday for Good Friday (one day) and Gawai Day (two days). Unlike other states in Malaysia, most Islamic events are not being declared holiday, except Federal holidays of Hari Raya Aidilfitri (two days), Hari Raya Aidiladha (one day), Maulud Nabi (one day) and Awal Muharram (one day).

Avoid touring to Santubong area during first day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri due to heavy traffic at Petra Jaya. Tourists can expect a grand celebration for every major holidays with big open houses such as Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Gawai. Try to observe Gawai Day celebration since that Gawai Day is only being declared holiday in Sarawak.
Orientation

Kuching city can be divided into few areas:

* Padawan - It's a small town at the outskirt of Kuching city. It's popular with its traditional Bidayuh kampungs and longhouses. This area is home for multiracial communities such as Bidayuhs, Javanese, Malay, Chinese and Iban & Orang Ulu settlers.

* Kota Sentosa - Before being named Kota Sentosa, Kota Sentosa is called (even now) 'Batu Tujuh' or 7th Mile. This area is a commercial hub for people from Batu Kitang, Kg. Haji Baki and surrounding areas. Sarawak Mental Hospital is also located here. Kota Sentosa has also grown its importance due to it's vicinity of Army Camps.

* BDC - BDC was long time ago a remote housing area. However, today it has grown importance as a commercial hub for Stutong and Tabuan Heights area and also a growing elite housing areas.

* Tabuan Jaya - Tabuan Jaya, like BDC, was long time ago a remote housing area. Today, it has emerged into Kuching satellite city. It is also well connected to other important areas in Kuching such as Pending, BDC, Muara Tabuan Industrial Estate and Demak Jaya Industrial Estate.

* Pending - Pending is an industrial area. Major industrial players here, among them are Komag, CMS Concrete, Gold Coin Fertilizer and Sarawak Clinker Plant. Pending is connected to Kuching city centre via Padungan.

* Batu Kawa - Batu Kawa got its name from volcano crater found at Gunung Serapi. It has now emerged into important satellite city of Kuching, which consist of MJC Commercial Area (with condominium housing, elite housing areas and shoplots), Sg. Maong and Pekan Rantau Panjang.
* Matang - Matang is another emerging town under Kuching. Among its prominent attraction is Matang Jaya and Gita.

* 3rd Mile - 3rd Mile is also one emerging commercial area. It was home to first private school in Sarawak, Sunny Hill School and also old-fashioned cinema, Capitol Cinema. 3rd Mile was once an important train route in Kuching.

* Padungan - Padungan is the oldest commercial hub in Kuching. Chinatown is located here. It's also an important area for nightlife (clubbing and night outting), 4 to 5-star hotels (such as Crowne Plaza, Hilton, Holiday Inn & soon-to-be-opened Novotel), popular tourist spots (Kuching Waterfront, cat statues etc) and also shopping hub.

* Simpang Tiga - Simpang Tiga is famous with its federal government complex, Swinburne university and newly opened The Spring shopping mall.

* Satok - Satok is the most widely spoken place among tourists for its weekend market. It is also the smallest DUN (State Legislative) area in Sarawak.

* Petra Jaya - Petra Jaya is home for majority of Malay population in Kuching, and most probably in Sarawak. It has a lot of Malay kampungs, low-cost housing schemes, housing estates and it is also a headquarters for Sarawak state government, which is an idea later copied by Federal Government for their Putrajaya. Petra Jaya consist of area from Kg. Tupong to Semariang to Demak Laut Industrial Estate.

* Santubong - Santubong is located 30km away from Kuching. It is a tourist spot for beach and annual international events such as the World Rainforest Music Festival.

source taken from: http://www.guidepicker.com/