Kuching Waterfront (Esplanade)

Kuching Waterfront comprises attractions such as the Chinese Museum, the Square Tower, the Godown Amphitheatre live music area, and the Sarawak Steamship Building. It’s particularly entertaining at night when street food stalls, eateries, and vendors are at their liveliest, and the Darul Hana Music Fountain lights up the river in a blaze of color. Many Kuching sightseeing tours visit the waterfront, and it’s also a great spot to join a Sarawak River cruise.

• The epicenter of the city, Kuching Waterfront is a must for any visitor to Kuching, but will particularly appeal to street food fans and people watchers.

• The waterfront has public restrooms but these are not wheelchair-friendly.

• Kuching Waterfront is reasonably accessible to people with mobility issues, although cobbles may challenge some wheelchair users: many attractions lack step-free access.

Kuching Waterfront is slap bang in the heart of Kuching, within walking distance of most city attractions. If you’re staying outside the center, driving, taxis, hiring a driver, or using Malaysia’s homegrown Grab rideshare app (with which you can ride as a passenger on scooters or in a car) are all good options.

Kuching Waterfront is open 24 hours a day and you’ll likely find yourself walking along it as you explore the city. The evening is a particularly atmospheric time to visit, with street food vendors and souvenir stalls in action, plus the sights on the north side of the river lit up in lights. The Darul Hana Musical Fountain plays nightly, generally around 8.30pm.

The Sarawak River lies at the heart of Kuching and extends about 75 miles (120 kilometers) into the interior of Borneo. Sunset is a particularly magical time to experience it. Opt for a river cruise—the traditional roofed sampans known as perahu tambang are a colorful choice. Capture photos from the Darul Hana Bridge, which is decked in lights every evening. Or, join tourists and locals alike on a Kuching Waterfront stroll.