Some of the local handicrafts you might have admired in the museum are for sale in small shops along Wayang Street – for a price. Outrageously fanciful and symbolic renditions of the sacred hornbill are craved on a large scale and painted with vivid reds and greens. Behind in a case is a human skull, which makes you catch your breath – but the proprietor grins, and explains it is a plastic replica. If you are disappointed, he will lead you to his display of charms, bundles of human and animal teeth, Chinese coins and special pieces of wood, wound together to protect the owner from evil spirits.
Like many other Malaysian towns, Kuching has its share of ornate temples. Apart from Tua Pek Kong, there is the Kuek Seng Ong Temple on Lebuh Wayang, built in 1895. Henghua fishermen pray here for good catches and a safe return from the sea. The temple is dedicated to the god Kuek Seng Ong, whose figure is placed on a sedan chair on the 22nd day of the second moon, and carries through the town’s main thoroughfare.
Like many other Malaysian towns, Kuching has its share of ornate temples. Apart from Tua Pek Kong, there is the Kuek Seng Ong Temple on Lebuh Wayang, built in 1895. Henghua fishermen pray here for good catches and a safe return from the sea. The temple is dedicated to the god Kuek Seng Ong, whose figure is placed on a sedan chair on the 22nd day of the second moon, and carries through the town’s main thoroughfare.
The popular Sunday Market, which attracts Dayak tradesmen from the surrounding countryside, is situated on the outskirts of town at Jalan Satok. The stallholders arrive and set up market on Saturday night and continue till Sunday morning. All manner of strange foodstuffs – wild boar, bats, lizards, monkeys and turtles – are for sale here, alongside fruits, vegetables and fish.
Relatively modern additions to the Kuching city-scape include the golden domed State Mosque of Sarawak (Masjid Negara), which rise on the western side of downtown. Built in 1968, the mosque is surrounded by a large Muslim graveyard. The city also has several interesting food markets, including a large fruit and vegetable market across the street from the State Mosque and a fish market on Jalan Gambier.
*Check here for more insight guides when you Visit Sarawak next time!
Relatively modern additions to the Kuching city-scape include the golden domed State Mosque of Sarawak (Masjid Negara), which rise on the western side of downtown. Built in 1968, the mosque is surrounded by a large Muslim graveyard. The city also has several interesting food markets, including a large fruit and vegetable market across the street from the State Mosque and a fish market on Jalan Gambier.
*Check here for more insight guides when you Visit Sarawak next time!