One thing that I find most surprising in Kuching is the Chinese presence and influence in the city. I mean this is Borneo, I was kind of expecting tribal influence and the sort, but apparently not.
Say for example this heavily Chinese add-on architectural in one of the building in Old Kuching.
Or a totally Chinese gazebo you probably see in olden Chinese palaces right smack in the Waterfront park.
Chinese community halls in the middle of the city.
Chinese archways to the Carpenters street / Old KuchingOf special interest to me is the two main places right in the heart of Kuching city, in front of the Waterfront park, sandwiching probably the most busiest road is the Tua Pek Kong temple and Chinese History Museum. It is so centrally located that as a tourist, there is not a single chance you will missed it.
This Chinese History Museum is apparently built in 1912. It exhibits the history of Chinese settlement in Sarawak. Although it looks small, it has plenty of offer. The moment you enter, you will find a small theatre that shows a 2 or 3 minutes video presentation about how the Chinese migrated from mainland China to Borneo and what they do, how they settled here and help to build this city. I know videos in museums are generally very lame and boring but I have never felt so connected before. 
In the short 30 minutes stay in the museum, I was being refreshed on the knowledge of my ancestors and my roots. A section of the exhibits have panels that features the different dialect group / family found in Borneo. They you are, my Hakka history!
I also found my family name admist the hundred of them on a wall.
And you know, although the entrance fee to the museum is totally free, we couldn't help but put in our contribution to the donation box in hope that the museum will continue to stay for another hundred year so that our next generation will be able to find some solace and connection here. 
"Located at Jalan Temple opposite Main Bazaar and Kuching Waterfront, Tua Pek Kong temple was built in 1943. It sits on a small hill overlooking the Sarawak River, heralding good luck and blessings to the city." This is what is written in the official tourism map of Sarawak!
The very typical chinese entrance 
The impressive carving on the entire outer wall.
Bird's eye view of the temple.
