Old Chinese Court (Chinese History Museum)
Kuching
9.00 a.m. - 4.45 p.m. (Monday - Friday); 10.00 a.m. - 4.00 p.m. (Saturday and Sunday).
+6082-258388
The Chinese History Museum Kuching is situated at the Kuching Water Front and serves as one of the top tourist attractions in the city centre. Housed in a historic building that was built in 1912, the site was first used as a court by the Chinese community from 1912 to 1921. It was taken over by the Sarawak Chinese General Chamber of Commerce in 1930, before being restored and converted into the Chinese History Museum in 1993. The museum aims at portraying the rich and fascinating history of Sarawak's diverse Chinese groups, their traditional skills and cultural heritage, and the involvement of the Chinese community in modern, multi-racial Sarawak.
HistorySarawak Tourism
The immigration of Chinese from mainland China back in 19th century has piled the milestones for the Chinese ethnic group in Sarawak. The legacy of Chinese legendary leaders and the heritages are all been well-kept, archived and exhibited in this museum of the Chinese ethnic group. The Chinese History Museum, located in the heart of Kuching, on the Waterfront, opposite Tua Pek Kong temple. It achieves the history of the Chinese community in Sarawak in the earlier settlement. The exhibitions back dated to the earlier trade routes, initial migration from various regions of China in different geographical distribution, from the early pioneers, traditional trading activities, and the formation of trade and community associations, political history and the involvement of the Chinese community in modern to the multi-racial of Sarawak. Chinese History Museum or also known as Kuching Chinese Museum marked as one of the popular and must-visit attractions that recommended by Sarawak Tourism Board when you visited Kuching, Sarawak. The former identity of this building was the headquarters of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Sarawak back in year 1912. It was use as courthouse during 1912 until 1921, to handle disputes in marriages and divorces, and also distribution of property matters. The third White Rajah, Charles Vyner Brooke wanted the Chinese to handle their own affairs. On 23rd October 1993, this building was taken over by Chinese Chamber of Commerce and converted it to Chinese Museum, then officiated by the Assistant Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Mr. Yap Chin Loi and opened to the public. It is a place to showcase to tourists and visitors the residence of Chinese in Sarawak. This museum is in full historic value, witnessing the discussions and trials involving the Chinese in Sarawak. It keeps many artefacts from the past and many memorabilia of Chinese affairs during the time of Charles Vyner Brooke, the White Rajah of Sarawak. Proof of the number of artifacts presented in the Chinese museum have sent us a message that The Chinese in Sarawak in the early 1900s were permitted to manage and deal with their own affairs, freedom to govern themselves and preserve their own culture and tradition though during that time it was ruled under the White Rajah. Many readings and photos depicting Chinese life and culture during the early 19th century can still be viewed up to this day. There are rich and fascinating exhibits of old photographs and various artefacts about the early lifestyle of the Chinese community in Sarawak and their involvement in the modern Sarawak. Some of the display traces the history of the Chinese community during that era. From furniture, musical instrument and costumes that significantly portrayed the originality and authenticity of Chinese community. Besides, the museum also exhibits and displays the various clans of Chinese, the dialects that they speak among the same clan, namely Hakka, Cantonese, Hokkien, Teochew, Foochow, Hainanese, Chao Ann, Heng Hua and other clans. From the earlier settlement, history background, contribution to modern Sarawak, there are many readings and photos depicting Chinese life and culture been displayed here. Beside the dialects, there are also display of musical instrument and this is entertainment that is popular looking at the level of recreational is very handful during that time. The display and the artefacts at the Museum enable us to acquire an in-depth historical knowledge relating to the origin of each Chinese dialect groups, their respective traditional skills and cultural heritage, and progress achieved throughout the years.