Malaysia-China Friendship Park
Kuching, Sarawak

Malaysia-China Friendship Park is a beautiful small park in the Jalan Song neighbourhood of Kuching.

The park was opened in 2004, which was designated Malaysia China Friendship Year, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations and friendship between Malaysia and the People's Republic of China. The park was a collaboration between Kuching South Council and the Municipal Council of Kunming, PRC.

statue of Admiral Zheng He

The symbolism of this relationship is reflected in the design of the park with a Malaysian section and a Chinese section, separated by a pond. On a concrete platform representing a junk stands a statue of Admiral Zheng He, the famous navigator and diplomat who led seven voyages to the South China Sea and Indian Ocean, including to Melaka, during the period 1405-1433. Zheng He was born near Kunming, hence the Kunming connection.

The park is popular with joggers and exercisers, especially early in the morning and in the evening, who like to do the 0.6km loop trail around the pond or along the other footpaths which wind their way around the landscaped gardens. There is also a reflexology stone path. It is a popular spot for wedding photography too.

The pond is stocked with carp who were difficult to see in the cloudy water during our visit until we purchased a bag of koi food which brought them to the surface.

There are a number of attractive or interesting things to see here. These include:

Chinese Gateway guarded by lion statues and mythical qilin.

For me, the most striking structure here is the Chinese Gateway, an exquisitely decorated concrete and timber gate with three arches, curved roofs and guarded by Chinese stone lions and mythical Qilin. The open space in front of the gate is used for tai chi, lion dances etc.

Chagee tea house in Kuching

There is a Chinese tea pavilion built on stilts above the pond. This was very busy when I went as it now houses the flagship outlet of Chagee which is a modern oriental milk tea brand enjoying huge popularity at the moment. Their products include tea frappés, premium brew teas and fruit teas combining fresh fruits with tea black tea, pu'er, oolong, green tea and so on.

The Kunming Pavilion

There is a zigzag bridge crossing the pond linking the tea house to the Hua Feng Pavilion (or Kunming Pavilion) which is another of the highlights of the park. Its traditional architecture is based on the sort seen in the Kunming, Yunnan area of China.

At the Malaysian end of the park, beside the Zheng He statue, are a series of granite headstones called Malaysia Murals depicting the 13 states and 3 Federal Territories of Malaysia together. Below is the Sarawak mural and the inscription reads as follows:

SARAWAK – Capital City : Kuching

Along the north-western seaboard of Borneo, Sarawak is home to one of the world’s oldest tropical rainforests. It is previously known as “The Land of Hornbills” in tribute to the majestic looking hornbills, which are considered messengers from the spiritual world by the Iban community. Sarawak’s population comprises at least 25 distinct indigenous groups including Iban, Melanau, Malay, Bidayuh, Penan, Murut, Kenyah, Kayan, Kelabit, Lun Bawang and others. The non-indigenous include the Chinese and Indians, whose presence dated back over a thousand years. Sarawak offers the best potential in Malaysia in all fields, such as economy, tourism, education, agriculture, energy resources and industry.

Sarawak Mural

Elsewhere in the park you can find the Cats Statue with a couple of cuddling cats in romantic mood. There are also a pair of cute granite benches, one held up by statues of a panda and an orang-utan while the other is held up by a panda and a cat. The entrance archway at the northern end is flanked by a pair of stylised granite hornbills and there is a marble friendship globe with the inscription 'Thousands of Miles Apart and Friendship is all it takes to bridge the distance'.

Another highlight is the Sarawak Fountain which has granite carvings representing seven major ethnic groups of the State, namely Malay, Chinese, Iban, Melanau, Penan, Orang Ulu and Bidayuh.

Other features include a hibiscus garden, a rock garden, the Tao Ran (Beijing) Pavilion, a water lily pond, and the Baruk Pavilion.

Review Verdict

Well worth visiting. Free admission. Clean public toilets. Refreshing tea house.

This park is similar in concept to the The China-Malaysia Friendship Garden in Putrajaya.

Opening Hours & Admission Charges

Open from 5 am - 10 pm.

Ticket Prices

Admission is free.

How To Get to Malaysia-China Friendship Park

The exact location is marked on this map:

Address

Malaysia-China Friendship Park
Jalan Song, Tabuan Heights, 93350 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia

Parking

Two free car parks are located adjacent to the Park. They can get full at peak times in which case you'll need to look for an on-street parking space.

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