Kuching Civic Centre — Once Iconic, Now a "White Elephant" Waiting for a Comeback
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You know that UFO-looking building in Kuching? 🛸
Yes, the Kuching Civic Centre (Dewan Suarah Kuching) on Jalan Taman Budaya.
I'll be honest — every time I drive past, I can't help but look up at that umbrella-shaped observation tower. As a kid, it felt straight out of a sci-fi movie.
Source: Wikipedia
From Landmark to "White Elephant"The Civic Centre officially opened on 1 August 1988, right after Kuching was granted city status. Its 74-metre observation tower offers a 360-degree panoramic view — on a clear day, you can see Mount Serapi, Mount Santubong, and even the mountains of Kalimantan.
Unfortunately… the tower has been closed to the public for over a decade.
There used to be a restaurant and pub at the top — weekend nights with a drink and city views was a whole vibe. Now? All shut down.
Source: TripAdvisor
What's Still Open?Things that are still running:
- Planetarium Sultan Iskandar
- PetroSains Playmart (great for kids)
- The carpark was converted into a skate park — quite popular with the youngsters
The rest? Mostly closed. The Borneo Post has reported on this several times, and even the Tourist Guides Association called for the tower's restoration back in 2025.
Source: KuchingBorneo
What People Are Saying"Actually Civic centre is a very nice place. But now neglected didn't do much improvement or maintenance." — TripAdvisor user
"During its glory days there was a restaurant on top. Nice structure but it's a pity that it's not well maintained." — Google review
"The surrounding park is worth to go for a walk if you're in the area." — Another visitor
Overall rating on TripAdvisor is just 2.8/5 — not because it's ugly, but because it's been neglected for years.
The good news though: the government has a refurbishment plan underway in 2025-2026. The roof has been spotted undergoing renovation!
Source: Borneo Post
Practical Info- Address: Jalan Taman Budaya, Kuching
- Opening: Outdoor area is freely accessible
- Planetarium / PetroSains have their own hours (check ahead)
- Observation tower: CLOSED (waiting for renovation)
- Getting there: ~20 min walk from city centre, or a quick Grab ride
- Nearby: Walking distance to Sarawak Museum & Waterfront
Anyone here old enough to remember the restaurant at the top? What was it like? Drop your memories below!
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