Square Tower

The basics

Like Kuching Old Court House, Kuching Mosque, and the Tua Pek Kong Temple, the Square Tower is a common stop on Kuching city tours, many of which also take in Fort Margherita, built on the north side of the Sarawak River in 1879. You can also see it by strolling along the waterfront or across the Darul Hana Bridge. To discover the interior, have dinner at Magenta Restaurant: you’ll likely need to make reservations at weekends.

Things to know before you go

• The Square Tower is a waterfront landmark that will be of most interest to history buffs.

• As you can only enter the building if you’re eating in the restaurant, most travelers visit for a photo stop only.

• Magenta Restaurant is not suitable for travelers with mobility issues: dining is on the first floor, with access by a spiral staircase.

How to get there

The Square Tower sits between the Darul Hana Bridge and Kuching Old Court House at the eastern end of Kuching Waterfront, which runs along the southern side of the Sarawak River. Most travelers explore the area on foot, but if you’re staying outside the city center you can drive, hire a driver, take a taxi, or rideshare using Malaysia’s homegrown Grab app.

When to get there

Evenings are the best time to see the Square Tower. You can only get access to the interior by eating at Magenta Restaurant, which opens for dinner only, and the whitewash shows to perfection when lit up for the night.

On the trail of Sarawak’s White Rajahs

When the British adventurer James Brooke helped the Sultan of Brunei put down a rebellion in 1841, he founded a dynasty that would last for over a century: the “White Rajahs” of Sarawak. Their family crest adorns the Square Tower and their Astana palace is now the official residence of Sarawak’s governor. Learn more about the family at the Ranee Museum in Kuching Old Court House, the family’s administrative headquarters, and the Brooke Gallery, in Fort Margherita, which they built alongside the Square Tower.