Kuching Civic Centre, Modern civic building in Kuching, Malaysia
The Kuching Civic Centre is a modern building with a distinctive umbrella-shaped tower and clock that defines the cityscape. The observation deck provides views of surrounding mountains and city areas, while inside the building houses a planetarium with astronomy programs.
The center was built in 1988 when Kuching received city status, establishing a major governmental hub for the region. The planetarium opened the following year as Malaysia's first, marking the country's early commitment to public astronomy education.
The planetarium inside serves as a gathering place for learning about space and stars, attracting school groups and families throughout the year. This facility reflects how the center has become central to local education and public curiosity about science.
The building is easily spotted from the river and located near Kuching's city center, making it accessible for visitors. Both the observation deck and planetarium operate during standard hours, though it helps to check specific show times before visiting.
On clear days, the viewing platform offers sightlines to Mount Serapi and Mount Santubong nearby, as well as distant mountains in Kalimantan across the border. This panoramic view that reaches into neighboring regions makes the platform particularly special for photography.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
