Kuching: Colonial Commercial Buildings

Malaysia11 photographs2009

The city's main bazaar has survived competition from suburban shopping centers.

Here's that core again, as rebuilt in brick after a fire in 1884 destroyed 130 shophouses.

Here's that core again, as rebuilt in brick after a fire in 1884 destroyed 130 shophouses.

The riverside is no longer a port, but signs of that past survive, along with adaptive reuse that hints again at the importance of the touri

The riverside is no longer a port, but signs of that past survive, along with adaptive reuse that hints again at the importance of the tourist trade.

The moribund Brooke Dockyard.

The moribund Brooke Dockyard.

The drydock can be filled at high tide.

The drydock can be filled at high tide.

An abandoned riverside market.

An abandoned riverside market.

Interior.

Interior.

The separate fish market.

The separate fish market.

Despite the decrepitude shown in the last few pictures, the interior of the bazaar is still very lively.

Despite the decrepitude shown in the last few pictures, the interior of the bazaar is still very lively.

Traffic is intense.

Traffic is intense.

One street has been converted to a pedestrian mall. It's India Street, originally Kling Street.

One street has been converted to a pedestrian mall. It's India Street, originally Kling Street.

Sunset.

Sunset.