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️ The Astana Kuching — A White Rajah's Love Letter Across the River If you've ever walked along the Kuching Waterfront, you've definitely noticed that elegant white building sitting pretty across the Sarawak River. That's The Astana — the official residence of the Governor of Sarawak, and one of the most romantic pieces of history in town. I used to think it was just some rich guy's mansion, until I found out the story behind it Built in 1870 by the second White Rajah, Charles Brooke, as a wedding gift for his wife Margaret Alice Lili de Windt. She was an English aristocrat who brought a slice of Victorian England to Borneo. She later wrote a memoir called "My Life in Sarawak" — worth a read if you're into colonial history vibes. [image: 1782007410756-1_astana_front-resized.jpg] View from the Waterfront — classic white colonial architecture Back then, there was no bridge connecting the two sides. You had to take a small sampan boat to get across. Charles Brooke even planted betel nut trees behind the palace so he could offer fresh ones to visiting Dayak chiefs. It's these small human details that make the place feel alive, not just another old building. [image: 1782007427520-2_astana_wide.jpg] Front view with lush green lawn Here's what people are saying on Google and TripAdvisor: "Went for a morning walk at 5am, the river breeze was amazing and The Astana looked stunning in the sunrise" — Google review "Took a boat across to visit the gardens. Worth every sen even though you can't enter the main building. The view alone is worth it." — TripAdvisor "Must-stop on the Kuching Heritage Trail. Great photo spot!" — multiple reviews [image: 1782007428162-3_astana_panoramio-resized.jpg] The Astana sitting gracefully by the Sarawak River [image: 1782007428710-4_astana_bangunan-resized.jpg] Close-up of the building details Quick Info: Location: North bank of Sarawak River, across from Kuching Waterfront Access: Interior is NOT open to public (it's the Governor's residence) Gardens: Reachable by boat from the Waterfront (RM 1-2) Best photo spot: Waterfront promenade, directly opposite Heritage: Part of Kuching Heritage Trail Honestly, even though you can't go inside, just standing across the river and looking at this 150-year-old palace — imagining the White Rajahs, the grand parties, the colonial era — it's pretty special. Has anyone here taken the boat across to the gardens? Share your experience below! Also — The Astana at night with all the lights on is even more stunning than daytime. Trust me on this one

️ 古晋 Astana — 白拉者为爱而建的「河畔皇宫」 每次在河滨公园散步，对岸那栋白色建筑总是特别抢眼。说的就是 The Astana，砂拉越总督的官邸，也是古晋最浪漫的历史建筑之一。 老实说，我第一次去的时候还以为是哪个富豪的别墅 后来才知道背后的故事挺有意思的—— 这栋建筑是 1870 年，第二代白拉者 Charles Brooke 为他英国妻子 Margaret 建的结婚礼物。从英国娶回来的 Ranee 把英式生活带到了婆罗洲，据说她后来还写了一本《My Life in Sarawak》，记录当年在 Astana 的生活点滴。 [image: 1782007410756-1_astana_front-resized.jpg] 从河滨公园望向 Astana，经典的白色殖民建筑 那个年代没有桥，要从市区去 Astana 全靠小船摆渡。Charles Brooke 还在后面种了槟榔树，说是方便招待来访的达雅族长。这些小细节反而比华丽的建筑本身更有人情味。 [image: 1782007427520-2_astana_wide.jpg] Astana 正面视角，绿草如茵 Google 上的评价蛮有意思的。有人写说「凌晨五点来这里散步，河风很舒服，看到 Astana 在晨光中特别美」。也有人说「搭船过河去花园很值得，虽然不能进主楼，但光是外观就已经值回票价」。 TripAdvisor 上也有游客说这里是 Kuching Heritage Trail 必停的一站，拍照打卡一流 [image: 1782007428162-3_astana_panoramio-resized.jpg] 从不同角度看 Astana，坐落在砂拉越河畔 [image: 1782007428710-4_astana_bangunan-resized.jpg] 建筑细节近距离拍摄 实用资讯： 地点：砂拉越河北岸，对面就是古晋河滨公园 开放：官邸内部不对外开放（因为是总督住所） 花园：可以搭船过河，花园部分开放参观 最佳拍照点：河滨公园正对岸 交通：从河滨公园搭小舢舨过河（RM 1-2） 总的来说，Astana 虽然进不去里面看，但光是在河对岸远远看着，想象 150 年前白拉者在这里的生活，那种殖民时代的浪漫氛围就值了。 你们有看过 Astana 晚上的灯光吗？我个人觉得夜景比白天更漂亮 有人去过那边花园吗？留言分享一下