Friendship Garden

The Friendship Garden, known as Taman Sahabat in Malay was built to commemorate the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China. Located on Jalan Song in Kuching South. For your information, entrance is free.

This big arch is actually another entrance to the park via the back. A signboard hanging on the arch has the Chinese words, which translates to the park’s name –Malaysia China Friendship Garden. It is designed using China’s ancient buildings style. The front entrance also has an arch, but it is simpler and more futuristic designed based on Malaysia Sarawak style and it is almost 25 feet tall.

Behind it is a pair of statues modeled after Hornbills, the state symbol of Sarawak. Because of this, Sarawak is also named Land of Hornbill. A short walk from the main entrance will bring you to the Friendship Globe, sponsored by Malaysia’s Ministry of Tourism. As shown on the stone where the Friendship Globe sits, 2004 was the year the 30th anniversary was celebrated. Imprinted on the globe are the two nations’ leaders throughout the 30 years shaking hands as a sign of friendship. Some of the leaders shown on the globe are Tun Abdul Razak shaking hands with Mao Zedong and Abdullah Badawi shaking hands with Hu JinTao.

The biggest attraction of the park – a giant stature of Admiral Zheng Ho. He is believed to be the person who sent Hang Li Po to marry Malacca Sultan back in 1459. Zheng Ho’s stature can be seen miles away even before reaching the park.

In the Malaysian part of the park, a Malaysian murals consisting of 14 stone panels depict landmarks and images associated with each state it represents. At the Chinese part of the park, a zigzag bridge is used to connect the land and a building over the man made pond. It is the perfect spot for visitors to admire the many colorful koi swimming around freely. Crossing the zigzag bridge will bring you to this building. It has a huge hall at the ground floor, and a tea house at the first floor. This could be the perfect place to enjoy the park’s view.