Cemetery in Kuching

Before my trip to Borneo, I googled cemeteries in Kuching. Some very impressive images of colorful Chinese armchair graves came up, and I decided that I had to see them in real life. However, none of the websites with these impressive photographs could tell me the name or location of the cemetery. I resorted to searching Google Maps, which directed me to several cemeteries a good hour’s drive outside the city. Not really what I wanted.

I had all but given up on finding cemeteries in Kuching, when an act of serendipity lead me to this site. I had taken a taxi from the river to a café on Jalan Tun Ahmad Zaidi Adruce, and when I looked out the window I saw the tips of tombstones in a gravesite at the intersection of Jalan Tun Ahmad Zaidi Adruce and Jala Nanas. This cemetery looked more western with grey tombstones, but I figured it was at least worth a look. I decided to walk there on my way back from the café, about 1.5 km. But when I couldn’t find a crosswalk I turned the corner and went up a different road. Along that road I found a much larger and more beautiful cemetery with….armchair graves! I was so excited. I didn’t have to venture out of Kuching to find a beautiful cemetery.

For those who are interested, the cemetery can be found on Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg, just opposite the Hospital Umum Sarawak.