🌿 Malaysia-China Friendship Park: A Backpacker’s Guide to Kuching’s Serene Escape!

#kuchingitinerary Why This Park is SPECIAL: ✅ Unique cultural fusion – Chinese pavilions meet Bornean rainforest 🌸🌴 ✅ Perfect for picnics – Lakeside gazebos & shaded lawns ✅ Free & central – Just 5 mins from the city center ✅ Instagrammable bridges – Zigzag walkways over lotus ponds 📸 My Pro Tips (From a Local’s Perspective): 🕖 Golden hours: 7-9AM or 5-7PM for soft lighting 🍱 Pack snacks – Limited vendors (try kek lapis from town) 📿 Find the zodiac statues – Hidden along the pathways 🚫 Mosquito repellent – Those lake bugs are hungry! Must-See Spots: 1️⃣ Nine-Dragon Wall – Mini replica of Beijing’s famous mural 🐉 2️⃣ Friendship Bridge – Symbolic red arch over the lake 3️⃣ Chinese Zodiac Garden – Pose with your birth animal 🐯 4️⃣ Hidden Viewpoint – Behind the main pavilion (best sunset spot) How to Get There: 📍 Location: Jalan Song Thian Cheok 🚶 From Carpenter St: 10-min walk 🚗 Grab: ~RM8 from anywhere downtown Entry Fee: FREE (24/7 access) Time Needed: 1-2 hours Perfect For: Slow travelers & couples Pro Tip: Visit during Chinese New Year when lanterns transform the park! 🏮 #friendshipvibes – Tag your most zen moments! ☯️ P.S. The stone chess tables near the lake are where old masters play daily – watch a game! ♟️