Streets squares and districts to visit Malaysia

"For many years, India Street and the surrounding area were a favorite haunt of Indian merchants. Now entirely pedestrianized and covered, it will delight lovers of exotic fabrics. Take India Mosque Lane, a dark, cramped passageway, and you'll see Kuching's first mosque, built by Muslims from South India in 1837. On the other side, you come to Gambier Street, which faces the river. Full of life, you'll find a wide selection of spices that will immerse you in the fragrant world of Indian cuisine.

Be sure to visit this unusual neighborhood to round off your historic tour of Georgetown. Located along Weld Quay, this collection of houses on stilts was built in the late ^19th century. Originally, the shoreline was littered with the detritus of wood, planks and firewood from various construction sites. In 1882, the local council undertook the construction of Weld Quay. Wooden piers were added for docking and delivering goods. Very quickly, houses were built around these pontoons, controlled by different clans. Each clan had control over the work (and workers) that took place on each pontoon. There were originally 7 of them, but one burned down and was never rebuilt. Comfort was modest, and running water didn't arrive until 1957. Until then, the inhabitants fuelled up by filling old kerosene cans and rolling them from the town to the piers. Even today, the six wooden pontoons belong to different clans. It's pleasant to wander through these mazes of wooden lanes, lined with houses, shops and Chinese temples, where a nonchalant atmosphere reigns. Chew Jetty is the most unspoilt, but also the most touristy. Venture instead to the other, more picturesque piers. Families have lived here for generations, and thousands of tourists pass through every year. Ask their permission before photographing them.

Located 23 km south-west of Kuching, Siniawan, with its old wooden buildings, is a village that has retained its old-world charm. Be sure to visit the ancient Shui Yue Gong temple dedicated to Guanyin. On weekend evenings, Siniawak comes alive with the night market in the main street. Under the red Chinese lanterns, locals and visitors gather to enjoy the wide variety of specialties on offer. An excellent way to spend an evening is to feast on local specialities and immerse yourself in the warm atmosphere.