Astana
3.5
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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3.5
111 reviews
Excellent
14
Very good
37
Average
51
Poor
7
Terrible
2
SOH KIEN PENG
Singapore, Singapore6,627 contributions
Aug 2014 • Couples
The Astana was built in 1870 by Charles Brooke who was the Second White Rajah of Sarawak and he presented the residence building as a wedding gift to his wife, Ranee Margaret.
The Astana is not an outstanding architectural structure though it was built with well manicured grass patch in a peaceful and tranquil tropical environment by the riverside of the Sarawak River. It would be suffice to just observe it from the waterfront since admission is prohibited. But it was the story of Charles Brooke, Ranee Margaret and his illegitimate eldest son, Esca Brooke Daykin that I read in the book `White Rajah, A Dynastic Intrigue' (by historian Cassandra Pybus) that intrigued me and sparked off my imagination and sympathy.
Charles Brooke had a secret affair with the wife of one of the Malay chieftains and Esca Brooke Daykin was born out of this affair. But till his death, Charles Brooke failed to acknowledge him as his legitimate son.
In the later stage of his life after the death of his father, Esca Brooke Daykin attempted to seek a recognition from his two half brothers who had inherited the Brooke's family wealth and were legitimate successors to their father's dynastic throne in Sarawak but despite writing many letters to his two half brothers, there was not a single response from them.
I read with sympathy the biography account of this illegitimate son of Charles Brooke.
It was apparent that Charles Brooke loved Ranee Margaret (his only wife) deeply and the Astana was a testimony of his true and deep love for her and his apparent regret of his secret affair before their marriage.
You will get to better appreciate the historical significance of this attraction in the light of the story behind the owner's family.
The Astana is not an outstanding architectural structure though it was built with well manicured grass patch in a peaceful and tranquil tropical environment by the riverside of the Sarawak River. It would be suffice to just observe it from the waterfront since admission is prohibited. But it was the story of Charles Brooke, Ranee Margaret and his illegitimate eldest son, Esca Brooke Daykin that I read in the book `White Rajah, A Dynastic Intrigue' (by historian Cassandra Pybus) that intrigued me and sparked off my imagination and sympathy.
Charles Brooke had a secret affair with the wife of one of the Malay chieftains and Esca Brooke Daykin was born out of this affair. But till his death, Charles Brooke failed to acknowledge him as his legitimate son.
In the later stage of his life after the death of his father, Esca Brooke Daykin attempted to seek a recognition from his two half brothers who had inherited the Brooke's family wealth and were legitimate successors to their father's dynastic throne in Sarawak but despite writing many letters to his two half brothers, there was not a single response from them.
I read with sympathy the biography account of this illegitimate son of Charles Brooke.
It was apparent that Charles Brooke loved Ranee Margaret (his only wife) deeply and the Astana was a testimony of his true and deep love for her and his apparent regret of his secret affair before their marriage.
You will get to better appreciate the historical significance of this attraction in the light of the story behind the owner's family.
Written July 22, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hashrin
Mumbai, India164 contributions
Mar 2011 • Family
Wonderful Architecture building Astana… located just opposite side of Kuching waterfront. Night view is marvelous. It’s the official house of Sarawak Governor.
Written November 5, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sayang11
Johor Bahru, Malaysia183 contributions
Nov 2012 • Couples
The governor of Sarawak used to reside in this gorgeous colonial building. We heard that it is used to receive visiting dignitaries, so travellers aren't allowed to enter the premises.
Written November 23, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kenvin
Pontianak, Indonesia4 contributions
I expected to have lunch here since I heard they will have "Open House" once a year. Turns out they do not held such event anymore. We can't even go in and see the interior. From outside you can just see it and... done.
Written August 11, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LukeyTee
1 contribution
It's a building over the water which you cannot enter... Very pointless, there's and million and one better and more interesting things to do in Kuching. This is not an attraction...
Written December 11, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mancad
england31 contributions
Feb 2014 • Solo
built for the second Rajahs wife it is a grand white low building on the quieter side of the river.Unfortunately the Government chose to erect a state buiding of immense size very close to it
Written July 30, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BettyandLingShing
Malaysia640 contributions
Astana (or Istana in Malay language means palace) was built by Charles Brooke, Sarawak second White Rajah in 1870, as a token of love to his beloved wife, Margerat. It is located at the other side of Sarawak River, can be seen from Riverfront (at Square Tower). The palace now serves as the official residence for Sarawak Head of State.
The palace look nice from a distance, and that's all we can do on the palace, as admission is prohibited. More of our experience in Kuching in our blog at:
http://bettyandlingshing.blogspot.com/2009/12/kuching-01.html
The palace look nice from a distance, and that's all we can do on the palace, as admission is prohibited. More of our experience in Kuching in our blog at:
http://bettyandlingshing.blogspot.com/2009/12/kuching-01.html
Written December 13, 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rftu
Newry, UK1,031 contributions
Dec 2019
A pleasant enough place situated overlooking the riverside. It’s easy to catch the ferry (one Idr per person per trip ) across instead of the long walk over the bridge. Nice for photographs but not an amazing must visit place.
Written December 28, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fudge2012oz
Melbourne55 contributions
Jun 2019
Great to look at from a distance, but you can't go inside. When you get up close there is a lot of maintenance needed. Sad to see it looking a bit run down!
Written July 10, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Oldjack
Greater Melbourne, Australia27,762 contributions
Mar 2019 • Couples
The Astana sits on th north bank of the Sarawak River and was built in 1870 by the second white Rajah of Sarawak Charles Brooke as a gift fo his wife.It is now the Governors residence and an impressive white building but not open to the public.
Written March 23, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Astana Information
Excellent Reviews | 14 |
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Very Good Reviews | 37 |
Astana Photos | 63 |