A Neighbourhood Park Built for a Foreigner

I am fortunate enough to live in a neighbourhood where its developer is mindful to the social/recreational needs of its residence. The neighborhood I am in – the greater Tabuan Heights area- have ample mini parks where families and friends can gather and socialize in the evenings and weekends.

One of this is the Malaysia-China Friendship Park (Taman Sahabat) at Phase 3 of Tabuan Heights. The park is just a hop, skip and jump away from the cul-e-sac where I live. For Kuchingnites, the park is along Jalan Song, directly opposite the Tabuan Heights Commercial Centre (think Pizza Hut, Fujisan Bakery and 7-Eleven!).

The park is managed by the Kuching City South Concil and was built at a cost of about RM10mil. If you ask me, that is a whole lot of money spent on a piece of land.

Anyway, the park was built in commemoration of Admiral Zheng He’s 600th anniversary (boy! Is he old). The Malaysia-China Friendship Park was created to signify political ties between the two governments. At 5.88-acres, the project was undertaken in collaboration with the Council Office of the People’s Republic of China in Kuching.

Among is features are a unity garden, a rock garden (a good way for free foot-reflexology), a pagoda, pavilions, paved walkways, cat sculptures and a bridge.

This is the main entrance to the park.

One of the two marble seats at the main entrance which depicts animals found in Malaysia and China. My daughter thought it was cute!

These marble plaques surrounds a small fountain. There are 14 - to depict the 13 states and one Federal Territory in Malaysia.

Kuching (which means 'cat' in Malay) is famous for its cat statue and the park is not to be left out. These hugging cats is situated at the car park space on the main entry way. Mind you, these statues are actually about 5' tall.

One of the buildings in the park is this pagoda, strategically situated along the long, windy walkway that encircles the park.

The statue of Admiral Zheng He that stands about 3 stories high.

At night, the park is well lit.

The statue from the other end of the Koi pond.

This is the Tea Pavillion, taken from where the statue stands. The fountain goes on/off are specific time, of which I am yet to find out. The Koi pond is...full of kois!
The pavillion at night, taken from where the pagoda is situated. Light food items are served for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The main entrance is situated next to the Tea Pavillion. These is where the Tai-Chi and joggers congregate every morning and evening.