Towards the end of the last century and during the first half of this century, the riverfront of Kuching Town stretching parallel against Jalan Gambier and Main Bazaar forms the linear frontage of the commercial centre of Kuching. The river and the sea were the principle means of communication and transport to the other parts of the State. The riverfront market place was also the regional distributing, trading and retailing centre for Kuching and its hinterlands.

As Kuching continued to grow, the development of new roads and air transport have resulted in a decline in the use of the godowns for storage and the wharves and landing stages for berthing of cargo boats, fishing trawlers and passenger boats. The once bustling port/trading area has been reduced to a neglected and dilapidated stretch which in turn created environmental and social problems.

In the early 80's, YB Datuk Patinggi Haji Adbul Taib Mahmud, the Chief Minister of Sarawak, envisaged a renewed relationship between the people and its river. A relationship which had grown apart through the years. He then commissioned a special team to turn the Kuching Waterfront into an oasis of leisure, recreation and discovery. With that, came the renaissance.