Fort Emma
Kanowit, Sarawak

entrance to fort emma

Fort Emma Kanowit is a 19th century wooden fort converted into a museum in the small town of Kanowit. The fort was named after Rajah James Brooke's sister, Emma.

According to the Sarawak Museums Department website it was built in 1851 to prevent raids by the Iban from the Ulu Batang Rejang on the Rajang-Melanau and others who had settled down river. In recent years the fort underwent a major restoration and preservation and it is now open to the public.

mermaid statue next to Fort Emma

The fort is on a raised bank with a commanding view of the Rajang River. A mermaid statue is looking out across the river.

The interior of the museum is almost empty and there is nothing by way of explaining the history of the fort.

sparse interior of the fortThis floor was used as offices by the Abang, the District Officer and other officers. The only exhibit is a scale model of the fort. The floor below served as cells for prisoners.
top floor of the fort.This upper floor was the living quarters for the District Officers and visiting VIPs including the Rajah on his occasional visits. Again it is empty apart from an old safe.

Since it did not take my wife and I long to look around the museum we made our way to the two rows of shophouses making up the heart of this small town which is situated where the Sungai Kanowit flows into the Rajang River.

Kanowit's main streetView of Jalan Kubu, Kanowit. We had a tasty meal at one of the seafood restaurants on this street.
row of seats next to riverThis row of benches overlooking the river goes by the rather grand name of Kanowit Esplanade. Nearby is a small jetty from where longboats ferry people across the river.
red colour Chinese temple with dragon gateA small but colourful Chinese temple enjoys a prime riverfront position next to the 'Esplanade'.

Fort Emma Opening Hours and Ticket Price

  • Tuesday to Friday 9am - 4:45pm
  • Saturday, Sunday, Public Holidays 10am - 4pm
  • Monday Closed

Closed on the following public holidays:-

  • Chinese New Year
  • Eid al-Fitr
  • Labour Day
  • Gawai Day
  • Malaysian independence Day
  • Birthday TYT of Sarawak
  • Christmas Day

Entrance Ticket

  • Admission is free.

How To Get to Fort Emma Kanowit

The location of the museum can be found on this map:

Parking

  • There is free parking in front of the museum.

Address

  • Fort Emma, Jalan Kubu, 96700 Kanowit, Sarawak

Contact

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AUTHOR BIO

the author

David (the one on the left) is the writer behind Malaysia Traveller, sharing first-hand travel advice from over five decades of living and travelling across Asia and the Middle East. Based in Malaysia since 2009 and now in Kuching, he has published over 790 pages on this website, personally visited every place he covers, and uses only his own photos. Readers can learn more on his About Me page. He also shares updates on Facebook and YouTube. He loves uncovering overlooked places that even some Malaysians have never visited.