Borneo Island (West Kalimantan)

One of the main attractions of West Kalimantan (kalimantan Barat) is the culture of its Dayak ethnic groups. Most Dayaks live in long houses along rivers which criss-cross the land. This province covers an area of 146,807 square km. Its low plains are swampy with more than 100 rivers playing a vital role in communications and the economy.

Scattered across the swamps are several lakes and villages, often linked by bridges. The provincial capital, Pontianak lies exactly on the Equator. It is a fast growing city divided into three parts by the Kapuas and Landak Rivers. Pontianak is the main gate to enter this province through Supadio Airport, 18 km from the city.

The Kapuas River, about 1143 km, is one of the longest river in Indonesia, connecting Pontianak with the Sanggau, Sintang and Kapuas Hulu Regencies. Among the branches of the Kapuas River are the Landak, Kubu, Punggur, Melawi and Sekayam Rivers.

The population of West Kalimantan consist of the Dayaks, Malays, Chinese and some other Indonesian ethnic groups.

Dayak dances express respect, heroism, welcome and cure. It is recommended to take a river trip and make overnight stops at villages where dance performances are organized on advance notice.

PLACES OF INTEREST IN WEST KALIMANTAN

Pontianak - As the capital of West Kalimantan, there are some interesting places to visit, among others the Equator Monument, Kadariah palace in Kampung Dalam, the State Museum, the Kapuas and Landak Bridges with a river view and floating market. You can also simply relax in the recreational park Tirta Ria. The beach resort of Kijing and Temajoh Island are good places for diving, fishing and sailing.

Bukit Kelam (Kelam Hill) - This is an attractive tourism object, completed with beautiful and pritisne scenery. There are long houses of Dayak tribe, and for the more adventurous, this hill is great for rock climbing. Kelam Hill is located about 18 km from Sintang, and accesible by overland and waterways transportation. From Pontianak to Sintang, it Takes about 8 hours by bus, or through waterways on Kapuas River by “Bandung Boat”.

Hutan Wisata Baning (Baning Tourism Forest) - Located just outside Sintang, this forest characterizes a tropical forest with various species of orchids and specific plants, such as nepenthes or “Bunga Kantong Semar”. The area can be reached overland or through waterways.

Bukit Baka/Bukit Raya National Park - It is situated in Serawai District, Sintang Regency. Bukit Baka covers an area of about 100,000 hectars of tropical forest with various species of animals. Serawai can be reached through waterways by motorboat from Sintang Regency.

Dara Juanti Museum (Sintang Palace) - Formerly, this museum was the Palace of Sintang. This museum displays the collection of some inheritances of Sintang Kingdom. The museum can be visited every day.
Location: around the bank of Kapuas River. It is about 395 km from Pontianak, and it can be reached either overland (by bus) about 8 hours, or through Kapuas River (by boat) between 20-48 hours.

Betang (Longhouse) - On the outskirts of Pontianak is a Dayak traditional long house at Saham village, 158 km from Pontianak. The longhouse is huge - 186 m long and 6 m wide, and is inhabited by 269 people! There is no tourist accommodation available here.

Pasir Panjang - It lies 17 km from Singkawang in the Sambas regency. There is a beach resort, ideal for swimming. Comfortable cottages are available equipped with a tennis court. In the vicinity of Singkawang, the Gunung Poteng hill resort with its fresh air is a good place for nature lovers.

National Park and Nature Reserve - The Gunung (Mount) Palung National Park located in the Ketapang regency is home to miscellaneous flora and fauna. The Raya Pasi mountain located in the Singkawang regency is also an interesting place to visit in order to see the Rafflesia.

Singkawang is also a nature reserve. The forest of Sanggau is worth a visit where hot springs, lakes and caves can be found. The other nature reserves are the forests of Baning and Kelam Hill in the Sintang Regency. While in Kapuas Hulu, there is the Bentuang

ACCOMMODATION - West Kalimantan has recently been developed for tourist traffic, however, Pontianak has two three-star hotels, each with modern amenities and also facilities for conventions.