West Kalimantan Province
The Capital City of West
Kalimantan Province is “Pontianak”
West Kalimantan is easily accessible
from Jakarta or from Singapore by air. One of it’s main attractions is the
culture of it’s Dayak ethnic groups. Most of Dayak live in log houses along the
rivers which crisscross the province. West Kalimantan covers an area of 146.700
square kilometers. It’s low plains are swampy and it’s rivers more than hundred
counted so farplay a vital role in communications and in the economy.Scattered
across the swamp areas are several lakes and villages and often linked by
bridges. The provincial capital, Pontianak, exactly on the equator so that is
called as “The City of The Equator”. It’s a fast growing city devided into
three parts by the Kapuas river and the Landak rivers. Pontianak is also one of
the gates too enter West Kalimantan through Supadio Airport lying 17 kilometers
out of the city center.
Kapuas about 1.143 kilometers is the longest river
in West Kalimantan even the longest in Indonesia, connecting Pontianak with
Sanggau regency, Sintang and Kapuas Hulu.Among the branches of Kapuas river the
Landak, Kubu, Punggur, Melawi and Sekayam river. While the Sambas river on the
north and the river of Pawon on the south are both play important role for
public transportation and trade. Among the several lakes are the Luar, the
Sentarum and the lake of Belida which produce a lot of fish.
West Kalimantan
is one of Indonesia Province, which has cope building in reach the aspiration
for the shake of prosperity of it public. This region unfold northerly straight
to south along the length of more than 600 km and about 850 km from west
easterly, broadly regional 146807 km (7,53 percentage of Indonesia wide or 1,13
wide Java island) and become the fourth widest Province after Irian, East
Kalimantan and Central Kalimantan.
West Kalimantan
area is as one of area, which common called as "A Thousand Rivers"
province. This nickname is suitable with its geographical condition, which has
hundreds great and small rivers and is often navigated. Some great rivers till
now, is still be a main line for hinterland transportation, although land road
infrastructure have been able to reach most of district, although partly small
of West Kalimanta regions are water territory went out to sea, however West
Kalimanatan has tens of big and small island (partly not dweller), which spread
over along the length of Karimata Strait and Natuna Sea that is abutting on
Riau Province region, Sumatera.
West Kalimantan
Resident embraces various religions, like Islam, Catholic, Protestant, Buddha,
Hindu and believe follower to the one supreme God. Most of West Kalimantan
resident works in agricultural sector, plantation, fishery and commerce.
West Kalimantan
Province is formed based on the constitution Number 25 in 1956 determined that
West Kalimantan region as autonomous area province with its capital in
Pontianak and because the constitution applied since 1 Januaries 1957, hence
the West Kalimantan Province anniversary is commemorated on that date.
The population of West Kalimantan consists of the
Dayaks, Malays, Chinese and some other Indonesian’s ethnic groups. The Dayaks
dances describe respectfulness, heroism, welcoming dance association with
thankfulness and curatility. It is recommended to visitors for a river trip and
stops for overnight stays at villages where dance performances are organized on
advance notice.
Pontianak
The capital of West
Kalimantan, Pontianak has some interesting places to visit. Among others of
Equator Monument, Kadariah palace in Kampung Dala, the State Museum of West
Kalimantan, Kapuas and Landak bridges with it’s river view and it’s floating
market or just stay relax in the recreational park Tirta Ria. The beach resort
of Kkijang and Temajoh Island are good places for diving, fishing and suitable
for sailing.
With a population of about 300,000
Pontianak, West Kalimantan's provincial capital, known as the city on the
Equator, is a bustling economic hub as well as the center of administration in
the province. Pontianak was initially the center of the Pontianak sultanate the
last kingdom in West Kalimantan, which was established at the same time as that
of the Dutch administration in the second half of the 18th century. The founder
of the sultanate was Syarif Abdurrahman. As the seat of the kingdom, Pontianak
was founded on October 23, 1771 on a spot covered by jungle at the mouth of the
Kapuas Kecil and Landak rivers.
Pontianak has since, served as a kind
of cultural gateway through which influences from the outside reached the
population of the hinterland. People from the hinterland also come to the city
and mixed with Malays, Javanese, Chinese, Bugis and other peoples. For the
Japanese, Pontianak has a special significance because the first battle
occurred in this city. Pontianak lies on the Kapuas river where many houses are
built over the water and are connected with each other by wooden bridges. Small
boats sail up and down the river to transport people and goods from one place
to another. Pontianak is known as a producer of oranges, although the fruits
are actually grown in the Tebas district, 300 kilometers north of the city.
Pontianak has some attractive tourism objects.
The city is located on the equator, at
the north of the rivers Kapuas and Landak.
The Kapuas is 1,143 kilometers long.
It is the most important river in the area, and can be navigated by small boats
weighing up to 1.000 tons up to Putussibau, the capital of the Kapuas Hulu
regency, 814 kilometers from Pontianak.A small motorboat can even go further
upstream. Pontianak's links with various other cities inside the province and
outside are smooth. Air transportation is available to and from Jakarta (381
miles), Balikpapan (456 miles), Singapore (344 miles) and Kuching (Malaysia
-118 miles).From Pontianak planes fly to various small towns throughout West
Kalimantan where airstrips exist.
Traditional
Costumes
Traditional costume
of Dayak, the native costume of the people of West Kalimantan is called King
Baba (men's cloth) and King Bibinge (women's cloth).The costume made of tree
bark that processed to be soft.Recently the costume is unpopular and changed by
Baju Burai King Burai and Baju Manik King Manik.The latest mode of traditional
costume is Baju Manik King Manik for women, with clam shell accessories.
Accessories on the head called Tengkulas with Ruai bird feather.The men put on
similar costume completed with vest, trosers, and cloth belt.
Naik Dango Custom Ceremony
It is the custom public Dayak Kanayatn
presentation of thanks feel to Sang Jubata (God) for the paddy crop successful.
It is done every 27 Aprils every year with location by rotation in 10
hinterland Districts tribe resident, which majority by Dayak Kanayatn. This
ceremony is started with ' Arakan Panompo ' from each district courier, caught
up dance 'Candle Paddy' by Dayak Kanayatn girls, and its top moment is pray
read ritual by one of the Leader in Pontianak regency. West Kalimantan regency
functionaries, Pontianak District functionaries and the invitations always
attend this ceremony.
The Equator Monument
Come, Join and
Visit Us ! Be good Adventurer.With a population of about 300,000 Pontianak,
West Kalimantan's provincial capital, known as the city on the Equator, is a
bustling economic hub as well as the center of administration in the province.
Pontianak was initially the center of the Pontianak sultanate the last kingdom
in West Kalimantan, which was established at the same time as that of the Dutch
administration in the second half of the 18th century. The founder of the
sultanate was Syarif Abdurrahman. As the seat of the kingdom, Pontianak was
founded on October 23, 1771 on a spot covered by jungle at the mouth of the
Kapuas Kecil and Landak rivers. Pontianak has since, served as a kind of
cultural gateway through which influences from the outside reached the
population of the hinterland. People from the hinterland also come to the city
and mixed with Malays, Javanese, Chinese, Bugis and other peoples. For the
Japanese, Pontianak has a special significance because the first battle
occurred in this city. Pontianak lies on the Kapuas river where many houses are
built over the water and are connected with each other by wooden bridges. Small
boats sail up and down the river to transport people and goods from one place
to another. Pontianak is known as a producer of oranges, although the fruits
are actually grown in the Tebas district, 300 kilometers north of the city.
Pontianak has some attractive tourism objects. The city is located on the
equator, at the north of the rivers Kapuas and Landak.
The Kapuas is 1,143
kilometers long. It is the most important river in the area, and can be
navigated by small boats weighing up to 1.000 tons up to Putussibau, the
capital of the Kapuas Hulu regency, 814 kilometers from Pontianak. A small
motorboat can even go further upstream.Pontianak's links with various other
cities inside the province and outside are smooth. Air transportation is available
to and from Jakarta (381 miles), Balikpapan (456 miles), Singapore (344 miles)
and Kuching (Malaysia -118 miles). From Pontianak planes fly to various small
towns throughout West Kalimantan where airstrips exist.
The Enchanting Kapuas And The Equator
The Enchanting Kapuas and the Equator;
West Kalimantan is an important and very attractive province. It is rich in
history, culture and places of interest for the tourist. The province borders
on Sarawak, East Malaysia, to its west are the South China Sea and the Karimata
Strait. To the east is the province of Central Kalimantan and to the south the
province of South Kalimantan and the Java Sea. West Kalimantan is a big
province with total area of 146,807 square kilometers, or about one-fifth of
total land surface of Kalimantan Island, or about equal that of Java plus the
island of Madura. Most of West Kalimantan is mountainous.
There is the well-known Muller
mountain range in the east and the Schwaner mountains in the southeast. Various
valuable minerals are found on and around those mountains, such as gold,
mercury, manganese, bauxite, gypsum and kaolin. The lowland areas are found
around Sambas, Pontianak and Ketapang, the most important towns. Around these
towns are the wide lowlands and swamps. West Kalimantan has a number of
important rivers for the transportation of goods and people. However, there are
rivers that can be navigated only during the rainy season, when the water is
high. During the dry season, these rivers run empty and cannot sailed. The most
important rivers are the Kapuas, Sambas, Sekayam, Landak, Melawi and Pawan.
Museum Of Pontianak
The Museum of Pontianak is two
kilometers outside the city. It is a beautiful building in modern design, with
the ornamental characteristics of West Kalimantan. The museum's collections
include relics from the time of the arrival of Islam in this region.
National Park and Nature Reserve
The Raya Pasi
National Park located in Singkawang regency is home to mescellaneous Flora and
Fauna including “Rafflesia Tuanmudae” or Rafflesia ceae or (The Giant
Flower).In Singkawang area could be visited also the natural reserve of Lo Fat
Fun, Niut and Prinsen Mountain. For junggles tracking, the forest of Sanggau is
worth to visit where hot spring, lakes, caves in mountain range could be found.
The other nature reserve are the forest of Baning and Baka Hill in Sintang
regency. While in Kapuas Hulu, there are Bentuang and Karimun nature reserves
as the place of lake Sentarum and home to the protected Siluk Dish (Sclerophages
Formocus).
Palung National Park
Palung National
Park. The Gunung Palung National Park, located in the Ketapang regency covers
over 90,000 sq km, is home to an incredible array of flora and fauna. Hot
springs, lakes and caves are among the many special features here. The park can
be reached by plane or express boat from Pontianak to Ketapang or to Telok
Melano and proceed by minibus for 2 hours drive or by kandong (traditional
boat) for 6 hours.
Kendawangan Nature Reserve
Kendawangan
Nature Reserve is enriched with an ecosystem comprising lowland forest, coastal
forest, mangrove forest, swamp forest and peat forest. Covering an area of
150,000 square kilometers, this reserve is also home to sea turtle.
Bandung
Rivers are very important in West
Kalimantan, because they are often part of the people's daily lives. There are
floating houses called bandung on those rivers. Bandung are not only houses,
but also important transportation means for the people. In it, they move from
place to place, sailing up and down the river, stopping at villages to trade.
Such trip can take a long time. From Pontianak to Putussibau, for instance the
distance is 814 kilometers over Kapuas river. A journey by bandung between the
two points takes several months.
During the rainy season,
transportation runs more smoothly than in the dry season. During the rainy
season, however, fishing in the rivers is interrupted due to floods. Also, the
rains prevent the people from tapping rubber, which is an important source of
income in the province. Like most other regions in Indonesia, the province of
West Kalimantan has a tropical climate. The highest daytime temperature
recorded is about 29 degree centigrade, and lowest 20 degree C.
In the mountains, the rainfall is
higher than in the coastal regions. Rain falls from October until April. The
dry season occurs between May and September. The hinterland of West Kalimantan
is covered with jungle, and still not much trodden by human beings. In the past
decades, however, loggers have come to exploit the province's timber resources.
The West Kalimantan jungle is rich in tropical hardwoods, rattan, candlenut
trees, and various raw materials for industrial and popular needs. The province
of West Kalimantan has one city, six regencies and one township - to name, the
city of Pontianak, the regencies Pontianak, Sambas, Ketapang, Sangau, Sintang,
Kapuas Hulu, and the township Singkawang.
The province has a population of about
four million, consisting of two main groups, Indonesian citizens and aliens,
the latter consisting mostly of Chinese, who live in the Pontianak and Sambas
regencies. The Dayaks and Malays make up the majority of the population, with
the Chinese as an important minority.
Nanga Sepuak
A stone object called the Kalbut stone
was found in Nanga Sepuak, Kalbut being the headdress commonly won by local
Moslems. The stone is also called the Ekamuka Shiva Lingga stone because one of
the reliefs represents Shiva. A statue of Shiva was also found in the village
of Temiang Ampakan, in the upstream region of Sepuak river, Sintang regency.
Hinduism presumably first came to the
area in about 977. At that time, traders coming to West Kalimantan brought the
religion as well as merchandise to the area.
The prevalence of Buddhism in West
Kalimantan is indicated by the finding of the curved stone, stone monument
bearing inscriptions in the ancient Pallawa script, near the village Pakit,
Nanga Mahap district, Sanggau regency dating from fifth century. Other finds
seem to support the theory of the existence of an early Hindu civilization in
the area. The Chinese influence was established early in West Kalimantan, as
proven by ceramics found in the province. In the sixth century, Admiral Cheng
Ho arrived in the area to establish relations. Relics in the form of ceramics
found several areas show that the Chinese influence prevailed in West
Kalimantan quite a number of centuries ago.
The advent of Islam in West Kalimantan
occurred in about the 15th century, at about the same time as the rise of the
first Islamic kingdom in Aceh. Islam arrived in West Kalimantan from the region
of Palembang, South Sumatera, and via North Kalimantan especially Brunei.
Several small kingdoms which at the first embraced the Hindu faith, soon
adopted the new religion.
Tanjung Pura
Various Islamic kingdoms arose in West
Kalimantan, among them Tanjung Pura, which according to the available records
was ruled by a descendant of the Kings of Majapahit in Java. Before the advent
of Islam, the kingdom of Tanjung Pura was known to have had close relations
with Majapahit under the government of Premier Gajah Mada. After the rise of
Islam and the fall of Majapahit, the Tanjung Pura became a big Islamic kingdom.
The rapid spread of Islam in this kingdom was due Sukadana, Simpang, Mempawah,
Sambas, Landak, Tayan, Neliau, Sanggau, Sekadau, Sintang, Kubu and Pontianak.
The spread of the European influence
in Kalimantan started with the arrival of the Dutch in the 17th century. Among
the items that interested those early Dutch traders was the Kobi diamond, an
exceptionally fine stone that belonged to the Landak kingdom, but was in the
keeping of Tanjung Pura, due to the good relations between the two kingdoms.
Later, however, the Dutch came not only to trade, but to assert their influence
in West Kalimantan. The result was a spreading hostility towards the Dutch in
the whole territory of West Kalimantan.
Several revolts can be mentioned: the
Sintang War; the Tebidah War of 1890 under the leadership of Nata, Apang
Labring, Abang Daung, Apang Rabat; the Melawi Wars and others.The British East
India Company in the 17th century established a trading post in the region of Matan,
Tanjung Pura kingdom. The British, however, never managed to gain a strong
foothold in West Kalimantan.The Japanese occupation at the beginning of World
War II ended the Dutch rule in West Kalimantan. However, it also spelled the
end of the great influence of the kingdom.
Conflicts between the occupying forces
and the rulers could not be avoided, and some of them were killed in skirmishes
with the Japanese. Still remembered in West Kalimantan is the Mandor Affair of
1944. In an armed clash in the Mandor area, about 70 kilometers north of
Pontianak, many people were killed. The Japanese occupation ended with the
proclamation of Indonesia's independence in 1945, when West Kalimantan became a
province of the Indonesian Republic.
Diamonds
The sites for panning diamonds are
found along the Landak river, from Ngabang to the highlands, and around
Sanggau. During the Dutch colonial period, the mining was done by a Dutch
company, Erdman & Sieleken, near Landak. As a result of those efforts, the
diamond reserves have been almost depleted. Since the old days, panning was
also carried out by the people. During the long dry seasons, when the river is
shallow, the local people still pan for the mineral along the area. Besides
diamond, kaolin, mica, iron, gold, mercury, copper, silver, manganese, lead,
zinc, salt and other minerals are also found in West Kalimantan in general, the
Sambas region in particular.
Singkawang, the capital of the Sambas
regency, is located on the west coast, 145 kilometers from Pontianak. It is
often also referred to as the Hongkong of West Kalimantan, probably because the
Chinese are the majority in this town. The dominance of the Chinese cultural
tradition can be seen in the various aspects of daily life in the town. There
are Chinese temples everywhere. The houses are Chinese. The daily language is
Chinese.
Several tourist
objects in Singkawang city are
Eria Park, Pasir Panjang Beach, Mount
Poteng, Batu Payung Beach,
Pemangkat, Sintete, Tanjung, Batu, Pemangkat, Tirtayasa Recreation Park,
Sambas, Lanting, Beautiful Traditional Handicrafts, Lake Sebedang, Sanggau
Ledo, Tampenan Village, Ketapang Pawan River, Tebas,
Paloh Beach, Bekati, Balairung Segetar Alam
Cannon, Mosque Of The Sanggau Kingdom, Samboja Recreation Park, etc.
Bengkayang
Bengkayang connects various small
cities in the Sambas regency with the West Kalimantan hinterland. And the route
into Sarawak, East Malaysia begins in Bengkayang. Bengkayang's proximity to
Singkawang, only about 70 kilometers away, has caused Bengkawang to grow rather
rapidly in the past years. To travel to the border between West Kalimantan and
Sarawak, one usually starts from Singkawang, then proceeds towards Bengkayang
over a distance of 70 kilometers. The trip continues towards the north, to the
small town of Ledo, at a distance of the 40 kilometers. Then the trip continues
again to Sanggauledo 20 kilometers away, and to Seluas. The distance between
Sanggauledo and Seluas is 31 kilometers. Entekong is the last stop on the
Indonesian side of the border. There is an immigration post here. From
Entekong, walk for another 20 minutes before entering Malaysian territory.
People have crossed the border for
many generations over this road, despite the absence of legal provisions. The
local people are given a special passport by the provincial government of West
Kalimantan, to enter Sarawak and to trade on a small scale and buy their daily
needs. After walking for about 20 minutes from Entekong, one comes to the first
check point in the Malaysian territory. There is a terminal for taxis that can
take the traveler to Kuching and other place in Serawak.
Sepogot And Sekaruh
At one point, one must leave the main
road and walk for about one kilometer to Sepogot and Sekaruh, where about 600
Bekati people live.The Bekati live in the mountains, around the Teriak river.
Linguistically, they belong to the Kendayan Dayaks, but they dislike being
called Kendayans.The Bekati chiefs consider themselves as having come from the
region around Sambas, finally to settle around Bengkayang as they moved from
place to place, practicing shifting agriculture. The Bekati live in comparative
isolation. Besides tilling dry fields, they also tap rubber. They are also
known as depth hunters.
The traditions of the Bekati people are
still largely preserved, although the penetration of outside influences has
already begun. Bekati longhouses differ from those of other Dayaks in
Kalimantan. The Bekati longhouses has no pillars, but rests on the ground. It
functions as a place for the holding of ceremonies, meetings, and as kind of
hostel for travelers. Many Bekati people are illiterate and faithful adherents
of the old ancestral beliefs. Many wooden ancestor statues are found around
Bekati villages. These wooden statues are more than one meter tall and have no
arms.
Karimata Island
Karimata Island lies to the northeast
of Serutu Island, in the middle of the Karimata Strait. It is inhabited by
fishermen and has a lighthouse. The islands in its surroundings are Meladang,
Buwan, Penebangan, Pelapis and other, smaller islands, totaling 54.South of
Ketapang, reachable from Kendawang, are two islands with beautiful beaches
Bawal and Gelam. Although still rarely visited and little known, these islands
hold great potential for the future.
Karimata Island. A
spectacular marine nature reserve 100 kilometers east of Ketapang and covering
an area of 77,000 square kilometers, the island is home to many species of
turtlrs and dugongs. The Regional airport Rahadi Usman and sea port make it an
important link to the rest of Kalimantan. Accommodation ranging from moderate
hotels including restaurants is available.
Khek
The first Chinese came between 1740
and 1745, and were mostly Khek and Hakka, followed by Teochiu. However, long
before, in 1293, a Chinese expedition force sailed to Java to attack Singosari,
whose ruler had insulted the Chinese emperor, Kublai Khan. They were repelled
to West Kalimantan, where they built a settlement.
After 1745, the Khek people started
coming in groups, working at the gold mines. Some of them grew pepper, rubber
trees and tobacco, others went to Bangka and Belitung, because their gardens
were taken by the Dutch. The Chinese population, however, kept increasing as
ruler such as Panembahan Mempawah and the Sultan of Sambas recruited labor from
China to work in the area.In the middle of the 19th century, the Chinese
established companies, such as the Thai Kong and Tho Kiu. They also took over
lands, gardens and mines. The number of Chinese temples and the various traditions
associated with them attest to the significance of the Chinese influence in
West Kalimantan. Some of those temples are many centuries old.
Today, the Chinese account to
approximately one-eight of the province's total population of 2.5 million. By
comparison, the Dayaks make up 41 %, the Malay 39 %, the Bugis 5 % and Javanese
2 % of that total. In several areas, such as Pontianak, the percentage of the
Chinese population is seen bigger. In Pontianak, for example, they make up
about 25 % of the total. The same is true the Sambas Regency.
Toh Peh Kong
The Chinese in West Kalimantan worship
Toh Peh Kong, as their god and protector, as part of their ancestral
traditions, brought over from China. The ancestral doctrine is that of Sam Kao,
or the three doctrines, a mixture of Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian tenets.
There are fused with the Toh Peh Kong cult, which in fact is unknown in China.
The central place of worship of the Toh Peh Kong cult is the Chinese temple of
Tri Darma Budi, in Singkawang.
The Toh Peh Kong cult exists only in
West Kalimantan, and is in fact clarification of the pioneers of the Chinese in
West Kalimantan. Those pioneers consisted of seven Chinese commanders, who
served under Ike Mese and Shi Bi, the armada commanders who came to attack
Singasari in 1293. In their homeward voyage, Ike Mese ordered seven of his
officers and 250 men to stay in West Kalimantan.Toh Peh kong here is also known
in Java, but there he is the personification of Admiral Cheng Ho, the Moslem
Chinese seafarer who once visited Java.
In West Kalimantan, Toh Peh Kong is
not identified with any mortal of the past.Toh Peh Kong here is worshipped in
the shape of a grandfather statue although there are also couples of statue
representing the deity. Toh Peh Kong couples can be seen in the Chinese temple
of Tri Darma Bumi, in Pasar Tengah, Singkawang. There is also one in the
Chinese temple in Sebangkau village. Along the road between Pontianak and
Sambas, a Chinese temple is found in almost every village, dedicated to the
worship of Toh Peh kong.
Kapuas Hulu
Kapuas Hulu, a mega
diversity eco-tourism with its huge lagoon amongst the regions in entire
Borneo. Covers numerous sites of interest in Betung Kerihun National Park such
as botanical inclined, animal lovers, ritual ceremonies by the Dayaks, local
music and art, handicraft in the making, Daily life of local communities,
Trekking into the jungle, Braving the Rapids, Exploring the caves, adventure –
Journey into the Heart of Borneo West. Danau Sentarum National Park is well
worth a visit for its huge lagoon lies on the Borneo land of the West. Covers
an area of 132,000 ha situated in Kapuas Hulu Regency, Semitau Sub-District,
within a 1,5 hour your convenience trip by speed boat of 20 HP enter the area
and explore more traditional floating houses on long boats. Surrounding fresh
water swamp with a number of 5 different lakes is also home to the large
selection of more than 220 fresh water fish species of any lake in the world.
Salty fishes, baked fish. Foremost amongst these are the Super Red Arrowana
(Scleropages formosus), or local name “Ikan Silok”, famed for its beautiful
coloration and much prized by collectors and enthusiasts alike. A uniquely
breeding of this Super Red Arrowana by locals Malay and Dayak. At night the
visitors are welcome to stay at indigenous floating houses on the of the
Sentarum National Park while self-eatering, fishing, swimming, bush walking,
mountain climbing, cruise by traditional boat or speed boat makes your journey
never ending.
Menager Multi-Level Waterfall
Menager Multi-Level
Waterfall, cascade down in seven stages over a vast area, surrounded by
pristine rainforest, caves Barema – Dayak worship site, rapid stream calm pools
of water invite young and old alike to soak in their tranquil depths, this
unique waterfall to create a breathtaking spectacle for all to enjoy.
Complementing this natural wonder are the ringing calls of birds as they echo
from the trees. This unique waterfall situated between Landak and Bengkayang is
easily accessible by 4WD. Renowned mysteriously as Bukit Kelam (Dark Hill) is a
huge stone outcrop forms a spectacular natural backdrop for the town of
Sintang. Sintang is a river town on the confluence of the Kapuas and Melawi
rivers, strategically making it the center of Chinese trade with the interior
of Borneo. Steel stairs ascend the mountain’s side offering an exciting
challenge for adventurous visitors.
This huge stone outcrop
forms a spectacular natural backdrop for the town of Sintang, covering an area
520 square kilometers and rising some 900 m (3,000 ft) from the plain below.
Kelam (which means “dark” in Indonesia) begins to wear its characteristic
shroud of clouds by mid afternoon becoming a brooding, spellbinding image.Is
only 15 km from Sintang by public transportation. Rest pavilions and coffee
shops are located nearby for the weary traveler.
The other object of interests are
Bugis Dalam, Pasir Panjang Beach,
Mandor, Melanggar Waterfall, Remabo Waterfall, Long house, Palace Of Mempawah Kingdom, Kijing Island,
Sanggau, Sompu Waterfall, Sintang, Buddha, Batu Kundur, Dara Juanti Museum,
Baning Recreation Forest, Putussibau, Simoanglida River, Panembahan Saunan,
Negeribaru, Maya Karimata, Serutu Island, Maya Island, Dange, a Kayan Feast
Chinese Tradition, Baning Nature Reserve, The
Hidden Paradise in The Heart of Borneo, Myriad array of Malay, etc.
Chinese - Tionghoa
As one of the highest
concentration of ethnic Chinese or locals “Tionghoa”, in West Kalimantan the
Singkawang city provides the Spectacular Magical Tatung and Dancing Dragon
during the Chinese happy New Year with its Cap Go Meh – Imlek – Xong She Fat
Xoi. The most attractive traditional musical instrument displayed on special
occasion of: Xong Xi Fat Choi or Wedding party. Amazing Singkawang Chinese
Tionghoa Dancing Dragon with the Magical Tatung.
Handicraft & Choices Of Souvenirs
Handicraft & Choices Of
Souvenirs. The most conspicuous handicrafts of West Kalimantan. The most well
known cloth in the region of West Kalimantan with its various motif in vibrant
colors. Kain Sambas (Weaving cloth) and the Dayak weaving cloth of Ensaik
Panjang, Sintang. Cual, Corak Insang, Lunggi Woven, Kalengkang embroidery, and
West Kalimantan’s batik. Choices of handicraft, woven material, rattan,
philodendron and wood of West Kalimantan.
Pandanus Plaited bag,
bamboo plaited baskets, dishes covers, mat, souvenirs Khatulistiwa monument
miniature, bandong traditional boat miniatures, Dayak scimitar, key holders,
and woodcarving, ceramics, tie woven beads. It is advisable to come over the
Indonesia National Crafts Council (DEKRANASDA) at Jl. Hasanudin Pontianak,
Souvenir Shop at Jl. Pattimura, Koperasi KERTA at Jl. Adi Sucipto Pontianak.
Further Sambas is renowned with its Weaving Cloth. The most well-known cloth in
the region of West Kalimantan with its various kinds of motif in vibrant
colors. Meanwhile, Dayak weaving cloth is made by locals Dayak at Ensaid
village in Sintang Regency becomes the most wanted by Europe countries and
other overseas countries. Dayak Scimitar, or locals Mandau made by the Dayak
people in Melawi Regency. This unique replica of Mandau with its scabbard made
in big scale of more than 2m x 0,5 height by the Dayak in Melawi Regency
creates the best souvenir as its unique style, intricate paintings, design and
carving.
Sumber Investigasi:
F. I. Fatrick & www.guidingtoindonesia.bogspot.com
