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Laying directly across the equator and the main gate way into the Province of
West Kalimantan is the provincial capital of Pontianak. This rapidly developing
and surprisingly large city was founded in 1771 by Syarif Abdul Rahman Al-Kadri
of Saudi Arabia and is now a bustling economic hub as well as home to a sizeable
university and a giant indoor sports stadium. Canals crisscross the city and one
of Indonesia's longest rivers, the Kapuas 1.143 km long, divides the town in
two, providing an essential and historical communications link. Like Java and
Sumatra, West Kalimantan was once an important cultural
crossroads.
 Hinduism reached West Kalimantan by about the year 400 and
evidence of both early Hindu and Buddhist civilizations in the region have been
discovered. Stone carvings and ceramics can be traced as far back as the 5th
century, but it is the influence of Islam that has had the most impact on this
region.
The advent of Islam in West Kalimantan occurred at about the same
time as the rise of the first Islamic Kingdom in Aceh in the 15th century and
was introduced primarily from South Sumatra and North Kalimantan, and the
country of Brunei. Islam was rapidly embraced and various kingdoms grew in
strength and power particularly because of Kalimantan's strategic importance
along trade routes to China and the Philippines.
West Kalimantan covers an area of over 146.807 sq km, which is rich
in a variety of minerals and precious stones and remains largely unexplored.
Coastal areas are mainly swamp lands with more than 100 rivers sculpting the
flat plains, but in the mountainous eastern parts of the province, away from the
city and plains, there are many Dayak villages.
The Dayaks have ancient traditions and beliefs which are expressed in
various forms; earlobes elongated by heavy earings, tattoos intricate paintings,
designs and carvings and wonderful dances of respect, heroism, welcome and cure.
A large Chinese population, Malays and other Indonesian ethnic groups account
for the rest of the inhabitants of the province.
West Kalimantan is easily accessible from Jakarta or Singapore by air
and boat and over land journeys provide a rare opportunity to see the interior
of one of the world' largest and richest islands.
^ PLACE OF INTEREST
 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. Dine can simply relax in the recreational park Tirta Ria. The beach
resort of Kijing and Temajoh Island are good places for diving, fishing and
sailing.
Betana (Long House)
On the outskirts of Pontianak is a Daya traditional long house at
Saham village, 158 from Pontianak. The measures of long house are: 186 m long, 6
m wide 269 people live there. There is no accommodation here.
Pasir Panjang
It lies 17 km from Singkawang in the Sambas regency. There is the
beach resort of Pasir Panjang, 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 interesting to visit to see the Rafflesia or
the Giant Flower.
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
recerves are the forests of Baning and Kelam Hill in the Sintang Regency. While
in Kapuas Hulu, there is the Bentuang Karimun nature reserve where lake Sentarum
and the protected Siluk fish (Sclerop hages Formocus) are found.
Sambas Palace
This palace is one of the remnants of the Kingdom of Sambas. Up to
the present time it is still kept in good condition. There are manya antiques to
be seen.
^ ACCOMMODATION
| PONTIANAK |
Hotel Mahkota Kapuas
Jl. Sidas No.
8 Pontianak
Phone: (0561) 36022
Fax : (0561) 6024
Telex : 29181 MH PTK
IA
Rooms: 105
Class: * * * |
Hotel Kapuas Permai
Jl. Imam
Bonjol
Pontianak
Phone: (0561) 36122
Telex : 29320 NPK PTK IA
Rooms:
96
Class : * * * |
Hotel Kartika
Jl. Rahadi
Osman
Pontianak
Phone: (0561) 34401
Rooms: 45
Class: * * |
Hotel Pontianak City
Jl. Pak
Kasih No.44
Pontianak
Phone : (0561) 32495
Class: * |
Hotel Wijaya Kusuma
Jl. Musi
.No.51-53
Pontianak
Phone: (0661) 32547 |
Hotel Orient
Jl.
Tanjungpura
Pontianak
Phone : (0561) 32650
Rooms: 61 |
Hotel Khatulistiwa
Jl.
Diponegoro
Pontianak
Phone: (0561) 31697
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| SINGKAWANG |
Hotel Mahkota
Jl.
Diponegoro No.1
Singkawang
Phone: (0562) 31244
Fax : (0562)
29305
Rooms: 49
Class : * * * |
Hotel Palapa
Jl. Ismail Tahir No.
153,
Singkawang
Phone: (0562) 31449
Class: * |
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^ RESTAURANT
| PONTIANAK |
Hawaii
(Indonesian,
Chinese,
European)
Jl. Nusa Indah TII No.80
Pontianak |
Bali Palace
Jl. Imam Bonjol
No.402
Pontianak
Phone: (0561) 30045 |
Manis Mata
Kapuas Palace Hotel
Jl. Imam
Bonjol, Pontianak
Phone: (0561) 36122 |
Italian Steak House
Jl. Nusa Indah III
No.109-111
Pontianak
Phone: (0561) 36581 |
American Fried Chicken
Jl. Diponegoro
No. 114-A
Pontianak
Phone : (0561) 34119 |
Nikisa
Jl.
Sisingamangaraja
Pontianak
Phone: (0561) 35166 |
Bambu Kuning
Jl. Tanjung Pura Pontianak |
Corina
Jl. Tanjungpura
No.124
Pontianak
Phone (0561) 34486 |
Salido
Jl. St. Syarif
Abdulrachman
Pontianak
Phone : (0561 ) 36346 |
Gajah Mada
Jl. Gajah Mada
No.202
Pontianak
Phone: (0561) 38167 |
California Pioneer Chicken
I Jl. Diponogoro
No. 186-A
Pontianak
Phone : (0561) 34168 |
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^ SOUVENIR SHOP
| PONTIANAK |
Kenshi Art Shop
Jl. 8t. Abdurahman
18
Pontianak |
Fazalaly
Jl. Tanjungpura
No.59
Phone: (0561) 32156
Pontianak |
Dekranasda
Jl.. Sutan Syahrir
No.3
Pontianak
Phone: (0561) 32610 |
Koperasi Kerta
Jl. Adisucipto
187,
Pontianak |
Leny Art Shop
Pasar Nusa
Indah
Blok D 19 No. 1-2A |
Borneo Art Shop
Jl. Nusa Indah I |
Tri Sakti
Pasau Nusa Indah
Blok B
No. 11 |
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^ TRAVEL AGENT
| PONTIANAK |
Insan Worldwide Tours
Jl. Tanjungpura
No. 149 A-B
Phone: (0561) 32841, 34257
Telex : 29168 ITT PNK IA |
Jambore Empress Tour
Jl. Pahlawan No.
226
Phone : (0561) 36703 |
Kalutama Tour & Travel
Jl.
Sisingamangaraja No. 2-Y
Phone: (0561) 36105, 34214
Telex : 29189
KRATIA |
Ateng Tour & Travel
Jl. Gajah Mada
No. 201
Phone: (0561) 32683
Telex : 29347 Ateng ia |
Asia Jaya Nusantara
Jl. Tanjung Pura
No.236B
Phone: (0561) 34586 |
Citra Tours & Travel
Jl. Pak Kasih
No. 6
Phone: (0561) 36436
Telex : 29144 TABLO IA |
Gajah Mada Nusantara
Jl. Gajah Mada No.
67
Phone: (0561) 34383
Fax : (0561) 37427 |
Putra Tanjung Angkasa
Jl. Gajah Mada No.
121
Phone: (0561) 32207, 34011
Telex : 29191 CM PTK IA |
Anggie Tours & Travel
Jl. Gajah Mada
No.277
Phone: (0561) 30324
Fax : (0561) 34374 |
^ MONEY CHANGER
| PONTIANAK |
PT. Putra Tanjung Abadi
Jl. Tanjungpura
No.212
Pontianak
Phone: (0561) 32207, |
C.V. Dian Semesta
Jl. Diponegoro No.14
Pontianak
Phone: (0561) 32492. |
PT. Safari Tanjungpura
Jl. Tanjungpura
No.12
Pontianak
Phone: (0561) 32940 |
PT. Zamrud Putra Sejahtera
Jl. Nusa Indah I
Blok AA/44
Phone: (0561) 36432 |
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