9 Best Things To Do In Pontianak, Indonesia

1. Istana Kadriah 

Istana Kadriah is the leaking palace of Pontianak’s first sultan on the east bank of the Kapuas, located 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) from the city center and in Kampong Dalam Bugis, East Pontianak Subdistrict. This palace contains various heritage objects such as Kaca Pecah Seribu and Singahsana. A short distance away, visitors will find the wooden Mesjid Abdurrahman where a cannon ball is said to have landed after the sultan fired it at a Pontianak (the restless spirit of a woman who died during childbirth). 

Istana Kadriah

Address: Jl. Tj. Raya No.1, Dalam Bugis, Pontianak Tim., Kota Pontianak, 78243 Kalimantan Barat, Indonesia

2. Mujahidin Mosque 

Mujahidin Mosque stands in Pontianak City Center and is a landmark of the city as well as the biggest mosque in West Borneo with a library and function hall and a total capacity of roughly 5,000 to 10,000 people. With ample parking space, Pontianak Mujahidin Mosque is the pride of the Muslim and non-Muslim people of West Kalimantan. Mujahidin Mosque was established in 1974 during the reign of West Borneo Governor. H. Jodaoesno and became a key religious center.

Mujahidin Mosque

Address: Jalan Jendral Ahmad Yani, Kel. Akcaya, Kec. Pontianak Selatan, Akcaya, Pontianak, Kota Pontianak, 78121 Kalimantan Barat, Indonesia

Website: Mujahidin Mosque

3. The Equator monument 

This monument was first marked by a Dutch geographer when he visited Borneo using an arrow on a pole in 1928. It was constructed to represent the Equator (an otherwise conceptual demarcation) and was initially built from four ironwood pillars. A mere three kilometers (two miles) north of the city center, the ironwood used was obtained locally and held up an arrow as a reference point or symbol of orientation.

The Equator monument

Address: Jl. Khatulistiwa, Siantan, Pontianak Utara, Batu Layang, Pontianak Utara, Kota Pontianak, 78244 Kalimantan Barat, Indonesia

4. Traditional House Betang 

A replica of the traditional Dayak tribal houses in West Kalimantan, Betang Radakng was constructed by the city government in Jalan Sultan Syahrir, Kota Baru, Pontianak. Built on long stilts characteristic of tribal houses here, it consists of three parts, a lobby space which is used to gather the whole family, a patio or Pante, and sleeping spaces or chambers which are private spaces for each family or family member. Betang Radakng is made of ironwood and decorated with carvings and paintings. The house has been used as a rehearsal space for dance practice as well as a performance space for the arts.

Traditional House Betang

Address: JL. Sutan Syahrir No.07, 78116 Pontianak, Indonesia

Facebook: Traditional House Betang

5. Kapuas River 

Another “longest” in the country, the Kapuas River here is the longest in Indonesia and the second longest river in the world. The tour of Kapuas River is done by canoe or boat rental which can be found in Alun-Alun Kapuas or in front of Jami ‘Mosque near Keraton Kadariyah. The area of Kapuas Square Park is approximately three hectares (eight acres). It has stood since ancient times and was renovated in 1999. The Pontianak city government continues to make improvements to Kapuas Square such as providing public amenities including security posts, waste bins and CCTV installation.

Kapuas River

Address: Pontianak, West Kalimantan, Indonesia

6. Digulis Monument 

Similar to the Equator Monument, this is another symbol of Pontianak and has a history related to the struggle of West Kalimantan youth as they strove for independence. Known as Tugu Digulis and clearly located in the middle of the city, tourists and travelers will have to go past this monument in order to get downtown from the Supadio airport making it a must visit attraction. The word Digulis is derived from the word "Digoel,“ a place in Papua or West Irian which at the time was Dutch territory and was used as a place of exile for figures of the struggle for Indonesia’s independence. The monument was set up as a memorial to eleven West Sumatran Muslim figures who were exiled to Boven Digoel, West Irian for fear that their movement would spark a rebellion against the Dutch government in Borneo. Three of the eleven figures died in exile at Boven Digoel and five of them died during the Mandor Events. 

Digulis Monument

Address: Jl. Jenderal Ahmad Yani, Bansir Laut, Pontianak Tenggara, Kota Pontianak, 78115 Kalimantan Barat, Indonesia

7. Borneo Art Shop 

It all began in the 1970s when after returning from Singapore, Haji Masri, the owner of Borneo Art Shop decided to pioneer the business of historical and archaeological objects typical of Dayak culture. Here you will find ancient objects from around Borneo including exotic art, antiques as well as pieces like the eropah plate, Dutch sword, Ming dynasty dish and more. 

Borneo Art Shop

Address: Jl. Nusa Indah 1 Blok B No.24-25, Darat Sekip, Pontianak Kota, Kota Pontianak, 78243 Kalimantan Barat, Indonesia

8. Museum Provinsi Kalimantan Barat 

The West Kalimantan Provincial Museum has been around since 1974 and was set up by the West Kalimantan Provincial Office of Depdikbud through the Rehabilitation and Expansion Project of West Kalimantan Museum. Visitors will find a collection of artifacts as well as an overview of local Dayak, Malay and Chinese cultures. The collection is well-maintained and the overview is informative and in the English language for easy accessibility to all tourists and visitors. The staff members are helpful and able to offer great insights on the subject matter.

Museum Provinsi Kalimantan Barat

Address: Jl. Jenderal Ahmad Yani, Parit Tokaya, Pontianak Sel., Kota Pontianak, 78124 Kalimantan Barat, Indonesia

Website: Museum Provinsi Kalimantan Barat

9. Kapuas Square Park 

Yet another ‘longest in Indonesia,’ the Kapuas Square Park is a garden with the longest Kapuas River view in the country. No trip to Pontianak would be complete without a visit to this serene park with its peaceful view of the ships and flowing water. Located in the center of Pontianak City and one of the gathering places for Pontianak residents, here you will also be able to enjoy some of Pontianak’s culinary dishes. As night falls, Kapuas Square Park increases in beauty. Decorated by the glow of lights that illuminate the area around the park as well as those coming from the fishing boat, Kapuas Square Park becomes the perfect end to a beautiful trip.

Kapuas Square Park

Address: Jl. Rahadi Usman, Tengah, Pontianak Kota, Kota Pontianak, 78243 Kalimantan Barat, Indonesia

Experience Equator City

Myth and legend intertwine in Pontianak, Indonesia which is also known as Equator City due to being almost exactly on the equator.