Pontianak, Borneo

Area: 41.63 mi²
Weather: 77°F (25°C), Wind SE at 2 mph (3 km/h), 97% Humidity
Population: 234,021 (2010) United Nations
Province: West Kalimantan

Pontianak is the capital of the Indonesian province of West Kalimantan, founded by Syarif Abdurrahman Alkadrie as a capital of Sultanate of Kadriyah on 23 October 1771 / 14 Rajab 1185 AH. Indonesia is truly a beautiful country which is why it attracts tourists from around the world. With an archipelago of around 18,000 islands, it’s definitely a diverse mix of natural wonders and booming cities to historic temples and prime beaches. The city was founded as a small Malay fishing village at the bank of the Kapuas River.

It then became the seat of the Pontianak Sultanate for several centuries. Pontianak was then incorporated into the Dutch East Indies after an agreement between the Pontianak Sultanate and the Dutch Government. Pontianak is a multicultural city, as different ethnic groups such as the Dayak, Malay, Bugis people along with Javanese, Madura people, Bataks, Ambon peope, Papuan transmigrants, and Manado people creating a unique culture that can not be found in other parts of Indonesia. Pontianak lies smack on the Equator at an elevation ranging from 0.1 to 1.5 meters above sea level.

What to Eat
Pontianak food is a culinary paradise, known for it’s culinary attractions which is as diverse as it’s people. Some of the well known food include:

• Nasi Cap Cai (Mixed rice), with variety of other dishes to order
• Steam Bun [Bakpao with variety of fillings]
• Batang Burok
• Lek Tau Suan (Mungbean dessert with crispy rice crisp)
• Bubur pedas
• Yammie “Stirred noodle” [with variety of egg noodle, slim noodle, rice noodle “kwetiau”, mini dumpling “Kiaw”
• Paceri Nanas
• Ikan Asam pedas
• Pwe Ki Mue (Bubur pesawat, rice porridge with lots of side dishes)
• Tart Durian
• Chicken Rice “Koi Peng”
• Kaloci
• Mooncake or Gwek Pia
• Kwe Kia Theng
• Tencalok
• Lemang
• He Mue (Rice & Varieties of fish to choose)
• Lempok Durian
• Nasi Kari
• Chicken rice
• Roti Kap
• Tempoyak
• Bingke
• Hekeng (Prawn Cake)
• Tar Susu
• Chai Kwee

Where to Eat
1. Nasi Akwang
Amount: $$ – $$$
Dishes & Cuisines: Chinese, Asian
Address: Jl. Arteri Supadio, Ruko Pawan Permai Mas 2 Blok C no. 1-2, Pontianak 78122, Indonesia
Phone Number: +62 561 739267
Hours: Opens 08.00
Service: Offers takeout, seating and table service. One can eat breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner here. No need to call ahead for reservation except for large group of people.

2. RM Borneo
Amount: $$
Dishes & Cuisines: Chinese, Seafood, Asian
Address: Jl. DR. Setia Budi No.4, Benua Melayu Darat, Pontianak Sel., Kota Pontianak, Kalimantan Barat 78122, Indonesia
Phone Number: +62 561 734894
Hours: Opens 10.00
Service: Lunch and dinner. Offers takeout, seating and table service.

3. The Roof Cafe at Gajahmada Avara Boutique Hotel
Amount: $$ – $$$
Dishes & Cuisines: Asian, Desserts, Beverages
Address: Gajahmada Avara Boutique Hotel, Jl. Gajah Mada No.86-88, Pontianak, Indonesia
Phone Number: +62 561 732878
Hours: 00.00 – 23.59
Service: Accepts Reservation, Serves Alcohol and Takeout

4. Aming Coffee
Amount: $
Dishes & Cuisines: Coffee & Tea
Address: Jl. Haji Abbas 1 No.111, Pontianak, Indonesia
Phone Number: N/A
Hours: 06.00 – 23.00
Service: Offers takeout, seating and table service.

Places to Stay
1. Hotel Borneo Pontianak

Star: 3
Address: Jalan Merdeka Barat No. 428 Mariana Pontianak Barat, Tengah, Kec. Pontianak Kota, Kota Pontianak, Kalimantan Barat 78244, Indonesia
Phone: +62 561 768111

• Free Wi-Fi
• Free breakfastFree parking
• Air-conditioned
• Laundry service
• Room service
• Kid-friendly
• Restaurant

Book A Room at Hotel Borneo Pontianak

2. Aston Pontianak Hotel and Convention Center

Star: 4
Address: Jl. Gajah Mada,Gajah Mada 21, Pontianak, South Kalimantan 78121
Phone: +62 561 761118

Hotel details:

• Wi-Fi in designated areas
• Airport shuttle
• Airport pickup service
• Restaurant/Café/Bar
• Non-smoking floor
• Currency exchange
• Front desk (24 hours)
• Wake-up call
• Fitness center
• Spa/Massage/Sauna
• Luggage storage
• Outdoor swimming pool
• Karaoke
• Beauty salon
• Meeting rooms
• Babysitting
• Fax/copying service
• Function room
• Business center
• Smoking area
• Ballroom
• ATM

Book A Room at Aston Pontianak Hotel and Convention Center

3. Harris Hotel Pontianak

Star: 4
Address: Jalan Gajahmada No.151, West Kalimantan Pontianak Indonesia
Phone: +62 561 8120888

5 Must to see Places in Pontianak, Borneo
1. Istana Kadriah

Address: Jl. Tj. Raya No.1, Dalam Bugis, Pontianak Tim., Kota Pontianak, 78243 Kalimantan Barat, Indonesia
This is the leaking palace of Pontianak’s first sultan on the east bank of the Kapuas, located in Kampong Dalam Bugis, East Pontianak Subdistrict. Istana Kadriah palace houses Kaca Pecah Seribu and Singahsana objects which are sacred to the Borneo people.

2. The Equator monument

Address: Jl. Khatulistiwa, Siantan, Pontianak Utara, Batu Layang, Pontianak Utara, Kota Pontianak, 78244 Kalimantan Barat, Indonesia
Equator monument is located in Jalan Khatulistiwa, North Pontianak which is about 3 kilometres from the city centre of Pontianak. Don’t be disappointed that this is not on the equator any more since the equator has moved slightly southwards. However, there is another line outside the monument, that shows the recorded position in 2005. The position of the equator in 2010 is even further south and in the river, as your GPS device will confirm.

The monument consists of four iron wood poles, each with a diameter of about 0,30 metre, with frontage bollard height is two pieces as high as 3,05 radian place backside bollard and the signpost dart as high as 4,40 metres.

3. Traditional House Betang

Address: JL. Sutan Syahrir No.07, 78116 Pontianak, Indonesia
This is a replica of the traditional Dayak tribal houses in West Kalimantan, Betang Radakng, Pontianak. It was built as  tribal houses consisting of three parts, a lobby where the whole family gather, a patio for evening relaxation, and a private chambers for each family member. Betang Radakng is made of ironwood and decorated with carvings and paintings.

4. Kapuas River

Address: Pontianak, West Kalimantan, Indonesia
The Kapuas River (or Kapoeas River) is a river in the Indonesian part of Borneo island, at the geographic center of Maritime Southeast Asia. At 1,143 kilometers (710 mi) in length, it is the longest river of Indonesia and one of the world’s longest island rivers. It originates in the Müller mountain range at the center of the island and flows west into the South China Sea creating an extended marshy delta. The delta itself is located west-southwest of Pontianak, the capital of the West Kalimantan province.

5. Digulis Monument

Address: Jl. Jenderal Ahmad Yani, Bansir Laut, Pontianak Tenggara, Kota Pontianak, Kalimantan Barat 78115, Indonesia
The monument was established as a memorial to the struggle of eleven Sarekat Islam leaders in West Kalimantan, who were banished to Boven Digoel , West Irian for fear that their movement would trigger a rebellion against the Dutch East Indies government in Kalimantan. The Digulis Monument or the Pointed Bamboo Monument or the Untan Roundabout Monument by local residents, is a monument located in the Tanjungpura University Roundabout, Jalan Jend. The monument comprising of eleven pointed bamboo was inaugurated in 1987. In 1995, the monument was repainted in red and white. A renovation was carried out on the monument so that it was shaped more like pointed bamboo that you see in the photo above.