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West Kalimantan BorneoPost Online | Borneo , Malaysia, Sarawak Daily News » Kalimantan - New 2 Borneo

West Kalimantan

Posted: 09 Dec 2013 04:46 PM PST

by Adjie Hidayat. Posted on December 10, 2013, Tuesday

Covering a length of 1400km from the hinterlands to the South China Sea, the Kapuas and other small rivers are the arteries of this province on the western tip of Kalimantan. Added the legacy of its past kingdom, Dayak and Chinese influence, and its dazzling nature, exploring West Kalimantan is fun!

Thousands of rivers that flow about give a distinctive vibe to the lives of West Kalimantan people. Their livelihood is closely connected to the rivers – both a transportation facility as well as a habitat for hundreds of species of fresh water fish, those that are consumed by the locals daily. Most of the natives still choose to live around the river –like the Dayak Uud Bukhot around the headwater of Jelundung River, or the Pompakng that roams by the banks of Kapuas and Sekayam River.

From the upstream to the mouth of Kapuas River, numerous gorgeous façade spring out – from the wilderness of nature, to Dayak settlements with longhouses lining- these sights are simply out of this world to the eyes of those used to downtown city life. At the upper part of Kapuas lies the Sentarum Lake National Park, 700 km from the river's mouth. Sentarum area amazingly compiles 20 small lakes, surrounded by trees and highlands. This place keeps 33 species of endemic flora such as tembesu or tengkawang (Shorea beccariana) and Pungguk Tree (Crateva relegiosa) – a type of vegetation commonly found in Amazon's jungles. Special species of animals like Arwana fish and clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) are also found here. Three Dayak tribes the Tanambaloh, Iban and Kantuk reside nearby, interacting harmoniously with nature- making Lake Sentarum often dubbed as one of the last paradises on earth.

The existence of Chinese community in quite a significant amount has added to West Kalimantan native Malay community. Singkawang, a city of goldsmiths in the past, now has Chinese majority amongst its townspeople. The central of ceramic making, Singkawang is also uniquely Kalimantan in terms of culinary treats, as well as famously active in holding festivities every year. The biggest one is Cap Go Meh with parades of Liong, Barongsay and tatung (a trancey ritual). In this festival the Chinese celebrate Imlek or their Chinese new year. Cap Go Meh is easily Indonesia's best folk party.

Bordering with Sarawak in Malaysia, nature is undoubtedly West Kalimantan's biggest feature. Bentuang Karimun National Park that neighbors with Nature Reserve Lanjak Entimau is the biggest conservation area in Kalimantan. Mount Palung National Park protects over 2000 orangutans, while beaches of Pasir Panjang and Tanjung Gandul show aspects of West Kalimantan that is no less spectacular. Added with eight islets that form the Karimata archipelago, this province offers stunning tropical wonderments.

This province also has a scatter of little sultanates- once actively involved during the heyday of Malacca Strait's trade route. Check out the Keraton Sambas palace built in 1933, or Al Mukkaramah Palace in Sintang, or the Kadariah sultanate palace in Pontianak where the authentic copy of sketch of the national symbol the Garuda is kept.

This reproduced article is taken from: http://www.burufly.com/en/destinations/west-kalimantan/

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