Banjarmasin is the capital and the pulsating
heart of the province of South Kalimantan that rests gingerly over a labyrinth
of canals thus giving it its illustrious nickname as the city of a thousand rivers.
Just as any other major city in the country, Banjarmasin is abuzz with business and traffic.
However the city has its own distinct charm that makes it the best place to
absorb Kalimantan’s urban culture, both on land as on the water.
Here are 10 experiences you can look forward
to in the City of a Thousand Rivers:
Banjarmasin
has an abundance of wide and mighty rivers, which have always played a
significant role in the Banjarese’ (the indigenous ethnic group of
Banjarmasin) way of life. To this very day, every morning there are floating
markets where farmers and merchants ply their goods on boats to trade. This has
always been a farmers market and it’s interesting to see the genuine
river-based way of life.The most notable of these is the Muara Kuin
Floating Market located on the Barito River, on the estuary of the
Kuin River. Starting as early as 04.00 am, the floating market is the place to
watch the busy traffic of all kinds of boats fully laden with bananas,
shrimps, fish, yams, spinach, coconuts, incandescent spices and chilies,
buckets of fuzzy rambutans, and whatever other fruit happen to be
in season.
Offering
picturesque sceneries of the wide Martapura River, Siring Park is located
along the Jenderal Sudirman and KaptenTendean Roads. The park is a
favorite hangout for youngsters and families in Banjarmasin who usually come in
the afternoon. This beautifully designed park offers appealing views overlooking
the river, where you can also observe the activities of Banjarese on their
traditional Jukung boats.
As
the name suggests, the park is where you can see the two mascots of
Banjarmasin: The Proboscis Monkey and the Musk Mallow Tree. Upon arrival,
you will be greeted by a life size Proboscis Monkey right at the entrance and
another statue of a Musk Tree with proboscis monkeys hanging on its branches
just right by it. Here, you will also find a greenhouse featuring a
variety of plants such as cactus, the aloe vera, and more. Children will
definitely have an enjoyable time since there are plenty of rides to choose and
a dedicated kid’s playground.
Wasaka
is an abbreviation of Waja Sampai Ka Puting, motto of the South Kalimantan
people which translates as: “Keep the spirit strong as steel from start to
finish”. The museum houses historical collections in the fight of the people
against Dutch colonialism. The building of the Museum itself is an old and
genuine Banjar traditional house in the "BubunganTinggi" style (one
of the 12 styles and the most representative). Among the collections are the
Kris, wooden rifles, antique bicycles, Barajah shirts,
dioramas, and an array more.
Located
not too far from the Muara Kuin Floating Market, on a delta in the middle of the
Barito River, Kembang Island is where you can have a close encounter with
unique proboscis monkeys. With its Latin name Nasalislarvatus, the
monkey is locally known as Bekantan or the Dutch Ape due to its big and long
red nose and large belly. The shy creatures are an endemic species which can
only be found in Borneo and is known as one of the largest monkey species
native to Asia. The proboscis monkey is an Endangered animal in the IUCN Red
List of Threatened Species and listed in Appendix I of CITES.
The
Sultan Suriansyah Mosque is the oldest mosque in South Kalimantan and is said
to have been built about 300 years ago during the reign of Tuan Guru
(1526-1550), the first Banjarese King to have converted to Islam. It has a
layered roof , showing Banjar’s pre-Islamic architecture, however it has
features that are similar to those of the Demak Mosque in Java, which shows
existing ties between the two sultanates. Unique to old mosques of
Banjar, the mihrab has its own roof, separated from the main building.
The
Grand Mosque of Sabilal Muhtadin is the largest in Banjarmasin. Sabil Muhtadin
was chosen as the name of the mosque as tribute and appreciation to the late
Grand Scholars, Sheikh Muhammad al-Banjary Arsyad (1710 – 1812 AD) who wrote
the book Sabilal Muhtadin Lit-Tafaqquh Fi Amriddin. The mosque is located
right in the heart of the city and is decorated with the beautiful
calligraphies.
Situated
some 45 Kilometers east of Banjarmasin, Martapura is a sparkling
little city literally filled with diamonds and precious rocks mined from inside
Borneo’s earth. The city is well-known as the center of the diamond industry as
well as the main diamond cutting and polishing venue in Kalimantan, aside from
being producers of top quality jewelry. For those who fancy jewelry and
accessories such as necklaces, bracelets, rings, brooches, and various others
made from pure diamond, gold, zircon, silver, and many other gemstones, or even
of plastic or glass imitations, then Martapura is the place to be. The quality
of Martapura’s jewelry is globally recognized as one of the best in the world.
These sparkling treasures of Martapura are best found at the city’s iconic
landmark in the diamond and jewelry market of Cahaya Bumi Selamat.
When
in Banjarmasin, don’t miss the chance to enjoy some of the city’s most
scrumptious culinary treats and the marvelous view of Martapura at the
Martapura Riverside Culinary Center. This lovely little place is located at Pos
Street that connects Jalan Sudirman with the Jalan Hasanudin. Along
the 300 meter riverside, there are over 50 kiosks that sell an array of
Banjarmasin most delicious menus such as Soto banjar, Laksa, Yellow Rice, and a
host more of yummy food.
Next
to glittering gemstones, the province of South Kalimantan has its treasure
within the culture of its indigenous Banjar ethnic group itself. Passed
down the generations and crafted by the finest hands of the Banjarese, the art
of Sasirangan is a manifestation of Banjar’s ethnic sense of art on sheets of
fabric. Sasirangan itself is derived from the Banjar
word sirang or menyirang meaning “to stitch
together” which illustrates the delicate process of hand stitching and weaving
of the traditional fabric. A center for Sasirangan products can be found at
Sasirangan situated at the Kampung Melayu area. Since 2010 the Sasirangan
village was appointed as one of the city’s top tourist destinations by
Banjarmasin’s regional government.
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