South Kalimantan Tourism Travel Guide

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South Kalimantan Tourism Travel Guide and Tourist.

South Kalimantan Province is located in Kalimantan Island and its one of four Indonesian provinces in Kalimantan - the Indonesian part of the island of Borneo. It is often called the Province of a Thousand Rivers. The provincial capital of South Kalimantan is Banjarmasin.

The history remain that South Kalimantan/Borneo was start the early life since 8000 BC, when People of Austrolomelanisia was settled on caves at Meratus mountain. Second believed that on 2500 BC, the Proto Malay people from Formosa Island moved to Borneo, and being believed that they are the ancestor of Dayak People.

A native of South Kalimantan are generally Banjar tribe that essentially consists of several tribes that is Maayan, Lawangan and Bukiat mixing with the tribe Malay, Javanese and Bugis. Banjar growing community in the art of literature and art of beautiful sound, the original association of day-to-day activity among them are sometimes with poetic language and verse, and sometimes the humor among youngster.

Area of South Kalimantan is approximately 14,280 square miles / 36,990 square kilometres, This rich, fertile province is divided into two distinct regions by the Meratus mountains. The eastern part is mostly covered with mountains and dense tropical forest, while the southern part has more rivers and lowlands. The abundance of forests with their wide variety of trees has helped make this province one of the largest wood producers in Indonesia. The rich, unique natural resources found on this land can be seen from the exquisite traditional and commercial handicrafts which are completely made from local raw material. Some of the most exciting ways to experience all this is by backpacking over hills and racing down river on bamboo rafts.

This region have many large rivers and small rivers (canals). Many community activities are conducted in the river, including the activities of trade, known as float market. Banjarmasin city residents are still many who live on the water. Homes built over the pole or on a raft in river side.

River culture continue to grow providing shade and interesting culture. One of the most interesting tourist activities in the city of Banjarmasin is walking through rivers and canals. Purlieus natural river is still original and tourists can go along the Martapura and Barito river using the Klotok boat or speedboat.

Float market is the traditional market that has been used since and is a reflection of the cultural river of Banjar people. The market is a unique place to do transaction on the water using the large and small boats that came from various corners. Float market only take in the morning every day and can be achieved within 30 minutes by the Klotok boat from the city of Banjarmasin.

Wealth of flora and fauna in South Kalimantan where possible kept as part of the wealth of natural resources. This is done in conservation efforts in natural resources which include conservation in forests and conservation areas outside the forest area. Especially in the area of forest conservation is done through the development of the nature reserve. Among other Kaget Island Nature Reserve, Nature Reserve of Mount Kentawan, Pelaihari Martapura and Tanah Laut Nature Reserve.

Tourism in the surrounding Banjarmasin such as Sultan Suriansyah Tomb, Pangeran Antasari Tomb, Sultan Suriansyah Mosque, Muara Kuin and Lok Baintan Float Market, Nanang and Galuh Festive at Banjar, Wasaka Museum, Surgi Mufti Dome and Sasirangan. In addition Lambung Mangkurat Museum in Banjarbaru, Kembang and Kaget Island at the Barito and Laksado nature tourism in the south river upstream.

South Kalimantan tourism travel guide and tourist information popular destination :

Muara Kuning Floating Market.
The uniquely of this floating market, is caused of transaction of sales that done on the boat. The merchants bring land product such as; fruits, vegetables, food and it handicrafts. This activity takes place from 05.00 to 09.00 mornings. Its location resides in Barito River.

Kembang Island.
This island is right in the Barito river, not far from a floating market. It is a conservation forest of about 60 hectares, inhabited by tame monkeys of Kalimantan species only. One of the species is called "bekantan" (nasalis larvatus). It is mostly visited by Chinese Indonesians, as there is a small offering temple where they feed the monkeys. It is believed that feeding the monkeys will bring good luck an fortune.

Kaget Island.
Like Kembang island, Kaget island is also in the Barito river. From downtown it takes 1 1/2 hours by klotok boat or 1 hour by speedboat to get there. This island is another forest conservation and is also inhabited by the "bekantan" monkeys and the Lutung (prebitis orisate), as well as many sorts of birds.

Diamond Digging at Cempaka and Martapura.
Cempaka is a small village 10 km from Banjarbaru, and 45 minutes from Banjarmasin. It is an old site of traditional diamond digging using very simple equipment. The digging is a collective work by a group, usually consisting of one family and its close relatives. In 1985 a large raw diamond of 116.7 carats was found in a hole of 15 meters deep. Martapura is the center of diamond and precious stones polishing; it is also the center of diamond marketing. The town is about 40 km from Banjarmasin.

Loksado.
Loksado is at the South Hulu Sungai Regency whose capital is Kandangan. The town is about 3 hours by car from Banjarmasin. However, from Kandangan to Loksado, the road goes as far as Halunuk,a small village. Then the trip continues by motor cycle which takes a single passenger over a narrow foot-path.
The natural surroundings of the hill region provides attractive sights such as caves, waterfall and rivers with cleanness water, for those who enjoy hiking and mountaineering. On the way, meet the local people with their original ways and cross the river over a suspended bridge.

Lambung Mangkurat Museum.
Lambung Mangkurat Museum is located In Banjarbaru Regency, about 36 km from Banjarmasin. This Museum is the one of museum which stay in South Kalimantan Province. In this museum visitor can see the historical objects of the empire omissions of Banjar like traditional custom and decorative wedding-bed of Banjar couple, jars, antique saucers and the other objects history, and it also on file Al Qur'an that written by a famous scholar Moslem hand, late Sheikh Muhammad Arsyad Al Bajari (1710 - 1812 M).

Pagatan Village and Beach.
Pagatan is a small village, about 240 km from Banjarmasin. The village is a real sloping coast area and is fisherman village. The beach in Pagatan is enough length with white sand. Every year along the beach is performed a sea party called "Mapparentasi", which done by the fisherman who remaining this beach that mostly come from South Sulawesi Province.

Gedambaan Beach.
Gedambaan Beach offers the beauty that fulfills spiritual satisfaction. In spite of its shiny white sand, its view also hypnotizes the visitors that they would spend hours and hours at the beach. People are able to enjoy the sunrise and sunset here decorated by the shiny light from the water of the sea. People long to come again to the beach for its wonderful beauty. Gedambaan Beach is one of the few beaches in Indonesia which still have the mangrove. It is inhabited by several animals such as birds, fireflies, and bees. The beach is also known for its strategic location which is on the slope of green Pulau Laut mountainous area. It is nearby other tourism objects such as pools and Sigam warm seaside resort. To put it in other words, people can also visit other tourism objects surround as they visit this site.
Gedambaan Beach is located about 14 km from Kotabaru, or in Gedambaan, North Sea Island sub district, in the Kotabaru Regency.

Lake Riam Kanan.
With its natural beauty, and beautiful panorama, suited for recreation and camping. Located about 64 km from Banjarmasin.