Kalimantan Exotic Attractions You Must Know Before Visiting the Region

Kalimantan is the Indonesian side of Borneo Island, one of the biggest islands in the archipelago. This region covers about two-thirds of the whole island. Therefore, it is not surprising that Kalimantan has diverse wildlife and cultures. These Kalimantan exotic attractions have drawn travelers to explore the region.

Indonesia’s government divides Kalimantan into five provinces, i.e., North Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, West Kalimantan, East Kalimantan, and Central Kalimantan. Each province is attractive in slightly different ways.

6 Kalimantan Exotic Attractions

Kalimantan is the home of many tribes with diverse cultures. The native tribes of Kalimantan are Dayak, Banjar, Kutai, Paser, and Melayu. Moreover, other ethnicities, such as Javanese, Bugis, and Chinese, are not indigenous to this island. However, travelers can find them living in Kalimantan’s modern cities.

Aside from the diverse ethnicities, Kalimantan has varied natural landscapes, flora, and fauna. These cultures, natural landscapes, flora, and fauna have created many exotic attractions in this region.

1. Exotic Animals of Kalimantan

Kalimantan is famous for its tropical forests. These forests cover an area of 36 million hectares. Kalimantan’s tropical forests are the home of various animals. Some of them are endangered animals, such as orangutans.

Kalimantan’s orangutans are different from Sumatra’s orangutans. The former has a rounder face and a larger body size. Other examples of exotic and endangered animals living in Kalimantan’s forests are proboscis monkeys, hornbills, catopuma badia, and honey bears.

The local government has applied particular methods to prevent the extinction of these animals. One of these methods is establishing natural reserves and natural parks.

Travelers can visit them if they want to encounter the exotic animals of Kalimantan. One of the most popular national parks is Tanjung Puting National Park. Visiting this national park will allow you to see catopuma badia, orangutans, and proboscis monkeys.

2. Derawan Islands: A Tropical Paradise

Derawan Islands are the top Kalimantan exotic attractions. Travelers must go to the eastern end of Kalimantan, and then ride a boat from Tanjung Batu to Derawan Islands. These islands are a tropical paradise. Travelers will find many striking attractions on these islands.

• Kakaban Island (Jellyfish Lake): This island allows you to swim among thousands of stingless jellyfish.
• Gusung Island: Gusung Island has a pristine beach with white sand and clear blue water.
• Maratua Island: This island offers many attractions, such as Halo Tabung Cave and swimming with sea turtles in the Turtle Traffic.

3. Dayak Ways of Life

Dayak is the indigenous people living in the deep forests of Kalimantan. This tribe comprises several sub-tribes spread across Borneo Island. They have different cultures and languages. Moreover, this tribe has unique ways of life.

Many Dayak people no longer maintain their cultures and origins because they lead modern ways of life. Moreover, they have converted to Islam or Christianity.

However, many other Dayak people remain faithful to their old cultures and ancestral beliefs. Travelers can witness their ways of life by staying in a tourist village where Dayak people live.

The following tourist villages are Kalimantan exotic attractions because they display the authentic cultures of the Dayak Tribe.

• Miau Baru Tourist Village: Kayan Dayak people live in this village. The village has unique sculptures surrounding its funerary complex. Moreover, Kayan Dayak people frequently hold traditional dance performances.
• Pampang Tourist Village: Two Dayak sub-tribes live in this village. They are Kenyah Dayak and Apo Kayan Dayak. In this village, travelers can find traditional Dayak houses and watch traditional Dayak dance performances.

4. Chinese New Year Celebration in Singkawang

Singkawang is a city in West Kalimantan. It is famous for its gorgeous beaches and Chinese temples. Therefore, many travelers love spending holidays in this city. However, on Chinese New Year, Singkawang transforms into a vibrant and crowded city.

Chinese from the whole Kalimantan flock in this city during a Cap Goh Meh celebration (the 15^th day after the new year). According to other sources, those celebrating Cap Goh Meh in Singkawang are not only Chinese from Kalimantan but also from Java, Malaysia, and Sumatra.

Therefore, travelers who want to witness this festive atmosphere must visit Singkawang during Cap Goh Meh. After joining the celebration, you can enjoy one of the city’s attractions, such as Kura-Kura Beach, Sibohe Waterfall, Blue Lake, and Simping Island.

5. The Wall Stone

East Kalimantan has a unique natural landscape called the Wall Stone. It is a cluster of limestone as tall as 100 to 200 m and stretches for about 800 m. The Wall Stone towers over the Mahakam River and creates a scenic view.

Many travelers have come to the Wall Stone to take photos of this unique landscape. While visiting this area, you can also enjoy a lush forest view and beautiful orchids along the road near this site.

6. Floating Markets

One of the Kalimantan exotic attractions is the floating market. This market is a common occurrence along Kalimantan’s big rivers, such as the Martapura River, Kapuas River, and Barito River. Floating market merchants sell various items, from vegetables to souvenirs.

Visiting a floating market will give you a unique shopping experience. While shopping, you can also take pictures of the attractive market activities.

As a tourist destination, Kalimantan may not be as popular as Bali. However, this region has many hidden gems waiting to be explored. You can find many Kalimantan exotic attractions while vacationing in this region. Several attractive spots you must visit are national parks, tourist villages, and Derawan Islands.