Pontianak

Capital of West Kalimantan, which the equator runs through. Along the Kapuas River are a sultan's palace and an old mosque, and at the spring and autumn equinoxes, the sun casts no shadow at noon at the Equator Monument.

Pontianak is the capital of West Kalimantan Province in Indonesia. It sits on the western side of Borneo, where the Kapuas and Landak rivers meet, and the equator passes just north of the city, which is why it is called the City of the Equator. The city was founded in 1771 by the Pontianak Sultanate. Malay, Dayak, and Chinese communities live side by side here, with Chinese residents mostly descended from Teochew and Hakka families. The food and festivals reflect this mix, and Chinese New Year and the Lantern Festival are celebrated with great pomp.

Sights: On the south bank in the city center are Alun-Alun Kapuas Park, a riverside promenade, and the old Chinese quarter. A sunset boat ride on the river is a classic experience. Across the river to the east are Kadriah Palace, the Sultan Abdurrahman Mosque, and the stilt-house villages on the water. North of the city is the Equator Monument. In the south, the Mujahidin Grand Mosque and the provincial museum are worth a visit, and to the west are the Radank longhouse and traditional Malay houses.

Seasons: The city has a tropical rainforest climate, hot and rainy all year, with June to September relatively drier. Around the spring and autumn equinoxes in March and September, you can experience the noon “no-shadow” phenomenon at the Equator Monument. From August to October, forest-fire haze may affect the air, so check air quality before you travel.

Getting there: Supadio International Airport has flights to Jakarta, Surabaya, and other cities, about 20 km from downtown. Long-distance buses connect with Kuching in Malaysia. Attractions are spread out, so use a ride-hailing app or hire a driver.

Suggested stay: 1–2 days. From here, you can continue about 3 hours north to Singkawang. Dress modestly: remove shoes before entering a mosque, and women should wear headscarves. Coffee shop culture is strong here and well worth experiencing.

Top sights

• Equator Monument – A monument straddling the equator on the northern outskirts of Pontianak. On the equinoxes, a vertical pole casts no shadow at noon, making…
• Kadriah Palace – The palace of the Pontianak Sultanate, which founded the city in 1771. The yellow timber palace houses royal regalia and the throne.
• Kapuas Waterfront & Taman Alun Kapuas – A park and riverside promenade along the Kapuas, Indonesia's longest river. Take a sightseeing boat at dusk to watch the sunset, and enjoy…
• Jami Sultan Syarif Abdurrahman Mosque – Pontianak's oldest mosque, a riverside timber building with a multi-tiered roof, standing alongside the palace among the city's founding he…
• Mujahidin Grand Mosque – The largest mosque in West Kalimantan, with a white main structure, a great dome and towering minarets, capable of holding more than ten th…
• West Kalimantan Museum – The provincial museum showcasing the clothing, objects and culture of the Dayak, Malay and Chinese communities.
• Rumah Radakng – Touted as the largest replica Dayak longhouse in Indonesia, measuring about 138 metres long, and a window into Dayak culture.
• Rumah Melayu – A cultural hall built in the style of traditional Malay stilt houses of West Kalimantan, in yellow and green, with displays of wedding and…
• Vihara Bodhisatva Karaniya Metta – One of Pontianak's oldest Chinese temples, located in the old town's commercial district, reflecting the history of Teochew and Hakka migra…
• Jalan Gajah Mada Culinary Street – Pontianak's liveliest food street after dark, lined with Teochew noodle stalls, coffee shops and fried rice vendors, a taste of life in the…
• Tugu Digulis – A red-and-white monument of sharpened-bamboo pillars on the roundabout in front of Tanjungpura University, honouring West Kalimantan heroes…

Where to eat

• Mie Tiaw Apollo – A Pontianak kwetiau institution open since 1968, widely regarded as the originator of Pontianak-style stir-fried beef k…
• Kopi Asiang – A legendary Pontianak coffee shop open since 1958, where owner Asiang brews coffee bare-chested and seats fill by 4 a.m.
• Bubur Ikan Ahian – A halal Chaozhou fish porridge specialist open since 1983, serving sliced fresh fish with rice in clear broth. It is a…