Singkawang can be explored through several specific cultural and culinary themes. There are hundreds of Chinese temples on almost every street corner; at the same time, Chinese ceramics in an old style with “antique” designs are still made in the city. In addition, Chinese New Year is celebrated each year, and the local food culture has its own specialty. For planning your trip, this means you can make a cultural event, religious architecture, handicrafts or food the focus, instead of getting to know Singkawang through just one attraction.

Capgome and festival culture

In Singkawang, the Chinese New Year celebrations reach their peak at Capgome. Capgome is the fifteenth day of Chinese New Year. The Cap-Go-Meh Festival is an annual cultural and tourism event. At the 2026 edition in the associated municipality of Kota Singkawang, 727 Tatung took part. The festival was known for its Tatung performances and attracted visitors from other regions as well as domestic and international tourists. If you want to plan your trip around Capgome, check the specific date for the year you plan to travel.

Temples and ceramics

The temple tradition is a prominent theme. Singkawang is shaped by hundreds of Chinese temples, found on almost every street corner. Tri Dharma Bumi Raya Temple is one of the oldest temples in Singkawang. For your trip planning, the widespread presence of Chinese temples in Singkawang goes hand in hand with a specific example: Tri Dharma Bumi Raya is one of the oldest temples in the city. If you are interested in religious architecture, you can include both the broader theme and a named temple among your travel interests.

Chinese ceramics in an old style with “antique” designs are also still made in Singkawang. This complements the temples with a handicraft perspective: the focus with temples is on sacred architecture, while with ceramics it is on form and design. The “antique” designs refer to the style of the ceramics; at the same time, the pieces are still being made. For travelers who want to explore culture through more than architecture alone, this is another distinct aspect of the place. Temples and ceramics can thus be seen as different ways of experiencing Singkawang.

Local cuisine

The cuisine also offers two different, specific points of interest. Rujak Ju Hie is considered a Singkawang specialty: a spicy fruit salad with dried squid. Pasar Hongkong is considered Singkawang’s most popular food center and offers a wide selection of dishes. This puts a specifically named dish alongside a place with a broader selection. It helps with a simple planning question: would you like to choose a particular dish, or have more flexibility in your food choices?

A focus for your trip planning

In the first case, the specific festival date makes timing important; in the second, your cultural or culinary interests can be the deciding factor.

Discover more destinations: Ketapang, Pangkalanbuun, Pontianak, Ledo

To the main travel overview: West Kalimantan.