On the banks of the Martapura River, the Kayuh Baimbai Museum presents Banjarmasin as a river city. It is the city’s first public museum and officially opened to the public in early 2024. Its themes are the history and culture of Banjarmasin. At the traditional Lok Baintan Floating Market, vendors sell goods from traditional jukung boats. The Sultan Suriansyah Mosque is the oldest mosque in South Kalimantan and has a distinctive three-tiered roof.
Museums, Architecture and Sasirangan
Other collections also tell the story of Banjar history and culture. The Wasaka Museum is housed in a traditional Banjar home and preserves weapons and historical artifacts from South Kalimantan’s struggle against the Dutch. The Lambung Mangkurat Museum displays historical and cultural collections of the Banjar, including ancient artifacts, traditional clothing and a replica of a traditional house. It is considered suitable for educational visits by families and students.
A preserved Bubungan Tinggi house in Teluk Selong Ulu, in Banjar Regency, is a protected heritage building and is estimated to date from the 19th century. Sasirangan, a traditional fabric with distinctive patterns and colors, is also part of the region’s culture. To make it, patterns are sewn onto the fabric by hand; the fabric is then tied with cords and dipped in dye. Sasirangan Village in the Kampung Melayu district has been counted among Banjarmasin’s main tourist destinations since 2010.
There are at least 43 traditional Balai longhouses in nine villages in Loksado. The Dayak Meratus in Loksado practice the agriculturally focused Aruh Ganal rituals. The longhouses and rituals offer two distinct insights into the region’s architectural and cultural history.
Meratus and Loksado: Landscapes and Rivers
The Meratus Mountains encompass tropical forests, waterfalls and traditional Dayak Meratus villages. Dense tropical forests, clear rivers and abundant wildlife and plant life, including rare flora and fauna, are characteristic of the Meratus Geopark. Four travel routes cover a total of 54 stops, which can be explored over five days. Tanuhi Hot Spring is a tourist attraction in KSPN Loksado and a geosite within the UNESCO Meratus Geopark.
In Loksado, visitors can travel along the Amandit River on a bamboo raft, over clear water between rocks, waterways and traditional bridges, with views of the Meratus Mountains. Rafting on the Sungai Loksado uses lashed-together bamboo rafts. Depending on the route and water flow, the ride takes about two to three hours. There is also a short route of about five kilometers for beginners and a longer route of about 15 kilometers for more experienced visitors. The approximate distances and ride duration, which depends on water flow and route, help visitors estimate how much time to allow for these experiences.
A rental car with a driver is recommended for traveling from Banjarmasin to Loksado; the journey takes approximately four to five hours. Check current road and transport conditions before setting off.
River Islands and Regional Cuisine
Pulau Kaget is a delta island near the mouth of the Barito River in Barito Kuala Regency. Pulau Kembang lies in the Barito River and is a habitat for groups of long-tailed macaques. Pulau Bakut is a natural attraction beneath the Barito Bridge, near Banjarmasin. The bridge is a tourist landmark of South Kalimantan and spans the Barito River for approximately 1,082 meters.
The region’s dishes also have distinct characteristics: Soto Banjar is a hearty dish with clear broth, served with fried accompaniments, chicken pieces and egg. Ketupat Kandangan is served with haruan fish and a coconut milk sauce. Alongside river landscapes and culture, these two distinctive flavor profiles are also on the discovery list.
Discover more destinations: Barito Kuala, Banjar, Takisung, Batu Licin, Tanjung, Satui, Central Java, Yogyakarta.
For the broader travel overview: Indonesia.
