KETAPANG

Ketapang

Pawan River

Ketapang is the capital of the Ketapang regency, on the south coast of West Kalimantan, 478 kilometers from Pontianak. The Pawan river has its mouth in this town.

Simoanglida River

The road leads from Pontianak towards Rasau, 24 kilometers from the city. At Rasau, ferries are available to cross the river to Telukbatang, at the mouth of the Simoanglida river, 150 kilometers away.

From Telukbatang, the road passes through the southern coastal region via the villages Sukadana, Seduk, Sungaitulak, Tempurukan and Ketapang. The distance between Telukbatang and Ketapang is 132 kilometers. From Ketapang, the road continues towards Kendawangan, an attractive little town at the mouth of the rivers Kendawangan and Membuluh. The former royal residence of the Mantan Kingdom stands in Ketapang.

Panembahan Saunan

The kingdom's best known king was Panembahan Saunan, who is said to be descended from rulers of Majapahit.

An ancient cannon and some sacred graves can be found in this old palace. The cemetery contains seven graves. Verses from the Qur'an are inscribed on the headstone. At the foot end are inscriptions in old Javanese script.

Negeribaru

In Negeribaru village, one can join the many pilgrims visiting the nine sacred graves. In addition, Ketapang has a beautiful beach at Tanjungbatu.

Maya Karimata

Good beaches are found in the Maya karimata district, on the Karimata-Strait which separates Kalimantan from Belitung Island, in South Sumatra.

The Maya Karimata district is part of the Ketapang regency, and consists of 54 islands with nine villages.

Maya Island

Maya Island is nearest to the Kalimantan mainland and is the biggest island of the group. Tanjungsatai, with a population of approximately 5,000 people, mostly fishermen, is the biggest and most important village on the island. Each of the smaller villages in its surroundings has a population of several hundred people only.

Serutu Island

Serutu Island is the farthest away, about 14 hours sailing from Ketapang in good wind. All the inhabitants are fishermen and their families, who move from one place to another, depending on the season.

Karimata Island

Karimata Island lies to the northeast of Serutu Island, in the middle of the Karimata Strait. It is inhabited by fishermen and has a lighthouse. The islands in its surroundings are Meladang, Buwan, Penebangan, Pelapis and other, smaller islands, totaling 54.

South of Ketapang, reachable from Kendawang, are two islands with beautiful beaches Bawal and Gelam. Although still rarely visited and little known, these islands hold great potential for the future.

Dange, a Kayan feast

Dange is a traditional feast held by the Kayan Dayaks of West Kalimantan as an expression of thanksgiving. The ceremony is centered at house of worship, constructed together.

The dange lasts for 10 days and 10 nights.