SINGKAWANG

Chinese Dancing Dragon

Around the market area and old Chinese quarter there are several Pekong or Taoist temples which carry Buddhist inscriptions. The great Chinese dragon shows combine the oldest to the newest fashions, making it a magnet for many tourists from Asian countries.

Rich in cultural heritage, home of friendly people, and offering gorgeous resort facilities, Singkawang is a perfect holiday destination. The city offers a wide range of accommodation options from standard hotels to budget accommodation and cottages, restaurants, shopping centres, and discotheques.

Seven kilometers from Singkawang is the village of Sakok, where one can find beautiful pottery made by locals of Chinese descent.

Here, a huge kiln, some 30 meters (100 ft.) long, provides the high temperatures needed to fire the fine ceramics. Craftsmen here make both utilitarian objects and fines copies of Chinese export ware from dynasties past.

Gorgeous white sandy beaches with one of the most beautiful sunsets and bursting with unique attractions.

A small group of beautiful tropical islands lying off the coast of a gorgeous, white sandy beach with beautiful sun set, Pasir Panjang is the ideal locale for a tropical vacation.

Randayan Island, Lemukutan Island, and Kabung Island are well-known for their beautiful coral and marine life and are naturally suitable for diving, swimming, fishing or water skiing. Speedboat transport to the islands can easily be sought locally. Accommodation is not currently available on the islands, but Pasir Panjang has both budget and moderate accommodation as well as cottages, shopping, fine restaurants and discotheques.

Pasir Panjang is located approximately 17 Km from the town of Singkawang and can be reached by private car or hired transport.

The Chinese presence in the Sambas region started in the 14th century, when groups began coming from China to set up a diamond mining company. The mining regions were found in the regions of Bengkayang, Lumar, Batu Mountains, the Ambawang river, Darit, the Landak and Ayak rivers, the Cempedak Tayan delta, the Tayan river, Kembayan, Timur Senaning and upstream regions of the Kapuas river around Putussibau.

Diamonds

The sites for panning diamonds are found along the Landak river, from Ngabang to the highlands, and around Sanggau. During the Dutch colonial period, the mining was done by a Dutch company, Erdman & Sieleken, near Landak. As a result of those efforts, the diamond reserves have been almost depleted.

Since the old days, panning was also carried out by the people. During the long dry seasons, when the river is shallow, the local people still pan for the mineral along the area.

Besides diamond, kaolin, mica, iron, gold, mercury, copper, silver, manganese, lead, zinc, salt and other minerals are also found in West Kalimantan in general, the Sambas region in particular.

Singkawang, the capital of the Sambas regency, is located on the west coast, 145 kilometers from Pontianak. It is often also referred to as the Hongkong of West Kalimantan, probably because the Chinese are the majority in this town. The dominance of the Chinese cultural tradition can be seen in the various aspects of daily life in the town.

There are Chinese temples everywhere. The houses are Chinese. The daily language is Chinese. Several tourist objects which can be visited in Singkawang city are:

Eria Park

Eria Park, five kilometers away from the center of city. The park is located in a cool mountain resort area with a refreshing climate and very beautiful scenery.

Pasir Panjang Beach

Pasir Panjang Beach is only 12 kilometers from the town. Cottages and various facilities for recreation are available.

Mount Poteng

There is a clear and cool natural pool on top of Mount Poteng, about 20 kilometers from Singkawang. There is also a resthouse that is open on holidays.

Batu Payung Beach

Batu Payung Beach is five kilometers away from Mount Poteng. It has boats for rent, playgrounds and cottages for spending the night