SINTANG

Sintang

Sintang is the capital of the Sintang regency, and is reachable from Pontianak over land, or by river or air.

Sintang is connected by roads with Pontianak, Sungai Pinyuh, Sidas Ngabang, Sanggau, Semunati and Sekadau.

The name Sintang comes from the word "senetang", which in the local Dayak language means a place near a river and its tributary.

The founder of Sintang was a certain, Demang Irawan, alias Jubairi, the eleventh descendant of Aji Melayu, a very wise and brave king in the Sepauk region.

Buddha

Aji Melayu was also very wealthy . Among the remains of Aji Melayu's kingdom are Batu Pujaan (sacred stone), the Batu Kabut (misty stone), both of which bear an image of the Buddha. All these, as well as Aji Melayu's grave, can be seen in Nanga Sepuak.

Sintang has a few sites of historical interest. Among them are the Sintang Museum which is the former palace of Sintang kingdom, built in 1937 by Panembahan Raden Abdul Bahri Danu Perdana. The kingdom's symbol, in the shape of an eagle, is preserved in the museum together with seven cannons.

Batu Kundur

Besides the museum, there is Batu Kundur or Lingga, a monument from Hindu period.

A bronze statue or Putung Kempat (Gusar) is found in Pari Empahan, 64 kilometers from Nanga Sepuak.

Dara Juanti Museum

A museum is found at the north side of the town, called the Dara Juanti Museum. Dara Juanti or Dewi Juanti is the name of a woman descendant of the Raja Sintang Dayak tribe who founded the kingdom and moved the capital from Sepuak to Sintang. She took control of the kingdom after her elder brother, Demang Nutup, titled Sultan Jubair II, was captured and imprisoned on a trip to Majapahit, named Patih Logender. The remainders of the kingdom, including a kris from Majapahit, a sheet of cindai cloth called Gerising Wayang, and the statue of an eagle, are preserved in this museum.

Baning Recreation Forest

Another site of touristic interest is the recreation forest of Baning.