City on the Equator Line
Pontianak is a city in Indonesia that has many points of interest for visitors, especially young ones. One of the most iconic landmarks in the city is the Equator Monument located in Sintang. This monument was built in 1928 to mark the exact spot at zero degrees on the Equator. It is truly a remarkable feat considering the limited technology available at that time.
The original marker placed by a Dutch explorer consisted of a simple pole and an arrow. Over time, several renovations and improvements have been made to preserve and enhance the monument’s significance. In 1990, a dome was added to protect the initial site, making the monument five times larger than its original size. Within the monument, there is also a small museum where visitors can learn more about its historical context.
If you’re looking for souvenirs to bring home, you can visit Pasar Souvenir or explore local markets like Pasar Tengah, Pasar Sudirman, or Pasar Flamboyan. These markets offer authentic local products such as Dayak handicrafts, Equator Monument key chains or replicas, as well as Pontianak shirts and accessories.
Get There
Pontianak can be easily reached by air, sea, or land transportation. The main entry point is Supadio Airport which connects Pontianak with other cities within and outside Kalimantan. If you prefer traveling by sea, you can head to Dwikora Sea Port where PELNI boats and ferries operate and serve various commercial industries in the city.
For travelers coming from Brunei, Malaysian Sarawak or Sabah, Entikong is often used as their entry point to Pontianak. Many travelers choose to depart from Kuching, Malaysia and terminate their journey in Pontianak. Buses are available daily for this route, with comfortable 30-seater DAMRI buses regularly traveling between Pontianak, Entikong, Kuching, and Brunei Darussalam. The journey from Pontianak to Kuching takes approximately 8 hours with two rest stops along the way. If you decide to continue your journey to Brunei, it will take a whole day and night.
Within Pontianak, transportation is quite convenient. Taxis can be found everywhere, but there are also plenty of angkots (public minivans) operated by eight different companies. Additionally, car rental services are available with many companies offering 7-seater minivans for rent.
