The Kadriah Palace

The Kadriah Palace in West Kalimantan

The establishment of Pontianak City cannot be separated from the early history of the Kadriah Palace that was built by Sayyid Abdurrahman Alkadri (1728-1808 A.D.). He was well-known as the first Sultan of the Kadriah Sultanate who wandered to many regions in Malay Archipelago to carry on the international commerce purposes.

His father, Habib Husein Alkadri (1770 A.D.), was a sultanate religious judge and a prominent Islamic scholars. He decided to look for a new settlement after the death of his father. On his journey, they met an entourage of pirate in Batu Layang but, they could defeated the pirate. On October 23rd 1771 A.D. (Rajab 24th 1181 H), the entourage of Habib Husein Alkadri arrived at a confluence of three rivers (the Landak River, the Kecil Kapuas River, and the Kapuas River) then decided to dwell there.

Historically, the Kadriah Palace was built in 1771 A.D. then finished in 1778 A.D., with the first sultan of the Pontianak Sultanate was Sayyid Syarif Abdurrahman Alkadri. During its development, the palace underwent some renovations and reconstructions. Noted that the most frequent renovations were during the tenure of Sultan Syarif Muhamad Alkadri. At present, Sultan Sayyid Abubakar Alkadri titled Pangeran Mas Perdana Agung, is the ninth Sultan of the Pontianak Sultanate.

This 60 x 25 meters square palace is made of the best choice of belian woods for the front part of the palace. The surrounding park is full green grass which is neatly organized and clean. Thirteen archaic cannons made of Portugal and France surround of the palace.

There is a room in the front part of the building called Anjungan that was used by the Sultan to rest and to watch the panoramic view of the Kapuas River and the Landak River. The Anjungan and the terrace of the palace are connected by a ladder in the right side of the Anjungan.  An emergency alarm called genta is also located there, in the front part of the building.

A crown and three symbols of moon and stars are located above the front main door of the palace symbolizing the Islamic Sultanate of Pontianak. Its hall, which is commonly called Balairung, is dominated by yellow color depicting – based on Malay people – authority and high sincerity. Religious ceremony and welcoming honoured guest are usually conducted in this room. Some of the sultanate`s properties such as the photographs of the Pontianak Sultanate, fully-decorated lamps and the throne of the Sultan and his consort can be found there as well as in the innermost room of the palace.

The left and the right side of the hall or Balairung are six 4 x 3,5 meters square rooms which one of them is the bedroom of the Sultan. The other rooms are dinning room and toilet.

Around 200 meters western direction of the palace, you can find the Great Mosque of Sultan Abdurrahman. The mosque was built by the first sultan of the Pontianak Sultanate, Sultan Syarif Abdurrahman Alkadri.

The Kadriah Palace Location

The Kadriah Palace is located in Beting, Dalam Bugis Village, Pontianak Sub-district, Pontianak City, West Kalimantan Province, Indonesia. Regarding the location of the Kadriah Palace that is in the center of Pontianak City, you can reach the location via water transportation and land transportation. Accessing the Kadriah Palace via water transportation can be started from Senghie Harbour. However, accessing via land transportation, you can take any public transportation passing by the bidge of the Kapuas River. Around the Kadriah Palace, you can easily find floating restaurants, food stalls, souvernir shops, and boat/speedboat rentals.

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The Adventure of Bangkirai Hill Nature Tourism in Balikpapan Indonesia

Bangkirai Hill Nature Tourism

Bangkirai Hill is one of captivating tourist  destinations situated in East   Kalimantan Province.  The hill provides the perfect ambience of tropical rain forest with its mild  climate and laid back charm. There, the tourists will have great experience of  walking around the forest which is still in its natural state. Covering an area  of 1.500 hectare, the hill constitutes a forest conservation which aims at  developing tropical rain forest in the region. In addition, some of protected wild  species live within. It is an educational tourist destination for the nature  lovers and for those avid biological scientists.

The hill got its name “Bangkirai” as it houses thousands  of Bangkirai trees, some of which  are  more than 150 years with their height around 40-50 meters and diameters about  2,3 meters. The site is officially opened for public on March 14^th,  1998.

One of Bangkirai Hill`s distinctive features is its  challenge for the tourists to tread a canopy bridge perching over at 30 meters  above the ground. It is 64 meters long, connecting five big Bangkirai trees. It  also serves an alternative therapy for those who have heights phobia. On the  bridge, interspersed with moderate wind, you can enjoy the picturesque verdant forest  and valley steeped in color. If you walk on it, the bridge will move rhythmically  from side to side. But, once you try it, you will be eager to repeat the bridge  trip. This canopy bridge is the first built in Indonesia,  the second in Asia, and the eight in the  world.

Where Bangkirai Hill Location? 

Bangkirai Hill is located in Samboja sub-district, Kutai Kartanegara district, East Kalimantan province, Indonesia. Bangkirai Hill is at a distance of about 150 km from Tenggarong City  or Samarinda, while of about 58 km from Balikpapan City  and 20 km from the capital of Samboja sub-district. To reach the location, by  land, the tourist can use any accessible transportation such as motorcycle or  car.  This tourist object is completed with  adequate facilities: a meeting hall that will seat 100 people in comfort, a restaurant  offering exquisitely different menus, cottages equipped with AC, and jugle  cabin (the natural hotel with no electric facilities/natural room). The  tourist who want to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Bangkirai can reach Inhutani Balikpapan, Ltd at (0542) 736066-734644.

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