How to Enjoy a Trip to Banjarmasin - Guide to Discovering the Best of Banjarmasin on Holiday

While Banjarmasin may not be as popular as Indonesia's best-known island vacation hubs, this charming riverside city has much to offer holidaymakers. Ideal for those who wish to truly get away from it all, a trip to Banjarmasin can encompass a great deal more than simply lounging by the poolside. From shopping in floating markets to visiting museums, here's how to make the most of a stay in this dynamic Indonesian town. 

Image via Wikimedia Commons - Ezagren, Kawasan Veteran Banjarmasin, CC BY-SA 4.0

Shop at the Lok Baintan Floating Market 

As the reason why shopaholics head to Banjarmasin in large hoards, shopping at the Lok Baintan Floating Market is a must for all visitors exploring the river city. Situated in Sungai Pinang Village, this is one of the oldest floating markets in the province and has been operational since it was first established during the Banjar Sultanate period. Lok Baintan Floating Market is considered a cultural hotspot as well as a bustling retail space, and the vibrant boats selling wares here are usually manned by local tradeswomen with their Tanggui head scarves. Selling everything from piping hot cups of coffee and warm meals to everyday necessities including groceries and homeware, the market is only open from 6 am to 9 am. 

Take a Walk on the Wild Side 

Although the PKK Banjar Bungas Agro Tourism Park is used by most locals as a recreational enclave, the highlight is one of Banjarmasin's finest conservation projects. Deemed an exercise in edu-tourism, the family-oriented park is spread out over an impressive 1.5 ha and dedicated to showcasing flora and fauna species that are endemic to the region of South Kalimantan. Some of the most talked about highlights at PKK Banjar Bungas Agro Tourism Park include its stunning orchid flower collection and the Bekantan proboscis monkeys that occupy the wildlife sanctuary. 

Take in the Views 

Whether one is based at POP Hotel Banjarmasin or any other Banjarmasin hotel, a trip to this Kalimantan town would not be complete without taking in the views from the city's new observation tower. Open to the public from 10 am to 9 pm on weekdays and open for an extra hour longer on Saturdays, the observation tower is conveniently located in the city centre. With an impressive height of 21 metres, the tower, which is divided into 4 levels, is the perfect location to take in panoramic views of the Martapura River and the city below. 

Tour the Sultan Suriansyah Mosque 

Located on the shores of the Kuin River, this iconic place of worship is not only a sacred space for local devotees but also the oldest surviving mosque in South Kalimantan. Believed to have been constructed three centuries ago, the structure belongs to the era of Sultan Suriansyah, who also happened to be the first of the Banjar monarchy to convert to the Islamic faith. The mosque's pre-Islamic architectural features suggest its 300-year-old history, including a layered roof and distinctive characteristics that differentiate it from other mosques in Banjarmasin. 

Go Down Memory Lane at the Wasaka Museum 

Culture buffs touring Banjarmasin must also pay a visit to the illustrious Wasaka Museum. Situated in Kelurahan Sungai Jingah, the museum's name is a derivative of a Banjarese warfare statement or motto WajaSampaikaPuting. The motto was a patriotic slogan that denounced the Dutch Colonial Army and expressed Banjarese's desire to drive out the invaders at any cost. Thus it seems fitting that the Wasaka Museum delves into the complex history of the area's fight for freedom from Dutch rule. Apart from ancient weapons, visitors will also find paintings that have immortalised key moments of major battles between local forces and the Dutch. 

Eat Like Locals at the Banjarmasin Culinary Center 

Foodies looking to explore the area's culinary identity should look no further than the Banjarmasin Culinary Center, which specialises in local treats prepared the traditional way.