Sintang, West Kalimantan, South Borneo, Indonesia

🇮🇩 Sintang, West Kalimantan, South Borneo, Indonesia. Sintang Regency is a regency of West Kalimantan province of Indonesia. It is one among few Indonesian regencies that has land border to other countries. It is also the second largest regency in the province by land area after Landak Regency. The regency was former site of Sintang Kingdom, a Hindu kingdom that later converted to Islam, which was a regional power in interior of Borneo island. The regency seat is located at large town of Sintang, which is among biggest settlement in Borneo interior alongside Putussibau and Puruk Cahu.

The natural beauty Sintang Regency boasts breathtaking natural panoramas, making it one of the top tourist destinations in West Kalimantan. Here are some of the must-visit natural attractions in Sintang:

Bukit Kelam (Kelam Hill) One of the largest monoliths in the world, Bukit Kelam is an iconic tourist attraction in Sintang Regency. It offers spectacular views for hikers and nature enthusiasts. From its peak, visitors can enjoy a stunning vista of lush green forests and the beautiful Kapuas River.

Kapuas Beach Although not a seaside beach, Kapuas Beach, located along the Kapuas River, provides a serene atmosphere with expansive views of the river. This spot is a favorite destination for relaxation while enjoying the view of Bukit Kelam in the distance.

Nanga Melawi This area, where the Melawi and Kapuas Rivers meet, offers mesmerizing scenery. It is a popular spot for photography or simply enjoying the tranquil natural surroundings.

Local culture and traditions Sintang is home to rich traditions and cultures passed down by the Dayak and Malay communities. Some unique traditions worth highlighting include:

Ngamik Bini In Dayak culture, "Ngamik Bini" is a tradition of welcoming the bride by the groom's family. This meaningful ceremony involves a series of traditional processes that symbolize respect and acceptance.

Gawai Dayak This is a harvest festival celebrated by the Dayak community. The event features various traditional arts such as traditional dances and music played with the Sape, a distinctive Dayak musical instrument.

Handwoven crafts Dayak artisans produce beautiful handwoven items such as mats, bags, and hats made from natural materials like rattan. These crafts not only have high aesthetic value but also hold significant economic potential.

Sintang is a perfect blend of natural beauty and cultural richness, offering visitors a chance to immerse themselves in its scenic landscapes and vibrant traditions.

History Somewhere between 45,000 and 39,000 B.C. the Sintang area was first inhabited by humans. The area changed hands several times from the Majapahit to the Bruneian Sultanate, but when the Dutch arrived at Borneo in 1776 the area was quickly occupied by the Dutch

The area was occupied by the Empire of Japan in 1941 as a result of WW2, and then was liberated in 1945. This was followed by Indonesian Independence.

Administrative districts

Following the separation of the former southern part (eleven districts) to form the separate Melawi Regency on 18 December 2003, the residual Sintang Regency consists of fourteen districts (kecamatan).

Education There are 193 kindergartens, 456 elementary schools, 142 junior high schools, and 44 senior high schools. In addition, there are 18 vocational high schools. The regency has a total of 10 universities and higher education institutions as of 2020, most of which are located in the town of Sintang. One of the most notable in the regency is Kapuas Sintang University, located in Sintang district. The university is private and located close to the Kapuas River. It was previously known as Panca Bhakti Teaching and Education College before becoming a university. Muhammadiyah University in Pontianak also has a campus branch in Sintang, which is also private. Other colleges in the regency include Christian theological schools such as Sintang Khatulistiwa Theological College, Injili Setia Sintang Theological College, Kapuas Raya Christian College, and Immanuel Sintang Kalbar Theological College. In addition, there is a public academy owned by the West Kalimantan provincial government and one private Islamic college, Ma'arif Sintang Islamic College.

The regency government also runs a regional library, located in the town of Sintang.