South Kalimantan Tourism Destinations
South Kalimantan tourism destinations offer a captivating blend of river adventures, vibrant floating markets, lush rainforests, and rich Banjar culture. From Banjarmasin’s lively waterways to the majestic Meratus Mountains, spectacular waterfalls, and bamboo rafting in Loksado, the region reveals the natural beauty and authentic traditions of southern Borneo.
Discover the Beauty of South Kalimantan
South Kalimantan is known for its winding rivers, colourful floating markets, and vibrant cultural traditions. In Banjarmasin, experience the rhythm of river life, explore traditional markets on the water, and discover the warm hospitality of the Banjar people.
Beyond the river towns, the Meratus Mountains offer forested landscapes and opportunities to learn about Dayak Meratus traditions. In Loksado, enjoy an unforgettable bamboo rafting adventure along the Amandit River. Visit Martapura to discover its diamond heritage, or explore peaceful villages, scenic waterways, and local culinary delights.
These South Kalimantan tourism destinations bring together nature, culture, and memorable adventures, offering travellers an authentic experience of Borneo.
South Kalimantan Destinations
Banjarmasin •River City • Floating Market • Culture
Banjarmasin is the vibrant capital of South Kalimantan, a city shaped by the Barito and Martapura Rivers and a long tradition of river-based life. Known as the River City, Banjarmasin is famous for its colorful floating markets, traditional wooden boats, bustling riverside communities, and distinctive Banjar culture.
A visit to Banjarmasin offers an opportunity to experience the city from the water, explore traditional markets, discover historic mosques and landmarks, and taste authentic Banjar cuisine. From the early morning activity of the floating markets to the lively streets and riversides, Banjarmasin provides a fascinating introduction to the culture, traditions, and everyday life of South Kalimantan.
BANJARMASIN — HIGHLIGHTS
BANJARBARU
The Modern Heart of South Kalimantan
Banjarbaru is the administrative capital of South Kalimantan and a growing city surrounded by green landscapes, local culture, and natural attractions. Unlike Banjarmasin’s strong river character, Banjarbaru offers a different side of the province, with museums, traditional crafts, forests, lakes, and easy access to the surrounding countryside.
The city is also known for its diamond heritage, traditional Sasirangan textiles, local markets, and cultural landmarks. With its relaxed atmosphere and location between Banjarmasin and the Meratus region, Banjarbaru makes a convenient base for exploring the wider attractions of South Kalimantan.
Banjarbaru — Forests • Culture • Diamond Heritage
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MARTAPURA
Diamond City of South Kalimantan
Martapura is the capital city of Banjar, a historic town renowned for its long tradition of diamond trading and jewelry craftsmanship. Known as the Diamond City, it is an important cultural and commercial center of South Kalimantan, where visitors can discover local markets, traditional crafts, religious heritage, and the distinctive character of Banjar life.
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KANDANGAN
Gateway to the Meratus
Kandangan is the capital city of Hulu Sungai Selatan Regency, a charming town in South Kalimantan surrounded by rivers, rice fields, forests, and the foothills of the Meratus Mountains. It offers a quieter side of South Kalimantan, where traditional villages, local markets, and rural landscapes reflect the everyday life of the Banjar people.
The town also serves as an important gateway to Loksado and the Meratus Mountains, connecting travelers with Dayak culture, rainforest landscapes, rivers, and outdoor adventures.
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BARABAI
Meratus • Waterfalls • Local Life
Barabai is the capital of Hulu Sungai Tengah Regency, surrounded by the foothills of the Meratus Mountains. The area offers a mix of forest landscapes, rivers, waterfalls, traditional villages, and everyday Banjar life.
Barabai• Meratus • Waterfalls • Banjar Life
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AMUNTAI
Wetlands • Culture • Heritage
Amuntai is the capital town of Hulu Sungai Utara Regency in South Kalimantan, a historic destination surrounded by an extensive network of rivers, wetlands, and traditional Banjar landscapes. The region is particularly known for its distinctive swamp environment, where waterways and seasonal wetlands shape the livelihoods and cultural traditions of local communities.
One of Amuntai’s most fascinating attractions is the swamp buffalo, locally known as kerbau rawa. These remarkable animals roam freely across the wetlands, particularly around Danau Panggang and Paminggir, creating a unique landscape and an extraordinary opportunity to discover traditional life in the swamps of South Kalimantan.
Amuntai is also closely associated with the heritage of the ancient Kingdom of Negara Dipa, represented by the archaeological site of Candi Agung. Its cultural identity is reflected in Islamic traditions, traditional Banjar life, and the famous Alabio duck, which plays an important role in local farming and culinary heritage.
Beyond its historical attractions, visitors can experience the everyday life of wetland communities, explore riverside settlements, observe traditional fishing activities, and discover local handicrafts such as purun weaving. Amuntai offers a distinctive journey into the wetlands of Borneo, where nature, history, and traditional livelihoods remain deeply connected.
RANTAU
River • Culture • Rural Life
Rantau is a small town
Rantau, the capital of Tapin Regency of South Kalimantan, is located approximately 113 km from Banjarmasin by road.
in South Kalimantan surrounded by rivers, agricultural landscapes, and traditional Banjar communities. It offers a quieter side of the province, with opportunities to experience local culture, rural life, and the landscapes of the southern Barito region.
Tapin Regency offers a blend of natural landscapes, rivers, rural life, and Banjar culture. The region is also home to Gua Batu Hapu, a limestone cave known for its impressive rock formations and natural beauty. Visitors can discover the quieter side of South Kalimantan through its countryside, local traditions, and distinctive natural attractions.
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Nature & Landscape
Culture & Local Life
River • Culture • Rural Life
TANJUNG
Gateway to Tabalong • Culture • Nature
Tanjung is the capital of Tabalong Regency in northern South Kalimantan, surrounded by rivers, forests, agricultural landscapes, and the foothills of the Meratus Mountains. The town offers a quieter side of South Kalimantan, where local communities, traditional markets, and rural landscapes reflect everyday life in the northern part of the province.
Tanjung also provides access to the natural and cultural attractions of Tabalong, making it a useful base for exploring forests, rivers, traditional villages, and the wider Meratus landscape.
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PARINGIN
Meratus • Rivers • Rural Life
Paringin is a small town in South Kalimantan surrounded by rivers, forests, agricultural landscapes, and the foothills of the Meratus Mountains. It offers a quieter side of the province, with traditional communities and easy access to the natural landscapes of Balangan.
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BARITO KUALA REGENCY
Great Rivers • Wetlands • Riverside Life
Barito Kuala Regency lies in South Kalimantan, where the mighty Barito River and its network of waterways shape the landscape and daily life of local communities. The regency is known for its extensive wetlands, riverbank settlements, traditional boats, and agricultural landscapes surrounded by tropical waterways.
Marabahan, the regency capital, sits along the Barito River and offers a glimpse into the region’s river-based lifestyle. From riverside communities and local markets to the distinctive wetlands of the Barito basin, Barito Kuala reveals a quieter side of South Kalimantan, where rivers remain central to transportation, livelihoods, and local culture.
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TANAH BUMBU REGENCY
Capital • Batulicin • Coastal Landscapes • Marine Life
Tanah Bumbu Regency lies in the southeastern part of South Kalimantan, Indonesia. Its capital, Batulicin, is located approximately 265 km east of Banjarmasin. Batulicin is a growing coastal town in South Kalimantan and a gateway to the province’s southeastern landscapes. Surrounded by rivers, forests, and coastal areas, it offers access to beaches, islands, and traditional communities.
The regency features scenic coastlines, sandy beaches, fishing communities, and diverse marine landscapes along the southeastern coast of Borneo.
Notable coastal destinations include Angsana Beach, known for its marine attractions; Pagatan Beach, with its distinctive coastal culture and fishing traditions; Rindu Alam Beach, offering a relaxing seaside setting; and Sungai Dua Laut Beach, known for its more natural coastal scenery.
Together, these destinations showcase the coastal beauty, maritime heritage, and local way of life of Tanah Bumbu.
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TANAH LAUT REGENCY
Coastal Landscapes • Hills • Beaches • Marine Life
Tanah Laut Regency lies in the southern part of South Kalimantan, featuring a mix of coastal landscapes, sandy beaches, rivers, and green countryside.
The regency offers opportunities to explore South Kalimantan’s coastal scenery, from popular beaches such as Takisung and Batakan to fishing communities and scenic shorelines along the Java Sea. Its combination of coastal attractions and rural landscapes makes Tanah Laut an appealing destination for travelers seeking seaside escapes and local experiences.
Pelaihari, the regency capital, is located near the Tabaneo River, approximately 65 km south of Banjarmasin.
Pelaihari is a lively town, surrounded by green hills, coastal landscapes, and rural communities. It offers a relaxed glimpse of southern South Kalimantan, with access to forests, beaches, and scenic countryside.
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KOTABARU REGENCY
Gateway to the Islands • Coastal Landscapes • Marine Life • Mount Bamega
Kotabaru Regency is the largest regency in South Kalimantan by area, encompassing parts of southeastern Borneo and an archipelago of islands. Its administrative capital, Kotabaru, lies on Pulau Laut, separated from mainland Borneo by the Strait of Laut. As a coastal town and gateway to the islands of southeastern South Kalimantan, Kotabaru offers a different side of the province, with turquoise waters, scenic beaches, forested hills, and remote islands.
The region is celebrated for its coastal scenery, island landscapes, and maritime heritage, famously reflected in the traditional Banjar song Paris Barantai, which evokes the beauty of Mount Bamega and the surrounding sea.
Visitors can explore Teluk Tamiang, known for its clear turquoise waters; Siring Laut, a popular waterfront destination for recreation and local cuisine; and Pantai Gedambaan, a coastal escape near Kotabaru town. For panoramic views, Bukit Mamake and Bukit Bapake overlook the surrounding landscape, while Langadai Mangrove Forest showcases the region’s coastal ecosystems.
Kotabaru combines island scenery, marine attractions, local traditions, and nature-based experiences, offering a distinctive way to explore the coastal side of South Kalimantan, such as :
LOK BAINTAN FLOATING MARKET
River • Banjar Culture • Local Life
Lok Baintan Floating Market is a traditional morning market on the Martapura River in Lok Baintan Village, Sungai Tabuk District, Banjar Regency, South Kalimantan. Local traders, many traveling by small wooden boats, gather on the river to sell fresh fruits, vegetables, traditional snacks, and other local products.
The market is deeply connected to the river-based lifestyle of the Banjar people. Arriving early by boat allows travelers to experience the lively morning atmosphere, watch traditional boat-to-boat trading, and see how the river continues to play an important role in everyday life and local commerce.
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MARTAPURA RIVER
River • Culture • Local Life
The Martapura River flows through Banjarmasin and Banjar Regency, South Kalimantan, connecting urban communities, traditional markets, villages, and riverside settlements. The river has long been an important part of daily life in the region, shaping transportation, trade, and the distinctive river culture of the Banjar people.
A boat trip along the Martapura River offers travelers a different perspective of South Kalimantan, from bustling riverside areas to quieter villages and floating markets. The river is also closely connected with Lok Baintan Floating Market, making it an important part of the province’s living cultural landscape.
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BARITO RIVER
River • Wetlands • River Life
The Barito River is one of the major rivers of South Kalimantan, flowing through a vast landscape of wetlands, river settlements, and traditional communities before reaching the Java Sea. The river has long played an important role in transportation, trade, fishing, and everyday life across the region.
Traveling along the Barito River offers a chance to experience the scale of South Kalimantan’s waterways and observe life along the riverbanks. The surrounding wetlands, traditional boats, riverside villages, and local activities reveal the strong connection between the Banjar people and the river environment.
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NAGARA RIVER
River • Wetlands • Local Life
Nagara River flows through the wetland landscapes of Nagara, Hulu Sungai Selatan Regency, South Kalimantan, connecting waterways, swamps, rice fields, and traditional settlements. The river is closely linked to the daily life of local communities, particularly fishing, transportation, and other activities shaped by the surrounding wetlands.
Exploring the Nagara River offers travelers a quieter experience of South Kalimantan’s river landscapes, away from the busier waterways of Banjarmasin. The surrounding wetlands and rural communities provide opportunities to observe traditional river life and experience the natural character of the Nagara area.
NAGARA WETLANDS
Wetlands • Rivers • Rural Life
Nagara is a historic wetland landscape in Hulu Sungai Selatan Regency, South Kalimantan, characterized by rivers, swamps, rice fields, and traditional settlements. The area is closely connected to the daily life of local communities, with waterways playing an important role in transportation, fishing, farming, and local livelihoods.
The wetlands around Nagara offer travelers a quieter and more authentic side of South Kalimantan. Exploring the rivers and surrounding countryside provides an opportunity to experience traditional rural life, observe local activities, and discover landscapes shaped by the close relationship between people and water.
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PULAU KEMBANG & PULAU BAKUT
River • Wildlife • Wetlands
Pulau Kembang is a small river island located in the Barito River, near Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan. Surrounded by waterways and wetland landscapes, the island is known for its population of long-tailed macaques and its distinctive river environment.
The island offers travelers a short nature experience close to Banjarmasin, combining a boat trip with wildlife observation. The journey along the Barito River also provides an opportunity to see riverside communities, traditional boats, and the everyday life that continues to depend on South Kalimantan’s waterways.
Pulau Bakut is a protected river island located in the Barito River, in Barito Kuala Regency, South Kalimantan. Surrounded by freshwater wetlands and river channels, the island is an important natural habitat and is particularly known for the proboscis monkey (bekantan), one of Borneo’s iconic wildlife species.
A boat trip to Pulau Bakut offers travelers an opportunity to explore a quieter river environment and observe wildlife in its natural habitat. The surrounding Barito River landscape, mangrove-like vegetation, and wetland ecosystem make the island an interesting destination for nature and wildlife enthusiasts.
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AMANDIT RIVER
River • Adventure • Dayak
The Amandit River flows through Loksado, Hulu Sungai Selatan Regency, South Kalimantan, surrounded by the forested landscapes of the Meratus Mountains and traditional Dayak Meratus communities. The river is one of the best-known natural attractions in the Loksado area and is closely connected with the region’s mountain and village landscapes.
The Amandit River is especially famous for bamboo rafting, offering travelers an exciting way to experience the river while passing through forests, rocks, rapids, and mountain scenery. The experience combines outdoor adventure with the opportunity to discover the traditional landscapes and local life of Loksado.
A journey along the Amandit River offers a combination of river adventure, rainforest scenery, and encounters with the traditional culture of the Dayak Meratus communities around Loksado.
River • Rapids • Dayak Meratus • Adventure
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LOKSADO
Meratus • Rainforest • Adventure
Loksado lies in the heart of the Meratus Mountains, where dense rainforest, clear rivers, waterfalls, and traditional Dayak villages create one of South Kalimantan’s most distinctive landscapes. The area offers a combination of nature, culture, and outdoor activities far from the busy urban centers.
Loksado is especially known for bamboo rafting, jungle trekking, waterfalls, and exploring the mountain landscapes around Dayak Meratus communities. It is an ideal destination for travelers looking to experience the natural beauty and adventurous side of South Kalimantan.
DAYAK LOKSADO
Loksado is one of the cultural heartlands of the Dayak Meratus, where traditional communities continue to maintain their ancestral traditions, beliefs, and connection with the surrounding forests and mountains.
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MERATUS MOUNTAINS
Rainforest • Mountains • Wilderness
The Meratus Mountains form a vast mountainous landscape across South Kalimantan, rising above forests, rivers, valleys, and traditional communities. The region is one of the province’s most important natural areas, offering a glimpse of Borneo’s rainforest landscapes away from the main urban centers.
The mountains provide opportunities for trekking, wildlife observation, river exploration, and discovering remote landscapes. They are also closely connected with the traditional life of the Dayak Meratus, making the Meratus region a place where nature, culture, and adventure come together.
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HARATAI WATERFALL
Nature • Waterfall • Rainforest
Haratai Waterfall is a beautiful natural attraction nestled in the Meratus Mountains in Loksado, Hulu Sungai Selatan Regency, South Kalimantan. Surrounded by lush tropical rainforest, this three-tiered waterfall creates a refreshing natural retreat with cascading water, clear pools, and a peaceful atmosphere. Visitors can enjoy the beauty of the forest, relax beside the flowing water, and experience the pristine landscapes of the Meratus highlands.
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TAHURA SULTAN ADAM
Forest • Mountains • Adventure
Tahura Sultan Adam is a vast protected forest area in South Kalimantan, covering mountain landscapes, tropical forests, rivers, and scenic viewpoints. Located near Banjarbaru and the Meratus region, it offers an easy way to experience the province’s natural environment without traveling deep into remote areas.
The area is suitable for nature exploration, hiking, sightseeing, and discovering the forests and landscapes surrounding the Meratus Mountains. Its combination of forest, hills, and waterways makes it one of South Kalimantan’s important outdoor destinations.
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RIAM KANAN
Lake • Forest • Adventure
Riam Kanan is a scenic reservoir surrounded by forested hills and the landscapes of the Meratus region in South Kalimantan. The calm waters, green islands, and surrounding forests create a beautiful setting for exploring the province’s inland landscapes.
The area is ideal for boat trips, sightseeing, fishing, and enjoying quiet moments surrounded by nature. Riam Kanan also provides access to several natural and cultural attractions around the reservoir and the wider Tahura Sultan Adam area.
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GOA BATU HAPU
Cave • Limestone • Adventure
Goa Batu Hapu is a striking limestone cave located in Batu Hapu Village, Hatungun District, Tapin Regency, South Kalimantan. Surrounded by tropical vegetation and rural landscapes, the cave features impressive rock formations, natural chambers, and underground passages that create a unique environment for nature and adventure enthusiasts.
The cave offers an adventurous experience away from South Kalimantan’s better-known rivers and mountains. Exploring Goa Batu Hapu allows visitors to discover its fascinating limestone formations while experiencing the peaceful countryside and local landscapes of Tapin Regency.
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TANUHI HOT SPRING
Hot Springs • Forest • Wellness
Tanuhi Hot Spring is a natural hot spring destination located in Tanuhi Village, Loksado District, Hulu Sungai Selatan Regency, South Kalimantan, surrounded by the forested landscapes of the Meratus Mountains. The warm mineral-rich waters provide a relaxing experience in a peaceful mountain environment.
Located near the traditional communities of Loksado, Tanuhi is an ideal stop for travelers exploring the Meratus region. Visitors can enjoy the hot springs, surrounding nature, and tranquil atmosphere while experiencing another side of South Kalimantan beyond trekking and river adventures.
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BUKIT MATANG KALADAN
Hills • Lake • Scenic Views
Bukit Matang Kaladan is a scenic hill destination located in Tiwingan Lama Village, Aranio District, Banjar Regency, South Kalimantan. Rising above the Riam Kanan reservoir, the viewpoint offers spectacular panoramic views of green hills, forested islands, and the winding waters of the reservoir.
The area is ideal for travelers looking for a short hiking adventure and impressive landscapes. Reaching the viewpoint provides an opportunity to enjoy sunrise or sunset, photograph the surrounding scenery, and experience the peaceful natural environment of the Riam Kanan highlands.
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CEMPAKA DIAMOND FIELDS
Diamonds • Mining • Local Heritage
Cempaka, near Banjarbaru, is one of South Kalimantan’s best-known areas for traditional diamond mining. The landscape around the mining fields offers a fascinating glimpse into the long-standing relationship between local communities and the search for natural gemstones.
Traditional mining activities, open landscapes, and local stories surrounding diamond hunting make Cempaka a distinctive destination to explore beyond South Kalimantan’s rivers and mountains. Visitors can learn about local mining traditions and the importance of diamonds to the region’s cultural and economic history.
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