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Hotels
by Location | South
Kalimantan | Banjarmasin Area
Banjarmasin, the capital of South Kalimantan
province, offers visitors a fascinating glimps of a
traditional way of life. Located astride two major
rivers, the city and its activities revolve around the
water, with houses built on stilts or floating on bamboo
platforms, connected by a network of canals. The city’s
traditional floating markets overflow with bounty, from
exotic tropical fruits to colorful local crafts,
including Banjarmasin batik dyed cloth. Visitors can
take a boat trip along the river, pulling up to a “canoe
café” for coffee or a snack. Banjarmasin also boasts
a variety of dry land activities for the traveler,
including local dance performances and a stunning range
of restaurants offering everything from fresh seafood to
American fast food.
Accommodations in the town include
three and four star hotels, with international class
facilities and swimming pools. Banjarmasin is also an
excellent base from which to explore the surrounding
region. Twenty minutes away by boat is Kembang Island,
home to a tribe of long-tailed monkeys who live by an
old Chinese temple.
Twelve kilometers down the river is
the wetland nature reserve at Kaget Island, home to the
long-nosed proboscis monkey. Visitors will also be
fascinated by the Cempaka diamond digs, forty-five
minutes away, where they can see the precious stones
being collected using ancient manual techniques.
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