--- title: "Singkawang Travel Guide: The City of a Thousand Temples in West Kalimantan" type: "TravelGuide" lang: "en" canonical: "https://www.geokepo.id/en/panduan/singkawang-west-kalimantan-travel-guide" html_url: "https://www.geokepo.id/en/panduan/singkawang-west-kalimantan-travel-guide" category: "Destination Guides" guide_type: "destination" summary: "Singkawang blends Chinese, Dayak, and Malay culture on Borneo's west coast: temples, Cap Go Meh, beaches, food, and how to get there from Pontianak." covers: ["https://www.geokepo.id/en/lokasi/singkawang", "https://www.geokepo.id/en/lokasi/pontianak", "https://www.geokepo.id/en/lokasi/sambas", "https://www.geokepo.id/en/lokasi/bengkayang"] published: "2026-10-06T00:24:23.324329+00:00" updated: "2026-10-06T00:27:11.712542+00:00" author: "GeoKepo Editorial Team" publisher: "GeoKepo" license: "Editorial content © GeoKepo. Cite the canonical URL." --- # Singkawang Travel Guide: The City of a Thousand Temples in West Kalimantan # Singkawang Travel Guide: The City of a Thousand Temples in West Kalimantan Many people picture Kalimantan as jungle, rivers, and orangutans. Singkawang pushes back on that picture. This coastal city, about three to four hours from Pontianak, is full of temples, red lanterns, and stalls selling Chinese-Kalimantan food. Most residents are of Chinese descent, and Chinese, Dayak, and Malay cultures live side by side. This guide covers what to see, when to go, and how to get there. ## Why Singkawang is different Singkawang is often called the City of a Thousand Temples, and the nickname is more than marketing. Chinese places of worship turn up on every corner, from small ones in alleys to large ones in the center. The city has also ranked among Indonesia's most tolerant cities in several national indexes, and it feels welcoming to newcomers. For travelers who have already covered Java and Bali, Singkawang offers something else: a place not designed for tourists, but open to anyone curious. ## Cap Go Meh and the tatung parade Singkawang's best-known event is Cap Go Meh, held on the fifteenth day after Chinese New Year. The highlight is the tatung parade, in which participants believed to be possessed by spirits walk the streets performing startling feats. The parade blends Chinese and Dayak traditions and draws crowds from across the region. If you want to come during the festival, plan well ahead. Rooms fill fast, roads close, and crowds are large. The date follows the lunar calendar, so it changes every year. Check official schedules before you book. If you take photos, respect the participants and follow the organizers' instructions. The ritual is spiritually meaningful to those who take part, not just a show. ## Temples and places of worship Several temples are worth a visit, including Tri Dharma Bumi Raya, often cited as one of the best known in the city. Dress modestly, take off your hat, and do not touch offerings. If a ceremony is under way, watch from a distance and do not cut through the line of worshippers. Morning is usually the quietest. Incense smoke, bells, and prayer coils create an atmosphere that is hard to describe. ## Beaches near the city Singkawang is on the coast, and several beaches are a short ride from the center. Pasir Panjang is the best known. It is long, busy on weekends, and good for an evening of relaxing. The water is not always as clear as in eastern Indonesia, so do not expect world-class snorkeling. Come for the sunset and the snacks. If you want something quieter, ask locals about less crowded beaches nearby. Conditions and access can change, so recent information from your guesthouse helps. ## Eating in Singkawang Food is the main reason many people come back. Singkawang is known for Chinese cooking adapted to local ingredients. Dishes that come up often: - **Choi pan**, chewy steamed dumplings filled with vegetables or shrimp - **Bakmi and kwetiau** with Singkawang-style toppings - **Bubur pa'pa**, a simple, warm, filling porridge - **Asinan Singkawang**, fruit and vegetables in a sweet, sour, and spicy broth Try traditional cakes and local coffee too. The most fun time to hunt for food is early morning, when small stalls have just opened and queues start to form. Ask your guesthouse what is open, since some stalls close on certain days. ## How to get to Singkawang **From Pontianak.** The nearest airport is Supadio in Pontianak, roughly 145 to 150 kilometers from Singkawang. From there you can take an intercity bus along the Trans-Kalimantan road, which takes about three hours. Damri buses are reported to leave the airport at several times a day, but schedules can change, so check first. **By car.** Hiring a car with a driver from Pontianak gives flexibility, especially if you want to stop elsewhere along the way. **Within the city.** Singkawang is small enough to explore by motorbike taxi, ride-hailing where available, or a rented scooter. For farther sights, hire a car for a few hours. ## How long to stay - **One night:** enough for temples, dinner, and a local breakfast. - **Two nights:** right for most people. You can add the beach and some slow time. - **Three nights or more:** if you come for the festival or want to explore the surroundings, including Bengkayang and Sambas. ## Best time to visit The busiest time is around Chinese New Year and Cap Go Meh, when the city comes fully alive. Outside that period it is quieter and rates are friendlier. The rainy season can slow road travel and make beaches less appealing. Check the forecast before you go. ## A sample three-day plan **Day 1.** Fly to Pontianak and continue to Singkawang. Walk through the center and temples in the afternoon. Eat at a local stall in the evening. **Day 2.** Hunt breakfast in the morning. Visit a beach at midday. Watch the sunset at Pasir Panjang. **Day 3.** Explore corners of the city you have not touched, buy souvenirs, then return to Pontianak. ## Budget and where to stay Singkawang has small hotels, simple guesthouses, and a few larger hotels. Rates are generally affordable, except during Cap Go Meh when prices rise and rooms sell out. Prices differ by season, so check current rates. ## Planning a festival weekend If your trip is built around Cap Go Meh, treat the logistics as the main task. Book rooms as early as you can, and consider staying in Pontianak and commuting if Singkawang is full, though the road adds hours on a crowded day. Arrive the day before the parade so you can scout viewing spots and eat without rushing. Parade routes and road closures are set by local organizers each year, so ask at your guesthouse for the current plan rather than relying on an old blog post. Wear light clothing and comfortable shoes, carry water, and expect to stand for long stretches in the heat. Keep a respectful distance from participants in trance, and never step into the parade route to get a closer photo. Many locals set up family viewing spots early, so be considerate about blocking sightlines. Outside the festival, the city has a different charm. Weekday mornings are the best time to watch daily life at the markets and temples without any crowd at all, and you will find it easier to start a conversation with shopkeepers who are not rushed. ## Etiquette and practical tips - Dress modestly in places of worship. - Ask before photographing people, especially during rituals. - Carry cash for small stalls. - Bring an umbrella or rain jacket, since rain can arrive suddenly. - A few words of Indonesian, or of the local Chinese dialect, are always welcomed. ## Three cultures in one city To understand Singkawang, picture three layers. The first is the Chinese community, many of them from Hakka and Teochew groups, who brought temple traditions, cuisine, and festivals. The second is the Dayak community, which contributes local beliefs and often features in the tatung parade. The third is the Malay community, with its own mosques, food, and coastal customs. The three do not run separately. You will see a Chinese shop beside a Malay food stall, and customers moving between the two. That simple observation is often more memorable than any single attraction. ## Stopping in Pontianak Almost every traveler passes through Pontianak, so use the time. The city sits right on the equator, and the Equator Monument is a popular photo stop. In the evening you can walk along the Kapuas River and try local coffee in old coffee houses. One night in Pontianak before or after Singkawang makes the trip more relaxed. ## Day trips from Singkawang **Sambas.** This regency to the north is known as a center of Malay culture, with a sultanate history and songket weaving. If history interests you, ask your guesthouse first about opening hours and access to the palace. **Bengkayang.** The area is greener and hillier, with Dayak villages and natural scenery. You need your own vehicle and a local guide to explore comfortably. Both involve real travel time, so plan only one destination per day. ## Extra practical tips - **Money:** carry enough cash, since small stalls rarely take cards. - **Language:** everyone understands Indonesian. Among local Chinese residents, Hakka and Teochew dialects are common. - **Weather:** Singkawang can be very hot and humid. Bring a hat, sunscreen, and water. - **Holidays:** around Chinese New Year, many shops close for several days. Plan your meals. - **Crowds:** during Cap Go Meh, keep valuables secure. ## Common questions **Is Singkawang worth visiting if I am not there for Cap Go Meh?** Yes. The temples, food, and city atmosphere stay interesting all year. **Is the food halal?** Many Chinese dishes in Singkawang contain pork. Muslim travelers should ask first and look for stalls marked halal. The city also has halal Malay eateries. **Do I need a guide?** Not required. For Cap Go Meh, a guide or local friend helps explain the meaning of the rituals. **Can I visit as a day trip from Pontianak?** Technically yes, but a round trip of seven hours or more leaves you rushed. Staying overnight is better. ## The takeaway Singkawang is not on the list of big destinations, and that is part of its charm. Come curious, eat a lot, and let the city show you the side of Kalimantan that is not in the brochures.