Kapal Bandong Museum in Sintang Regency, West Kalimantan Province

Is Sintang Regency worthy to be everyone’s next vacation destination? Well, all the visitors would get a new experience by spending some time there. Aside from natural attractions and historical sites, Sintang also offers a unique place called Kapal Bandong Museum. The location is in Sintang Kelam Street and the locals often call it Perahu Nabi Nuh or Noah’s Ark. The location is in downtown, so tourists can get there fast from Susilo Airport. Still, everyone needs to pay an entrance fee before exploring the museum. The prime allures are the distinct architecture and collections of local artworks stored neatly inside. Here is further discussion about the museum.

The Nuance
The first thing to notice is definitely a unique design. Unlike regular museums, this one applies the shape of a famous local boat called Kapal Bandong. People who live in West Kalimantan Province often use the boat as their river transportation, actually. The museum indeed resembles that boat thoroughly. It has two colors, which are blue and red. Big stairs are available, so tourists can get in the museum easily. As for the nuance, the museum is located in a vast and plain area, featuring some small plants and brown grasses.

Exploring Kapal Bandong Museum
So, what tourists would do in Bandong Museum? The most common reason for visiting the site is indeed photography. Tourists are attracted to the unique shape of the building and they would take photos of it during the visit. Plus, the nuance is good enough for relaxation. Before entering the museum, everyone can spend some time in the yard while witnessing surrounding panoramas. As for the crowd, it depends on the time of the visit. On regular days, it feels peaceful. On the other hand, the museum feels merry and crowded during weekends and holidays.

After taking some photos, everyone can get in the building right away. Once getting in, they may see numerous collections of beautiful artworks! These include carved statues, woven fabrics, manik-manik, and others. One thing, no one is allowed to touch those items. Instead, taking photos and gather information are allowed. Therefore, tourists should come with a local guide who knows thorough information regarding those items.

Inside Kapal Bandong Museum, visitors may also see several traditional musical instruments like Sape’ and Kledik. Numerous photos and paintings are also displayed on the wall. Well, there is a special chamber to explore, which is none other than the belly of the boat. What is in there? A majestic boat machine resides! Tourists should not forget to take selfies in front of it later.

Nearby Attractions

• Kelam Hill
• Pangeran Kuning Monument
• Maria Cave
• Rumah Batang Kobus
• Baning Forest

How to Get There
For those coming from Jakarta City, they can take an airplane at Soekarno – Hatta International Airport and head to Pontianak City first. A flight to Supadio Airport may take around 1 hour and 25 minutes, actually. Once arriving at Pontianak, tourists can take another flight and head to Susilo Airport at Sintang Regency. This time, the flight may take about 40 minutes. From Susilo Airport, they can take any local transportation service and head to the museum directly. This trip usually takes only about 15 minutes.

Where to Stay

• Ladja Hotel