Pontianak
Capital and largest city of West Kalimantan, Indonesia
Pontianak, also known as Khuntien in Teochew and Hakka, is the capital of the Indonesian province of West Kalimantan, founded first as a trading port on the island of Borneo, occupying an area of 118.21 km2 in the delta of the Kapuas River, at a point where it is joined by its major tributary, the Landak River. The city is precisely on the equator, hence it is widely known as Kota Khatulistiwa. The city center is less than 3 kilometres (2 mi) south of the equator. Pontianak is the 23rd most populous city in Indonesia, and the fourth most populous city on the island of Borneo (Kalimantan) after Samarinda, Balikpapan and (Malaysia's) Kuching; it is now slightly ahead of Banjarmasin. It had a population of 658,685 at the 2020 Census within the city limits, with significant suburbs outside those limits, particularly in the regencies of Kubu Raya to the east and south of the city, and Mempawah to its north. The official estimate as of mid-2025 was 686,019.
Read more on Wikipedia →- Population
- 680,880
- Coordinates
- -0.032, 109.325
- Timezone
- Asia/Pontianak
- Elevation
- 4 m
Overview of Pontianak
Travellers heading to Indonesia will find Pontianak, a sizeable city. It counts about 680,880 residents. Which tells you how much ground there is to cover. What stands out most: nature, culture and nightlife. Season planning starts with its southern-hemisphere location.
Things to do in Pontianak
Nature in Pontianak
(9)On the nature side, Pontianak offers Countryside, Forest, National Parks, Nature and Nature Reserves. Everything listed here comes from what Pontianak is actually tagged with. Altogether 9 options are tagged here.
Culture in Pontianak
(7)Under culture, Pontianak is tagged with Castles, Cathedrals, Churches, Docks and Monuments. The category holds 7 entries in our dataset. The list follows Pontianak's own activity tags.
Nightlife in Pontianak
(6)Nightlife in Pontianak covers Bars, Clubs, Disco, Music and Nightlife. Counting everything, 6 activities fall under this heading. Nothing here is guesswork — it reflects the recorded activity data for Pontianak.
Sports in Pontianak
(6)Pontianak records Hiking, Hiking Trails, Hunting, Running and Slopes under sports. Everything listed here comes from what Pontianak is actually tagged with. Altogether 6 options are tagged here.
Adventure in Pontianak
(1)Looking for adventure? Pontianak has Off Road Trails. Each one is worth building half a day around. Nothing here is guesswork — it reflects the recorded activity data for Pontianak.
Best time to visit Pontianak
The shoulder months of October to November and March to April suit hiking and outdoor days. Pontianak stays visitable year-round thanks to its indoor options.
Getting there & around
As a big city, Pontianak is usually reachable by air or rail, with public transport on arrival. Time zone: Asia/Pontianak.
Similar destinations
Places near Pontianak that share the same kinds of activities.
Frequently asked questions
- What is Pontianak known for?
- Pontianak, in Indonesia, is best known for nature, culture and nightlife. Those categories cover most of what visitors record here, in a place of roughly 680,880 residents.
- What can you do in Pontianak?
- Recorded activities in Pontianak include Countryside, Forest, National Parks, Nature and Nature Reserves. Combine two or three of them and you have a full day without leaving the area.
- When is the best time to visit Pontianak?
- The shoulder months of October to November and March to April suit hiking and outdoor days. Pontianak stays visitable year-round thanks to its indoor options.
- Where is Pontianak located?
- Pontianak is located in Indonesia. Use the country and region pages to see what else lies nearby and to plan a route between stops.
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