Banjarmasin
The iconic River City, famous for its early-morning floating markets.
Welcome to Banjarmasin
Banjarmasin is a historic river city located on a delta in South Kalimantan, where a complex network of wide rivers and narrow canals shapes every aspect of daily life. Known as the "City of a Thousand Rivers," the town features traditional wooden homes on stilts along the riverbanks, with small wooden boats serving as the primary mode of transport.
The Colorful Lok Baintan Floating Market
At the break of dawn, the Martapura River comes alive with the bustling Lok Baintan Floating Market. Local vendors, mostly women wearing traditional wide straw hats (Tanggui), paddle their wooden boats loaded with fresh fruits, vegetables, and hot breakfast dishes. It is a lively, colorful market where goods are traded directly boat-to-boat amidst the gentle river currents.
Festival Pasar Terapung (Floating Market Festival)
Banjarmasin celebrates its unique river heritage during the annual Festival Pasar Terapung. This massive water carnival features traditional rowing boat races (Jukung), floating culinary competitions where chefs prepare traditional Soto Banjar soup directly on water, and spectacular parades of illuminated boats reflecting off the dark river waters at night. It is a highly sensory, joyous celebration of Kalimantan’s river identity.