Market
Lok Baintan Floating Market
Floating market on the Martapura, with vendors selling fruit, vegetables, and cakes from wooden boats. Liveliest shortly after sunrise.
City
Banjarmasin
Banjarmasin, the capital of South Kalimantan, is a city of rivers and canals. It is known for its floating markets at dawn and the cuisine of the Banjar.
Banjarmasin, the capital of South Kalimantan, is a city of rivers and canals. It is known for its floating markets at dawn and the cuisine of the Banjar.
Banjarmasin, situated at the confluence of the Barito and Martapura rivers, is crisscrossed by numerous canals. With over half a million inhabitants, it is the largest city in South Kalimantan. Life traditionally revolves around the water: Early mornings, women in wooden boats (jukung) sell fruit, vegetables, and cakes at the floating market Lok Baintan. The riverside promenade along the Martapura, featuring the Menara Pandang observation tower, is a popular meeting point in the evenings. For the floating markets, take a Klotok boat; within the city, use Grab or Gojek.
The center is on the Martapura, near the Grand Mosque and waterfront promenade. The old Sultan's Mosque stands north in Kuin district.
Sights in Banjarmasin
Discover the most important sights and attractions
Mosque
Masjid Sultan Suriansyah
South Kalimantan's oldest Mosque in the Kuin district, a wooden building with a tiered roof in traditional Banjar style.
Mosque
Masjid Raya Sabilal Muhtadin
Grand Mosque at Martapura with a golden dome and five minarets, one of Kalimantan's largest.
Attraction
Menara Pandang
Viewing tower on Martapura's promenade, with views of the river and city. Many families gather here in the evenings.
Restaurants in Banjarmasin
Well-known eatery for Soto Banjar under a bridge by the river.
Ketupat Quarter riverside restaurant with Banjar dishes, including Ketupat Kandangan.
Food & Beverages
Soto Banjar
Clear chicken soup with rice cakes, egg, and spices like cinnamon and clove.
Ketupat Kandangan
Rice cake with smoked fish in coconut milk sauce.
Kue Banjar
Colorful, sweet sticky rice coconut cakes, often sold at the floating market.
Culture
The city is the center of the Banjar, a Malay people who are predominantly Muslim. The Sultanate of Banjar converted to Islam in the 16th century, and the Sultan-Suriansyah Mosque dates from this period. Dayak groups live in the Meratus highlands. The region is also known for diamonds, which are still hand-panned near Martapura today.
Getting There & Around
Getting ThereBy Air: Syamsudin Noor Airport is located about 25 km southeast and has connections to Jakarta, Surabaya, and Bali. DAMRI buses run to the city centre.By Bus: Buses connect Banjarmasin with Balikpapan and Palangka Raya.Floating MarketTo reach Lok Baintan Market, take a Klotok for about 30 minutes. Depart around 5 AM, as trade is busiest early in the morning.
Outings
Martapura
A small town with a diamond and gemstone market, near the Cempaka diamond washings.
Loksado
Meratus Mountains village, known for bamboo rafts on the Amandit River and Dayak villages.
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