Khatulistiwa Monument in Pontianak City, West Kalimantan Province
In terms of tourism, Pontianak City has lots of good places to visit. However, the most famous and iconic one is Khatulistiwa Monument. The prime reason why the government built the monuments is that the region is passed through by the equator line. The location of this famous monument is in Batu Layang Village at Siantan Sub-District. For the information, it was built in 1930 and has become another tourist site in Pontianak City since then. As for tourist activities, visitors usually take photos in front of the monument and want to learn further information regarding the equator line that passes through the city.
The Nuance
The nuance is not as crowded as other vacation areas. Even though the location is on the downtown, the site features lots of trees and plants. Thus, it feels comfy to spend much time there. What about the size? The monument has a height of about 4.4 meters. However, a replica was also built and it has a bigger size, which also becomes an allure in Pontianak. The original one, however, has been considered a cultural heritage object and protected by the local government.
Exploring Khatulistiwa Monument
The good news is that everyone can enter the site freely. For the best nuance and more crowded atmosphere, it is recommended to visit either in March and September at the 21-23th. Why is that? At these times, the local government commemorates the day of Sun Culmination. That means the sun resides right above the equator line. This phenomenon would impress everyone as the shadow of the monument disappears for several seconds! Thus, everyone should not miss the chance to witness it.
The next reason for visiting Khatulistiwa Monument is to learn history. According to the locals, the monument was built by the Dutch. That means the monument has been there for more than 88 years! In the past, the design was quite simple. Along the time went by, it was undergone improvements and became prettier. No wonder, tourists take advantage of it as the background for photography. Do not forget to carry a camera when visiting the monument later, therefore.
What is more? The locals also come to the monument in the afternoon to enjoy relaxation after works, actually. They consider it a great alternative to regular parks. Thus, tourists should visit it at the same time in order to enjoy a merrier nuance. At the time, they can also gather further information regarding history. Later, it is recommended to visit the replica, which is 5 times bigger than the original one.
Nearby Attractions
- Gapura Batas Kota
- Reel Hill
- Titik Kulminasi Matahari
How to Get There
Khatulistiwa Monument is located in downtown, so it is quite reachable. For outsiders, though, they must take an airplane in order to reach Pontianak City fast and more comfortably. From Jakarta City, a flight from Soekarno – Hatta International Airport to Supadio Airport would take around 1 hour and 25 minutes. Once arriving at Pontianak, tourists can simply take Ahmad Yani Street and head to the monument right away. The distance is only 10.5 km, so this trip would take around 22 minutes.
Where to Stay
- Benua Mas Hotel
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