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| Sirin Meragun is ecotourism in its purest form. Special documentation. |
A fragment of land that seems to have slipped from the Garden of Eden lies quietly in Sekadau, West Kalimantan, on the island of Borneo. Do not believe it? Neither did we. Not until we witnessed it with our own eyes.
The long holiday has arrived. Have you planned your escape yet? If not, allow this narrative to guide you. Consider it an invitation to craft a vacation that is not only enjoyable, but rich in meaning. Does Sekadau truly possess flagship natural attractions? It does. Look closely.
If you are in West Kalimantan, or if you count yourself among lovers of ecotourism, take note of these natural destinations in Sekadau Regency. They are without equal. Nulli secundus. Why? Because they are singular. You will not find their counterparts elsewhere. So do not claim the title of adventurer or traveler unless you have set foot in these seven natural landmarks of Sekadau.
1. Batu Jato’
The name speaks plainly. Batu Jato’ means fallen stones. Thankfully, they fell long ago, not in our own time. From the moment the ancestors of Sekadau were born, these stones were already there, scattered across the land as if dropped from the sky. One might wonder how such a place could become a tourist destination at all. Yet that very improbability forms its irresistible pull.
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| Batu Jato’ means fallen stones, ancient and already present when Sekadau’s ancestors were born, a place whose very improbability has become its quiet, irresistible allure. Special documentation. |
Batu Jato’ is located in Pantok Village, Nanga Taman District, approximately twelve kilometers from the district capital. The journey is comfortable, the road fully paved. What awaits is extraordinary. Smooth, rounded stones lie scattered in a clear flowing river, arranged with such quiet harmony that they appear deliberately placed. Nature here seems to have practiced geometry.
Location: Pantok Village, Nanga Taman District.
2. Sirin Meragun
Sirin Meragun is ecotourism in its purest form. It offers beauty, tranquility, and an atmosphere untouched by settlement. There are no villages upstream or nearby, leaving the environment remarkably intact. For those who seek unspoiled nature, this is where one belongs.
For visitors gifted with natural intelligence, Sirin Meragun functions as a living laboratory. Its tropical forest shelters diverse flora and fauna. Questions arise naturally. How many insect species inhabit this forest? What defines the habitat of the sengkubak plant? These are only beginnings. To find answers, one must come, observe, and listen.
Location: Meragun Village, Nanga Taman District.
3. Kalai Susu
True to its name, Kalai Susu is a waterfall whose waters appear milky white. It is not particularly tall, yet its charm is profound. Those who visit once often feel drawn to return.
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| Kalai Susu waterfall: milky, charming, modest, unforgettable, inviting. Special documentation. |
Above the waterfall lies a solid rock bed, resilient and unyielding despite centuries of constant flow. As water strikes the stone below, it bursts into white spray, resembling mother’s milk scattered into the air. Hence the name.
For thinkers, artists, and those who seek contemplation, journeys to water hold deep meaning. In flowing water, the Greek philosopher Heraclitus of Ephesus, who lived between 540 and 480 BCE, discerned his principle of change. Panta rhei kai ouden menei. Everything flows and nothing remains. The only constant is change itself.
Location: Lubuk Tajau, Nanga Taman District.
4. Semirah Putih
Semirah Putih is a waterfall whose name perfectly captures its appearance. White foam falls in unison with cascading water, plunging freely from above.
The sound alone soothes the spirit. The air is cool, fresh, and abundant. Its beauty is so absorbing that visitors often feel suspended between dream and reality, carried gently by nature’s spell.
Location: Tinting Boyok Village, Sekadau Hulu District.
5. Lawang Kuwari
For lovers of history, Lawang Kuwari is essential. This is where the story of Sekadau began. Yet even for casual travelers, the rewards are abundant. From here, one can admire the Kapuas River, Indonesia’s longest, flowing endlessly toward the sea at Pontianak. Motorboats, paddleboats, and barges pass in steady rhythm. Birds call overhead, swiftlets sing, and forest insects provide their ancient accompaniment.
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| For lovers of history, Lawang Kuwari is essential. Doc. the autrhor. |
Reaching Lawang Kuwari requires crossing the Kapuas River by speedboat, turning the journey itself into an experience. During the era of the Sekadau Kingdom, this site served Prince Agong as both refuge and place of meditation.
Today, Lawang Kuwari stands as Sekadau’s leading historical destination. Paulus Misi, former head of the Sekadau Office of Culture and Tourism, once explained that the area was deliberately developed so people would recognize Sekadau through this place. Beyond being a living museum, Lawang Kuwari represents the spirit of Sekadau’s past.
Under the current administration, the name Lawang Kuwari has risen again as an icon. It now graces terminals, public markets, fountains, and communal spaces, marking this land as the historical heart of Sekadau.
Location: Seberang Kapuas Village, Sekadau Hilir District.
6. Taman Kelempiau
Taman Kelempiau lies in Tapang Sambas, about twenty seven kilometers from Sekadau town. This ecotourism park is owned by the Credit Union Keling Kumang movement and is designed for families. It offers water recreation, rentable bungalows, lodging, Dayak cuisine, and locally crafted souvenirs.
Its natural beauty is distinctive. Visitors can watch kelampiau monkeys at play, their effortless antics often provoking laughter.
The park’s popularity surged after hosting the first Keling Kumang Festival alongside the Second Iban Summit and the thirtieth anniversary of CU Keling Kumang from March 23 to 25, 2023. Over three days, an estimated twenty five thousand visitors arrived from Sekadau, Sintang, Sanggau, and surrounding regions.
Looking ahead, Taman Kelempiau stands as the flagship natural destination of the Lawang Kuwari homeland. There is no need to travel far. Costs are modest and rewards are immense. Visitors return refreshed, body and spirit renewed. This is the true essence of recreation, to return and be made new.
Location: Tapang Sambas, 27 kilometers from Sekadau.
7. Batu Tinggi
Especially during the dry season, Batu Tinggi reveals its most exotic face. Though situated within the town, it offers sweeping natural views. Forests still line the Sekadau River. From this vantage point, sunrise and sunset unfold with rare elegance.
A local song immortalizes Batu Tinggi, sung in the distinctive rhythm of the Senganan people, descendants of the area’s earliest inhabitants and kin to the Dayak. Its lyrics speak of restless sleep and longing for a loved one far away. Sung by a woman, it carries deep yearning. Sung by a man, the words shift, yet the longing remains unchanged.
For anyone who has ever lived in Sekadau, Batu Tinggi has the power to awaken old memories without warning.
Location: Tanjung, Sekadau Hilir District.
