Lunar New Year and Singkawang

Hey, Explorers!

恭喜发财!

This Lunar New Year reminds me of one place in Indonesia that celebrate this festive season bigger than any other places around the country. This place is called Singkawang.

Besides it is known as the “City of a Thousand Temples,” Singkawang during Chinese New Year is more than just a celebration—it’s a sensory immersion into a living heritage.

What makes this West Kalimantan gem so special isn’t just the thousands of red lanterns reflecting off the river; it’s the Cap Go Meh festival (the 15th day of the New Year).

Tatung-the selected one to be the medium, Indonesia

Here, you’ll witness the world-famous Tatung parade. It is a breathtaking display of ancient traditions where mediums enter a trance state to ward off misfortune and cleanse the city of evil spirits.

It is raw, powerful, and deeply rooted in the harmony between Dayak and Chinese cultures—a beautiful reminder of Indonesia’s diverse tapestry. Although I’m a bit terrified watching them, I deeply admire how they’ve kept their traditions so strong from generation to generation.

Walking through Singkawang feels like walking through a living museum. It’s one of the few places where you can see a Mosque, a Church, and a Chinese Temple sharing the same street corner in perfect harmony.

Our journey to Singkawang isn’t complete without a deep dive into its local flavors. From the savory, thin-skinned Choi Pan to the iconic Bubur Gunting (literally ‘Scissor Porridge’) and the cooling, textured Che Hun Tiao, these dishes are more than just meals—they are a taste of Singkawang’s living heritage.

Good news!
Now there is a direct flight from Jakarta to Singkawang. In the past, we had to fly to the closest airport which is Pontianak, and drive for an extra hours to get to Singkawang.

Although getting to Singakwang via Pontianak is not really a bad idea, too, as we can visit the Khatulistiwa Park – the home to the Equator Monument (Tugu Khatulistiwa), a geographical and historical landmark in Pontianak, West Kalimantan. It marks the precise location of the Earth’s equator (0 degrees latitude), making Pontianak the only major city in the world to sit directly on this imaginary line.

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See you outdoors!