Martapura, Indonesia

Reading Time: 6 minutes

Martapura, Indonesia

Region: South Kalimantan


Geographic Coordinates: -3.450000, 114.833000
Temperature Range: 25.0°C to 35.0°C (77°F to 95°F)
Climate: Tropical climate with high humidity and rainfall throughout the year in Martapura, Indonesia.
Population: 198239
Language: Indonesian

Martapura is a beautiful town situated in South Kalimantan, Indonesia. It is famous for its cultural heritage and stunning natural scenery, Which attracts tourists from all over the world. One of the main attractions of Martapura is its diamond industry, Which has been thriving for more than a century. The diamonds produced here are known for their clarity and brilliance and are highly sought after by jewelry makers worldwide. Visitors can witness the mining, Cutting, And polishing process of diamonds at local markets. The town also boasts several ancient temples that date back to Indonesia’s Hindu-Buddhist era.

Candi Agung Amuntai is one such temple that features intricate carvings and sculptures depicting scenes from Hindu mythology. Danau Seran lake surrounded by lush green forests and rolling hills is another popular attraction where visitors can enjoy boating or take a leisurely stroll along its banks while admiring nature’s beauty. Martapura has several museums showcasing traditional crafts such as weaving and woodcarving, Offering an opportunity to learn about Indonesia’s diverse cultural heritage while admiring exquisite works of art created by skilled craftsmen.

Food lovers will find plenty to indulge in with delicious local cuisine featuring dishes like soto banjar (spicy soup made with chicken or beef) and nasi kuning (yellow rice served with various side dishes). Street food stalls offer an array of snacks like martabak (stuffed pancake) and pisang goreng (fried bananas). Overall, Martapura offers an unforgettable experience for visitors looking to immerse themselves in Indonesian culture while enjoying the natural beauty of this charming town. Whether you’re interested in diamonds, Temples or nature – there’s something for everyone!



Important Landmarks

  1. Diamond Market: Martapura is renowned for its diamond market, where visitors can purchase diamonds at reasonable prices.
  2. Candi Agung Amuntai: This ancient temple is situated in Amuntai and is believed to be one of the oldest temples in Indonesia.
  3. Museum Lambung Mangkurat: The museum showcases the history and culture of South Kalimantan, featuring traditional costumes, weapons, and musical instruments.
  4. Floating Market Lok Baintan: Visitors can experience a unique floating market where vendors sell their goods from boats on the river.
  5. Alalak Island: This small island is located in Barito River and offers stunning views of nature with its mangrove forests and wildlife.
  6. Masjid Sultan Suriansyah Mosque: This mosque was constructed during the reign of Sultan Suriansyah in 1526 AD and is among the oldest mosques in Indonesia.
  7. Danau Seran Fish Park: A favorite destination for fishing enthusiasts that offers various species of fish to catch.
  8. Bukit Batu Nature Reserve: A protected area with a diverse range of flora and fauna including rare species such as orangutans, gibbons, hornbills etc..

Primary Industries

  1. Martapura is recognized for its diamond industry, which encompasses mining, cutting, and polishing of diamonds.
  2. Other notable industries in Martapura comprise agriculture, particularly rice cultivation and palm oil production.
  3. The city also boasts a thriving tourism industry due to its cultural attractions such as the floating market and traditional craft markets selling goods made from precious stones.
  4. Furthermore, there are small-scale businesses that produce handicrafts such as woven textiles and pottery.

Noteable History

  1. The founding of Martapura dates back to the 17th century when a group of Banjar people migrated from the neighboring region of Banjarmasin.
  2. Sultan Adam Al-Watsiq Billah was a prominent ruler who governed the Kingdom of Banjar, including Martapura, in the early 18th century.
  3. In the late 19th century, Martapura came under Dutch colonial rule and remained part of the Dutch East Indies until Indonesia gained independence in 1945.
  4. Japan occupied Indonesia during World War II, including Martapura, from 1942 to 1945.
  5. Haji Abdul Rahman Saleh was an influential figure in Indonesian politics and played a significant role in the country’s struggle for independence from Dutch colonial rule.
  6. Syamsuddin Noor Airport is situated near Martapura and serves as an important transportation hub for South Kalimantan province.
  7. The diamond mining industry has been active in Martapura since ancient times and continues to thrive today.
  8. Home to many unique cultural traditions such as traditional dance performances and handicrafts like weaving and batik-making, Martapura is rich with local culture.

Museums and Things To See

  1. Museum Lambung Mangkurat showcases the history and culture of South Kalimantan with traditional textiles, weapons, and artifacts.
  2. Pasar Terapung Martapura is a unique floating market where visitors can buy fresh produce and handicrafts from local vendors on boats.
  3. Masjid Raya Al-Karomah is an impressive grand mosque with towering minarets and intricate design.
  4. Taman Hutan Raya Sultan Adam Forest Park offers a peaceful escape from the city with lush greenery, hiking trails, and scenic views.
  5. Candi Agung Amuntai Temple is an ancient Buddhist temple located just outside Martapura in Amuntai that dates back to the 7th century AD featuring stunning carvings and architecture.
  6. Galeri Seni Kalsel (South Kalimantan Art Gallery) showcases contemporary artwork by local artists from South Kalimantan.
  7. Sasirangan Village is known for its traditional weaving techniques using natural dyes making it a must-visit for those interested in textile arts.
  8. Taman Wisata Alam Sungai Bakar Recreation Park located near the Martapura River offers activities such as fishing, boating, and camping amidst beautiful natural surroundings.


Sports Teams

  • Martapura, Indonesia is a small town located in the Banjar Regency of South Kalimantan province.
  • It is primarily an agricultural area and not known for its sports teams.
  • However, there are some amateur football clubs that play in local leagues.
  • One of the most popular football clubs in Martapura is Persiba Bantul FC.
    • The club was founded on November 16th, 1964.
    • They have played in various Indonesian leagues over the years.
    • They have recently played in Liga 3 (the third tier of Indonesian football).
  • Another notable club from Martapura is PS Barito Putera.
    • Founded on October 20th, 1982.
    • They have also played in various Indonesian leagues over the years.
    • They currently play in Liga 1 (the top tier of Indonesian football).
  • Aside from football, there are no major professional sports teams or events that take place regularly in Martapura.
  • However, like many other regions throughout Indonesia, martial arts such as Pencak Silat are popular among locals and competitions are held periodically throughout the year.


  • Cultural Events

    1. Martapura Diamond Festival celebrates the diamond industry in Martapura, known for its diamonds. Visitors can enjoy diamond exhibitions, competitions, and cultural performances.
    2. Pesta Rakyat Martapura is a traditional festival that celebrates local culture and traditions with music performances, dances, food stalls, and handicraft exhibitions.
    3. Kandangan Festival takes place in the nearby town of Kandangan but attracts visitors from Martapura as well with cultural performances, traditional games and competitions, and a parade of decorated floats.
    4. Banjar Regatta is an annual event on Barito River in Banjarmasin (about 30 minutes from Martapura) featuring boat races, cultural performances, food stalls,and fireworks displays.
    5. Hari Raya Idul Fitri marks the end of Ramadan with feasting and celebrations for Indonesia’s large Muslim population including South Kalimantan province where Martapura is located.
    6. Chinese New Year is celebrated by the Chinese community in Martapura with dragon dances, fireworks displays,temples visits,and family gatherings.

    Cuisine

    1. Soto Banjar: a traditional soup made with chicken or beef, rice noodles, and various spices. It can be found at many warungs (small food stalls) around Martapura.
    2. Ayam Penyet Bu Kris: a restaurant that serves ayam penyet (smashed fried chicken) with rice and various side dishes such as tempeh and tofu.
    3. Bakso Pak Tino: a food stall that specializes in bakso (meatball soup) made from beef or fish.
    4. Nasi Goreng Kambing Kebon Roek: a small restaurant that serves nasi goreng (fried rice) with goat meat as the main ingredient.
    5. Es Pisang Ijo Asli Martapura: a dessert shop that serves es pisang ijo, which is made from banana wrapped in green jelly and served with syrup and coconut milk.
    6. Warung Mie Ayam Hj Diah: a popular spot for mie ayam (chicken noodle soup), which is often served with crispy fried wontons on top.
    7. Bakmi Karangan Pak Jaya: another noodle shop that serves bakmi (egg noodles) with various toppings such as chicken, mushrooms, and vegetables.
    8. Sate Banjar Haji Dayat: known for its sate banjar (grilled skewered meat), this restaurant also offers other Indonesian dishes such as gado-gado (vegetable salad with peanut sauce).
    9. Warung Kopi Rindu Alam Martapura: a coffee shop that also offers snacks such as pisang goreng (fried banana) and martabak manis (sweet pancake).
    10. Pempek Kapal Selam Palembang Ibu Sri Rahayu: located near the river, this food stall serves pempek (fish cakes) with a unique twist – they are filled with boiled egg and served with vinegar sauce.

    Parks and Recreation

    1. Taman Kota Martapura (Martapura City Park) is a public park that features jogging tracks, playgrounds, and picnic areas.
    2. Danau Cermin (Mirror Lake) is a picturesque lake surrounded by lush greenery, perfect for boating and fishing.
    3. Taman Bunga Kembang Setaman (Flower Garden) is a beautiful botanical garden that showcases colorful flowers and plants, making it an ideal spot for photography enthusiasts.
    4. Benteng Keraton Martapura (Martapura Fortress) is an ancient fortress that offers historical insights into the region’s past.
    5. Sungai Martapura (Martapura River) is a popular destination for river rafting and other water sports activities.
    6. Pemandian Air Panas Banjarbaru (Banjarbaru Hot Spring Bathhouse), located just outside of Martapura in Banjarbaru, offers natural hot spring baths to visitors.
    7. Gunung Besar Hantu Kencana Nature Reserve features hiking trails that offer stunning views of the surrounding mountains and forests within the reserve area.
    8. Pasar Teratai Martapura (Lotus Market) is a traditional market where various products are sold including handicrafts made from lotus flower stems such as bags or wallets etcetera.

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