Pontianak

Overview

The Equator runs through the middle of Pontianak, capital of West Kalimantan on Borneo. Abdurrahman Alqadrie founded the settlement in 1771 by clearing forest where the Kapuas and Landak rivers cross.

Eleven km from the city centre, the Tugu Khatulistiwa (Equatorial Obelisk) marks the 0 degrees equator line. The Kalimantan Barat Museum on Jl. Jendral Ahmad Yani has concrete reliefs showing everyday life of the Malay and Dayak peoples. Masjid Jami' Pontianak is the city's oldest mosque and, with the Kadriyah Palace, one of two buildings marking the founding of Pontianak in 1771. Kadriyah Palace, seat of the Pontianak Sultanate, was constructed between 1771 and 1778 AD. Radakng House in Sungai Bangkong is a long house modelled on the original Dayak Kanayatn dwelling.

Every statement above comes from Wikivoyage: Pontianak (read 12 Sep 2026), available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, shortened and reworded here. Check details that matter to your trip before you travel.