Cultural and Natural Exploration: Sintang as a Tourism Center Based on Local Wisdom

Sintang is one of the areas in West Kalimantan that has extraordinary uniqueness—both in terms of culture and nature. I visited there several years ago, and to be honest, that experience opened my eyes to how local wisdom can be a strong foundation for building sustainable tourism.

When I first arrived in Sintang, the thing that caught my attention the most was the friendliness of the local people. The residents happily welcome guests, introducing their traditions with great pride. One of the most memorable experiences for me was watching traditional Dayak dances accompanied by the beat of gongs and the sound of sape (a typical Dayak musical instrument). There, I learned that every movement in dance has meaning—from prayers for nature to respect for ancestors. It feels like seeing a living cultural heritage, not just a tourist attraction.

Not only the culture, the natural beauty of Sintang is also extraordinary. One destination that should not be missed is Bukit Kelam, which is often referred to as the largest monolith stone in the world. I tried trekking there, although, to be honest, I almost gave up halfway! But the view from the top is really worth it. From the top, you can see the seemingly endless expanse of green forest. At that time, I thought, “This is what must be protected.”

Sintang has a cool tourism concept—all based on local wisdom. For example, there are communities that offer the experience of living in a longhouse (traditional Dayak house). I spent one night there, and it was a big lesson about living side by side with nature. All the food served comes from nearby organic farms. And guess what? They also teach how to make traditional weaving! The process turned out to be really difficult, but it taught me how important it is to preserve these skills for the next generation.

However, not everything is perfect. I also see some challenges, such as accessibility and environmental awareness. Infrastructure in several destinations is still minimal, and sometimes tourists are not aware of the importance of maintaining cleanliness. But here local wisdom is again the solution. The Sintang people have a traditional concept that prohibits forest destruction or river pollution – something called an *ecological wisdom system*. If this is implemented more widely, their tourism can develop without damaging the environment.

For those of you who are looking for a new destination, Sintang really should be on your list. But don’t just come for the photos. Take the time to learn, appreciate their culture, and leave the place as you found it—clean, sustainable, and full of life. 🌿