Kalimantan Museums and Art Galleries

(Kalimantan, Indonesia)

There are some very good choices when it comes to museums in Kalimantan, as well as a selection of reliable art galleries, which are generally of a commercial nature. The Kalimantan Art Gallery is a particular highlight and is to be found at Samarinda, where local works of art are available at reasonable prices, often making the perfect Indonesian souvenir.

Museum lovers will find that these are rather spread around Kalimantan, with some of the best awaiting visitors at Banjarbaru, Banjarmasin, Berau, Palangka Raya, Pontianak and Tenggarong, the latter of which being where you will find the Mulawarman Museum.

Museum Balanga

Address: Jalan Cilik, Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, ID
The Museum Balanga is located within the city of Palangka Raya and can be accessed by simply knocking on the door for admittance. Inside, visitors will find a collection of regional Indonesian artefacts, which provide a very reasonable insight into Kalimantan's indigenous cultures. The central building features a number of exhibits relating to the Ngaju ceremonies, which have been held for many years to celebrate life. Exhibits include musical instruments, facemasks, swords, porcelain pots and other ceramics, and beautiful sequined backdrops, used at weddings. Taxis regularly ply the route here and are the easiest way to reach this particular attraction.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free, donations suggested

Mulawarman Museum

Address: Jalan Diponegoro, Tenggarong, East Kalimantan, Indonesia, ID
Lying within the small city of Tenggarong and close to the banks of the Sungai Mahakam river, the Mulawarman Museum is nothing short of a celebration of the regional sultanate history. The building itself is quite an impressive attraction in its own right, since it is a former palace, constructed by the Dutch during the 1930s after the original palace was badly damaged by fire. The lower floor contains a multitude of treasures, which were once the property of the 19 different sultans who reigned in the palace. These include historical statues and antiquities, period furnishings, an extravagantly decorated bedroom, hand-woven 'doyo' fabric, and some exquisite Ming, Qing and Yuan porcelain. Another further highlight at the Mulawarman Museum is a Balinese puppet theatre, which was gifted by the Sultan of Yogyakarta.
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday - 10:00 to 14:00
Admission: charge

Museum Waja Sampai Ka Puting

Address: Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, Indonesia, ID
The Museum Waja Sampai Ka Puting is a historical Banjarese house, built in the traditional Bubungan Tinggi style and known for its attractive architecture. There is a very appealing collection of artefacts and relics awaiting visitors to Banjarmasin, relating to the city's rich heritage and interesting history.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge

Museum Batiwakkal (Gunung Tabur Kraton)

Address: Gunung Tabur Kraton, Berau, East Kalimantan, Indonesia, ID
Lying in the town of Berau and within the far north-eastern corner of Kalimantan, the Museum Batiwakkal is home to some old and compelling relics, and is to be found in the rebuilt Gunung Tabur Kraton (palace). Highlights include an old cannon unearthed in the jungle by the earliest rajah, who believed that it contained important spiritual powers. The Museum Batiwakkal stands alongside the Sungai Segan river, where it is connected by regular canoe ferries.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 08:00 to 14:00
Admission: charge

Museum Lambung Mangkurat

Address: Jalan Ahmad Yani 36, Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan, Indonesia, ID
Tel: +62 511 92453
The Museum Lambung Mangkurat stands in the town of Banjarbaru, some 30 km / 19 miles to the south-east of Banjarmasin, in South Kalimantan and just off the road between Banjarmasin and Martapura. With a sizeable collection of artefacts from the Banjar and Dayak areas, the Museum Lambung Mangkurat also contains a selection of ancient Hindu objects, which were carefully excavated from archaeological sites around the island.
Open hours: Tuesday to Thursday, Sunday - 08:30 to 14:30, Friday - 08:30 to 11:00, Saturday - 08:30 to 13:30
Admission: charge

Museum Negeri Pontianak

Address: Jalan Ahmad Yani, Pontianak, West Kalimantan, Indonesia, ID
Located in Western Kalimantan's provincial capital of Pontianak, the Museum Negeri Pontianak is close to the Tanjungpura University and lies on the southern side of the city centre. The main exhibits here include various tribal relics and clothing, handicrafts from the Dayak people, and South-East Asian water jugs, which are better known in Indonesia as 'tempayans'.
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday - 08:00 to 15:00
Admission: charge

Kalimantan Art Gallery

Address: Jalan U. Suropati Perum Corpotek 3, Samarinda, East Kalimantan, Indonesia, ID
Tel: +62 541 709 2135
The Kalimantan Art Gallery operates as a commercial art gallery, within the city of Samarinda. This gallery specialises in Indonesian handicrafts, paintings and sculptures, and is a good place to pick up a quality holiday souvenir. Local artists often exhibit their works here, providing plenty of local interest.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free