Bontang – Mangrove Forests and Industrial Coast in East Kalimantan
Bontang is an independent city in East Kalimantan province, on the shore of the Makassar Strait. The city is one of Indonesia's most important LNG (liquefied natural gas) centres, yet sits in a surprisingly rich natural setting. Bontang Mangrove Park and the à proximité Kutai National Park create a unique contrast entre industrial facilities and intact tropical nature.
Attractions et activités
Bontang Mangrove Park is la ville's pride: 200 hectares of mangrove forest with boardwalks and observation towers where vous pouvez spot monkeys, large snakes and exotic birds. Nearby Kutai National Park is l'un des last habitats of the Bornean orangutan – reachable as a day trip depuis Bontang. Beras Basah Island, with its white-sand plage, is about 30 minutes by boat depuis the harbour and a popular weekend destination for snorkelling. The city's fish market (Pasar Ikan) is a animé dawn affair with fresh sea creatures.
Culture et cuisine
Bontang's population is mixed: Kutai, Bugis, Javanese and Banjar communities live here following industrial migration. Local cuisine is built on fresh fish depuis the Makassar Strait – ikan bakar (grilled fish) with sambal kecombrang (torch ginger sauce) is a Bontang speciality. Pepek (dried pressed fish) and amplang (fish crackers) are popular local snacks.
Sécurité publique
Bontang is a safe industrial city. You can move autour de la ville centre and residential areas freely la nuit. Security checks may occur près de industrial zones (LNG plants), but these do not affect tourists. Only use reliable boat operators for trips to Beras Basah Island and check the weather. The city has a hospital (RSUD Bontang); for more serious cases, Samarinda or Balikpapan are the près deest major cities.
Informations pratiques
The près deest airports are Samarinda (APT Pranoto, approx. 3 hours) or Balikpapan (Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman, approx. 4 hours by car). Buses également run to Bontang depuis Samarinda. The best time to visit is April to October. The city offre mid-range hotels and guesthouses.
