Paya Besar – a settlement in Hulu Sungai Tengah Regency, South Kalimantan
Paya Besar is a settlement belonging to Batu Benawa District in Hulu Sungai Tengah Regency, South Kalimantan (Kalimantan Selatan) Province. The settlement is situated in the Indonesian part of Borneo island, among the interior areas of the province. According to coordinates, the area is located at 2.58 degrees south latitude and 115.42 degrees east longitude. South Kalimantan is the smallest in area yet second most densely populated province of Kalimantan island, which is the traditional homeland of the Banjar people and the center of Banjarese culture.
General overview
Paya Besar is located in Batu Benawa District, which is part of Hulu Sungai Tengah Regency. The settlement, like a significant portion of Indonesian settlements, possesses rural and countryside characteristics. Although direct settlement-level information about Paya Besar is not available through internet sources, Hulu Sungai Tengah Regency is a territory situated in the interior of the province, typically characterized by agriculture and forestry. The regency is one of twelve administrative units of South Kalimantan, which among the eleven regencies and two cities that constitute the province, forms one administrative division.
South Kalimantan Province is traditionally inhabited by the Banjar people, although in the interior areas the Dayak ethnic groups also maintain a strong presence. The territory is also a region under the influence of Dutch colonization and the era of Indonesian transmigration and Javanese migration, which has become a common residence of various ethnic groups. According to the 2020 census, the total population of South Kalimantan was approximately 4.07 million people, and according to 2025 estimates, approached 4.32 million people. This means that the province's population is larger than the total population of Mongolia, making it a densely inhabited area in the context of the island.
Batu Benawa District, which directly neighbors Paya Besar, is among the more rural and interior parts of the province, where basic infrastructure and transportation connections are typically more limited than in areas closer to larger cities within the province. Such settlements are generally based on community-oriented economy, within which forestry, rice cultivation, and other agricultural activities are the main modes of livelihood.
Real estate and investment
Settlement-level real estate market data for Paya Besar is not available through commonly accessible sources. However, in the context of Hulu Sungai Tengah Regency and the entire South Kalimantan Province, a general trend can be discussed. In rural areas of the Indonesian real estate market, particularly in rural areas of Borneo, real estate prices are roughly one-tenth to one-twentieth of prices in developed regions. The prices of rural plots and houses generally range between 50,000 and 500,000 Indonesian rupiah per square meter, depending on the neighboring area and infrastructure level.
Real estate purchase in Indonesia is strictly regulated for foreigners. According to Indonesian law, foreign citizens cannot acquire ownership rights (hak milik) to land; however, they can acquire long-term leasehold rights (hak sewa), which can be for 30 years with possible extension for an additional 20 years, totaling 50 years. Under certain conditions, it is also possible to acquire hak pakai (usage rights). In rural settlements, such as the Paya Besar area, transactions involving real estate typically occur on a community basis, through personal relationships, with the mediation or certification of the local pemerintah desa (village administration).
The level of infrastructure development in rural Borneo areas is still in a developing state. Electricity supply has undergone significant development over recent decades, but internet access services in rural areas may remain limited. Road infrastructure and transportation connections are heavily dependent on the specific area. Real estate investments must consider long-term infrastructure development plans, which are partly determined by Indonesian national development policy or renewable energy projects.
Safety and security
Specific security data for Paya Besar is not available through separate settlement-level sources. However, the general security situation in Hulu Sungai Tengah Regency and throughout South Kalimantan Province is relatively stable and reasonably good. Rural areas of Indonesia, particularly in such rural districts, generally report lower crime rates compared to major cities. Community-based social control and local traditions play a more important role in maintaining public safety in such settlements.
In rural areas of Indonesia, natural hazards such as flooding, and occasionally accidents occurring during raw material mining or forestry operations, or traffic accidents can be the most common dangers. In rural areas such as the Paya Besar district, access to medical care may also be more limited, making basic health and accident prevention knowledge useful skills. Violent crime is generally not characteristic of Indonesian rural communities.
It is, however, recommended that anyone traveling to or relocating to Paya Besar or more remote Borneo areas first obtain information from local authorities, maintain consistent contact with the Indonesian embassy or consulate (where relevant), and pay attention to standard travel safety advice provided by their own country's foreign ministry or international organizations.
Tourist attractions
Paya Besar itself has no directly documented tourist attractions that would serve as notable sites or internationally recognized points of interest. The settlement characteristically has a rural, community-based structure, which can primarily offer observation and experiential opportunities for those interested in authentic Indonesian rural life, as well as local agricultural and forestry practices.
Batu Benawa District, to which Paya Besar belongs, is also not specifically a tourist destination; however, other parts of South Kalimantan Province possess significant attractions and tourist infrastructure. The former provincial capital Banjarmasin, which is located approximately 35 kilometers to the southeast of the newly designated capital Banjarbaru in 2022, is the primary tourist and cultural center closest to the province. The traditional cultural customs of the Banjar people, as well as the city's historical and religious architecture, represent significant attractions for tourists. The region along the Martapura River is also known for diamond mining and riverside dwellings, which offer an authentic picture of Indonesian rural life.
The ecosystems of rural Borneo, including the more remote parts of South Kalimantan, are known for their distinctive flora and fauna. Numerous protected forest areas, national parks, and fauna reserves are found in more remote locations, aimed at preserving biodiversity. Orangutan conservation initiatives and other wildlife protection projects are likewise active in more remote parts of Indonesian Borneo, although these are not directly located at Paya Besar.
Summary
Paya Besar is a rural settlement in Batu Benawa District of Hulu Sungai Tengah Regency in South Kalimantan. The settlement does not have major tourist attractions directly available; however, it represents authentic rural Borneo life, which can be useful for understanding the Indonesian community-based economy and social fabric. Real estate market opportunities develop according to the characteristics of rural Indonesia, and prospective investors are advised to have thorough knowledge of the Indonesian legal framework. Public safety is generally adequate in rural countryside areas, although infrastructure limitations and restricted access to medical care require attention.
