Landak – Riam Merasap Waterfall and Dayak Kanayatn Culture
Landak Regency lies in the interior of West Kalimantan province, east of Pontianak city. Its capital is Ngabang. The region is the heartland of the Dayak Kanayatn ethnic group and home to Riam Merasap Waterfall.
Attractions and Activities
Riam Merasap Waterfall is West Kalimantan’s tallest waterfall (approx. 35 metres): water cascades down a rock face amid lush tropical forest – accessible via a nature trail. Dayak Kanayatn villages showcase traditional lifestyle: the baluk (community house) and naik dango (harvest festival) are part of the culture. Rice fields stretch along the Landak River – the landscape is beautiful during harvest season.
Culture and Cuisine
The Dayak Kanayatn are West Kalimantan’s largest Dayak subgroup. The naik dango harvest festival is an annual community event. Cuisine is Dayak-Kalimantanese: pansoh (chicken cooked in bamboo), lemang, and local freshwater fish.
Public Safety
Landak is a safe rural region. Road conditions vary, travel is more difficult in the rainy season. Medical care: puskesmas in Ngabang; Pontianak (approx. 2 hours) is the nearest hospital.
Practical Information
From Pontianak Supadio Airport, approximately 2 hours east by car. The best time to visit is May to September. Accommodation: simple guesthouses in Ngabang.