West Kalimantan:The equator monument

A. Brief Information

The equator monument was built to mark the zero point of the equator line crossing over Pontianak City. Historically, it was built by the Dutch geographer in 1928 to mark the imaginary line of equator. Formerly, the monument was just a simple obelisk on which a metallic arrow. Silaban, an Indonesian architect, refurbished the obelisk in 1938 by adding a circle above it. Finally, in 1990, the local government decided to preserve this great monument by building a dome with a duplicate of former obelisk above it.

On March 2005, Badan Pengkajian dan Penerapan Teknologi – BPPT (the Center for Technological Application and Research) did a correction towards the appropriate zero point of the equator in Pontianak City. After a long-term research, the result shows that the zero point of equator crossing over Pontianak City is 117 meters of the former monument towards the Kapuas River.

B. Distinctive Features

Standing beneath the equator line precisely cleaving the earth is a memorable moment. In the location, you may see the former obelisk and its early history and all information relating to the monument as well. Withal, an information board about the statistic of visitors from either domestic or foreign countries is available for you who want to know such information. The unique of the monument is the material used. It was built of ulin wood, something that is rarely found on other monuments in the world.

Around March 21^st – 23^rd (vernal equinox) and September 21^st – 23^rd (auturnal equinox), the monument is densely visited by Pontianak residents who come to see the shadowless sun. It is the time when everything on the location around the zero point has no shadow for approximately 5 to 10 minutes. Some events including traditional ceremony and painting exhibition are celebrated during these phenomena are occurred. You only need to pay IDR 10.000 for obtaining a certificate signed by Local Mayor of Pontianak stating that you have already visited the monument.

At afternoon, the location can be a right place for having leisure time with family and friend. The exoticism of the location is at night when the flickering lamps decorating the beautiful Kapuas River.

C. Location

Equator Monument is located on Khatulistiwa Street, Siantan Village, in the Sub-district of North Pontianak, Pontianak City, West Kalimantan Province, Indonesia.

D. Access

Equator Monument is five km away northern direction of Pontianak City. You can take public transportation like bus or taxi to reach the location.

E. Ticket Price

Free.

F. Accommodation and other Facilities

Around the location, you can find mosque, restaurant, food stall, souvenir shop, guesthouse, and parking area with ease. 

Source:www.wisatamelayu.com