Wooden sluices filter muck from pits where men stand chest deep blasting away at the sediment with water cannons. Mining at Kalimantan's largest diamond mine at its most basic, cheap, picturesque, and – for the bold – participatory. At the Banjarbaru roundabout take a green passenger truck southbound to Desa Pumpung (6000Rp, 15 minutes, 7km), then walk 700m south from the main road.
Cempaka Diamond Fields
Kalimantan
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
19.04 MILES
The more authentic of Banjarmasin's floating markets is about one hour by boat northeast of the centre on the Martapura River.
-
21.76 MILES
The closest floating market to central Banjarmasin is lively but touristy.
-
4.23 MILES
An above-average museum of local arts and history, with approximate English translations providing nuggets of information about pivotal events – such as…
-
21.62 MILES
Though it marks the first Islamic place of worship in Borneo, the beautiful angular wooden building was reconstructed in 1746, leaving the oldest physical…
-
19.74 MILES
This large, flat-domed mosque looks like something off a Star Wars set. During Ramadan, the famous Pasar Wadai (Cake Fair) runs along the adjacent…
-
19.49 MILES
Step into this 1898 temple, and the hobbit-sized candles and incense coils that smoulder for days will transport you 3000km north to China.
-
5.06 MILES
Lots of shops polish diamonds, but this is regarded as the official place for tourists to watch and to see how diamond purity is tested. It's 700m north…
Nearby Kalimantan attractions
4.23 MILES
An above-average museum of local arts and history, with approximate English translations providing nuggets of information about pivotal events – such as…
5.06 MILES
Lots of shops polish diamonds, but this is regarded as the official place for tourists to watch and to see how diamond purity is tested. It's 700m north…
19.04 MILES
The more authentic of Banjarmasin's floating markets is about one hour by boat northeast of the centre on the Martapura River.
19.49 MILES
Step into this 1898 temple, and the hobbit-sized candles and incense coils that smoulder for days will transport you 3000km north to China.
5. Mesjid Raya Sabilal Muhtadin
19.74 MILES
This large, flat-domed mosque looks like something off a Star Wars set. During Ramadan, the famous Pasar Wadai (Cake Fair) runs along the adjacent…
21.62 MILES
Though it marks the first Islamic place of worship in Borneo, the beautiful angular wooden building was reconstructed in 1746, leaving the oldest physical…
21.76 MILES
The closest floating market to central Banjarmasin is lively but touristy.