Singkawang, West Kalimantan, Borneo Island, Indonesia

Singkawang is a small city located some 150 km north of Pontianak, the capital city of West Kalimantan, in the island of Borneo, Indonesia. Covering an area of approximately 500 square kilometer, Singkawang is populated by majority ethnic Hakka Chinese, similar to ethnic Hakka found in  Bangka island, small percentage of Dayak and native Indonesian. 

What is famous in Singkawang

Singkawang is also known as "a city of thousand temple" or "Kota dengan seribu vihara" in local Indonesian. In fact there are more than a thousand small and large Chinese temples in the entire city. This leads to the famous Tatung Festival, which is celebrated in conjunction with the 15th day of Lunar new year or Cap Go Meh every year.

Singkawang is also given a title of "the most tolerant city in Indonesia" or "Kota yang paling toleransi di Indonesia" in local Indonesian, by Indonesian government as it efforts to promote tourism industry in the city. This can be witnessed by thousand temples located side-by-side with hundred mosques and churches in the city.  

How to get to Singkawang

The main entry point to Singkawang is from Pontianak international airport. For international visitors, the transit point can be at Jakarta international airport, Kuala Lumpur international airport or Kuching International airport. Singkawang can be reached in approximately 3-5 hours, depending on traffic, by car or bus from Pontianak, as the airport for the city is yet to be built at the point of writing.  

Although Singkawang is a small city, to cater for both local and foreign tourists visiting during the festivals, there are just sufficient hotels and guesthouses of different standards and prices. Not forgetting abundant restaurants, cafe, convenience shops of all kinds and standards.  

What to expect in Singkawang

Singkawang becomes extremely crowded city during Tatung and Ching Ming festivals,  which is celebrated on the 15th day of Lunar new year and 5th April respectively. During this peak period, accommodation becomes scarce and expensive. Hence, do make early booking. During Tatung festival, do book hotel located in town center, along Jalan Diponegoro or within 2 kilometer radius as the road to the city center will be closed.

Do expect overcrowded restaurants and cafes, cleanliness being compromised and long waiting time for the food during the peak period. 

Local Hakka Chinese food, ranging from pork porridge, nasi campur or mixed rice, rojak or mix salad with dried squid, different kind of noddles, choi pan or steamed vegetable dumpling to cakes and coffee are something not to be missed while in Singkawang. 

The "Gate" to Singkawang city center for Cap Go Meh Festival

The oldest Chinese temple in Singkawang, "Vihara Tri Dharma Bumi Raya"

The oldest Catholic church in Singkawang, "Santo Fransiskus Assisi"

The oldest mosque in Singkawang, "Masjid Raya Singkawang"

    
  
  

Velvet-fronted Nuthatch @ Fraser's Hill, Pahang, Malaysia

Velvet-fronted Nuthatch (Sitta frontalis) is super fast, super active and attractive bird among few hundred species of birds can be found in Fraser's Hill, Pahang, Malaysia. The bird usually can be sighted at the forest edges around the Hill. 

Fraser's Hill is definitely one of the best birding destinations in Malaysia and in Asia as it is a residence to many exotic birds. The hill covers a large area of tropical rain forest, waterfalls, trekking and streams. There are abundant accommodations, food and recreational activities provided at the Hill. It can be reached in approximately two hours from Kuala Lumpur by car. Fraser's Hill has the largest bird population and varieties. It certainly entices many birders from all over the world to be there. The main target birds in Fraser's Hill include different types laughingthrush, broadbills, cuckoos, flycathers, woodpackers, barbets, babblers, Niltavas, Minivets and Trogons just to name a few. 

As part of it's promotion and global recognition, Fraser's Hill holds Fraser's Hill International Bird Race annually. The hill is truly a heaven for bird and nature lovers.

Scaly-breasted Bulbul @ Sungai Congkak, Selangor, Malaysia

Scaly-breasted Bulbul (Pycnonotus squamatus) is a very colorful, fast and attractive bird among hundred species of birds can be found in Sungai Congkak Recreational Forest, Selangor, Malaysia. Scaly-breasted Bulbul is a residence bird to Sungai Congkak. The bird can be found at the forest edges in the recreational forest.  

Sungai Congkak Recreational Forest is yet another wonderful birding destinations in Selangor, Malaysia as it is a residence to many exotic birds. The recreational forest covers a large area of tropical rain forest, waterfalls, trekking and streams. Whereas accommodations, camp sites, food and recreational activities are provided along the stream, right outside the entrance to the forest. It can be reached in approximately one hour from Kuala Lumpur by car. Sungai Congkak Recreational Forest has a large bird population and varieties. It certainly entices many birders to be there. The main target birds in Sungai Congkak Recreational Forest include different types of kingfisher, babblers, sunbirds, shrikes, malkoha just to name a few. 

Other neighboring areas to Sungai Congkak for birding destinations include Sungai Tekali, Sungai Tekala, Sungai Perdik and Pongsun.  

Since Sungai Congkak Recreational Forest is also a popular destinations for family get away especially during weekend, be there early and wait for the desire lighting to come and search for the exotic birds.

Thick-billed Green Pigeon [Female] @ National Botanical Garden Shah Alam, Selengor, Malaysia

Thick-billed Green Pigeon (Treron curvirostra) [Female] is a colorful, attractive and cute resident bird can be found in National Botanical Garden Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia. It can be found in the tree and vegetation along small paths around the park.

National Botanical Garden Shah Alam or Taman Botani Negara Shah Alam in Malay is one a few parks located in the center of Shah Alam city. It is a public park that serves as green lung for city folks. It is located at Taman Pertanian Malaysia, just less than an hour drive away from Kuala Lumpur City Center. 

Covering an area of 817 hectares, the park is an important place for family get way, children activities, gathering, jogging and even wedding. At the same time, it attracts wildlife and it has become a bird sanctuary. A small entrance fee of RM3 per person is collected at the entrance to the park. The Park opens from Tuesday to Sunday from 7.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. It closes on Monday. 

National Botanical Garden Shah Alam has a large bird population and varieties with a recorded more than 60 species of birds. It certainly entices many birders to be there. The main target birds include different types of pittas, eagles, doves, hornbills, bee-eaters, kingfishers, shrikes, weavers, flycatchers, bulbuls, pigeons just to name a few. It has become a destination for migratory birds too.

Other neighboring areas to National Botanical Garden Shah Alam for birding destinations include Shah Alam Lake Garden and Bukit Jelutong Eco Community Park.