Experience the unique charm of shopping on the water at Lok Baintan Floating Market in Banjarmasin, a cultural and captivating tourist destination.
Banjarmasin, the capital of South Kalimantan Province, is known as the “City of a Thousand Rivers” due to the many rivers that flow throughout the region.
One of the most iconic tourist attractions that should not be missed when visiting Banjarmasin is the Lok Baintan Floating Market. This market offers a unique shopping experience, different from traditional markets, as all transactions take place on boats floating on the river.
With a colorful atmosphere and a rich sense of local culture, Lok Baintan Floating Market is a captivating and attractive shopping destination.
History and Uniqueness of Lok Baintan Floating Market
The Lok Baintan Floating Market has existed since the era of the Banjar Sultanate and has continued to maintain its traditional and unique trading concept, making it one of the top Things to do in Banjarmasin.
Unlike land markets commonly found in many cities, this Banjarmasin tourist attraction offers an exotic shopping experience, where traders sell their goods from small boats known as jukung.
Visitors can enjoy the bustling market while floating on the river, adding to the charm of this cultural and historical experience.
This market is not just a place for transactions but also reflects the local people’s lives, who heavily depend on the river for their daily activities. The river is not only the primary transportation route but also a source of livelihood for the local community. For the locals, the river is a vital connector for both economic and social activities.
Every morning, from around 5:30 to 8:00 AM (WITA), the market is filled with boats coming from various villages along the river to trade.
They sell a wide variety of products, ranging from agricultural produce such as fruits and vegetables to traditional foods and local handicrafts. Not only locals are drawn to shop here, but also tourists who come to experience the authentic atmosphere of this floating market.
How to Reach Lok Baintan Floating Market
To reach Lok Baintan Floating Market, tourists must travel by water using a klotok or motorboat.
Visitors can usually rent a klotok from the Martapura River docks, one of the main rivers in Banjarmasin. The boat ride to Lok Baintan takes about 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the river’s current.
During the journey to Lok Baintan, tourists are treated to the beautiful scenery along the Martapura River, from traditional stilt houses standing over the water to the daily activities of people centered around the river.
The boat ride itself is already a significant part of the tourist attraction, offering an experience just as engaging as the market.
For those who wish to experience the morning atmosphere at Lok Baintan, it is recommended to depart early before sunrise to enjoy the natural beauty of the surroundings and witness the market at its liveliest.
Shopping Activities and Experience at Lok Baintan
Upon arriving at the Lok Baintan Floating Market, visitors are greeted by the sight of colorful boats filled with merchandise.
The traders, mostly women dressed in traditional attire, are ready to serve customers with warm smiles. Tourists can directly interact with the traders, whether to purchase items or simply inquire about the products on offer.
Lok Baintan Market offers a wide variety of interesting items to purchase. Fresh fruits such as bananas, oranges, rambutans, and durians are the main commodities, sourced from local farms.
In addition to fruits, fresh vegetables, spices, and various traditional foods are also widely sold. One popular local food is wadai, a traditional Banjar cake made from sticky rice and palm sugar.
For those interested in handicrafts, Lok Baintan Floating Market also offers unique local handmade products, from woven mats to traditional trinkets. These items make perfect souvenirs for tourists who want to bring home a piece of Banjarmasin.
Aside from shopping, the activities at this floating market also provide a culturally rich experience. Visitors can directly observe the lives of traders on boats, who skillfully maintain balance and conduct transactions on the water.
This experience offers valuable insights into the lives of the people of South Kalimantan, whose daily activities are deeply intertwined with the river.
Floating Market Festival
To promote the unique culture of the floating market, the local government often organizes the Floating Market Festival, held annually. This festival is a special occasion for both locals and tourists to celebrate the river-based culture, which has been a vital part of Banjarmasin’s life.
During the festival, the floating market is filled with various cultural performances, such as traditional dances, boat races, and a more festive bazaar than usual.
This festival not only aims to attract tourists but also to preserve the floating trading culture, which is becoming rarer in the modern world.
The traders participating in the festival often wear traditional clothing, and the market atmosphere becomes more vibrant with traditional Banjar music.
Conclusion
Lok Baintan Floating Market is one of Indonesia’s most unique Tourist Attractions in Banjarbaru. The experience of shopping on a boat while enjoying the surrounding natural beauty leaves a lasting impression.
With its strong cultural charm, the people’s reliance on the river, and the uniqueness of water-based transactions, Banjarbaru tourism offers not only a shopping experience but also an opportunity to understand the life and traditions of the Banjar people more deeply. For visitors to Banjarmasin, Lok Baintan Floating Market is a must-visit destination.
