Singkawangs Bakcang Festival Blends Culture, Flavour, and Travel Adventure

TheIndonesia.co - In the heart of West Kalimantan, the city of Singkawang awakens each year to the aroma of glutinous rice, salted egg yolk, pork, and shiitake mushrooms, all wrapped tightly in bamboo leaves and steamed to perfection. This isn’t just about food—it’s a celebration of identity, history, and community. Welcome to the Bakcang Festival, a colorful tribute to the rich Chinese-Indonesian heritage that defines Singkawang.

Scheduled for June 1st, 2025, at Taman Cahaya Madani (TCM), the first-ever Festival Bakcang Singkawang is set to turn tradition into an immersive travel experience, combining culinary heritage with sports, youth engagement, and vibrant community spirit.

In a world where cultures are quickly homogenized, Singkawang’s Bakcang Festival is a bold statement: that tradition is alive, dynamic, and delicious.

From learning how to wrap sticky rice by hand to running alongside bakcang enthusiasts in a 10K, to cooling off in water games surrounded by food stalls, this festival offers more than fun—it offers a journey into the heart of Indonesian-Chinese culture.

So if you’re looking for a travel experience that’s rich in story, spirit, and spice, mark your calendar for June 1st, 2025. Because in Singkawang, every bakcang tells a tale—and you’re invited to be part of it.

What Is Bakcang?

Bakcang, also known as zongzi, is a traditional Chinese delicacy made of sticky rice filled with various ingredients—typically seasoned pork, salted egg, shiitake mushrooms, and sometimes mung beans or chestnuts. Wrapped in bamboo or reed leaves, then steamed or boiled, bakcang is triangular or pyramid-shaped, and often tied with string.

This dish is intimately tied to the Duanwu Festival, also known as the Dragon Boat Festival, celebrated on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month in the Chinese calendar. The festival honours the ancient Chinese poet Qu Yuan, who drowned himself in protest against political corruption. Legend has it that villagers threw rice into the river to distract fish from consuming his body—thus giving rise to bakcang.

In Singkawang, where the population is predominantly of Chinese descent, the dish has taken on new forms—infused with local spices, made halal in some variations, and turned into a family and community tradition handed down across generations.

The Festival: More Than Food

According to Singkawang Mayor Tjhai Chui Mie, the Bakcang Festival 2025 is more than just a cultural event—it’s a strategic push for tourism and local economic growth. “This festival is not just about tradition, but a vehicle to promote Singkawang to the world,” she said during a press briefing.

The festival’s lineup is designed to attract all ages and interests:

• Bakcang Run 5K and 10K (starts at 5:30 AM)
• Bakcang Wrapping Contest for the public and students
• Water Games at the TCM complex pool
• Local food booths and UMKM (micro, small, and medium enterprise) stalls
• Cultural performances and live music

This immersive experience will blend athletic fun with cultural learning, offering visitors a dynamic way to engage with the city’s heritage. Organizers are targeting more than 1,000 participants and have already opened online registrations.

Because the festival coincides with Car Free Day, special arrangements are being made to ensure a smooth experience for attendees. Booths will be relocated to the City Hall courtyard, while parking areas will be set up at Masjid Agung and STIE campus, making the area pedestrian-friendly and festive.

Youth Engagement and Cultural Preservation

One of the most exciting aspects of the festival is its intergenerational focus. Mayor Tjhai Chui Mie has directed that at least 10 students from every school be involved in the wrapping competition. These sessions are not just about skill—but storytelling, identity, and pride.

“It’s our effort to keep culture alive. Young people should be part of preserving our traditions,” she emphasized.

The competition is also educational. Students will learn the symbolic significance of each ingredient and the historical context of the tradition, ensuring that bakcang becomes more than just food—it becomes a story passed on.

Festival Chairperson Bun Cin Thong (Athong) adds that the event is designed to be joyful. “The goal is to create a fun, memorable experience while educating and involving the community.”

Why Singkawang?

Often dubbed “The City of a Thousand Temples”, Singkawang is a charming coastal city with deep-rooted Chinese, Dayak, and Malay influences. Known nationally for its Cap Go Meh Festival and vibrant Tahun Baru Imlek (Chinese New Year) celebrations, Singkawang is increasingly being recognized as a cultural tourism hub.

Its colorful shophouses, mountain views, and strong sense of tradition offer a unique experience for those looking beyond Indonesia’s mainstream tourist spots. With the addition of the Bakcang Festival, Singkawang further positions itself as a destination where flavor, festivity, and folklore meet.

How to Get to Singkawang: From Abroad and Within Indonesia

Getting to Singkawang is part of the adventure and offers a glimpse of Kalimantan’s natural beauty along the way.

From Abroad

The easiest international gateway is via Pontianak, the capital of West Kalimantan, which has an international airport:

• Supadio International Airport (PNK) serves flights from Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) and Singapore.
  From Pontianak, you can take a 3–4 hour drive to Singkawang by private car or travel by bus via Darma Raya, DAMRI, or smaller shuttle services. Car rentals and private drivers are also widely available.

From Within Indonesia

Domestic travelers can fly into Pontianak from most major Indonesian cities:

• Jakarta, Surabaya, Batam, Yogyakarta, Makassar, and Medan have regular flights to PNK.

Once in Pontianak:

• Buses run frequently and affordably.
• Car rentals offer flexibility, especially for travelers looking to explore the coast.
• Travel apps like Traveloka and Tiket.com can help book both transport and accommodation.
• For those seeking a scenic route, consider a drive from Pontianak along the coastal road, which offers views of palm groves, fishing villages, and lush hills.

What to Eat Beyond Bakcang

While bakcang takes center stage, Singkawang’s food scene is diverse and deeply satisfying. Don’t leave without trying:

• Choipan – steamed rice cakes with savory fillings like chives or jicama.
• Kwe Cap – a comforting Chinese-style pork stew with rolled rice noodles.
• Rujak Juhi – spicy seafood salad.
• Durian Kalimantan – sweeter and creamier than its Sumatran cousin.

Whether you’re strolling through a morning market or sitting down for dinner in a family-run restaurant, food in Singkawang is a flavorful tribute to the city’s multicultural identity.
Where to Stay

From modern hotels to charming guesthouses, Singkawang offers a variety of accommodations. Some top picks include:

• Mahkota Hotel Singkawang – centrally located with amenities and conference rooms.
• Swiss-Belinn Singkawang – ideal for business and leisure travelers.
• Homestays near TCM – perfect for visitors wanting an immersive, community-based experience.