Pontianak, Indonesia

Capital City

Pontianak's population of 680,880 may seem tempting, but the city's oppressive heat and heavy rainfalls are a persistent headache. The unstable, flood-prone soil makes large-scale development a constant challenge, and the legacy of colonial rule has left a complex bureaucracy that can be a slog to navigate. However, Pontianak's diverse ethnic mix - with Malays, Chinese, Dayaks, and others living side-by-side - creates a unique culture found nowhere else in Indonesia. For those able to weather the climate and red tape, Pontianak may hold appeal as an equatorial melting pot.