Tangga Bidadari Designated as Natural Attraction in East Kutai's Geopark
- 13 Agt 2026 23:13 WIB
- Voice of Indonesia
Key Points
- Kutai Timur is developing Tangga Bidadari around three pillars: environmental conservation, research and education, and local economic empowerment.
- The natural spring attraction is being upgraded as a flagship tourism site and potential geopark destination, with infrastructure improvements planned for 2026.
RRI.CO.ID, Sangatta - The Kutai Timur Regency Administration in East Kalimantan is accelerating its strategic focus on three-pillar tourism, combining environmental conservation, educational research, and local economic empowerment, to attract families, researchers, and nature enthusiasts.
Central to this strategy is the official designation of the Tangga Bidadari (Angel's Staircase) natural attraction in Selangkau Village, Kaliorang Subdistrict, as a flagship regional development program for 2026. Situated within the historic Sangkulirang-Mangkalihat Karst Geopark area, Tangga Bidadari is currently seeking formal geopark classification.
Renowned for its tiered natural freshwater springs, unique stepped land contour, and superior accessibility compared to surrounding remote karst sites, the destination will undergo targeted infrastructure upgrades in 2026. Planned improvements include lower-tier structural retaining walls (turap), a dedicated shallow swimming zone for children, and expanded public amenities such as restrooms and prayer facilities.
As reported by Antara, the regional initiative builds upon strong tourism growth in Kutai Timur, where total visitor numbers reached 426,771 in 2024 and expanded to 480,626 in 2025.
Regency officials affirmed that embedding educational and conservation frameworks into regional tourism assets boosts local economic development while ensuring long-term ecological sustainability. Head of the Kutai Timur Regency Tourism Agency Mariadi highlighted the strategic alignment of the site with regional conservation goals.
"For this reason, this year we have designated the Tangga Bidadari tourist attraction as part of the regional flagship development program. Furthermore, its location is within the Sangkulirang-Mangkalihat Geopark, making it aligned with the theme of these three pillars," Mariadi said in Sangatta, as quoted by Antara.
He emphasized the unique geographical assets and accessibility that distinguish Tangga Bidadari from other regional sites.
"Tangga Bidadari is among the most accessible for visitors and possesses its own unique character, its natural spring is something not many other destinations have, moreover, the area is already well-known among tourists," Mariadi noted. ***
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