The capital is situated on a plateau 768 meters above sea level with a cool
climate throughout the year. Although it has a population of over two
million the pace of city life is slower than Jakarta's.
Several institutes of higher education are located here, including the
country's prestigious Bandung Institute of Technology.
There are short drives up to the mountain resorts of Lembang and the
Bosscha Observatory, and higher to the volcanic crater of Tangkuban Perahu,
the only crater in Java accessible all the way by car as far as its rim. It
is an awe-inspiring sight of emanating sulfur fumes. Descent into all the
volcano's 12 craters is only possible with the aid of an experienced guide,
because of the presence of suffocating gases at certain spots.
Just a 15 minutes drive from Tangkuban Perahu is a hot springs resort. Here
you can swim in warm mineral water pools, good for healing skin
problems.
The resort provides visitors with a bar, restaurants, tennis courts and
cottage style hotels overlooking a beautiful mountain-scape.
In Bandung, try to see the "Wayang Golek" wooden puppet show and hear the
"Angklung" bamboo orchestra, as well as the classical Sundanese gamelan and
dances.
An inscribed stone in the Sanskrit language originating in South India,
which is a relic from the Tarumanegara kingdom during the reign of King
Purnawarman in 450 A.D.
Located on the bank of the Ciaruteun river in Ciampea village which can be
reached by driving along the 9-kilometer road from Bogor to Ciampea
followed by going on foot for about two kilometers.
Previously known as "Buitenzorg" (Sans soucis or without worries), during
the Dutch colonial era, Bogor actually lies closer to Jakarta (50 km) than
it does to Bandung (120 km). Appropriately named by the Dutch as a town
"without worries", they chose Bogor to be the site for constructing the
first palace of the Dutch Governor General way back in 1745. Later restored
in 1832, the palace still stands solid and elegant today with its stretched
out gardens where deer roam freely on the green grass under majestically
tall old trees.
However, Bogor is famous because of its Botanical Garden which borders the
Palace Grounds, covering an area of 87 hectares with thousands of species
of plant-life from all over the world, including towering age old trees and
the rarest kinds of orchids. See the original "Havea Brazilliensis" rubber
tree, formerly imported from Brazil, and world's largest flower, the
Rafflesia, a foul smelling and stemless as well as leafless plant. When
visiting this Garden, arrange for a permit to visit the neighboring
Presidential Palace which belonged to the Dutch Governor General before
Indonesia's independence. Doing this may be a day-long visit by leaving
Jakarta in the morning and spend the night in the Puncak mountainous
region on your way to Bandung the next day. Here again, the whole car trip
will be memorable, as scenic tropical beauty all around is really
astonishing. You will also pass by another smaller Presidential Palace at
Cipanas, the setting of which is in a colorful and flowery vast garden
around this wooden but stylish palace.
Located in the district of Pacet, 22 kilometers northwest of Cianjur, the
Cibodas Garden Park, honored by its other name "Paradise on earth" impounds
a 80-hectares area founded in 1890 for nature preservation purposes.
Traveling northeast from Bandung towards the coast, the seaport of Cirebon
offers a wealth of culture and history. Situated by the border of West and
Central Java, it is a combination of both. There is an ancient royal
cemetery where a holy sultan was buried which has become a place for
pilgrimage at the Astana Gunung Jati.
In the city itself, the ancient palaces (kratons) of the Kasepuhan and
Kanoman now serve as museum which are open to the public, exhibiting house
ornaments, paintings, calligraphy and other art treasures of the courts.
The royal carriages are sumptuous in design, one of them a gilded coach in
the form of a winged elephant. Across the square from the Kasepuhan Kraton
is the "Mesjid Agung" (Grand Mosque) which is of Javanese "Peak"
architecture and made entirely of wood. Cirebon is also known for its
distinct batik, now a flourishing industry which may be seen in the village
of Trusmi. Another specialty this city can offer you is a wide range of
seafood, probably the best in West Java.
A typical Sundanese town in the highlands, Garut is surrounded by volcanic
mountains and vast tea plantations. Around this area are a few lovely lakes
and hot springs, one of which is at Cipanas where comfortable accomodation
can be found. People visit these sulfur springs which have medicating
effects to purify their skin. Mount Papandayan's crater is probably one of
the most spectacular mountain scenes on Java island.
There is the Cangkuang temple situated by Cangkuang Lake which was a major
discovery of archaeological value as it was the first of its kind found in
West Java, dating back to the 8th century. Situated 17 km from Garut, but
50 km from Bandung.
Situated just about halfway between Jakarta and Bandung, this dam was
originally built with French technical assistance back in the Fifties,
mainly for the purpose of generating electrical power for the region. Since
then the dam developed into a multi-purpose designated area as it now
serves irrigation to the surrounding arable land and fishery as well.
Somewhat later, tourism saw a potential area for development as it now
provides convenient facilities such as swimming pools, tennis courts, a
camping ground, speedboats for water skiing and cottages. The water surface
is enormously vast, the scenery tropical, the air crisp and cool.
This is a 590-hectares (2,475-acres) forest for research and recreation
with native plant species as well as from other parts of the world. The
Japanese occupation forces left a number of caves and tunnels which they
dug out of these cliffs during World War II for the defense of the area.
This highland forest park is minutes away from Bandung.
It lies 21 km south of Bogor or 81 km from Jakarta. The lake is
conveniently located along the route from Bogor to Sukabumi and Pelabuhan
Ratu surrounded by scenic panoramas. Water sport facilities, a restaurant
and accomodation are available.
One of the unique characteristics of this place is that traditional art
performances are staged with a natural background of mountains, ricefields
and plantations. Bamboo handicraft and musical instruments are made and
sold here. Mang Udjo's "Angklungs" are well-known because of his fine
workmanship and exact tuning of these bamboo musical instruments. His
workshop is located in the village of Padasuka, around 7 km from
Bandung.
A rocky isle of 500 m2, it is located 127 km south of Rangkasbitung or 120
km west of scenic Pelabuhan Ratu. The isle functions as a tide breaker as
well, so that the inward beach is safe for a variety of marine sports which
would have been threatened by the menacing tides of the Indian Ocean. The
isle has a forest conservation park and rubber estate.
Since long known for its hot water springs, Maribaya lies north of Bandung
which can be reached within 30 minutes. The trip itself is worthwhile
making, as you will pass through a picturesque road dotted with flowery
hills and lovely villas all the way. The mountain air is cool and the
sulfur-laden water just comfortably hot for swimming as well as for just
soaking in. Part of the scenery is a 25 m high waterfall set against a
steep mountain cliff.
Vastly stretched out at Jalan Pajajaran, 6 km from down town, this is the
only aircraft industry in Indonesia. To visit this place a permit should be
arranged previously.
This is the second beach resort area on the Indian Ocean after Pelabuhan
Ratu. It certainly equals the latter's awe-inspiring natural beauty,
however, it has the disadvantage of being so far off from Bandung (223 km)
and even more so from Jakarta (400 km). Road conditions are good, thus
making the trip by car or bus recommendable. However, if you prefer to take
the train, get into the Bandung Yogyakarta Express train and get off at the
Banjar railroad station about 4 hours later. From here it will be another
50 km by bus to Pangandaran.
The beach is called Penanjung, where most of the cottages and hotels are
located, however, of modest ratings. Nothing luxurious should be expected.
Pangandaran is especially of interest to nature lovers, as there is a
wildlife reserve in the vicinity where wild birds and other indigenous
animals live about freely to be enjoyed by visitors. Here too, the white
beaches are fine, the ocean ever so blue and the seafood superb. Twelve
kilometers before arriving at Pangandaran you will see a huge rock on the
beach which is called Karang Nini. A forest Conservation Park is located
right here, which is another place of special interest to nature lovers.
Nearby is a camping ground which has basic facilities suitable for the
younger set. Somewhat further out, west of Pangandaran, driving 23 km on
the way to Parigi, lies Batu Hiu, meaning Shark's Rock, which is a coastal
rock having the shape of a shark. Close by a recreation park is found where
you can have an endless open ocean view and enjoy nature at its best.
Pangrango is a cool place at the foot of this mountain bearing the same
name, equipped with the longest restaurant and swimming pool. It has ample
mountain views overlooking tropical forests and hills and is located on the
Salabintana Road, at 7 km from Sukabumi.
One of the leading resorts is located in less than an hour by road to the
south of the city. The eastern side of the lake is a cool forest having an
average temperature of 10 degrees C and is often hazy the whole day. The
north side is bordered by a lush tea estate, reaching far out to the west
and south.
Formerly just a plain fishing village it has now grown into a lovely
holiday resort, more and more visited by holiday makers from Jakarta and
Bandung, a mere three-hour drive from either city through cool mountain
villages with picturesque sceneries. Gradually but surely this area will
catch up with the pace of development as is the case with Carita on the
extreme West coast of Java. Pelabuhan Ratu Cisolok is a 15 km stretch of
breathtaking beauty with hills, mountains and very wide sandy beaches
everywhere around you, set against the deep blue Indian Ocean. Truly rare
is the fact that thick tropical forests on rolling hills are found right
next to stretches of white beaches. Taking walks uphill enables the visitor
to look down on the horseshoe shape of the bay's coastline, whereas at
night hundreds of fishermen's boat lamps are seemingly competing with the
star-studded sky above, which is both enchanting and romantic. There is one
four-star hotel, the Samudera Beach, about 6 km from Pelabuhan Ratu, but
several other smaller hotels and cottages are available at moderate
rates.
At this virgin stage, this area represents unspoiled beauty in a typically
tropical setting with hospitable inhabitants.
Because of its proximity to Jakarta this area is visited by more tourists
from the capital than those from Bandung. Moreover, the highways to and
from Pelabuhan Ratu have recently been greatly improved to assure you of a
smooth ride to enjoy the sceneries you pass even better. Don't forget to
the fresh seafood at reasonable prices. Good for taste, swimming, sun
bathing and surfing.
Located in the Pavilion of the Sumedang Regency building, in which relics
of Sumedang's ancestors such as gamelan, spears, crown and royal clothes
are exhibited.
About 15 km from the Merak bus station is the Salira Indah beach resort,
located at scening Tanjung Pujut. This resort on Java's west coast can
easily be reached within a few hours from Jakarta either by bus or car.
Located in the district of Cisaat, 14 kilometers from Sukabumi, Situ Gunung
is a natural lake surrounded by damar trees. It is suitable for camping.
Animals from all continents roam freely in this 35-hectare park, 75 km
southeast of Jakarta along the Jakarta-Bandung route.
Among the animals kept here are some comparatively rare species such as the
anoa, rhinos, giraffes, white tigers and European, American as well as
Asian bears. Adjacent to the park are recreational grounds with swimming
pool, tennis courts, an artificial lake, a waterfall and a children's
playground with facilities such as a circus arena, a house of horrors, a
merry-go-round and a small circuit. There are also restaurants, cafeterias
and other facilities.
Sixty kilometers from Garut, Tasikmalaya is known for its plaited mats,
painted umbrellas and batiks of particular designs and colors.
Exhibited in this Museum are mainly stuffed animals placed behind vitrines
or glass display cases, arranged as if these animals were alive in natural
surroundings. It is located on Juanda Street in Bandung.
Fine paintings, hand-carved wooden statues and screens, silver-work,
hand-woven and painted cottons and silks, batiks, embroidery, garments for
casual wear, leather and cotton bags, bone carvings, shell ornaments,
masks, pottery, ceramics, basketry, sandstone statues and bamboo furniture,
are all West Javanese specialties.
See the archipelaGo listings for more information.
back to the
Places of interest in West Java
