Explore The Rich Culture And Tourist Attraction On The Island Of Java
"Experience Rural Java’s Traditional Life"
One of the most populous places in all of Asia, Java is also characterized by great natural beauty. Its central spine is dominated by hundreds of volcanoes, many of which are still very evidently active, their fertile slopes supporting a landscape of glimmering rice fields spotted with countless small villages. To the south of this mountainous backbone is the homeland of the ethnic Javanese and the epicentre of their arts, culture and language, epitomized by the royal courts of Yogyakarta and Solo. Still steeped in traditional dance, music and art, these two cities are the mainstay of Java’s tourist industry and offer first-rate facilities for travellers. They also provide excellent bases from which to explore the giant ninth-century Buddhist temple Borobudur, and the equally fascinating Prambanan complex, a contemporary Hindu site. To the east, the volcanic massif of Gunung Bromo is another major stop on most travellers’ itineraries, not least for the sunrise walk to its summit. But there are plenty more volcanic landscapes to explore, including the coloured lakes of the windswept Dieng Plateau, and the world’s most famous – and destructive – volcano, Krakatau, off the west coast of Java.
Aside from Yogyakarta (locally called “Jogja”), Java’s cities are not nearly as enticing to travellers, although Jakarta, the chaotic sprawl that is Indonesia’s capital, boasts interesting museums, a host of gargantuan new malls, and the best nightlife on the island. Moving on to Java’s neighbouring islands is easily done – Sumatra is just ninety minutes’ ferry ride from Merak in the west; and Bali is a mere forty minutes from Banyuwangi in the east.
Aside from Yogyakarta (locally called “Jogja”), Java’s cities are not nearly as enticing to travellers, although Jakarta, the chaotic sprawl that is Indonesia’s capital, boasts interesting museums, a host of gargantuan new malls, and the best nightlife on the island. Moving on to Java’s neighbouring islands is easily done – Sumatra is just ninety minutes’ ferry ride from Merak in the west; and Bali is a mere forty minutes from Banyuwangi in the east.
BANDUNG - West Java
Set 750m above sea level, and protected by a fortress of watchful volcanoes 190km southeast of Jakarta, Bandung is a centre of industry and traditional Sundanese arts. Sundanese culture has remained intact here since the fifth century when the first Hindu Sundanese settled in this part of West Java. Modern Bandung, although grubby, teeming with traffic and certainly far removed from its quaint colonial days, remains one of the nation’s cultural and intellectual hubs, bubbling with life in its myriad cafés, restaurants, bars, open markets and flashy new malls. Still, the top attraction for most visitors to the area is the nearby Tangkuban Prahu volcano, from where there’s a pleasant two-hour forest walk that winds down to the city.
On Jalan Asia-Afrika, northeast of the alun-alun (town square), is the Gedung Merdeka building, which hosted the first Asia-Afrika Conference in 1955 and is known as the Asia-Afrika or Liberty Building. Inside, a small museum commemorates the conference. Running north from here is Jalan Braga, the chic shopping boulevard of 1920s Bandung. There’s still one old Dutch bakery, Sumber Hidangen, that’s tried to hang on to its history, and a few of the facades maintain their stylish designs. The side streets that run off Jalan Braga were notorious for their raucous bars and brothels. The seediness remains today, as this historic district comes alive each night with its slew of lively bars and pubs.
A twenty-minute walk to the northeast takes you to the impressive 1920s Gedung Sate Building at Jl Diponegoro 22, which gets its name from the regular globules on its gold-leaf spire, resembling meat on a skewer. The excellent Geographical Museum is nearby at Jl Diponegoro 57, and displays mountains of fossils, as well as several full dinosaur skeletons, a four-metre mammoth skeleton and a replica of the skull of the famous Java Man.
About 1km west of the museum is Jalan Cihampelas, known to Westerners as Jeans Street, and lined with shops and factory outlets selling cheap T-shirts, bags, shoes and jeans. There are also good bargains to be had at the south end of Jalan Dewi Sartika just before the Kebon Kelapa bus terminal, or the huge clothes market at the south end of Jalan Otista. Shoppers may also enjoy Bandung’s scattering of flashy new malls, the largest and most lavish of which is Paris von Java, a few kilometres north of the train station on Jl Pasir Kaliki, named for the city’s colonial-era title.
On Jalan Asia-Afrika, northeast of the alun-alun (town square), is the Gedung Merdeka building, which hosted the first Asia-Afrika Conference in 1955 and is known as the Asia-Afrika or Liberty Building. Inside, a small museum commemorates the conference. Running north from here is Jalan Braga, the chic shopping boulevard of 1920s Bandung. There’s still one old Dutch bakery, Sumber Hidangen, that’s tried to hang on to its history, and a few of the facades maintain their stylish designs. The side streets that run off Jalan Braga were notorious for their raucous bars and brothels. The seediness remains today, as this historic district comes alive each night with its slew of lively bars and pubs.
A twenty-minute walk to the northeast takes you to the impressive 1920s Gedung Sate Building at Jl Diponegoro 22, which gets its name from the regular globules on its gold-leaf spire, resembling meat on a skewer. The excellent Geographical Museum is nearby at Jl Diponegoro 57, and displays mountains of fossils, as well as several full dinosaur skeletons, a four-metre mammoth skeleton and a replica of the skull of the famous Java Man.
About 1km west of the museum is Jalan Cihampelas, known to Westerners as Jeans Street, and lined with shops and factory outlets selling cheap T-shirts, bags, shoes and jeans. There are also good bargains to be had at the south end of Jalan Dewi Sartika just before the Kebon Kelapa bus terminal, or the huge clothes market at the south end of Jalan Otista. Shoppers may also enjoy Bandung’s scattering of flashy new malls, the largest and most lavish of which is Paris von Java, a few kilometres north of the train station on Jl Pasir Kaliki, named for the city’s colonial-era title.
TANGKUBAN PRAHU VOLCANO - West Java
The mountainous region to the north of Bandung is the heart of the Parahyangan Highlands – the “Home of the Gods” – a highly volcanic area considered by the Sundanese to be the nucleus of their spiritual world. A very pleasant day out from Bandung on public transport takes you first to the 1830-metre-high Tangkuban Prahu volcano, the most visited volcano in West Java, 29km north of Bandung. Although it hasn’t had a serious eruption for many years, the volcano still spews out vast quantities of sulphurous gases and at least one of its ten craters is still considered to be active. To get there from Bandung, take a Subang minibus from the train station and ask to be put down at the turn-off for the volcano, where there’s an entrance fee to pay. From here you can either charter an ojek or minibus up the asphalt road to the summit or walk up – it’s about 5km up the road, or take the good footpath via the Domas Crater, which starts just over 1km up the road from the guard post, to the right by the first car park. The information booth at the summit car park has details about crater walks; guides will offer their services, but it’s pretty obvious where you should and shouldn’t go – just be sure to wear strong hiking boots. The main crater, Kawah Ratu, is the one you can see down into from the end of the summit road, a huge, dull, grey cauldron with a few coloured lakes. From the summit you can trek down to Domas Crater, site of a small working sulphur mine. |
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PT Translink Adhi Putra jakarta Patra Office Building, Patra Jasa Office Tower Suite 1201, Jl.Jend.Gatot Subroto Kav 32 - 43, Jakarta, Indonesia Email: [email protected]