The capital of West Java, Bandung is the third biggest city in Indonesia, after Jakarta and Surabaya. Bandung was a favorite resort town back in colonial days and blossomed into a big city after many rich European plantation owners choose the city as their main residence. With cool climate and serene panorama, Bandung is perfect for Europeans who preferred that. Bandung provided an important role to Indonesia, including in the nations’ early days.
Nowadays, though, Bandung is a metropolitan city that is popular among tourist, local or international. Located only 2.5 hours away from Jakarta, Bandung has so many natural wonders surrounding the city. Bandung is also popular as a fashion shopping haven, from cheap jeans to high end fashion. Bandung has it all, and more. Here are some of the spots you want to visit when you are in Bandung.
Learn to Play Angklung at Saung Mang Udjo
Saung Mang Udjo (Udjo’s House of Angklung) is a traditional amphitheater to host mainly an angklung concert. Angklung is a traditional Sundanese simple musical instrument made of bamboos. Each angklung only has one note, so you need cooperation, unity, and togetherness to achieve a harmonious music.
That’s why an angklung concert is always massive in number. This house of music aims to provide an afforddable, easy, educative, attractive, massive, and cheerful performances. That’s why the visitors can also join the fun and play angklung. The entrance fee for domestic tourist is IDR60,000 and for foreign tourist is IDR100,000.
A natural wonder called Ciwidey
Bandung City is surrounded by a greater area; the regency with similar name. Within this regency, there are several spots within the regency that is wonderfully beautiful. Ciwidey is one of them. Having a challenging Ciwidey river ideal for whitewater rafting, the natural panorama along the river is exquisite.
Rafting package cost from IDR 180,000 to IDR400,000 per person. In the calmer part of the river, you can even go riverboarding. Ciwidey is also known for its strawberry orchard, cool climate, and scenic view, the ultimate prize for visiting Ciwidey is Kawah Putih (White Crater), an otherworldly white lake, with blue water and a backdrop of tall cliffs. Entrance fee to Kawah Putih is IDR15000 for Indonesian and twice as much for foreigner.
Shop till You Drop
Bandung is a paradise for fashion shoppers. You can buy anything, from traditional clothes to the latest fashion trend here, most of them are sold for very cheap prices. Jalan Dago (now Jalan Ir. H. Juanda) and Jalan Riau are the most popular place to shop for clothing and accessories as most factory outlets are here. Local handicrafts and souvenirs, as well leather crafts are available, especially at Jalan Cihampelas. Be prepared because you can easily get overwhelmed by choices here.
Lembang, a perfect getaway
Located north of Bandung, Lembang is the perfect getaway if you want to escape city life. Lembang is a mountainous area with lush green vistas. Tea plantation, strawberry orchard, majestic cliffs, and rich pine forest will surely relieve you from any stress. Here in Lembang, you can visit Lodge Maribaya with its natural waterfall, Bosscha observatory, the instagrammable Keraton Cliff, the legendary Mount Tangkuban Perahu, or simply enjoying culinary choices there.
How to get to Bandung
Bandung is easily accessible from nearly all big cities in Indonesia. There are two airports serving greater Bandung area; the nearby Husein Sastranegara International Airport is connected to major Indonesian Cities as well as Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. The brand new large Kertajati Airport will serve a more important rule in the future. Bandung is 2.5 hours away from Jakarta via toll road.
