A Paradise in Indonesia, Gili Air. (Photo Credit: Terry Chapman – https://www.flickr.com/photos/uketeecee/9389744191)
Why I Want to Visit Bandung, Indonesia
So, before I begin, I want to highlight that I have never been to Indonesia, and in actually fact until very recently did not really know all that much about what has to be one of the largest countries in the world, for which I am quite ashamed of, but in just a few short weeks we are taking our first trip over to South East Asia, and it got me thinking…. why have we never explored this corner of the world before?
After all, Indonesia is home to around 17,000 magnificent islands, all individual but all sharing those eye-popping, lustful sandy beaches that we all dream about on cold winter days. Who wouldn’t want to spend some time swinging in a hammock, coconut cocktail in hand, looking out onto crystal-clear waters?
Add to this the fact that the adventurer in me can also spend some time exploring the world-renowned Pacific Ring of Fire.
452 of the world’s volcanoes, both active and dormant can be found in this area, with Indonesia itself being home to not one but two of the most active volcanoes of all time – Kelut and Mount Merapi, known as the Mount of Fire.
However, whilst locals have got used to living with the constant rumblings that happen, I am not so sure I would be so calm about it all, but, a hike up a dormant volcano or two simply for the stunning views across the landscape would be well worth the time.
But what happens when you have had enough of the beaches and the volcanoes, where do you head for something different?
Being a bit of a culture junkie and a history nerd, I like the best of both worlds. Don’t get me wrong, I love the idea of spending a day or two on a white-sandy beach with a book relaxing but I also want to explore; to try to understand more about the country I am visiting. So for me, a trip to the city would also be calling.
Again, just like with the beaches there are many cities worth visiting but for me personally, Bandung, stands out.
Why Bandung?
Well to begin with, whilst researching any area, whenever a city claims to be the “Paris” of somewhere I am bound by intrigue to delve deeper and Bandung has made that claim, being known as the “Paris” of Java.
The City of Bandung (Photo Credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/thisisinbalitimur/25150693072)
That alone, makes me want to visit.
Add to this the fact that Bandung sits 768m above sea-level meaning that not only will it be cooler than many other tropical cities, the views from every corner are likely to be stunning.
So, when visiting Bandung what should we do?
Bandung – Three Great Reasons To Visit
#1 The Architecture
During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the Dutch East India Company (VOC) established themselves around various ports in Indonesia, leading to an influx of Dutch nationals moving to the pacific country in order to set up home. Not only did this event lead to 1000’s of jobs being created, it also meant that skilled workers and architects also arrived on the islands with a hope that they too would make a mark on the world.
Therefore, when you walk the streets of Bandung, you can’t help but notice the Dutch Colonial architecture surrounding the city, most notably the tropical art deco designs that were first introduced by Henri Maclaine-Pont who wanted to incorporate both stylish designs with local cultural traditions.
Many of these buildings still stand today and include the Institute of Technology, The Savoy Homann Hotel, the DENIS bank and Villa Isola, which is home to some of the best views across the city.
#2 Shopping
Locals and tourists alike, flock to Bandung for the shopping malls.
If you have a thing for demin then you need to head to Cihampelas Street (Also known as ‘Jeans Street’) whereas if you head to either Riau Street, Djuanda Street or Setiabudi Street will find numerous factory outlets which sell various products at rock-bottom prices.
On top of this you have numerous other malls and market stalls dotted around the city meaning that anyone who fancies it can shop until they literally drop.
#3 The Surrounding Area
Indonesia is a fertile country , with arable soils ideal for producing food sources, including cocoa, coffee, rice, spices and tea, and it is the surrounding tea plantations that I personally would love to explore. With several in the local area it would be easy to spend a couple of days touring the various plantations of Rancabali and Malabar before visiting the Walini Tea Gallery in Bandung itself where you can purchase many different Walini products.
Visiting a Tea Plantation (Photo Credit: Mindy McAdams – https://www.flickr.com/photos/macloo/6311552867)
Whilst in explorer-mode I would also take the time to visit Tangkuban Perahu Volcano Crater, Kawak Putih in Ciwidey, a sulphur volcanic lake also known as the White Crater and the Patenggang Lake which itself is surrounded by tea plantations.
Tangkuban Perahu Bandung, Indonesia (Photo Credit: Ann Espino – https://www.flickr.com/photos/57009624@N02/19524897816)
There are also various waterfalls and hot springs that are not to be missed and as I have been known to enjoy a hike or two a visit to Bukit Moko, a protected forest would be high up on my list of things to do as the views from the top are meant to be outstanding.
And Finally….
The food is meant to be both cheap and delicious so why wouldn’t you indulge whilst in the city. Two in particular that I have been reading about appeal, The Valley Restaurant is set atop a hillside and is supposedly well worth a visit for the stunning sunset views whilst Kampung Daun is known for its unique setting of little dining huts surrounded by nature.
So Where Would We Stay?
We are not backpackers, and prefer our own space often opting either for more unusual, quirky places to stay or a hotel that offers the option a bath tub. We have also been known to move around, experiencing different types of accommodation whilst visiting just one location so it would not be strange for us to have a couple of nights in one hotel before moving on to another.
I would probably start our trip with a couple of nights at somewhere like the art-deco inspired Grand Royal Panghegar with fantastic deals from Traveloka worth looking at, before heading off to somewhere like Sapulidi Sawah where each room has a Javanese Joglo architectural theme about them, hence allowing both my luxury and quirky side to be satisfied.
Perhaps you have been to Bandung, and have some recommendations for us. We would love to hear about your experiences and suggestions to help us plan more extensively for a future trip.
Have you visited Indonesia? Where else would you recommend to us?
Indonesia is my favorite country in Asia.. it’s just amazing! so many islands.. and they are all different.. different languages, cultures, religions, landscapes… it’s a crazy country. I’d never heard of Bandung before but it looks great! I’ll visit the city if I have the opportunity.
I recommend that you visit Sumatra one day if you have the chance!
Cheers,
Miguel
Thanks for the recommendation Miguel. We are always on the look out for personal recommendations when planning our trips 🙂
This looks amazing. The sulphur lake must smell pretty eggy? Really want to visit Indonesia as seems so diverse and colorful.
Sulphur is extremely smelly. 🙁 However, with views as stunning as in Indonesia I think it makes it easier to stomach.
OMG!!! se manifique views and post! i would love to visit there and experience such a rich culture.
I think it would be a wonderful place to explore!
Wow, this would be an amazing trip this would be! This is a trip that will be on my bucket list and I will be looking forward to.
Do you have many trips on your bucket list? Would love to hear where others would like to visit!
We would love to visit Indonesia someday. Thanks for the terrific guide!
Glad I am not the only one intrigued by the country
Bandung is a large city and many people from Jakarta visit there at weekends. There is a lot to do though. If you get tired of shopping, you could visit the Geology museum, see a traditional bamboo music performance at Sauang Angklung Center or enjoy the art at NuArt park.
I have read quite a bit about the traditional music element of Bandung. Thanks for the tips.
I have not been to Indonesia before and honestly never thought about visiting but I am intrigued now.
I think it is a country overlooked – after all there are so many beautiful countries out there
Oh looks like an amazing place to visit! I shall definitely check it out when I’m in Indonesia.
Would love to know what you think of the city
I think indonesia is a great place. Wish i could visit here someday.
I hope you get there one day 🙂
I have not traveled to Asia yet, but it is in my bucket list. There are so many wonderful places to visit, and Indonesia looks like a great country to visit first. I just cannot believe that there are actually people living near the crater of a volcano? Isn’t that supposed to be a “permanent danger zone?”
I know what you mean – I could not imagine living that close by to one, let alone an active one!
Wow! It just look like home except for the fact that cebu doesn’t have a volcano. Would love to see Tangkuban Perahu Volcano Crater very soon!
Wow Cebu that sounds like a great place to visit as well.
I have never been to Indonesia, but it looks just beautiful. What a nice city!
It does look stunning.
Looks beautiful! I hope I can visit sometime!
I hope you get to experience it one day for yourself 🙂
Indonesia is actually near the top of my list as well! Not very often that you see a post written by a person BEFORE they go there but it looks like you have done your research! I am sure you are very excited about planning for this trip. It looks like my kind of place 🙂
I am always loathed to write about places before going but I think I just wanted to highlight to people that there is more to Indonesia than a beach. Plus I hope it highlights that I really do research everywhere before we go! 🙂
Wow, I didn’t know about all those island near Indonesia. It sounds like a wonderful place to visit and learn about the culture.
Apparently there are over 700 languages spoken in Indonesia so anyone visiting will definitely be exposed to varying cultures which I think is fantastic.
Bandung looks like a beautiful place to visit! I’d love to see those tea plantations and Tangkuban Perahu Volcano Crater.
The tea plantations are definitely high up on my list when I visit.
Sounds and looks great. Hope, you can visit soon 🙂
So do I as I have really become interested in the country 🙂
This landscape further these hot springs, enough reason. Added in the ‘places to visit’ list 🙂 hehe
This is why I like to do an occasional post like this – others also then get inspired to travel 🙂
Bandung is a great place. Beautiful area and I loved visiting it as part of my trip in Indonesia. Have a great time there, I am sure you will love it 🙂
Thanks Clare, do you have any tips for us – must sees, places to eat etc?
I think it is always good to have your next travel wishlist ready for your next trip! Great inspiration
I have an ever growing wish list for travel which is both good and bad – it does sometimes make it harder to decide where to visit next.
The volcano looks amazing to visit!! I have never been to this part of the world, looks amazing!
I would love to get up and personal with a volcano although preferably not when it is about to erupt! 😀
I unfortunately ended up in hospital with dengue fever the day after I arrived to Bandung so I didn’t see much of the city. 🙁 You do make it sound worth visiting again!
Wow, I have never suffered but I have heard it is awful. So sorry this happened to you during your visit. I can only imagine how I would feel about a particular place if I got that ill whilst visiting.
The landscape completely wins me over. That’s reason enough to go for me.
I think the scenery is breathtaking whether inland or on a beach.
I’ve never been to this part of the world, and really appreciate your descriptions – they almost make me feel like I’ve now been there! The White Crater looks especially fascinating. But, I don’t know if I’d get used to the constant rumbling…
I think I would always be wondering whether today is the day one of those volcanoes was going to erupt again with the constant rumbling.
This sounds like a lovely trip. I love the photographs, too! I have never been to Europe or Asia, but I would love to travel and explore the east. The only country I have visited is Venezuela. Great post!
Wow we have yet to visit Venezuela I can only imagine how beautiful it is.
Sounds amazing! We are thinking of heading to Indonesia after Australia (we did go to Bali for 10 days but that wasn’t long enough). We want to do the Gilli Islands and this sounds like another place to add onto the itinerary!
I think its a great country to tie into Australia with, who knows maybe we will head to Indonesia and Australia at the same time and make it one very long trip 😀
How lovely! I’d really like to visit.
Glad you like the sound of it. I think its great to find other places to visit.
This sounds amazing! I would love to go to Indonesia and check out Badung because of all the neat architecture. If the Dutch were looking to make their mark on the world, they most certainly did it. Also, I would go to jeans street just to get custom made jeans. I have the hardest time trying to find jeans!
I know what you mean. I really struggle to find jeans that fit well.
Thank you for that info! I would love to go to Indonesia one day.
It seems to be a country that many visit but it is still so unexplored.
Oooohh those hot springs sound like an awesome idea! Indonesia is a place I’d love to go back and visit more of!
You say go back to so have you got any recommendations on other places we should visit whilst there?