Indonesia is archipelago country which thousands of islands, hundreds of languages and a mind-boggling mix of cities, beaches, volcanoes and rainforests, planning a trip to Indonesia can be mystifying.
If you’re a first time traveller or just have a couple of weeks to have holiday, Java is the perfect solution. The biggest island in the country, Java is home to Indonesia’s busiest cities, its most famous sights, and over half of its friendly population.
Here is the places below
Jakarta
The capital of Indonesia, Jakarta is the centre of the action and where you’ll discover just how diverse this country really is. Inhale the smells from Malay and Chinese cafes as you wander past Dutch colonial buildings and listen to the call to prayer from a nearby mosque… all while suited executives make business deals in skyscraping offices around you.
Bandung - West Java
Bandung (Sundanese: ᮊᮧᮒ ᮘᮔ᮪ᮓᮥᮀ, romanized: Kota Bandung, Pegon: كَوتا باندوڠ, pronounced [ˈbandʊŋ]; /ˈbɑːndʊŋ/) is the capital city of West Java province of Indonesia. Located in the island of Java, Greater Bandung (Bandung Basin Metropolitan Area / BBMA) is the country's second-largest and most populous metropolitan area, with over 11 million inhabitants. Situated 768 meters (2,520 feet) above sea level, the highest point in the North area with an altitude of 1,050 meters (3,445 feet) and the lowest in the South is 675 meters (2,215 feet) above sea level, approximately 140 kilometres (87 miles) southeast of Jakarta, Bandung has cooler year-round temperatures than most other Indonesian cities. The city lies on a river basin surrounded by volcanic mountains that provides a natural defence system, which was the primary reason for the Dutch East Indies government's plan to move the capital from Batavia (modern-day Jakarta) to Bandung.
Gunung Padang - West Java
Gunung Padang is a megalithic site located in Karyamukti, Campaka, Cianjur Regency, West Java, Indonesia, 30 kilometres (19 mi) southwest of the regency seat or 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) from Lampegan station. Located at 885 metres (2,904 ft) above sea level, the site covers a hill, an extinct volcano, in a series of five terraces bordered by retaining walls of stone that are accessed by 370 successive andesite steps rising about 95 metres (312 ft). It is covered with massive hexagonal stone columns of volcanic origin.The Sundanese people consider the site sacred and believe it was the result of King Siliwangi's attempt to build a palace in one night
Tangkuban Perahu (The "Overturned Boat" with Astonishing View)
Located at the highland at the outskirts of Bandung, Tangkuban Perahu is surely a perfect place to enjoy cool air and relaxing scenery after a series of shopping activities.
Tangkuban Perahu is an active volcano, situated 30 km north of the city of Bandung in the direction of Lembang. It is the only volcanic mountain in Indonesia that you can drive up to its outer rim. Mount Tangkuban Perahu has a distinctive shape; it looks like an “overturned boat”. Legend has it that this volcano was created by the anger of a man named Sangkuriang, who was promised a marriage by his own birth mother Dayang Sumbi if he can succeed in the challenges she gave him. The wrath that emerged from being cheated on, knowing that it is Dayang Sumbi herself that betrays her own promise, made him kick the boat he made himself, turning it into a volcano named Tangkuban Perahu. Here you will be greeted by sulfur fumes which the crater continues to emit although the volcano is not active.
Pangandaran - West Java
Pangandaran is a lush slice of jungle in West Java with two main draws; the paradise-like Green Canyon, and no tourists. Take a boat upriver to swim in dreamy green water as towering, green-covered cliffs keep the rest of the world far, far away.
Yogyakarta
If Jakarta is the brain of Java, then Yogyakarta is its heart and soul. The cultural centre of the island (and maybe even the whole of Indonesia), you’ll find batik workshops, life-changing street food, the famous Ramayana Ballet and so much more here. Take a quick bike ride through the city and suddenly you’re surrounded by rice paddies with brooding volcanoes in the distance.
Borobudur Temple
Located on the island of Java, the magnificent Borobudur temple is the world's biggest Buddhist monument you must visit at least once in your lifetime. The area is surrounded by beautiful scenery of Central Java’s nature that you can only find there.
The temple sits majestically on a hilltop overlooking lush green fields and distant hills. Built between AD 780 and 840 during the reign of Syailendra dynasty, the temple's design in Gupta architecture reflects India's influence on the region. However, there are enough indigenous scenes and elements incorporated to make Borobudur uniquely Indonesian.
It covers a total surface area of around 2,500 m2 of Kedu Valley, the southern part of Central Java. The monument is a marvel of design, decorated with 2,672 relief panels and originally 504 Buddha statues, surrounded by green area. The architecture and stonework of this temple have no equal. It was built without using any cement or mortar. The structure is like a set of massive interlocking Lego blocks held together without any glue. It is no wonder that Borobudur is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
The temple has remained strong even through ten centuries of neglect. It was rediscovered in 1814 under the order of Sir Thomas Stanford Raffles. In the 1970s, the Indonesian Government and UNESCO worked together to restore Borobudur to its former majesty. The restoration took eight years to complete, making Borobudur one of Indonesia’s most valuable treasures. That is the reason why you will find a number of restrictions to touch or sit on the Borobudur site when you visit it. The locals really want to keep the beauty of this temple as it tells the story of their history.
Dieng Plateu
The name ‘dieng’ which literally translates as ‘abode of the Gods’ says all you need to know about this collection small ancient temples set in the remarkable volcanic landscape of the Dieng Plateau. The misty location, sulphurous springs and colored lakes truly make this a place of natural wonder and cultural significance.
he temples are remnants from the glorious period of the Hindu empire in Java dating back to the 7th and 8th centuries. Standing on a plateau 2,000 meters (6,500 ft) above sea level, it is the extraordinary setting of these temples which make them most remarkable. It is believed that this place was chosen as the sacred location because of the spectacular landscape.
From the bubbling mudholes, brightly colored sulphur lakes and thick mist surrounding the plateau, visitors will easily understand why the ancient Javanese considered this place to be the seat of supernatural powers. Modern visitors to the plateau are enthralled by the unearthly beauty of this spot, with many finding it quite eerie.
Each of the small temples is named after figures in the epic tale of the Mahabharata such as Bima, Gatotkaca, Arjuna and Srikandi. It is believed that these temples used to serve as residences of Hindu priests who would spread Hindu teachings.
The Two Colorful Lakes
The natural splendors of this location are fascinating. From lakes with green and yellow hues called Telaga Warna to the pristine waters of the reflective ‘mirror’ lake called Telaga Pengilon, the natural beauty of this spot is superb. The mirror lake is particularly impressive as it offers a perfectly reflective image of the landscape. While, the impact of logging can be seen as many of the trees surrounding the lake have been cut down, it still remains an impressive natural phenomenon.
How to Get There
If you’re coming from Jakarta, Semarang, or Surabaya, the first thing you need to do is to reach Wonosobo either by train or bus since both are convenient and available anytime. Head to Mendolo Terminal in Wonosobo and then find a public minibus transportation called Mikromini for a ride straight to Dieng Plateau. Mikromini is always available in Mendolo Terminal everyday from 8.00 AM to 5.00 PM local time and the ride is just 1,5 - 2 hours away.
Mount Bromo
The Bromo (Javanese: ꦧꦿꦩ), or Mount Bromo (Javanese: ꦒꦸꦤꦸꦁꦧꦿꦩ Pegon: ڮنڠ برومو, romanized: Gunung Bromo) is an active somma volcano and part of the Tengger mountains, in East Java, Indonesia. At 2,329 meters (7,641 ft) it is not the highest peak of the massif, but the most famous. The area is one of the most visited tourist destinations in East Java, and the volcano is included in the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park. The name Bromo comes from the Javanese pronunciation of Brahma, the Hindu god of creation. At the mouth of the crater, there is an idol of Ganesha, the Hindu god of wisdom which is being worshipped by the Javanese Hindus.Mount Bromo is located in the middle of a plain called "Sea of Sand" (Javanese: Segara Wedi or Indonesian: Lautan Pasir), a nature reserve that has been protected since 1919.
Ijen Crater ( Kawah Ijen)
A Home to the Phenomenal Blue Fire
The beauty of Ijen Crater has been recognized across the world. In March 2016, this magical lake has been included in UNESCO’s World Biosphere Reserves. When you arrived here after walking through a road surrounded by lush greeneries, a refreshing chill breeze will greet you right away. The air around Ijen Crater normally will reach about 10 degrees celsius daily. Sometimes, it might even hit 2 degrees celsius. In the day, the mesmerizing sight of sunlight radiating a turquoise lake enveloped with smokes will give you an everlasting impression. Several small vents can be found surrounding the crater. They are a source of work for sulfur miners, making their way up and down from the crater and down to the lake each and every day. At dawn, you can have a chance to witness an incredible natural phenomenon where blue-tinted flames will appear around the crater. Known by many as the Blue Fire, this phenomenon usually occurs around 05:00 AM.
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