Indonesia, never ending beauty. People love to visit Indonesia for their beachs, mountains, lakes, rice fields, heritage buildings, traditional houses, etc. Let’s find out top 10 destination travel in Indonesia in 2018!
Number 10: Lake Toba, North Sumatera
Lake Toba is a vulcanic lake made from Mt. Toba supervolcano eruption 74000 years ago. Located at North Sumatera province, it is the widest lake in Indonesia, and also the highest and deepest vulcanic lake in the world. Samosir island which laid in the middle of the lake also famous as the biggest “island inside the island”. Not only famous for the beautiful scenery, Lake Toba also has cultural attraction from Batak tribe history and tradition.
Number 9: Ramayana Ballet, Yogyakarta
Ramayana is a Hindu epic story about the winning of goods against evils. In Indonesia, Ramayana has assimilate with local culture, and can be found in many version. One of the version was translated into beautiful dance named Ramayana Ballet, performed regularly at Prambanan Temple. In dry season, the performance was held at open theater, but in rainy season, we can watch the performance at Trimurti theater.
Number 8: Mount Tangkubanparahu, West Java
Mt. Tangkubanparahu lies 25 km north of Bandung, one of the popular destination travel in Indonesia. The name is derived from the form of the mountain which looks like an upside-down boat. Geologist believe that Mt. Tangkubanparahu is the remain of ancient Mt. Sunda which formed Parahyangan highland and Bandung basin. People believe that this mountain is related to Sangkuriang and Dayang Sumbi legend. In the other hands, geologist said that the legend is a form of documentary about the formation of Parahyangan highland.
Number 7: Trowulan, East Java
Trowulan is a small town near Mojokerto, East Java. The town kept thousands archeological site of Majapahit kingdom from 13th century, such as temples, statues, building foundations, old cemetary, etc. Nowaday, this town is consider as one of the destination travel in Indonesia, especially for education purpose about Majapahit kingdom.
Number 6: Oud Batavia (Old Batavia), Jakarta
Oud Batavia is the area of old capital of Jakarta, and one of most popular destination travel in Indonesia. Built by Dutch East India Company in the beginning of 16th century, it was the center of their activities before Dutch Colonial government taking over it at 18th century. Surround by many old Europe-influenced architecture buildings, most popular building in this destination is Oud Stadhuis (old townhall) of Batavia, which now become Historical Museum of Jakarta. You also can find the big old cannon nicknamed “Meriam Si Jagur”, stand boldly in front of Oud Stadhuis.
Number 5: Sade Sasak Village, West Nusa Tenggara
Sade Village is the home of Sasak tribe at Lombok Island. The village preserve many tradition in Sasak tribe, such as Bale Tani, the traditional house of Sasak people. Made from bamboo with grass roof, the house’s floor was cleaned once a week with bull dropping. The purpose of bull-dropping cleaning is to make the floor strong, dust-free, bug-free, and keep the house warm at night. We also can watch Sasak girl weaving traditional Sasak clothes.
Number 4: Raja Ampat Islands, West Papua
With 610 small islands, Raja Ampat Islands is located near the “bird’s head” section of Papua Island. Places between India Ocean and Pacific Ocean, this islands has the most rich underwater biodiversity in the world, as stated by Conservation International. No less than 540 species of coral reefs, 1511 species of fishes, and 700 species of molusk live in the area.
Number 3: Yogyakarta Royal Palace , Yogyakarta
Destination travel in Indonesia is not just the nature, but also the heritage building, like Yogyakarta Royal Palace. The Palace was built between 1755-1756 by Sultan Hamengkubuwana I, the founder of Yogyakarta Sultanate. Designed by Sultan Hamengkubuwana I, the architecture of the palace complex was a “fusion” of Portuguese, Dutch, and China. Today the palace still function as the home royal family of Yogyakarta, and also function as museum.
Number 2: Gili Trawangan, West Nusa Tenggara
Gili Trawangan is a small island located in north side of Lombok island. One of the most beautiful island in Indonesia, it white sand beach combine with contrast blue color of the ocean. As destination travel in Indonesia, the most popular tourist activities in this island is sunbathing and snorkeling. What makes this island unique is there are no car or motorcycle. To move from place to place, tourists can walk, rent a bike, or using cidomo – a kind of horse cart.
Number 1: Borobudur, Central Java
The largest Buddhist temple in the world, Borobudur is the most popular destination travel in Indonesia. Located at Magelang, 40 km north west of Yogyakarta, since 1991 UNESCO has declared Borobudur as one of the World Heritage Sites. Every year, many Buddhist monks from all around Indonesia visit Borobudur to worship at Vesak Day.
Rhien's Travel Journal 