Coolest things to do in Bandung !
Alhamdulillah
for another day blessed by Allah
Before
i talk to much about my escape plan with my travel mate, i wanna told you some
strory behind we went to bandung, We’ve (me and my travel mate) plan to Lombok, i've already arranged schedule.
But a month before we're leaving, there was an earthquake in lombok. We intend to continue our traveling, til another powerful tremor happened, We had to cancel our trip until the situation calmed down. I really
sad with what happened to Lombok. Alhamdulillah, after we waited patiently, we got a promo rail ticket from KAI (we've struggled to get promo and discount, pantengin sampe melotot). We’re promo finder (a.k.a anak diskonan) actually. We also got
promo for hotel, rent motorcycle and gocar. (There are a good things in every patience you've done ❤).
Alhamdulillah,
Allah gives me health, wealth and chance to come to flower city on November 30.
Finally, our escape plan part one is realized. Yes! We went to Bandung. (How i
miss this city so much ! Who don't know "Bandung" ?) Bandung
is very popular with local Jakartanas, as its higher altitude and cool
mountainous climate provide relief against the rushed, smoggy atmosphere of the
capital. It is a popular weekend destination for those who want to escape the
hustle and bustle of Jakarta (PS: So, i recommend don’t come when weekend or
holiday). Beside that, girls from bandung known geulis geulis pisan means
"beautiful".
There
are many things to do in Bandung and it is not short of attractions to see.
Many locals will recommend going there for shopping, food and cool respite.
Many travelers would say they have their best Indonesian experience here,
including me ! But i had the opportunity to explore a tiny bit of the city it's
because the weather isn't friendly (PS: Yes, I will be back and explore more in
the future. Insyaa Allah. Just wait for it). To help you plan your trip to the city i’ve
shortlisted the best things to do in Bandung. Here are several spots that
I would recommend you check out if you visit Bandung in the future.
The
Bandung Grand Mosque is a very important site in the city, first constructed in
1812, though its humble thatched bamboo beginnings have grown grander over
time. Now the iconic structure features a gorgeous stone facade, tile dome
roof, inspiring minarets and detailed fish scale motifs (a typical Bandung
design). Along with providing a glimpse into local culture and giving
architecture buffs a show, visitors enjoy heading up to the top of the mosque
tower for an aerial view of Bandung and, on a clear day, Mount Tangkuban
Perahu. (Unfortunately, i couldn't see how beautiful view from above coz raining). Right in front of the mosque is a big public garden
and I have never seen such a big public garden made of artificial turf (Really, it looks like soccer field). It is
commonly used for families to sit around and for kids to play making the area
very active.
After
visit grand mosque, you can take Bandros Bus near mosque. Bandros or Bandung
Tour on The Bus is a limited transport all people can take to stroll around.
Bandung The Bandros Bus (the name comes from a traditional Sundanese snack) is
a double decker tour bus that was launched by the mayor of Bandung in 2014. The
vintage style double decker bus are modelled on the open top tour buses you
find in London. (Sorry but the bus i was riding wasn't double decker type) There are 3 location to buy ticket, Alun-alun Bandung, Taman
Dewi Sartika, and Loop Station. Tickets cost Rp 20.000 per person and the bus
can hold up to 30 passengers. If you wanna know more information about Bandros
and it’s schedule, you can visit this website https://www.bandros.co.id/busbandros/
or visit instagram @bandros_bosehbikeshare
There
are tons of Coffee Shops in Bandung. Armor Kopi Leuit, Taman Hutan Raya, is one of the best places to go for a coffee in Bandung. The coffee shop
serves typical Sundanese snack (you have to try the cireng with rujak sauce, hautjek!)
and delicious coffee. There is an outdoor garden set in the middle of pine trees,
which gives the coffee shop a relaxing ambiance.
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| Pinterest, Edited by me |
Of
course Armor Kopi Leuit is not the only coffee shop in the city. I also try a new
and hot hangout spot in Bandung with unique ambiance, one eighty coffee and Music, the concept is
quote unique and definitely super instagenic, but I’m personally not a fan of
the idea of dipping my feet in the same pool with lots of strangers’ feet
though so we chose to sit at the normal table, on the second floor there’s
stage for live music (PS i recommend you to come early or booked before you go because it's always full when weekends).
3.
Eat some delicious food
All people know that Bandung is famous for it’s Batagor and Siomay, savory fried/steamed fish cakes served with spicy peanut sauce, but the city has more culinary delights you can savor. Much of the food found in Bandung, Bandung varieties are usually unique in their own right even if they can’t claim to be the original version of dish. One of my purpose to came this city is because curiosity with the Sundanese culinary. The answer of my curiosity on the native sundanese culinary by trying famous street foods. Soooo many foods i tried, there were cireng, kue ape, batagor, siomay, bubur ayam, nasi kuning, nasi bistik, terang bulan, bakmi, seblak, baso aci, and roti bakar. If you wanna know how taste it is and where i buy it.. check this out!
4.
Visit the Lembang
Visit
bandung, it isn’t complete without going to Lembang. Lembang is a perfect
getaway destination for nature lovers from the hustle and bustle of a city. Lembang
highland is bestowed with picturesque sceneries, scenic tea plantations, and a
nice change of cold weather from humid heat. It is no surprise that the third
largest city of Indonesia lures visitors from every corner of the world. The
location is just perfect for a relaxed stroll through the green carpets of tea
plantations, and you can easily reach the unpredictable fabled craters of
volcanoes amidst the calmness of nature. Several destinations here should be on
top of your list, such as: Lodge Maribaya
which boasts natural adventures and waterfalls; the Instagrammable Keraton Cliff, one the best photo spots; the lovely park
in the middle of pine forest Orchid
Forest Cikole, you could take a break and hang out in the cafe though; and the legendary Tangkuban Perahu Mountain, fantastic with its natural
scenery and mesmerizing craters.
Lembang
is also a great site to enjoy your family holiday. Visiting Farmhouse
Lembang or De'Ranch is a must if you're with children. Visit the
Hobbit house in Farmhouse or go horseback riding in De'Ranch, both are wonderful
family-friendly attractions. You want something different? Stargazing at Bosscha
Observatory offers a more educational type of vacation.
In
contrast to Bandung, where you can find modern mall and shopping centers,
Lembang is better known for its culinary destinations. The Floating Market
Lembang is a colorful and vibrant leisure park, which sells various cuisine
on boats.
People
say that green is a good color to relieve stress. As a fertile highland,
Lembang is lush with plantations: tea, strawberry, and vegetables. You can
visit these plantations and pick your own fresh crops or buy them from local
farmers. These places are best when you want to get closer to nature. (Don't visit Lembang during rainy season coz some areas are flooded, so you can't enjoy it. It's really wasting time if you have to wait till raining stop. In my case, i ever feel driving when lembang was flood. It was nice experience but lil bit scary. But it would be nice story to tell about. Haha)
5.
Get Lost in Pasar Baru
This
epitome of Indonesian market in Bandung, you can get lost here and find all
sorts of things that delight you. Travelers come here to source for fabrics and
souvenirs. Pasar Baru Trade Center (PBTC) offers Bandung’s finest products and
the sensation of old fashioned shopping style which involves the interactive
art of Bargaining. Prices here are unbelievable too especially if you have
special bargaining skills. You should come this place than you come to mall or
boutique shop (based from experience). Though do take care of your belongings
as this place is really crowded.
Throughout
its long history, PBTC still retains its role as the market for all. A place
where prices are not fixed to attached labels, but are more of an agreement
determined through the process of negotiation. Many still come to buy bulks of
textiles products such as t-shirts, pants, bags and others, to be distributed
and sold in other parts of the country. The market is also known as the best
place to hunt for special Muslim wear, such as hijabs, fashionable Muslims
ladies clothing, and others.
Visitors
can also browse through the vast selection of Sundanese authentic snacks and
tidbits such as dodol garut, banana sale, tempe crackers, and others, at the
many stalls lining up on the façade of the ground floor. All at reasonably low
prices. As a place where traditional shopping rituals are wrapped in the
convenience of modern facilities, Pasar Baru Trade Center is the place “where
price does matter”. (I
bought so many souvenirs for my family in here, honestly i don't know
how to bargain till i try itself. Yah, it's not bad btw! Rules number
one, giving up your shyness. Don’t hesitate to offer a price even lower than what you will be willing to pay. But don’t go overboard with the bargaining. One of the most important
tenets of bargaining is not offering a ridiculously low price which may
just insult the seller. OK!)
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| Pinterest, Edited by me |
If you are looking to escape from the
bustling city of Bandung except Lembang, this is the place for you. Kawah Putih or “White Crater” and
Kampung Cai Ranca Upas Ciwidey. Unfortunately I didn’t come to this places so i didn’t know exactly how it felt, because my time is very limited and the
weather is awful so i had to write it off from our schedule. But this place being my top list destinations i wanna explore
future! So, this is information from sir Wikipedia, Kawah Putih or “White Crater” a great wonder nestled 50 km South and one of
the best places to visit in Bandung. Quite nippy temperature in the area,
surrounded by dreamy surroundings, glaring whiteness over the landscape. A
crater lake showing off its beauty both to local or foreign visitors and
most definitely a glorious spot for photography, from the turquoise
lake up to the dramatic skeletal trees around.
The
crater lake was also said to be somewhat mysterious that according to
villagers, animals, specially birds, tried to avoid the area since it caused
death to some living creatures. But science has an explanation to this old
story since the crater lake contains a strong concentration of sulfur which
is life-threatening to these animals.
But
nothing to worry on the said sulfur concentration since today, it’s safe to
roam around the crater lake. It’s just the sulfur smell that might bother you
so prepare yourself and bring/buy a mask.
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| Pinterest, Edited by me |
Based from Sir Wikipedia kampung Cai Ranca Upas or more commonly known as just Ranca Upas is
a forest reserve situated in Bandung, Indonesia. This tourist spot is known for
its huge camping grounds and outdoor activities. Spanning across 251 hectares
of land and located 1700 meters above sea level, campers can have ample space
to choose from on where they want to set their campsite here at Kampung Cai
Ranca Upas.
Even if you don’t wish to camp here,
you can enjoy a leisurely visit to this area which is also known for its rare
floral species such as Jamuju, Kitambang, Kihujan and Huru to name a few. Apart
from these rare species, Ranca Upas is also home to animals such as monkeys and
mainly deers. Other than that, visitors can also enjoy soaking in the thermal
pool nearby or partake in the many outdoor activities offered here. The deer conservatory is a must do in
Kampung Cai Ranca Upas. Visitors get to interact with the deers within a close
range and feed them carrots or vegetables provided by the management there.
Most of them are really gentle so visitors do not have to worry much! Overall,
the experience to Ranca Upas while you are in Bandung will definitely be a
great highlight of your trip.
Final Thoughts
There
are millions more interesting things to do in Bandung that you can explore.Honestly I feel like I have only scratched the
surface of the city and I know I need to return to explore.
I hope this article gives you some ideas and inspiration for your stay in the city.
I hope this article gives you some ideas and inspiration for your stay in the city.
I know you’ll enjoy yourself! Happy Holiday !
Special
thanks to Allah Subhanahu
wa Ta'ala because created
this earth soooo amazing, my travel mate who keep patient when
your friend being crazy, egoist and fastidious, and our lovely friend who had just become a newlywed, who came from far far across the traffic jam to meet us (salanghaeyo!). especially local people who so kind and warm-hearted and last but not list all, sponsor who make this trip happened.
Have you ever visited bandung? What was
your favourite thing to do in the city?
Hotel : Vio Veteran ( Jl. Veteran No.32, Kb. Pisang, Sumur Bandung, Kota Bandung)
Rent : Juara Rent (@sewamotorbandungjuara)
Rent : Juara Rent (@sewamotorbandungjuara)
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