Bandung
From MaxTravelz
Bandung is a city in West Java, Indonesia. Bandung is a highland city (altitude 768m) knowns for its many universities, textile industry and many roadside cafes. Called Parijs van Java (Paris of Java) by the Dutch, its high altitude location makes the weather pleasantly cool. The foods in Bandung are also well known for their wide varieties and taste. Many tourists from Jakarta visit Bandung during weekend and national holidays, when it can get quite crowded.
Contents |
Understand
Although the oldest reference to the city dates back to 1488 , there are numerous archaeological findings of Australopithecus or Java Man that had lived in the banks of Cikapundung river and at the shore of The Great Lake of Bandung. In the 17th-18th century, the Dutch East Indies company (VOC), ruler of the Dutch East Indies colonies made small plantation area in the fertile and prosperous Bandung area. A road between Batavia, former name of Jakarta to Bandung was built in 1786.
In 1809, Louis Napoleon, the ruler of the Netherlands and its colonies, ordered the Dutch Indies Governor H.W. Daendels to increase the defense system of Java island against British from the Malaysian peninsula. Daendels built the great post road, stretch about 1000km from the west coast to the east cost of Java. Since the northern part of West Java at that time was only swamp and marsh, the road was diverted through Bandung. The Great Postweg (now Jalan Asia-Afrika) was built in Bandung and because Bandung lowland, that is surrounded by mountains, is strategically advantegous for military defense, Daendels ordered the capital to move from Batavia to Bandung. Military barracks were built and Bupati Wiranatakusumah II, the chief administrator of that area, built his dalem (palace), Masjid Agung (the great mosque) and pendopo (meeting place) in the usual orientation of classical alun-alun (city square) orientation near a pair of holy city wells (Sumur Bandung). The pendopo has an interesting position that faces mystical Tangkuban Perahu mountain. Now, alun-alun has changed dramatically into a major shopping center area.
By the influence of major plantations (cinchona or kina, grown for its malaria-treating quinine, as well as tea and coffee) in the highland areas surrounding Bandung in the 19th century, Bandung has developed itself into an exclusive European resort style with hotels, cafes and shops. The Preanger Hotel and Savoy Homann are the two major art-deco style hotels. Jalan Braga was famous with European exclusive shops and cafes and became the famous promenade street in Bandung. The Concordia Society, now Gedung Merdeka, was built with large ball room as a club for rich Europeans at the weekends.
In 1880, the first major railroad between Jakarta to Bandung was developed. It gave a high boost of light industry in Bandung. Chinese who had never lived in that area before flocked in to help run the facilities, services and vendor machines. Small old chinatown district in Bandung can still be recognized in the vicinity of the railroad station.
Now, Bandung has growth more than its city core with the Bandung Raya plan. Traffic in Bandung is infamous with its complex, congested and chaotic. The city core is practically uprooted, old faces are torn down, lot sizes regrouped, and what was idyllic residence is now bustling chain supermarkets and rich banks. However, Bandung has still its charm to attract people, esp. from Jakarta, to come during the weekends. From various and unique foods to eat while watching the cityview from the hillside to the hip-hop youngsters pack in the major Jalan Dago area during the saturday night fiesta, Bandung becomes the major tourist destination in Indonesia.
Get in
Bandung is not a major hub city. The easiest way to go to Bandung is via Jakarta, the Indonesian capital. Unlike most cities in Indonesia that lie on the sea shore, Bandung is practically in the middle of island. However, getting to Bandung is easy and can get quite rewarding experience to see the beautiful view of Parahyangan mountains.
By plane
Though it is the fastest way to go to Bandung, it is not always the most convenient way. Since Bandung valley is really surrounded by mountains, landing and take-off from the small and the only airport, Hussein Sastranegara (BDO), is quite challenging for most pilots. When the weather is getting worse, it is sometime difficult to make landing or take-off. Also because of this unique area, the airport can only serve small airplanes.
Some airlines serving Bandung:
- Air Asia - operates daily flights from Kuala Lumpur (no-frill airline)
- Merpati - Balikpapan, Batam, Denpasar, Jakarta (Halim), Palembang, Surabaya, Tarakan, Ujung Pandang.
By train
PT Kereta Api Indonesia , a state-owned company, is the only company who manage railways in Indonesia. There are 2 types of train from Gambir in Jakarta to Bandung and vice versa: ArgoGede (all AC) and Parahyangan (AC and non-AC coaches). Traveling time from Jakarta is about 2.5-3 hours with ArgoGede and about 4 hours with Parahyangan. The scenery between Jakarta and Bandung is beautiful. The railroad passes mountains and padi terraces. Don't miss this view when traveling with train. Use the AC (air-conditioned) coach if you cannot cope with the tropical heat.
There are also many trains to/from Central Java and East Java cities, e.g. Yogyakarta, Semarang, Solo and Surabaya. Argo Wilis (all AC) and Lodaya (AC and non-AC coaches) serves at daylight, while Turangga (AC only) and Mutiara Selatan (AC and non-AC coaches) serve as night train. There is also night train Harina (AC only) that travels between Surabaya and Bandung.
Most express trains have a decent food service. A beefsteak costs (current as of 2006) IDR 20,000, or little more than USD 2! The taste is somewhat Indonesianized. Nasi goreng (fried rice) is also common meal served aboard.
By bus
Bus serves connection between small cities around Bandung. Several long route buses also available from major big cities. The most convenient way is the air-conditioned bus with the express or non-stop tag. The main bus terminal in Bandung is Leuwipanjang
By car
Bandung is two hours away from Jakarta by car, thanks to the new Cipularang highway that completes the inter-city highway between Jakarta and Bandung. It is now even faster to travel to Bandung by car than by train from Jakarta.
One alternative route is by slower, but enjoying, route from Jakarta - Puncak - Cianjur - Bandung. If you travel by car using this route, then make sure to stop at the Puncak Pass, the tip of the highland just in the outskirt of Jakarta. From here, the view of tea plantation with a fresh air can be enjoyed. There are plenty of good restaurants and hotels out there.
Get around
|
Some tips of using angkot:
|
Traveling around in Bandung is quite complex and frustrating, especially to the new comers. There is no mass rapid transit system, nor metro nor tram in Bandung. Locals are traveling using a small public minibus, known as angkot from angkutan=transport and kota=city. This city transport has only origin and destination name on top. Sometimes with via description if there are more than one angkot route for a certain origin-destination route. There is no route description anywhere. For locals, it is somewhat amazing that they only memorize where and how the route of each angkot route.
Although there is an official price for angkot from organda (the local organization of these private city transport), sometimes price is based on how far you travel. It's better that you ask the driver or kernet (driver assistance) about the price to go to a location. To ask for an angkot to stop, just raise your hand and they will stop. When you're inside and want to stop, just ask the kernet to stop. Sometimes there is a bel that you can press to stop.
The official angkot routes are listed here: http://www.bandung.go.id/Angkutan.htm
By taxi
If you don't know which angkot routes to take, then you can take a taxi. Taxis use meters, officially, but some taxi drivers may refuse to use meters and will charge you a fixed price instead. Even metered cabbies may take you the long way to get more money. So becareful to use a taxi. The most reputable taxi is BlueBird taxi.
By bus
There are also some bus lines, but they don't cover the whole city. City buses usually cover a long route from end-to-end part of the city, for example from the north to the south and from the west to the east. The city bus is called DAMRI.
By car
Using your own car or renting a car is probabily the easiest and the most convenient way to travel around Bandung and its surrounding. If you don't have a valid driving license, then you can also rent a car with a chauffeur. It is very common for western travellers to rent a car in Bandung with a chauffeur. Perhaps it is even better to rent a car from Jakarta. You can stop for one night in Puncak, Bogor or Sukabumi.
World-wide Car Rental companies are now available in major cities in Indonesia:
- EuropCar Rental in Bandung (also in Jakarta and Semarang)
Location: Bandung Airport (Hussein Sastranegara Airport). Tel: +62 (22) 6015871
See
Architectural Jewels
In the late 18th and early 19th century, as locals called it the bandoeng tempoe doeloe (old Bandung) era, there were many buildings built with an art-deco style. The city that served as a weekend resort for European richmen had made these type of buildings possible. Unfortunately the local government has a tendency to create a modern look of the city with suspension bridge, banks, malls and commercial areas, instead of preserving old historical buildings. The Bandung Heritage Society has been formed recently to save these jewels forever.
Therefore, seeing these buildings before they are gone is very rewarding for your travel itenaries in Bandung:
|
Who is C.P.W. Schoemaker? Born in Ambarawa (Central Java) in 1882, Schoemaker has been renowned as the father of Bandung Art-Deco architectural style. He is famous of blending the modern European architecture, but closely related to the tropical surrounding. This blending of ancient decorative elements and modern architectural features has made him the best Indonesian architect at that time. He later became a professor at the Institute Technology Bandung. Among of his student is ir. Soekarno, the first president of the Republic of Indonesia. He died in 1949 in the city that he loved and buried at the Pandu cemetery, Bandung. When visiting Bandung, don't forget to visit his residence at Jl. Sawunggaling 2, where its heroic renovation has been awarded by UNESCO. His artworks include: Gedung Merdeka, Villa Isola, facade of the Grand Preanger Hotel, Cipaganti mosque, Cathedral at Jl. Merdeka, Church at Jl. Wastukencana, the Majestic theater, Gedung PLN, Landmark building at Jl. Braga, etc. |
- Villa Isola, Jl. Dr. Setiabudhi 229.
Architect: C.P.W. Schoemaker, built in 1932 for an Italian millioner D.W. Berretty as a villa. It lies in the northern part of Bandung, overlooking the city and the Tangkuban Perahu mountain. It was used for a hotel, named Hotel de Luxe. Now it serves as a UPI's (University of Education Indonesia) headmastership building. - Gedung Merdeka, Jl. Asia-Afrika 65 (near alun-alun or city square).
Architect: Van Gallen Last and C.P.W Schoemaker, built in 1895 for a club house for rich people, named the Concordia Society. In 1955, this building was famous as the first Asian-African conference venue. Now it is a museum for that conference. - Savoy Homann Hotel, Jl. Asia-Afrika 112, (+62)-22-4232244. it was built in 1880, renovated in 1938 by a Dutch architect A.F. Aabers with an art-deco style as it is seen today. It still serves a hotel until now. The King and Queen of Siam, The Prince and Queen of Belgium, The Governor General of Indo-China, The Duchess of Westminster and even Charles Chaplin had stayed there. You can also still stay in this hotel and enjoying the old colonial time.
- Grand Hotel Preanger, Jl. Asia-Afrika 81.
It has two sides: the old facade and the modern wing side. The old facade has an interesting story, as C.P.W. Schoemaker designed the art-deco style that is blended with local culture. It was a controversial issue at that time, but that gives a unique style. - Gedung Sate, Jl. Diponegoro.
Architect: J. Gerber, built in 1921. It was used as a head of the Dutch Indies Government Companies. The roof has a decoration of a popular satay food as now it is famous for the name. Now, the complex is the office of West Java governor and the local provincial house of representatives. You can still see the remaining prisons in the basement of this complex. - Cipaganti Mosque, Jl. Cipaganti.
Architect: C.P.W. Schoemaker, built in 1933. It was the only mosque that was built in the European residential area in the northern part of Bandung. The central facade still has the original design, but the mosque has been expanded to both of its side. - ITB West and East Hall (Aula Barat & Timur ITB), Jl. Ganesha 10.
ITB is Institute Technology Bandung, the oldest institute of technology in Indonesia. It was built in 1918 by the architect Maclaine Pont. The most prominent Dutch East Indian architecture is the West and East Hall of this insitute, where a West Sumatran style of architecture was used.
Art & Science
Bandung has been the melting point between the local Sundanese culture with the high-end technology developed at the Institute Technology Bandung. There are some interesting places to visit:
- Saung Angklung Udjo. Angklung is a traditional South-East Asian musical instrument, made by bamboo. Udjo Nalagena, a famous angklung artist, created an Angklung House in the outskirt of Bandung, where angklung is made, learned and played. You can enjoy an angklung orchestra played by 12 year old or less children or even be a part of this orchestra, holding one of the angklung instrument. The place is in the middle of padi terrace and bamboo field, a perfect location to feel the relaxness of a small village. It is one of the famous travel destination among westerners and is highly recommended.
Location: Jl. Padasuka 118, around 7km from Bandung.
How to get there: The easiest way is to rent a car to go there or ask your travel agent if there is a program to visit this place. - Bosscha Observatorium , built in 1923 by Nederlandsch-Indische Sterrekundige Vereeniging (Assoc. of Dutch-Indies Astronomers) is the only observatorium in Indonesia. It lies in Lembang, a small suburb city in the northern part of Bandung. It is now part of the Dept. of Astronomy, Institute Technology Bandung.
Location: Jl. Peneropongan Bintang, Lembang 40391. Tel: (+62) 22-2786001. E-mail: administration[at]as.itb.ac.id
To visit there, ask the department administration first for a reservation. Some visiting notes:- Reservation must be made 1 month before.
- Bosscha is closed on national holidays, Sunday and Monday.
- Day visit at 9:00, 12:00 (except Friday at 13:00) and 15:00.
- Public night (17:00-19:30), between April-October, with some presentations and demos. Ask there for a specific date as this public night is open at the 7th & 8th of the lunar month.
- Special visit can be arranged and subject to their avaibility.
- Geological Museum, houses 250.000 rocks and mineral collection, and 60.000 fossils. There are 3 major rooms in the museums: the geology of Indonesia, the history of life and the geology of human life. The building itself has an art-deco style, built in 1928 by a Dutch architect Wnalda van Scholtwenburg.
Location: Jl. Diponegoro 57, Bandung. (near Gedung Sate complex). Tel: (+62)-22-7203205.
Visiting time: every day 09:00-15:00 except Friday.
Outdoor Activities
- Alun-alun Bandung or city square. Alun-alun is the classical central core of the democratic city in Indonesia, since the 15th century. It is typically a square of grass field with 4 sides are the city major residence, pendopo (a place to meet between citizens and the government), a mosque and a prison. The grand mosque is still visible, though it has been renovated 7 times. The pendopo is also still there, behind a high wall. The major transition is that now alun-alun serves as an entertainment park, where shopping mall buildings are surrounding the square.
- Bandung Zoo, built in 1930.
Location: Jalan Kebun Binatang No. 6 Bandung 40132. Tel: (+62)-22-2502770.
- Mt. Tangkuban Perahu. You can see it at almost anywhere in Bandung, but it is not complete before you see its crater. If you're in Bandung, take a look at the north side and find an unusual shape of mountain. Tangkuban = flipped and perahu = boat mean the shape of the mountain looks like a flipped boat. It's still an active volcanic mountain. The crater is reachable by car, though it is fun to go there by foot from Lembang. Its elevation is 2084 and the path from Lembang is not too step. At the creater, it is a touristic spot. You can smell the sulfur, watch the hot water springs very closely or even buy a boiled egg from the hot surface.
Location: northern side of Bandung, the closest city is Lembang.
Angkot route: St. Hall-Lembang. - Juanda Forest Park or Dago Pakar. The official name is Taman Hutan Raya ir. H. Juanda. It is a forest park, serves as a water reservoir for the city. There are some interesting parks for children or to have a picnic there. There are also some old WW II caves during the Japanese era. Some people walk through the forest to reach Maribaya park in Lembang.
Location: at the end of Jalan Dago.
Angkot routes: Abd. Muis-Dago and followed by walking or take a ride by motorcycle.
Do
There are many activities that you can do in the city or outside the city. As Bandung highland is surrounded by a string of mountains, activities in the outskirt of the city are mainly mountain resorts, adventures and outdoor sports. In the city, you can have culinary activities (see the Eat section) as there are so many food varieties, shoppings with many clothing outlets and distros (see the Buy section) or just hanging around.
- Saturday Night at Jalan Dago.
Every saturday night, teenagers and youngsters are hanging around at Jalan Dago. The street stretches from the Holiday Inn Hotel in the south and a few blocks to the north until simpang dago. The street are crowded with modified cars with loud musics. Don't bring your own car if you don't want to be stucked in a traffic jam. Just walk and watch these hip-hop youngsters. There are some cafes and chic restaurants in that street that you can sit in. Don't forget to buy some grilled sweet or hot-chili corns that are sold at the street stalls. The party usually lasts until midnight. - Sunday Morning at Gasibu Park.
Now, after having a party on saturday night, wake up very early in the morning around 5-7am. Go to Gasibu park at the front of the Gedung Sate complex and wear your sportwear. At the park, you can do jogging and some stretching, and after you finish, food stalls are already waiting for you with a lot of food varieties. My favourites are dim sum ceker (a chicken foot cooked like a dim sum) and nasi liwet (a rice cooked with coconut milk and served with chicken and other vegetables). Very yummy. In the vicinity, there is a famous yoghurt drinks with a nice and relaxing setting at Jalan Cisangkuy. You can walk there from Gasibu. - Lembang trip.
A trip to the north of Bandung cannot be missed. Rent a car and start to go at the very early in the morning to Lembang, an uphill resort city.- On the way to Lembang, you can make a sidetrip to Bosscha, the only observatorium in Indonesia. Please make sure you have made a reservation and take a note on its opening hour.
- Continue your journey to Lembang and stop at one of the food stall that sells fresh milk. You can drink a fresh milk with many flavours. The milk is really fresh.
- Go to the Mt. Tangkuban Perahu. Go circling around Kawah Ratu (Queen's crater) to see the volcanic activity closely. There are other craters: Kawah Upas and Kawah Domas. Beware of the tourist hawkers that sells many things with unreasonably expensive price.
- Continue the journey to Sari Ater, a hot water spring complex. On the way, there is a good sundanese restaurant, named Sindang Reret, that you can stop by for your lunch.
- At Sari Ater, you can relax in a natural hot water spring pool. There are some recreation parks and healthy spa there. Stay for one night there if you want and have a good dinner at their restaurant.
- On the way back to Bandung, take a stop at a street food stall and have some grilled 'sweet corns or grilled ketan (sticky rice) while enjoying the view of the tea plantation.
Buy
Fashion shopping and its accesories is the main reason for many weekend travellers from Jakarta, because those items are expensive in Jakarta. Starting with denim (jeans) stores in Jln. Cihampelas in the 90s with unique facades to attract people, fashion stores grow rapidly into sisa exports (rejected but still good enough export quality products), then factory outlets, now with the new trend is the distro (distribution outlets). You will miss something in your travel trip to Bandung if you don't visit these factory outlets or distros. Don't expect luxury labels here, because you can find them in Jakarta.
Shopping Malls
- Bandung Indah Plaza, Jl. Merdeka 56.
- Bandung Supermall (BSM), Jl. Gatot Subroto 289.
- Istana Plaza, Jl. Pasirkaliki 121 - 123.
Free wireless internet, assisted taxi stand, shopping reward programs, and ice skating ring!!. - Setrasari Mal, Jl. Surya Sumantri 120.
- Bandung Trade Center, Jl. Terusan Pasteur 143.
- Bandung Electronic Center (BEC), Jl. Purnawarman 13-15.
Specializing in computers and cellphones (+ accessories). - Shopping malls complex at alun-alun.
In the alun-alun area there are many shopping malls, but they are rather old.
Factory Outlets
It was originally meant for export garment (textile) factories that open a store directly in their area so that they can sell with bargain prices. Since it was a big success, then many factory outlets without the factory itself were opening in many places in the city, also with bargain price tags.
|
Sisa Export In the textile industry, it is very common for a textile product made in, for example Indonesia, exported to other countries, such as Singapore, South Korea, etc., and re-labelled by their own label and change the made-in tag into their country. Some branded names, such as GAP, have their factories in Indonesia. Since the production cost in Indonesia is very low, they can gain a big profit by this way. During the quality inspection, some of the products might be rejected, or they may overrun the production quota. So this residual products were sold as sisa export tags, because they were made for export, but can't pass through. Some of these items have Grade A (best quality, but overrun product) or Grade B (export quality, but do not pass QC) quality. Don't be surprised to see made in Korea or made in Singapore in their tags. Sometimes you will see the original price, such as USD$65, but they sell it for Rp. 45.000,00 (US$ 4.50). Enjoy bargain hunting! Take a careful inspection yourself. Beware also for the fake products with branded name. |
To attract people, they decorated the store with many styles: the colonial style, an old chinese dynasty, etc. Visit these stores as you can relax shopping there. Some of the stores have a small food court.
Most of factory outlets are concentrated in Jl. Riau, Jl. Dago (Jl. Ir. H. Juanda) and around Jl.Sukajadi-Jl.Setiabudi area. Some of them are listed below:
- Factory outlets in Jl. Riau: Heritage (inside an old historical building, nice to see also the building), China Emporium (with an old Chinese dynasty setting), Summit, Oasis, Metropolitan, Renarity, Emirates, Terminal Tas, Edward Forrer.
- Factory outlets in Jl. Dago: Rich & Famous, Coconel, Glamour, Blossom, Uptown (with a small kiosk selling a strawberry juice), Dago Stock Centre, M&M, Justine.
- Around Jl.Sukajadi-Jl.Setiabudi: Mooi (Jl. Cemara 83), FOS Clothing Gallery (Jl. Setiabudi 73), XO (Jl. Sukajadi 212), Rumah Mode (Jl. Setiabudi 41F), Otten One (Jl. Otten 1), BOS (Jl. Otten), Diaz (Jl. Sederhana mostly shoes), Cat 17 (Jl. Eijkman).
- Other places: Batian (Jl. Otto Iskandardinata 535, you can find used and new items)
Distros (Distribution Outlet)
Distro is a new phenomenon in Bandung where a shop sells stylish products that were made by local designers. They are served as a distribution store, because these local designers do not have their own marketing label yet. The products that are sold are books, indie label records, magazines and also other fashion products and accessories. After their products are getting a big attention, then they make their own clothing company. Now, there are more than 200 local brand names in Bandung. One thing that distro stands out from factory outlet is that distro comes from individual designers and young entrepeneurs, while factory outlet products come from a garment factory.
Note that now distro is getting famous in Indonesia. The local branded name with free and independence motivation has been shifted. Becareful to buy in distros as the price is getting higher almost the same as boutique shops.
Some of Bandung distros:
- EAT, Jl. Trunojoyo 4.
- Invictus
- Ouval Research, Jl. Buah Batu 64.
- No Label, Jl. Sumatra 24.
Eat
Bandung is a heaven for food lovers. There are a lot of varieties, not only local cuisine but international ones. You can find any food you want and they taste really good. Everybody has their own favourites. One page is not enough to list all food stalls, food courts, restaurants and cafes in Bandung. Here are some lists that are popular or have a long time legend.
Local Delicacies
- Bakso Tahu & Siomay is a steamed meat with/without tofu. It is served with peanut paste, sweet soy sauce and a lime. It is suitable for a snack, eat at anytime. In almost all streets you can find somebody selling this food with a wheeled stall (gerobak). The popular place is called Siomay Pak Lili at Jl. Geger Kalong Girang that has sold this food for 15 years.
- Batagor is similar to bakso tahu/siomay but it is fried instead of being steamed. It is served similar with peanut paste and sweet soy sauce. Served also as a snack. Legends are Kingsley at Jl. Veteran, selling this food already for 28 years, and Batagor Riri at Jl. Burarangrang 41 (in front of the BCA building).
- Martabak is a fried stuffed pancake. There are two types: sweet and salty. Sweet martabak is a thick pancake stuffed with chocolate/cheese/banana/sugar. The salty martabak is a thin fried pancake stuffed with eggs, some vegetables, mushrooms, chicken/beef. The most popular ones are Martabak Lodaya and Martabak San Fransisco at Jln. Lodaya.
- Soto Bandung is a soup with beef meat, soy beans and some vegetables. The old food stalls selling this food is at Soto Ojolali, Jl. Cibadak (near alun-alun), since 1940s.
- Lotek is a mixed boiled vegetables, served with peanut paste and some chillies. The hotter the better. The famous place is Lotek Kalipah Apo, Jl. Kalipah Apo, every day 9AM-16PM. Have been selling this food for already 48 years. One plate is about Rp. 4500, very cheap.
- Mie Kocok is a noodle soup, served with beef foot, beef skin and tauge. If you don't fancy with these parts of beef, then you can ask not to have it and you can still taste its appetite. The famous place is a street vendor at Jl. Sunda.
Legendary Eateries
Have been around for years and still famous for their delicious food:
- Sate Kardjan, Jl. Pasirkaliki, every day 24h. Lamb satay speciality, since 1970. Try sate buntel (a grilled minced lamb meat), tongseng (lamb meat in a coconut milk soup), nasi goreng kambing (fried rice with lamb) or sate cempe (satay from 10 month old lamb).
- Bubur Ayam Mang Oyo, Jl. Sulanjana (near Gasibu) and several branches. It's a chicken porridge. Nice for starting your day.
- Kedai Ma' Uneh, Jl. Terasana I No. 132 Pajajaran (it's an alley in front of Pajajaran sport complex). Delicious Sundanese food.
- Baso Lela, Jl. Awiligar, everyday open until 9 PM. It's new but getting popular. It's in the hill side of Bandung with a nice view to the city. Try yamien, a dried boiled noodle, mixed with soy sauce. There are sweet yamien and salt yamien. Try also chicken noodle and the strawberry juice as a dessert.
Chic Restaurants
For those who want to have a breathtaking view or eating in a local Sundanese village or having a romantic international cuisine. The food might not be famous, but they deliver the experience to eat there.
- Kampung Daun, Jl Sersan Bajuri Km 4.7 No 88 Villa Trinity Complex (you need to drive with your own car there). Sundanese food. Designed with natural elements as you eat at a hut in the middle of padi field, small waterfall and river. At night it's really amazing to walk in a candlelit pathways. Eating out really means eating out here.
- Sierra Cafe & Lounge, Jl. Bukit Pakar no 33. Located on the hill of Dago Pakar in Bandung, Sierra delivers a relaxing and indulging ambience with a breathtaking view of Bandung's city light. International cuisines (Western, Japanese and Thailand).
- Kedai Nyonya Rumah, Jl. Trunojoyo 29. Indonesian cuisines. The interior design is very relaxing, giving a nice eating experience.
Sundanese Restaurants
Sunda is the ethnic name of the local people living in West Java. Sundanese food has some distinctive features than other ethnics. It mainly consists of fried fish, pepes ikan (steamed fish in a banana leaf), raw vegetables and chili pastes. To try these type of foods, there are numerous Sundanese restaurants. Some with famous name has many branches in Bandung and the vicinity. Some of the popular ones are:
- Sindang Reret, Jl. Surapati No. 53, Tel. (+62)-22-2501474. The other branche is outside the city in the north: Jl. Raya Cikole Km.22 Lembang, Tel. (+62)-22-2786500. The good one is the branch restaurant (see the Lembang Trip).
- Ponyo, Jl. Malabar 60, Tel. (+62)-22-7301477. There are many branches outside the city.
- AA Laksana, Jl. Soekarno Hatta 494, Tel. (+62)-22-7509303. There are 2 other branches: Jl. Jakarta 21 and Jl. Cihampelas 30.
Pastries
Food in Bandung does not stop at the restaurants/cafes. There are plenties of bakeries in the city that you can buy some pastries. Some of them have high popularities that you must take a queue even before the shop is open in the morning.
- Kartika Sari, try the famous cake: pisang molen, a cake stuffed with banana. Very delicious.
There are 6 stores: Jl. Kebon Jukut 3C, Jl. Buah Batu 165A, Jl. H. Akbar, Jl. Kopo Sayati 111A, Jl. Terusan Jakarta 77E, Jl. Ir. H. Juanda (Dago).
- Brownies Kukus Amanda, Jl. Rancabolang 29, Jl. Lodaya 8, Jl. Purwakarta, and Jl. Dr Otten. Try brownies kukus, a steamed brownies with melted chocolate inside. Soft and very delicious. It's very popular that you might have to queue before it opens.
- Brownies Primarasa, Jl. Kemuning 20, Jl. Buah Batu 169A, and Jl. Peta 169. It's speciality is the chocolate brownies.
- Sus Merdeka, Jl. Merdeka (in front of Bandung Indah Plaza). A soft cake filled with rum butter.
Drink
As alcoholic drink is banned to be sold at public restaurants, it will be difficult to find liquors, except at bars, night clubs and hotels. However, drinking fresh icy yoghurt or juice is very tempting, especially after standing in a hot sunny day. These are some famous drinking place to try:
- Yoghurt Cisangkuy, Jl. Cisangkuy (near Gedung Sate complex). It has many flavours of fresh yoghurt with fresh fruits. Very suitable as a resting place after walking in a hot weather.
- Es Cendol Elizabeth, in front of the Elizabeth bag shop at Jl. Otto Iskandar Dinata and Jl. Cihampelas. Cendol is an Indonesian drink made with coconut and coconut milk, served with ice cubes and sweet brown sugar.
- Bandoeng Melk Centrale (BMC), Jl. Aceh 30, in an old Dutch colonial house. It's speciality is a fresh milk.
- Rumah Kopi, Jl. Awiligar (near baso Lela). It literally means coffee house. They served many kinds of coffee with cheap prices.
- Susu segar Lembang, at many street vendors in Lembang. It is outside the city but it might be nice as to stop if you do a sidetrip to Lembang.
- Es Sekoteng Bungsu, Jl. Bungsu 29. Es sekoteng is a grated ice cube with avocade, young coconut and kolang-kaling (some local preserved fruit).
Sleep
Beside the two historical hotels: Savoy Homann and Grand Hotel Preanger, that have been mentioned before (see Architectural Jewels), there are many other hotels offering relaxing view of the city.
- Holiday Inn Hotel , Jl. Ir. H. Juanda (Dago) 31-33, Tel. (+62)-22-4211333. It's nicely located at the city center.
- Sheraton Bandung Hotel & Towers , Jl. Ir. H. Juanda (Dago) 390, Tel. (+62)-22-2500303. It's up to the north side of Jl. Dago.
- Jayakarta Suite Hotel & Spa , Jl. Ir. H. Juanda (Dago) 381A, Tel. (+62)-22-2505888.
- Malya Hotel , Jl. Rancabentang 56-58, Tel. (+62)-22-2030333. It offers a view to the northen hill and valley.
- Santika Hotel , Jl. Sumatera 52-54, Tel. (+62)-22-4203009.
Get out
There are some sidetrips to the mountain range surrounding Bandung:
- North side: Lembang is a favourite weekend break destination. You can stay at Sari Ater , a natural hot spring water complex, or rent a villa. There is also Maribaya park with its waterfall traps.
- South side: Tea plantation is the main view in the south. Ciwidey and Pangalengan are the main destination to the south mountains. There is Situ Patenggang lake in the middle of tea plantation in Ciwidey, which you can relax in a boat, fishing, camping or rent a bungalow. In Ciwidey, there is also a place called Kawah Putih (white crater) that is made by sulfuric activity in the area. Ask your travel agent for arranging some stays there.
- West side: The west mountain range mainly consists of chalk mountains. There are not much nature destinations in the west, except Situ Ciburuy lake at the side of the main road hub to Cianjur. There is Saguling dam in the vicinity. You might also want to taste peyeum, a local food made from fermented rice. There are also some nice Sundanese restaurants at the main road in the west side of Bandung.
- East side: The east mountain is the main link of Bandung to the eastern part of West Java and to neighbouring Central Java province. You can go to Cirebon (about 2-3 hours), a sea shore city known for fishing and oil industries.
| This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow! |