If you are a lover of all things culture, you cannot look past Jakarta, Indonesia’s capital. Replete with some of the country’s best museums and historical architecture, this city should be top priority for the cultural tourist. The Museum Nasional is a must-see, boasting vast collections of information and artefacts from Indonesia’s cultural and archaeological history. For classical art lovers, the Museum MACAN displays various local and international collections of modern and contemporary art.
Outside of museum walls, there are various walking tours of Jakarta Old Town with its colonial monuments and architecture. The city also has some impressive religious sites, including The Grand Istiqlal Mosque and the Jakarta Cathedral. Outside of Jakarta, the 8th century Buddhist temple, Borobudur, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and an essential visit for tourists.
Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, Komodo National Park is a collection of several islands where visitors may snorkel, hike or canoe – its standout attraction though is its many Komodo dragons. More of Indonesia’s diverse animals can be found in Ubud, Bali where tourists can find the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. Aside from many monkeys, the forest contains several Hindu temples, constructed as early as 1350.
Indonesia is home to some of the world’s most active volcanoes. One of these is Mount Bromo which, despite being known for erupting, is a beautiful destination for the brave tourist. Lake Toba is another stunning destination, and another volcanic wonder of Indonesia. The body of water sits in the crater formed by an ancient eruption and the location still regularly features volcanic activity.
Indonesian cuisine is famously mouth-watering. In all of the country’s major cities, there are a range of culinary experiences and walking street-food tours. The best thing about Indonesia for foodies though is that you never need to look far for a delicious feed.
Indonesia is full of incredible sights, adventures, cultures and cuisines, and there is no shortage of activities to satisfy every kind of tourist.
Written by Amy Galliford
References:
2022, ‘The most essential places to visit in Indonesia’, Lonely Planet, 21 April.
Hynes, C & Law, M 2022, ‘18 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Indonesia’, Planet Aware, 27 October.