Holiday in Bandung

About Bandung

Bandung is the capital of West Java province and with around 2.5 million inhabitants, it is the fourth largest city in Indonesia. The city is located at about 768 meters above sea level in a high valley, surrounded by volcanoes and tea plantations, earning it the nickname Parijs van Java (Paris of Java) — a name given by Dutch colonial rulers due to its pleasant climate and European-style architecture. The Gedung Sate, an Art Deco government building with a distinctive tower reminiscent of satay skewers, is Bandung's landmark. Jalan Braga, once the most elegant promenade of the Dutch colonial era, preserves historical buildings, art galleries, and cafes. Kawah Putih (White Crater) is a surreal volcanic crater lake south of Bandung: the sulfuric water changes color between white, turquoise, and green depending on its mineral content. The Tangkuban Perahu, an active volcano north of the city, offers a walkable crater rim with steaming fumaroles. Bandung is Indonesia's fashion and textile capital: factory outlets on Jalan Riau and Cihampelas Walk offer designer clothing at a fraction of European prices. On weekends, millions of visitors from Jakarta (only 150 km away) flock to shop and escape the heat. The tea plantations of Ciwidey and Pangalengan in the hills south of the city offer rolling green landscapes reminiscent of Sri Lanka — tours with tea tasting are available.