> West Java

The enchanting land of Sunda stretches from the Sunda Strait in the West to the borders of Central Java in the east. The region is primarily mountains, with rich green valleys hugging lofty volcanic peaks, many of which surround by capital of the province, Bandung. The history of West Java is a story of trade, spices, and the rise and fall of powerful kingdoms.

West Java, a unique province with so many contrasts in the culture. This is an area where people would be surprised that this are have a hundreds maybe thousand beautiful and adorable place which make this region beautiful and unique in their own way.

In the late 1500’s the region was ruled from mighty Cirebon, which still survives as a sultanate today, although a shadow of its former glory. West Java was one of the first contact points in Indonesia for Indian traders and their cultural influences and it was here that the Dutch and British first set foot in the archipelago. The Dutch moved their center of operations to Sunda Kelapa (now Jakarta) after fierce competition and rivalry with the British, only to return at a later date.

People & Culture:

Renowned for showing uncommon warmth, along with courtesy and politeness. They have a strong sense of helping each other when in need. The word we is quite commonly used in basic conversation, sharing tasks together. Treating each other with consideration, not offending others or making anyone uncomfortable or angry are considered as elementary manners. Sundanese culture combines very diverse elements. Sundanese language and manners range from highly refined and formalized to downright vulgar and ribald.

Wildlife:

West Java is covered with tropical forests with flora and fauna rarely found in other provinces. Further, its tropical forests are rich with various animals, among them many different types of monkeys. It’s no wonder-the Land of Sunda, principally the Parahyangan Highlands, is a region of West Java that has received copious attention to detail and diversity from the forces of creation long ago (Parahyangan means “Abode of the Gods”).

Whatever you are looking for in your tropical vacation, you will certainly find something to please and surprise you in modern and traditional West Java! Plan on spending time to get around (roads are not always easy to navigate), but prices are fair and the locals friendly.

West Java Arts:

Dances – The ancient royal capital of Cirebon holds performances of masked dances, some of which continue traditions from hundreds of years ago. In the city of Subang there is the Bajidoran performance, and all over Sunda you can hear the soft melodious environments of Gamelan Degung and Tari Kreasi Baru (modern dance). The Jaipongan dance is normally associated with the cultural life of Bandung; this dance is very popular in West Java and can even be thought of as one of Indonesia’s national dances, as it is popular everywhere around the archipelago. Created by combining Sundanese classical dances, this dance often involves the entire audience joining in.
Wayang Golek (Puppet Show) – An art form particular to West Java, and one which has survived many generations. Wayang is performed not merely for entertainment but also functions as a method of religious and philosophical teaching. Wayang Golek is performed by a Dalang, acting all at once as narrator, operator and performer. The performance customarily lasts all night long.
Batik – Batik cloth is made in a traditional technique of hand decorating, which has been handed down for generations. This age-old method of drying cloth painted in patterns with the aid of molten wax was first introduced by Persians and Egyptians and brought to Indonesia in the 13th century by early traders, then broadened and improved upon by the Javanese.

Cuisine:

West Java is best known for Sundanese food, which unusually for Indonesia is the places for special emphasis on fresh ingredients. West Java food Includes:

“Nasi Timbel” (steamed rice formed into a roll inside a banana leaf) and other specialty dishes. This mouthwatering treat is too good to be missed! Usually grilled/fried chicken or fish and refreshing savoury sour vegetables soup is accompanied by nasi timbel. Other main Sundanese dishes include. “Soto Bogor”, is a refreshing spicy aromatic noodles soup dish from its street food status to its rightful place as the signature dish of West Java and Indonesia. “Pepes Ikan” (main ingredients is a fish, Indonesian basil, mixed with crushed and blended herbs, folded into a banana leaf, then steamed and grilled until they’re ready to eat). Also “Satay or Sate” , is a sliced, seasoned, skewered and grilled meat (chicken or beef or lamb), served with authentic Indonesian peanut sauce. There are more other delicious dishes and street snacks from West Java (noodles dishes, seafood dishes, rice dishes), and one of them is “Batagor” (sliced of fried dumplings, meatball and tofu served with spicy peanut sauce and homemade pickles). And so on.

Great places to visit in West Java :

Bogor – Bogor previously known as “Buitenzorg” (Sans soucis or Without worries), during the Dutch colonial era, Bogor actually lies closer to Jakarta (50 km) than it does to Bandung (120 km). Appropriately named by the Dutch as a town “without worries”, they chose Bogor to be the site for constructing the first palace of the Dutch Governor General way back in 1745. Later restored in 1832, the palace still stands solid and elegant today with its stretched out gardens where deer roam freely on the green grass under majestically tall old trees.

Visiting Bogor, the whole car trip will be memorable, as scenic tropical beauty all around is really astonishing. You will also pass the beautiful tea plantations, rice fields, traditional village houses and breathtaking mountain views.

Bandung – The capital of West Java is situated on a plateau 768 meters above sea level with a cool climate throughout the year. Several institutes of higher education are located here, including the country’s prestigious Bandung Institute of Technology. Bandung has a lot to discover, not only the food of course, but there are lovely places around Bandung where you can enjoy the green scenery, tea plantations and historical buildings. No beaches around Bandung, unfortunately, but waterfall and mountains would be the amazing alternative.

Banten – This is the coastal area where the Dutch formerly landed to trade. Banten has few relics to show of its past grandeur, however, there are the ruins of powerful Moslem kingdoms such as the palaces of Surosowan and Kaibon, the grand mosque of Mesjid Agung Banten (1599) and a Dutch fortress and an old Chinese temple.

Ujung Kulon – Part of Banten, located on the southwestern tip of West Java, is a wildlife reserve of 51.000 hectares covering the Ujung Kulon peninsula and the nearby islands of Panaitan and Peucang. The reserve is a dense forest and is the home of the last surviving one-horned rhinoceros of which only 50 remain. Ujung Kulon is accessible by boat and the closest departure point is Labuan on the west coast.

Garut – Garut is an Old Dutch hill station and a characteristic Sundanese town in the highlands, surrounded by mountains, volcanoes, rice fields and crystal clear lakes. This cool place can be reached from Bandung in approximately two hours. Due to the scenic beauty of this region there are many places of interest for nature lovers. The northern part of the region is reserved for the development of the city of Garut while the southern region is rich with a beautiful coastline, nature preserves and beautiful scenery. Since the time of the Dutch occupation, this region has been developed as a resting place.

Pangandaran – Is one of West Java’s best kept-secrets as far as international tourists are concerned. Located on a peninsula on the south coast of West Java, about 91 Km from the town of Ciamis, Pangandaran offers uniquely black and white sand, calm waved beaches and spectacular sunsets.

This beautiful peninsula was once better known as a small fishing place; fishermen would set sail in the morning and return in the afternoon with their catch. As the fishermen return, all the locals would meet them on the beach and help them pull the nets heavy with fish to shore. This activity can still be seen today; you can also participate and experience the sensation of pulling the heavy fish nets back to shore and get to know what it is like to be a fisherman. It also makes a swell picture.

Pangandaran is especially of interest to nature lovers, as there is a wildlife reserve in the vicinity where wild birds and other indigenous animals live about freely to be enjoyed by visitors. A forest Conservation Park is located right here, which is another place of special interest to nature lovers.