Indonesia is home to the second largest shoreline of the world. Tourists from all over are attracted to the exclusive beaches that the country possesses along with the population which portrays a canvas painted with many colors depicting the different ethnic groups. The tourism in the island nation is further punctuated by the culmination of 300 different ethnic groups and 250 distinct languages along with tropical climate throughout the year. In Indonesia the nature and the culture forms an integral part of the Indonesia tourism.
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism is in charge of tourism in the country. The administration is taking care of the International tourists with massive promotional campaigns designed to promote Indonesia Tourism. The magnetic blue skies and the long stretch of white sandy beaches are the main attractions of Indonesia. Other than these the country is rich in its cultural heritage which is centuries old and form a part of different tours. The administration has played its part in tourism by lending hand in development of various hotels, beach resorts and other accommodation facilities.
Indonesia possesses the some majestic natural sites which forms a part of the Nature Tourism in the country. Some of the sites provide the best of:
Dive sites
Surf breaks
National parks
Volcanoes
Other than the Nature tourism Indonesia also presents impeccable experiences of:
Cultural tourism
Metropolitan tourism
History of Indonesia
The history of Indonesia is as old as the history of humans. The fossils of "Java Man" (Pithecanthropus Erectus) traced in the land is supposed to be around 500,000 years old. These fossils were discovered in the village of Trinil in East Java in 1809. Another discovery of human fossils were traced just a few years after this discovery in Trinil which established the evidence of Java’s earliest inhabitants. It was during 3,000- 500 B.C when major immigration took place to Indonesia. As history beckons these migrants were of Mongloid origin and were from China and Tonkin. These tribes were also credited with the introduction of new Stone, Bronze and Iron Age cultures along with the Austronesian language to Indonesia.
Indonesia witnessed an upsurge in the influx of the Indian traders during the first century A.D. which in turn led to the enforcement of Indian civilization. This was time when the Indian sub-continent saw the emergence of the great Hindu and Buddhist empires. By the seventh century the Buddhist Empire started expanding its empire and that was the time when a Buddhist sanctuary named Borobudur was built in the central part of Java thus enforcing the Buddhist culture into the lifestyle of the Indonesians. Then came the emergence of the great Majapahit Hindu Empire in East Java. This empire united the whole of the islands and constituted the whole of the present day Indonesia.
Indonesia in its illustrative history witnessed many invasion of which the first one came during the year 1293 when the Mongolian ruler Kubilai Khan but was driven out. Then came the Arab traders and the merchants gradually made the country the base and thus spread Islam throughout the country which in fact is the dominant religion of the country.
Thereafter many traders and explorers set their foot on the Indonesian soil and the trade with the world became possible for the Indonesians. The country became a centre of commerce and traders from all over came down to Indonesia. Indonesia also was imposed to foreign rule fopr a brie period in its history and the country got liberated after the Second World War.
Culture of Indonesia
The culture of Indonesia has took its current shape molded by several influences that have been prevalent in the land, as a result of the long process of interaction and acculturation between original indigenous customs and a multitude of foreign influences.
Nestled between the ancient sea trading routes between Far East and Middle East, Indonesian culture, too a large extent has imbibed much of its daily practices and art forms from the Hindu, Buddhist, Confucianism and Islamic influences. These connections are clearly evident mostly in its many trading cities.
The kaleidoscopic cultural hue of Indonesia is largely cosmopolitan and need to be distinguished from the original. The complex nature of this culture can be easily gazed by various lines of faiths adopted by people here, for example: Agama Hindu Dharma, a denomination of Hinduism is now practiced by 93% of Balinese. Other examples are the fusion of Islam with Hindu in Javanese Abangan belief, the fusion of Hinduism, Buddhism and animism in Bodha, the fusion of Hinduism and animism in Kaharingan, and many others.
With the diverse influences, shaping up the perspective of the Indonesian people, their lifestyle and values, the impact of the cultural fusion is also noticeable in Indonesian art forms. For instances, wayang- a traditional form of theatre show performed with puppets was used to spread Hinduism and Islam among villagers in Java. Similarly, in various Javanese and Balinese dances, often stories about old Buddhist and Hindu kingdoms are told. In Sumatra, especially in its Minangkabau and Aceh regions, one can see direct architectural inspiration from the Islamic art forms and architectures.
As far as the westernization of culture of Indonesia is concerned, an imprint of it though cannot be ruled out, but it is mostly limited to modern entertainment, such as television shows, movies and songs. One of the major influences in this sphere are the Bollywood songs and movies.Indonesia Popular Destinations
Indonesia, meaning "Indian islands", coming from the Greek roots "Indos" meaning Indian and "Nesos" which means islands, is a major tourist attraction in the eastern hemisphere. The Indonesia archipelago consists of a total of 17,508 islands that stretch for 5,150 km between the Australian and Asian continental mainlands. Five main islands, Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Irian Jaya, and Java, together with 30 other smaller archipelagos, are home to the majority of the population, which consists of 300 different ethnic groups and speaks in 250 distinct languages. A booming tourist venue, there are many Indonesia Popular Destinations to satisfy the ravenous globe-trotter.
The wonderful islands and small islets of the country form the major Indonesia Popular Destinations. The pristine and virgin beaches, the long coastline, the amazing beach resorts, the natural beauty of the mountainous landscape, lying by the side of green rice and paddy fields, the rolling green foothills, the volcanoes and hot springs, the lakes and rivers, the wildlife and plantations, its history and culture, its cultural diversity and extraordinary architecture, and ancient monuments all sum up the splendid and enchanting Indonesia Popular Destinations.
Indonesia Tourist Attractions
Officially known as the Republic of Indonesia, Indonesia is the largest archipelagic state in the World, which consists of 17,508 islands in the Malay archipelago. It is the fourth most populous country of the world and the third largest democracy of the World after India and the USA. Bordered by the two great oceans of the world, the land of Indonesia rises from the blackest lowest point of some of the deepest oceans and soaring to the peaks of the volcanoes and the kingdom of snow of the Jayawijaya mountain range in Irian Jaya. If you wish to spend to your holiday on the lap of the beautiful nature where you can find everything to enjoy for, then Indonesia is the perfect holiday destination for you, which offers various Indonesia Tourist Attractions, which are the combination of magnificent scenic beauty as well as modern amenities to spend your vacation comfortably.
Indonesia is a land of mountains- particularly volcanoes, dense forests, attractive beaches, spectacular natural beauty, which draws the attention of various tourists throughout the year. The rich culture and tradition of this country attracts the foreigners who want to experience the culture of Asia. With its glorious temples, huge mosques, museums Indonesia is a house of several magnificent Indonesia Tourist Attractions.
The famous Indonesia Tourist Attractions are:
Jakarta - The capital city of Indonesia, where you can visit at The National Monument towers, Merdeka Square, The Central Museum, Portuguese Church, Istiqlal Mosque etc. If you want to shop, then antiques market on Jalan Surabaya and batik factories in the Karet are the perfect place for you.
Sumatra
The second-largest island in Indonesia is Sumatra, which is a house of the volcanic mountain range, hot springs, unexplored jungle and extensive plantations. Bengkulu, Gedung Wani and Mount Loeser Reserve are some of the wonderful Reserve forests where you can see tigers, elephants, tapirs and rhinos. The popular Indonesia Tourist Attractions situated in Sumatra are, Lake Toba, Lingga village, Bukittinggi's Fort de Kock that located close to the zoo, market, a refurbished rice barn and the Bundo Kandung Museum and the most attractive beaches on the east coast.
Sulawesi
Popularly known as 'Orchid Island', Sulawesi is a land of high mountains, misty valleys and lakes, geysers and hot springs like Karumengan, Kinilow, Lahendong, Leilem and Makule, where you can explore the Bantimurung Nature Reserve, Torajaland that is known as the 'Land of the Heavenly Kings'.
Bali
With its spectacular white beaches, verdant jungle and mountain, Bali is a tropical paradise. Bali is famous for its crafts and adventurous activities, which are organized on the southern beaches.
Lombok
It is a land of temples local handicrafts like rattan baskets and woven fabrics. Lombok is a popular tourist destination where you can visit at the Senggigi Beach, Gili Islands, Gunung Rinjani, and Desert Point well known for surfing.
Banda Islands
The Banda Islands were known as the 'Spice Islands' in the 1400s, for its valuable spices. At present, the islands are popular for diving and snorkeling.
Capital of Java Yogakarta is the centre of educational, cultural and economic activity. You must see the premier university of Indonesia, the Gajah Mada University and various arts centers, markets, galleries, craft shops and bazaars.
Sightseeing in Indonesia
There is absolutely no dearth of Sightseeing places in Indonesia. Indonesia boasts of having the largest archipelago in the world. Indonesia is also the fifth most populous nation in the world. The five main islands in Indonesia are as follows-
Java, Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Irian Jaya. Indonesia's 190 million inhabitants composed of 300 ethnic groups speak an estimated 583 different languages and dialects. The present Indonesian culture reflects a perfect blend of indigenous customs and a plurality of foreign influences.
Exploring the Indonesia's culture, traditions, places and customs is absolutely a fun filled experience. To make Sightseeing in Indonesia all the more easier a number of sightseeing trips and excursions have been organized. There are several independent tour operators in Indonesia who offer everything from simple guided city bus tour to escorted adventure treks.
Some of the popular Sightseeing tours in Indonesia are as follows-
- Prambanan Temple Private tour
TourPrice: From USD $20.00
Duration: 3 hours (approx.)
Commences: Yogyakarta, Indonesia
- Yogyakarta City Private Tour
TourPrice: From USD $20.00
Duration: 3 hours (approx.)
Commences: Yogyakarta, Indonesia
- Indonesia City Tour
Tour Attractions-
Manado
Bali
Borobudur temple
The beautiful beach
Sightseeing Price: 750 EUR /person
Duration of the tour- 15 days
Phone: 62-274-48497
Visitors may also enjoy riding the elephants at the Way Kambas Elephant Training Center which is an international project partially funded by the World Wildlife Fund.
So when on a tour to Indonesia avail any of the private tours and explore the beautiful country of Indonesia.
Indonesia Festivals & Events
Indonesia is one of the most culturally developed countries in the whole of Asia. Tourist paying a visit to this country can attend the numerous festivals and events in Indonesia to learn about its colorful and rich culture.
The Indonesia festivals & events are held almost throughout the year. Right from January to December, a large number of religious as well as non-religious festivals are held in this country, which are attended by a large number of people, not only from within the country, but also from outside.
If you are paying a visit during the month of January, then you can check out the celebration of the New Years Day on the 1st of January or attend the Lomban Festival. The latter is celebrated by the fisherman of the country. They thank the sea for whatever they have caught during the year.
In the month of March, the country celebrates the Kasada festival, when people pay tribute to their ancestors by offering flowers, chicken and fruits. In April, the Nyepi or the Day of Silence is observed. This festival is also known as the Isaka New Year. The Bali Arts Festival is one of the famous festivals in Indonesia. A large number of cultural shows and grand processions are held on this month long festival. It gives one a true picture of the culture of the country.
In the month of August, the country celebrates its Independence Day. The celebrations are held on the 17th of August. You can watch the parades or the air shows on this grand day. Speaking of Indonesia festivals and events, tourists can check out the celebrations of the Hari Raya Pusa. Held in the month of October, this festival is an important religious festival of the country.
Besides these, there are numerous festivals held in the month of July, September, November and December. The festivals and events in Indonesia, with their colorful processions and cultural performances are worth attending. It's a time of merry making when people come together and enjoy by singing, dancing and organizing grand feasts.
How to Get in
Indonesia is one of the popular tourist destinations in South East Asia and attracts travelers from all across the globe. How to get there to Indonesia is not difficult to answer as there are several modes of transport making it all easy.
The quickest and comfortable way to get to Indonesia is by air and flights connect all the important cities of the Malaysia and also important cities of the world. In Indonesia there are airports present in every major city. These airports link the cities in Indonesia and the international airports link the important cities of the world. The important airports are Denpasar Airport in Bali (DPS) and Soekarno-Hatta Jakarta International Airport (CGK).
Indonesia is bordered by Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Malaysia. The travelers can get to Indonesia from Entikong- Tebedu crossing between West Kalimantan and Sarawak, Malaysia on Borneo. There are other crossings to enter Indonesia but are considered informal.
The other option to get to Indonesia is by boat and there are ferry connections with Singapore and Malaysia. Generally these connections are between the ports in Sumatra, ports in Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore.Adventure and Recreation in Indonesia
Adventure and recreation in Indonesia comprises of a wide range of activities such as Boating, Scuba diving, Surfing, Volcano Trekking, Island Hopping and Jungle trekking.
Surfing in Indonesia takes place in 9 regions. These include Sumatra, Java, East Bali, West Bali, Mentawai, Lombok, Sumbawa and East Indonesia. The surfing at Bingin beach is very famous. In fact, Indonesia, being the largest archipelago in the world, has many beaches to offer to the tourists as well as the local people for various activities related to adventure and recreation.
Volcano trekking is yet another type of sport in which you can get a complete package of satisfaction regarding adventure activities. The Semeru mountain in Java, is the largest volcano mountain in Java, and it provides you with loads of valuable experience which is, in fact a gem to treasure. But you must also be careful in safeguarding yourself against the common diseases like hepatitis A and B, diarrhea and frost bites. Ensuring safety against natural health problems, you can really enjoy a volcanic mountain trekking in Indonesia.
Scuba diving is yet another kind of adventure activity in Indonesia. Here, you are transported into an entirely different world where, you witness the ecstasies of the marine life. You can also see some of the most amazing animals of the underwaters like the sharks, blennies, tunas, mantas, frog fishes and many other beautiful creatures.
Boating in Indonesia gives an added color to your trip. You can opt for the tourist packages which are really very exciting. In any case, you would remain spellbound by the
trips that would lead you to exotic locations. The memories would in deed be cherished by you throughout your life.
What Where to Eat
Dining forms an integral part of any vacation. When you are coming on a holiday to Indonesia, the first thing that will come into your mind is what and where to eat. The country is filled with a large number of restaurants, offering mouth-watering food, which will answer the question of what and where to eat in Indonesia.
When on a holiday to Indonesia, you must try out the Indonesian cuisine. Rice is the staple diet of the country and hence you can try out the numerous rice preparations. The most popular of all rice dishes is 'nasi goreng' or fried rice. You can have this delicacy for lunch, dinner and some times even for breakfast. You can have this with vegetable curry or chicken or beef curry. Beef preparations are extremely popular over here. If you don't like this, then you can surely go for the chicken and meat preparations. For instance, you can go for the satay-barbecued meat. Other dishes that are worth trying include Bebek Panggang Hijau or grilled duck or the Gulai itik, which is Sumatran duck breast served cooked with green chilies. If you are a vegetarian, then you must try out the Gado-gado. This consists of cooked vegetables served with peanut sauce. Indonesian food is spicy and made with a large number of fresh vegetables and other ingredients.
Apart from Indonesian delicacies, you can also find Chinese, Indian, Continental, Italian and French food over here. International tourist can come over and satisfy their palate by trying out these cuisines. You can try out the noodles, sweet corn soup, salads, or the seafood preparations like the prawns cooked in butter and garlic sauce or go for the shrimps and the crab preparations. As far as Indian food is concerned, you can go for the chicken tikka, biryani, chicken tandoori, Mughlai delicacies, aloo paratha and other dishes. The continental, Italian and French food is fantastic too. You can try out the baked, grilled or the roasted dishes. Pizzas, spaghetti as well as croissants are popular over here like in any other country.
Where to eat in Indonesia is not a problem at all. There are a large number of restaurants, which are offer good quality food. Some of the major restaurants that are worth visiting include The Beach House in Gili Trawangan, Jimbaran Seafood in Bali, Nouveau Restaurant and Wine Cellar in Sanur, Charcoal in Kuta, Café Jaya in Ubud, Bamboo Restaurant in Bali, Café Wayan, Bonsai Café, Beachside Restaurant, Benno's Café and others.
With so many options at your disposal, what or where to eat in Indonesia is simple and easy. You can come to these restaurants and enjoy the gourmet delights.Hotels in Indonesia
