Tourism of Indonesia
Ready to Go to Bandung City With Precious Tropical Art-Deco Heritage
Planning to go on a tour or travelling, we definitely want a smooth trip, comfortable accommodation, cheap hotels, good food, cheap plane tickets, close to everywhere, and can rent a motorbike or car.
Attraction
In Bandung City With Precious Tropical Art-Deco Heritage, there is natural beauty and unique culture of the local community. There are many uniqueness, starting from the village (desa), sub-district (kecamatan), district (kabupaten) and provincial levels.
In Indonesia, each province has different and interesting characteristics. Each province has a different and unique culture and lifestyle.
Bandung is the capital of West Java province in Indonesia. In the 1920’s when the Dutch decided to gradually move its colonial capital to Bandung, it was the heyday of Art Deco.
That is the reason why until today Bandung still holds some of the best examples of Tropical Art Deco architecture in the world.
Bandung then prospered with more and more large plantations and large companies headquartered here. By 1939 Bandung’s cinchona plantations produced 90% of the world’s quinine, while Dutch coffers were filled with the sale of coffee grown around the city.
As the new town became the home of the Dutch wealthy elite, Bandung came to be known as “Parijs van Java” – the Paris of Java.
As your train arrives at the Bandung station, you are already greeted by a fine example of Dutch architecture. When you disembark from the train, turn right and you will find an authentic interior of an Art Deco building. Constructed in 1884, Bandung’s train station still maintains its authenticity and originality up to this day.
The Savoy Homann Hotel as well as the Grand Hotel Preanger are both prominent examples of well-preserved Art Deco architecture.
The Preanger Hotel was built in 1929 by a Java-born Dutch architect, Charles Prosper Wolff Schoemaker, who previously worked for a famed American Architect, Frank Lloyd Wright. Schoemaker, who was then lecturer at the Bandoengsche Technische Hoogeschool, now the Bandung Institute of Technology , hired Soekarno, a draftsman who was also his student.
History has it that this student draftsman would ultimately become the founding father and the first President of the Republic of Indonesia. The Grand Hotel Preanger has been modernized, but its original sections are maintained.
There are other buildings associated with Schoemaker’s name. On Braga Street, his creations include Majestic Cinema, now the First Asian-African Conference Museum, and the adjoining Societeit Concordia Club House, currently Gedung Merdeka.
The neo-gothic, Art Deco Catholic Cathedral of St. Petrus splendidly stands on Merdeka Street, a block from Braga Street. Schoemaker’s masterpiece is Villa Isola on Dr. Setiabudhi Street, built in 1933 as a residence of a millionaire, D.W. Beretty.
The house later turned into a hotel and is now used as the main office of a nationally-renowned university. This architectural jewel is considered as “Indonesia’s greatest contribution to the world of art-deco”, boasting curvaceous shapes that blend beautifully with the terraced garden landscape.
Another prominent name that is also equally renowned for Bandung’s Art Deco architecture is Albert Frederick Aalbers.
Born in Rotterdam, the Dutch architect moved to Bandung in 1928 to try his luck in the Dutch East Indies. The architect’s signature style, ‘Streamlined Deco’ on the façade, and ‘Tropical Deco’ inside, can be seen on Denis Bank, now Bank Jabar on Braga Street, and the nearby Savoy Homann Hotel.
Perhaps the most well-known art deco building stands precisely in the center of the city. The Gedung Sate, the building that is now the governor’s office, was completed in 1920, and designed by J. Gerber.
Famous for its skewer-like antenna –Satay or Sate – which gives the building its popular name, it combines neo-classical style with native elements and creates grandeur and a unique mixture of Western and Eastern atmosphere.
The government is taking good care of the preservation of nature and maintaining the condition of the forest.
The environment is also well maintained.
Activity
Visiting Bandung City With Precious Tropical Art-Deco Heritage, we will witness routine community activities in unique traditional cultures. And there are special dishes and food as part of culinary tours that are delicious and yummy.
Be the one to witness, that there is still a little bit of ‘Europe’ in Bandung. The Dutch East Indies architectural trails can still be seen in Bandung.
The high concrete walls and decorated windows structure still stand silently today as a reminder of a bygone era, within which different cultures were assimilated.
These art deco buildings decorated many parts of the city. You can observe these architectural legacies, while you spend your time touring Bandung. Here are some art deco buildings you can visit:
- Braga Street Buildings (a commercial center during Dutch colonial era)
- Gedung Merdeka (The Asia-Africa Conference museum)
- Hotel Savoy Homann (near the city square)
- Villa Isola (northern part of Bandung)
- Gedung Sate (The Provincial government office)
In this place there are also regular events or activities held every year, both national and international.
Accessibility
The journey to Bandung City With Precious Tropical Art-Deco Heritage is now very easy. We can enter through various modes of transportation.
Access to go to Bandung:
It is quite easy to reach Bandung. On your journey you’ll see the wondrous views of the Parahyangan (land of God) landscape, which reboots your sense of adventure. There are many modes of transportation to choose from:
•By Air
Leaving on the airplane is the fastest way to reach Bandung. Air Asia provides thrice flights from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) and daily flights from Bali (DPS) and Medan (MES) to Bandung (BDO) and vice versa. Malaysia Airlines also serves daily flights between Kuala Lumpur and Bandung
Deraya Airlines also operates daily flight from Jakarta (Halim Perdanakusuma Airport) to Bandung (Hussein Sastranegara Airport).
Wings Air, subsidiary of Lion Air, operate flight routes of Bandung-Bengkulu, Bandung-Palembang (South Sumatra) and Bandung-Tanjung Karang (Bandar Lampung). Sriwijaya Air and Susi Air also provides flights to and from Bandung.
•By Land,
Train
This is an ideal choice if you enjoy good views along the journey where your eyes will be spoilt by the beautiful lavish green of undulating hills, terraced paddy fields and tea plantations. From Jakarta the 180 km journey takes 3 hours.
PT KAI Persero (Kereta Api Indonesia) provides excellent train services to reach Bandung from several cities in Indonesia:
•If you leave from Jakarta (Gambir Train Station), Argo Gede will lead you to Bandung. Argo Gede serves only Executive-AC class but it is comfortable and faster train. The first train will leave at 5.30 a.m. and the last train at 08.30 p.m. on weekdays and 09.30 p.m. on Sunday.
•If you come from Surabaya (Surabaya Gubeng Train Station) there are several trains that offer a scenic journey to Bandung. Turangga (Executive), Harina (Executive), Argowilis (Executive) and Mutiara Selatan (Business) ply the route daily. So, get ready to pack your bag the first train leaves at 07.00 a.m. !
*Information about fares of the trains is available at www.kereta-api.co.id
Bus and Shuttle Car
There are also convenient buses operated by Primajasa which will take you to Bandung (Bandung Supermall) direct from the Soekarno-Hatta Airport in Jakarta. The cost is approximately $US 8.50 per person.
However, if you’re looking for something private and elegant, shuttle cars (X-trans, Cipaganti, and Primajasa) are also available in the airport. The cost is approximately $US 14.0 per person. All of them provide great, reliable, and safe services.
FROM BANDUNG AIRPORT: Hussein Sastranegara Airport is only 4 km from the town centre. Taxis from the airport to town cost approx. $US 6 (50,000 IDR).
Remember to use the safe “Airforce Cooperative” taxi from the airport to the hotel/town centre. Hotels in Bandung usually provide free airport transfer services. They will be pleased to pick you up if you tell them the time and date of arrival in advance.
ANGKOT
You won’t want to miss the unique experience once you decide to take a ride in one of Bandung’s most common transportation, the Angkot.
It is an acronym from Angkutan Kota, Indonesian Bahasa for ‘City Transport’. This is the cheapest public transportation you can get in Indonesia. So, don’t expect five-star service or much convenience when getting around with it.
Angkot in Bandung comes in red, green, pink, yellow, blue, and occasionally in a combination of two completely unmatching color.
In English this is pronounced ‘un-caught’, a public transport minivan, with single entry and exit door on the left, or at the back.
This transport has a long seat and not-so-long one, facing sideways and each other. The long one, decent enough for the Asian physique, can accommodate seven people, while the other one accommodates five.
Most important to know is how to say, ‘KIRI’ (pronounced: key-ree), Bahasa for ‘left’ or ‘stop here’. Why ‘left’? In Indonesia, the traffic drives on the left. So “Kiri” is an indication that you wish to stop here or the Angkot will pass your destination. But if getting lost is what you want to do in your vacation, then enjoy taking an Angkot to get around.
The Angkot has no fixed fare as ths depends on how far you wish to travel. Don’t worry though as the cost will be less than a dollar. It is best to ask the driver or kernet (the assistant driver) about the fare to go to your destination. Hail an Angkot as you would a taxi.
TAXI
If you’re confused with the routes of the Angkot or if it’s just too uncomfortable, then a taxi is the best choice for you to travel around Bandung. Official taxis in Bandung use meters but be careful when choosing an unmetered Taxi. Blue Bird is the best known and reliable taxi service.
CAR
Using your own car or renting a car is probably the easiest and the most convenient way to explore Bandung. There are many reliable local car rentals that you can find in Bandung;
•Dirgantara
Jl. Lamping 7 Bandung 40131
Phone: +62.22.2035050
•Lysan
Kompleks Mitra Dago Parahyangan
Bl I/11 Bandung
Phone: +62.22.7217070
- You can visit Bandung year round, as it is almost always sunny, and during the wet season (September – April) the temperature is pleasantly cool between 17 – 20 ˚C ,
- Umbrella and light jacket are recommended during the wet season,
- You may need to bring a jumper for the early morning or evening,
- ATM’s are located in all corners of the city,
- Before shopping, make sure you have exchanged your foreign currency at the money changer’s; you can find them along Dago, Cihampelas and Tamblong streets,
- Get ready to bargain over price when you’re shopping at traditional markets, and always keep an eye on your belongings
The streets of Dago are easy to locate. From the Bandung’s train station or airport, you can book a cab ride to Dago for about Rp.25,000. Most cabs use flat rates.
The condition of the infrastructure is getting better. Starting from highways, airports, trails, ports, bridges, stairs, even some places can be reached by toll roads.
We can visit by plane, car, ship, bus, motorcycle and bicycle. At some point, we can take the train. We can also walk freely.
Amenity
In Bandung City With Precious Tropical Art-Deco Heritage, as technology getting better. We can easily find locations for mini markets, shops (warung kedai), Money Changer, ATMs, Bank BRI BCA BNI Mandiri, BTPN Bank Nagari BJB, supermarkets, and restaurants. So we will not starve or lack the necessary items.
If you are sick and need help, you can also visit clinics, drugstore pharmacies (apotek), practice doctors, hospitals, and health centers (puskesmas).
In this place we can also look for places of worship such as mosques, churches, and others.
Accommodation
Finding place to stay in Bandung City With Precious Tropical Art-Deco Heritage is very easy. We can stay at home stays, hotels, inns, hostels and other places.
To get lodging at a cheap and definitely comfortable price, please see below:
Booking.com
Experience and Reviews
There are already many visitors have visited Bandung City With Precious Tropical Art-Deco Heritage, there are many interesting stories that are told. Like feeling satisfied, happy, wanting to come again, sleep well, and almost no one is disappointed or complains to come here.
So, visitors will find out on how to find the best hotels, where is exactly located, why it is amazing, how much is the fare and rate, who are the people, whom to ask, and when is the best time to visit.
We can visit these tourist attractions from Tanjung Pinang, Tanjung Redep, Tanjung Selor, Tapak Tuan, Tarakan, Tarutung, Tasikmalaya, Muara Bungo, Muara Enim, Muara Teweh, Muaro Sijunjung, Muntilan, Nabire, Negara, Nganjuk,
That’s all the information we provided, hopefully useful.
