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Most people tend to associate Indonesia with Bali’s crowded beaches and tourist hotspots but there’s so much more than beaches, even though it’s the world’s largest archipelago. The islands, of which Indonesia has 17000, do feature largely as top Indonesia tourist places, but delve deeper and you will find that the sum is greater than its parts.
Indonesia stands out for being the largest Muslim country in the world but it’s also a secular nation with several other religions being followed. This has led to a rich and diverse culture where the focus is on spirituality. But at the same time, it’s also a nation that looks forward and accepts modernity as one can see from its bustling capital Jakarta. There are many places to visit in Indonesia and each deserves a separate holiday of its own. But for now, here’s a look at some of the places to go in Indonesia.
There are several other islands and places that you ought to visit in Indonesia to get the full experience. Java, Sumatra, Samosir Island, Papua and Kalimantan are popular tourist spots because of their diverse natural beauty and rich cultural offerings. From beaches and temples to resorts and exciting nightlife, Indonesia has much to offer the tourist who wants to come away feeling reset and refreshed.
SOTC has several exciting offers and deals on Indonesia tour packages and it’s a good idea to check the SOTC website before you book your tickets to Indonesia.
Packing your suntan lotion and swimwear for your holiday to Indonesia? Not yet? Still in the ticket booking stage? Well, it’s a good idea then to read ahead to know what the best Indonesia sightseeing spots are. After all, there are many places to see in Indonesia and you don’t want to miss out on anything. Here’s a list of some of the top Indonesia tourist attractions.
It’s impossible to talk of Indonesia without mentioning Bali right away. This is one of the top Indonesia tourist places and with its beaches and mountains and lush greenery, it has managed to put Indonesia on the tourism map firmly. People come here at any time of the year to be swept away in its beauty. At the same time, there are also those who come here to indulge in their favourite water sports and to do a bit of diving, snorkelling and scuba diving. Bali’s water sports have been developed to include some of the latest trends such as underwater scooter rides, sea walks, water jetpacks and flyboarding. If these don’t hold your attention, Bali’s rice terraces will take your breath away with the seemingly endless vistas of green that are laid out at your feet. The Obamas loved it during their Bali visit. You will too.
Although this isn’t one among the typical Indonesia tourist places, Jakarta has its own charms. Reputed to be the most heavily populated city in Southeast Asia, Jakarta is often called The Big Durian. New York might be The Big Apple, but the durian, with its pungent smell and odd flavour, is the perfect epithet to describe this busy city. Jakarta is decidedly cosmopolitan, and has some excellent restaurants and bars. The rooftop bars in particular are fabulous as they allow you to observe the controlled chaos that is Indonesia from a distance. This former Dutch colony has a water park, a beach, monuments and museums like the Puppet Museum and its own Chinatown. The Ragunan Zoo is the largest animal park in Southeast Asia. There’s so much to see here that it should definitely be included in your list of places to visit in Indonesia.
At a distance of just 45 minutes from Singapore by ferry, Batam Island is one of the top Indonesia tourist places thanks to its resorts, beaches and several other tourist attractions. As one of the famed places to visit in Indonesia, it has the famed Barelang Bridges, which are six bridges that link the islands of Batam with Rempang and Galang. People who visit Batam don’t fail to visit the Maha Vihara Duta Maitreya or the Laughing Buddha Temple as well as the Vihara Buddhi Bakti Temple, which is built in the Chinese style with a sacred garden.
Among the places to go in Indonesia, Yogyakarta is a favoured destination by many people. It is reputed as being the centre of Javanese fine arts and culture and is well known for its ballet, music, drama among other things. There are several fascinating spots to see here such as Candi Sambisari which is a famous archaeological structure or the Cerme Cave Walisongo with its fascinating stalactites and stalagmites. While there are many places to visit in Indonesia, those who come to Yogyakarta should not miss seeing the Museum Dirgatanra or the Aircraft museum which showcases World War II items as well as several well maintained aircraft. An important aspect of Javanese culture is often featured through the Shadow Puppet Plays which take place every evening at the Museum Sonobudoyo.
It’s no secret that Indonesia tourist places that are very popular are connected in some way to the beach. That’s why Lombok Island is now a preferred destination for those who don’t want the crowd or the expenses of Bali. Lombok is relatively cheaper and still has beautiful spots to offer such as sparkling beaches, waterfalls and even a volcano. Lombok’s Gili Islands are a group of three islands that are not developed and hence pristine. You won’t hear any sounds here except that of waves hitting the shore. The Jeruk Manis waterfall in East Lombok is another scenic sight with its cascade of water falling among the lush greenery that surrounds it. Lombok is also known for famous Komodo Island where these large monitor lizards roam about freely.
If you’re still confused about what to see in Indonesia, then a visit to the famed Mount Bromo volcano will help settle your mind. Mount Bromo offers some incredible views especially if you stand over the caldera at sunrise.
For those wondering about how to reach Indonesia, then do remember that you can fly here directly from a number of international cities. Indonesia’s busiest airports are Denpasar Airport in Bali (DPS) and the Soekarno-Hatta Jakarta International Airport in Jakarta.
If you’ve finally made up your mind to book your Indonesia Tour Packages , then do head over to the SOTC website to see what offers and deals can add to your holiday delight.
Ubud’s Sacred Monkey Forest is one of the excellent places to see in Indonesia. There is a feeling of a time gone by here, with the thickly canopied trees above and several moss covered statues of monkeys, along with the real deal – the long-tailed macaques as well.
One of the really important Indonesia sightseeing places would include Borobodur near Yogyakarta. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s one of the largest Buddhist monuments in the world.
Among the many places to see in Indonesia, do make some time for the Komodo National Park which is another UNESCO World Heritage Site. While the Komodo dragons are indeed fascinating to observe as they roam freely across the island, the surrounding waters are perfect for snorkelling and scuba diving.
