Arrived on a wrong day, it was Saturday. It’s the time of the week when people from Jakarta come to the nearby city to breathe some fresh air. Where are they heading? To Bandung!
Due to its cool and natural-maintained vibe where lots of crops are growing and being harvested by the people, Bandung has been attracting lots of visitors as a perfect escape from busy cities like Indonesia’s capital. But there is one thing you can’t escape when you visit Bandung on a weekend: the heavy traffic. Nonetheless, there are still ways, of course, to beat the traffic jam and enjoy your stay in Bandung. Here are some of those.
Keep cool at Kawah Putih
Mountains are among the assets of tourism in Bandung. Good news for those who are not fond of hiking but want to see the beauty of a volcano. You can have the feeling of awe by visiting Kawah Putih or the White Crater.
Minivans are waiting to bring you to the entrance going to the crater. It will take less than an hour and the breeze, protecting the up and down road, will make it feel shorter.
After 29 years of being open for visitors, Kawah Putih’s selling point is its temperature which can be as low as 10 degrees Celsius. Adding to the points are the unsteady hues of the acidic lake, ranging from blue, white, green, and brown, brought by the sulfur and the changing temperature.
As among Mount Patuha’s dual craters, Kawah Putih is an easy-to-go destination in Bandung so expect a big crowd in the morning, especially on Saturday and/or on Sunday. Still, the number will give you a spot so better bring warm clothes and a good camera to enjoy the scenic view of Kawah Putih’s lake and its woody milieu.
A bonus no-crowd place to relax around the area in Kawah Putih is the forest where the minivans are parked. No proper entrance is provided to get into the forest so don’t go too far from the gathering area as you take a look at the woods.
Location: Jalan Raya Soreang Ciwidey, Bandung, West Java
Sip a coffee in a forest
Still can’t get over a chill vibe in a forest? The Armor Kopi in Bandung has been flooding the feeds on Instagram due to its well-thought location and shop interior.
Armor Kopi offers various types of locally-produced coffees and thus, proudly supports the economy of the cultivators. The infamous coffee variations of Liberica, Arabica, and robusta, along with teas are served. Though I have null information about their Kopi Luwak specials in terms of processing, I still recommend this coffee shop as it provides a real sociable setup. The tables and chairs are arranged outside the wooden ‘house’. After making an order, visitors can directly choose a spot for a pair or big groups.
Who doesn’t want a natural-made coffee to sip as the tall trees keep you guarded and fresh? Who doesn’t want soothing talk as you take a cup of coffee and food of your choice? After all …
Location: Jalan Pakar Barat, Taman Hutan Raya Ir. H. Djuanda, Ciburial, Cimenyan, Bandung, West Java
Fill your stomach with good food and ambiance at Dusun Bambu
Strawberries, tea, and bamboos are the common crops definition related to Bandung. Enormous tea plantations and tempting strawberries to harvest are all over the town. Bamboos, however, would be my top choice to represent the beauty of Bandung. Wonder why? Dusun Bambu has the answer.
Located at the feet of Mt. Burangrang, Dusun Bambu is a family leisure park that offers a vast space to dine in and relish the whole eco-friendly setting.
Serving as a venue for events, outdoor activities, and simple dining, Dusun Bambu lifts the value of bamboos through the structures wisely spread in the whole park.
With the admission fee of 15,000IDR (1.13USD), visitors can view exceptional buildings, like the bird nest-inspired restaurant. Moreover, children are free to use the outdoor play zone where the giant wooden swing, throwing bracelet, engraving, the back clogs, and the mini cycle-rickshaw can be played. Face painting is also available for a certain charge.
The food served in every restaurant, in addition, is well-picked and prepared, which choices ranging from local to international tastes.
Thall-time favorite red cotton candy or the gullly is a must-try and a perfect start-up or after-dining food. The options from local foods are the Batagor Bandung, Baso Tahu and Soto Bandung Traditional Indonesian picks are also available such as pempek, Otak-otak Palemba,ng and Satay Madura.
In big events such as wedding receptions, tours, and conferences held at Dusun Bambu, foreign cuisines are offered more often.
Location: Kolonel Masturi KM 11, Cisarua, Bandung, West Java
Even if you go with the heavy flow of the f crowd, routing for Bandunonin a weekend, don’t gediscouragedge. You see, therisra e several things to do and to see in Bandung, to forget the hassle of a traffic jam as each destination is surely worth your travel time.
Other things to do in Bandung include the visit to plenty of factory outlets along Dagowhichat is perfect for shopping fashion stunts at an affordable price, and a stroll in the colonial European-style vibe mixed with the discovery of traditional arts.
Lots of types of transport are available to help you roam around the town. The public transportation starts at 6,000IDR (0.45USD) by an Angkot. However, the chances to get stuck in a traffic jam are high so better walk if you still can, and if the weather is good to do so.Note: The Tourism Ministry of Indonesia invited Two Monkeys Travel Group and other southeast Asian bloggers for the 10-day #TripofWonders in four destinations, including Makassar, but the views written in this article are fully my own.
About the Writer
Jessica Ayun is a Freelance Writer who writes that 5-10 cups of co ee a day will be served. She used to work as a TV Researcher but her feet are always curious o step into new places so she decided to work in the communities of Visayas and Mindanao as a Documenter for almost two years, through a non-government organization (NGO). She tries to see the “real happiness” in every person she meets and every place she goes to. She will always choose mountains over beaches.
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