The City of Watan Soppeng: a City of Bats

Watan Soppeng City

Watan Soppeng is one of the most beautiful sub districts in South Sulawesi. This city is so shady for the many trees growing on each side of the streets. Its air is chilly since it locates on a mountainous are which is 200 meters above the sea level.

Lontara Bugis (the ancient manuscript of the Bugis) notes that Soppeng is historically a city of a prosperous and powerful kingdom. There is a palace of the king (Datu) in this housing complex which was built in 1261 C. E by I Latemmamala who was entitled as Petta Bakkae. There are also a number of buildings in the complex, they were: Bola RidiE (Rumah Kuning) which was for storing the attributes of the Soppeng Kingdom; SalassaE which is the ruin of the palace of the Datu; and Menhir Latammapole which was the place to punish those who broke the law of the adat (the customary law). The Jera LompoE and KalokoE Watu, a cemetery, can also be found here. The Jera LompoE is the cemetery of the Kings (Datu) of Soppeng, Luwu and Sidrap in the 17th century. Meanwhile, the tomb of We Tenri Sui, Arung Palakka`s mother, is at KalokoE Watu.

The Bats Community in Watan Soppeng

The city of Soppeng is so unique that people address it as “Kota Kalong” or “Kota Pekalongan” (it is not the same as Pekalongan city in Central Java). The visitors will directly sense a strong smell as they enter the heart of Watan Soppeng. It is the smell of the bats which are in that area. The smell will be even stronger when people stand exactly under the trees where the bats are hanging.

Those bats will leave the trees during the nights for foods. Thousands of them will fly covering the sky in the darkness from their wings. A sound of thunder from thousands of bats moving their wings alarms the people of Soppeng to begin their daily life as the bats return to the trees when the dawn comes.

Not even a single person in that area is sure when exactly those bats start settling in the trees on the sides of the streets of Watan Soppeng. People only believe that the animals, which look similar to mousse, have been there since hundreds of years ago. People also believe that those bats are “the guardians” of the city of Watan Soppeng. They even believe that the bats are sign to inform the villagers of anything bad or good that will happen in the city. It is believed that a disaster is about to come when the bats leave the city for quite long time. People believe that the burnt of the Soppeng`s Central market in 1990 was because of the cutting down of the trees where the kings and leaders of the bats used to stay. People no longer dare to annoy them since that moment. A ceremony, where a buffalo was slaughtered, was once held to invite the bats to come back to the city. However, it took quite a long time before they finally came and re-settled there.

There is also a myth spread among the villagers that when someone is hit by the dung of the bats, the person will marry a woman or man from the city. Are you curious about the myth? Come to Watan Soppeng and prove it by yourself!.

Where Watan Soppeng Location?

The city of Watan Soppeng is the capital of Soppeng sub district, South Sulawesi province, Indonesia. The city of Watan Sopeng is 150 kilometers northward of Makassar city. It takes four to five hours from Makassar by private cars or public transportations, which costs around Rp. 40.000 per person. There are many facilities available for visitors in Watan Soppeng such as food stalls, restaurants, inns, motels, hotels, and villas. There is also a wonderful Raya Soppeng Mosque in the center of the city which is far from the trees where bats usually hang on.

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Tomohon, the City of Flower

Though this is predicated as the City of Flower, Tomohon City`s coat of arms has no flower symbol on it. Its coat of arms includes a green mountain representing the geographic landscape of Tomohon, which is hilly area with enchanted nature. Tomohon`s coat of arms is aimed at informing public about Tomohon`s tranquillity, natural resources, and tourism potencies. Another symbol on Tomohon`s coat of arms is a streaky brown land depicting Tomohon`s prosperity.

For those reasons, Tomohon people call their city as `the City of Flower` considering the fertility of Tomohon`s land that is good for various flowers. In the beginning of 2000, a regional development programme made appear Tomohon City as the new district, separated from Minahasa District.

As a new district, Tomohon was officially launched on August 4th, 2003 by the Minister of Domestic Affair, Harry Sabarno. Since the time, Tomohon develops fast as one of the most crowded city in North Sulawesi.

Now Tomohon District encompasses five sub-districts which are West Tomohon, East Tomohon, Central Tomohon, South Tomohon, and North Tomohon. In addition, at least there are 35 villages based on the administrative area of Tomohon District. Most of Tomohon areas have enormous tourism potencies.

The geographic landscapes of Tomohon are hilly and mountainous areas ranging from the north to the south of North Sulawesi Province. Such topography causes the city development grows slowly.

Tomohon International Flower Festival

Tomohon is a site for four mountains, which two of them are still actives, namely Mount Lokon and Mount Mahawu. In addition, Mount Lokon is the highest mount in North Sulawesi which is 1.580 meters above the sea level.

There are several colourful parks in the centre of the city with various flowers growing up there. The local government of Tomohon City routinely holds annual flower festival which is able to attract many tourists to come to Tomohon.

Not only colourful parks with various flowers, but you can also find other wonderful tourism destinations such as Lake Linow, waruga (sarcophagus), tinoor waterfall, doa hill, agritourism in Rurukan, wooden house craft centre in Woloan, and amphitheatre in Woloan. Likewise, if you want to buy some souvenirs typically Minahasa, you can get them in the traditional or modern markets in the heart of Tomohon City. Some other worth visiting tourism destinations nearby Tomohon City are Bunaken sea park, Lake Tondano, Mount Klabat, Mount Soputan, and Kali Waterfall.

Welcoming `Visit Tomohon 2008`, Tomohon local government along with Tomohon people set some cultural and tourism agendas to attract many tourists to visit Tomohon. Some of the agendas on Visit Tomohon 2008 are cultural and music festival, flower exhibition, photography competition, fashion style, and a seminar on flower cultivation.

Tomohon City Location

Tomohon City lies around 22 km away east of Manado City, the capital of North Sulawesi Province. However, it is about 15 km away from Tondano and 55 km from Bitung City.Tomohon City lies around 22 km away east of Manado City, the capital of North Sulawesi Province. However, it is about 15 km away from Tondano and 55 km from Bitung City.

You can take any public transport to reach Tomohon City. Now, access to Tomohon City has been paved out hence you can easily reach there for having wonderful holiday ever. You can find easily many supporting facilities during the visit to Tomohon, the City of Flower. You can spend more days in the location considering the number of inns or star hotels there. Moreover, you can easily find souvenir shops along the main road of Tomohon City.

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Kampoeng China

Kampung China

Kampoeng China is a residence and trade village in Cibubur, East Jakarta. This village is one of the cooperation between East Jakarta Regional Government and a foreign company to make the 300-hectare in Cibubur tourism area become Kota Wisata (Tourism City), Kota Mandiri (Independent City), and Town Center. This Kampoeng China started operating on September 14th, 2002. The building, nature nuance, until accessories which are sold in this place have Chinese nuance. All sold products come from China and the cost starts from thousands rupiah up to millions rupiah. On ordinary days, this village is crowdedly visited by the people around the area. This situation will be more crowded in Chinese New Year or Imlek celebration day.

Before entering this village, the visitors have already felt the Chinese nuance reflected on the gate in the form of red dragon. It is called the prosperity gate. Next, the visitors will pass a curving bridge called Dragon Gate above a Chinese nuance pond. Then, they reach the center of the crowd named the forbidden city. The Mandarin music which is heard since entering the gate until inside the main location takes the visitors as if they were on bamboo curtain land.

When entering this Kampoeng China, the visitors will find shops line selling various kinds of Chinese merchandises, such as fans, umbrellas, wall decorations, tables, hair pins, rings, clothes, gloomy lamps, towels, bags, shoes, electronic goods, various porcelains, jars, Chinese incenses, money gifts, and Chinese traditional medicines. The narrow streets which connect the blocks are decorated with an amount of lantern balls.

If the visitors are tired to go around enjoying the situation of Kampoeng China or shopping, they can get relax in some benches while enjoying the scenery of the well-arranged shops or parks with some small ponds, or tasting various foods and drinks which are arranged in lines in a special block.

Amongst the uniqueness of Kampoeng China are the buildings, statues, and merchandise accessories which have bright red color. Another uniqueness is that most of the visitors in fact are not Chinese descendant, but native people who not only come from surrounding area but also come from other big cities in Indonesia. The visitors can go not only for recreation but also for shopping.

The beauty of Kampoeng China architecture is reflected in 200 shops which are well-arranged in lines and sell Chinese accessories. The building, cultural tradition, and art which are shown bring the visitors‘ imagination into Chinese culture and art. The visitors will be amazed and astonished with the Chinese completeness and nuance which are dominant in this place.

Amongst the uniqueness of Kampoeng China are the buildings, statues, and merchandise accessories which have bright red color. Another uniqueness is that most of the visitors in fact are not Chinese descendant, but native people who not only come from surrounding area but also come from other big cities in Indonesia. The visitors can go not only for recreation but also for shopping.

The beauty of Kampoeng China architecture is reflected in 200 shops which are well-arranged in lines and sell Chinese accessories. The building, cultural tradition, and art which are shown bring the visitors‘ imagination into Chinese culture and art. The visitors will be amazed and astonished with the Chinese completeness and nuance which are dominant in this place.

Kampoeng China Location

Kampoeng China is located in the housing estate area of Cibubur Tourism City, not far from Cibubur campsite, East Jakarta. Kampoeng China is easy to find. From Jakarta, the trip is about 45 minutes through Jagorawi (Jakarta, Bogor, and Ciawi) freeway. From Depok, the trip is about 20 minutes. From Bogor, the visitors can go through Cileungsi or the freeway. This Kampoeng China tourism is opened everyday, started from 12.00 - 20.00 WIB. On Saturday and Sunday, it opens from 10.00 WIB. Inside this tourism area, the visitors can also see Pagoda Lung Hwe, Thai San Tower, and Huang Shan Tower. This place also provides inns, restaurants, and special blocks which sell food and soft drink.Inside this tourism area, the visitors can also see Pagoda Lung Hwe, Thai San Tower, and Huang Shan Tower. This place also provides inns, restaurants, and special blocks which sell food and soft drink.

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Takengon City

Takengon City

Located in the highland of Gayo, Takengon City is a worth visiting tourism destination in Aceh Province. It is a city with a panoramic view of its nature in the center of Aceh Province. Lake Laut Tawar, one of the famous tourism destinations in Aceh Province is located in Takengon City likewise.

Many tourists, either domestic or local, come to Takengon City to visit and to spend some nights there around Lake Laut Tawar. Besides, Takengon City also offers you other tourism destinations such as Puteri Pukes Cave, Pantang Terong, Wih Pesam Hot Spring, Terong Hill (Khafi Peak), Loyang Karo Cave, Menye Beach, Ketibung Beach, and the Monument of Pacuan Kuda (horse race). The last one is held in a different way. The jockeys are naturally well-trained children, so they seem amazingly brave to participate in the horse race without using saddle. At least there are 20 tourism destinations in Takengon City, so many choices for you for having tourism there.

The indigenous people of Takengon City come from Gayo tribe that is the offsprings of Batak Karo from North Sumatra. Moreover, the mother tongue of the inhabitants is also different from Aceh people‘s mother tongue.

Dealing with its locaton in the highland of Gayo, Takengon City is famous as a city which has fresh air and maginificent view of surrouding area. Gayo Coffee as the main commodity of Takengon City, has been exported to Japan, USA, and Europe. The other export commodities are tomato, markisa, vegetable, corn, chili, potato, tangerine, avocado, and tobacco.

Takengon City Location

Takengon City is the capital of Central Aceh District, Nangroe Aceh Darussalam Province.Takengon City is the capital of Central Aceh District, Nangroe Aceh Darussalam Province. You can easily access Takengon City from Bireun City, where you can find a small bus station. You can take a type of public transportation that will carry you directly to Takengon City with IDR 25.000 for its costs (January 2008). It is approximately five hours to reach the location from Bireun City. Moreover, you can also reach the location from Blang Kejeren or Kutacane. As an additional information, Bireun City is the capital of Bireun District, Nangroe Aceh Darussalam Province, Indonesia. Remembering that Takengon City is the capital of Central Aceh District, you can easily find some middle-class hotels as well as stars hotels. Nearby the cave tourisms, there are some speedboat rentals with reasonable prices for you who want to enjoy the magnificent view of Lake Laut Tawar.

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