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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Visiting Gembiraloka Zoo Yogyakarta

Gembiraloka Zoo

The zoo well known as Gembiraloka is the only zoo in Yogyakarta. Although it is a zoo, Gembiraloka is still categorized as a museum included in category of zoologicum museum or fauna museum and special museum. Seen from the historical perspective, Gembiraloka is  the second oldest museum in Yogyakarta after Sonobudoyo Museum.

In 1933, the idea of the development of the zoo around Gajah Wong River emerged from the King of Mataram, Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono VIII. The Sultan wanted a tourism or entertainment area for the people in the form of botanical garden (kebun rojo). Then, Sri Sultan consulted this idea to an Austrian architect named Kohler. Nevertheless, the establishment of this zoo just could be realized by Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX and Ir. Karsten (an engineer) in 1953. Still in the same year, on November 10th, 1953, Gembiraloka Zoo, which was managed by Gembiraloka Foundation, was officially opened by the Sultan himself. At that time, this foundation was led by Sri Paduka Paku Alam VIII.

Elephant Attraction

In the development, due to many managerial reasons, the Gembiraloka Zoo has changed its manager for several times. Although it has experienced many difficult situations   this zoo still becomes one of the main tourism objects in Yogyakarta. The data from Tourism Agency of Special Region of Yogyakarta for the last five years shows that the number of visitors to Gembiraloka in every year is more than to the Museum and Monument of Jogja Kembali. The quantity of the visitors in Gembiraloka can only be compared by the visitors of Yogyakarta Palace and Malioboro area.

Unlike other zoos in general that only show “ordinary” or rare fauna for display in the iron bars cage or wooden fence, Gembiraloka also presents dried preservation of some animals in a special room similar to a museum. The museum presenting this preservation animals is located in the side of the artificial lake in the zoo area. In 2007, Gembiraloka built not only the particular building for the preservation, but also a natural laboratory for flora and fauna as a studying media for people, especially for children. In this place, the visitors can enjoy various kinds of insects, vertebrate or invertebrate.

The zoo area which has been more than a half century is facilitated by a beautiful park,  decorated by various kinds of big and shady old trees, and beautiful flowers. As an arboetorium, Gembiraloka provides an observation area for forest plantation and the seedbed area which grow naturally. These various kinds of plants are not well-managed to show the “natural” atmosphere like other zoos in general.

Penguin Jascas

Besides getting real knowledge about various kinds of fauna and flora in the zoo, the tourists who take their children are also provided by tour boats look like a swan that is rowed (usually called genjot bebek). For the visitors that have not been ridden an elephant, the Gembiraloka Manager provides a special recreational facility, such as traveling around the zoo by tame elephants. Moreover, a children playground and an artificial cave are also provided as the supporting accessories of the zoo.

Gembiraloka Zoo Location

The address of Gembiraloka is in Kusumanegara Street, Yogyakarta City, Yogyakarta Special Region Province. This zoo is about four kilometers from Giwangan Terminal, Yogyakarta. If the tourists are from the downtown, Malioboro or the Yogyakarta Palace, the distance is about six kilometers. 

This zoo is opened everyday for public from 8 A.M. until 5 P.M. The visitors can use any kinds of public transportations in Yogyakarta to reach this tourism object. They can go by becak (pedicab), andong (four-wheeled carriage drawn by one or more horses), city bus, Trans Jogja bus, and also taxi. If the tourists choose becak or andong, they have to make sure that they are not too far from the zoo because the cost will be more expensive. If the tourists want to use a bus, chose number 9 or 7 which costs IDR 2.000,00. If the visitors choose a Trans Jogja bus, they may come to a Trans Jogja bus station and go with the bus route 1B. This route will stop in the station nearby Gembiraloka Zoo. The cost of Trans Jogja bus is IDR 3.000,00.

The ticket cost is still in confirmation. However, there are two kinds of ticket costs that are valid in this zoo. The first ticket is the personal ticket and the second ticket is the group ticket (more than twenty people). The lines of the shops that sell souvenirs, children toys, food, and beverages, can be found around the parking area. This zoo also has a large parking area for big busses, cars, and motorcycles. Besides, the rest rooms and musholla (small building for the Moslems to pray) become other facilities in this tourism object.

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The Wonderful of Lake Tempe in South Sulawesi

Lake Tempe

Lake Tempe is a tourism destination in South Sulawesi province that are frequently visited by tourists either domestic or foreign. The lake, which is 13.000 hectare in width, seems like a giant washbasin when it is viewed from above. Subsistence for people living around, it is not only used by the inhabitants of Wajo district, but also other people in the districts of Soppeng and Sidrap. Along the lakeside, you can observe the fishermen`s floating houses which were built in Bugis nuance, standing in a row directly face to the lake.

Lake Tempe is the biggest wetland fishery area in the world. It is assumed that the lake is located on the meeting point of two continents. Therefore, many wetland fish species can be found there than the other places in Indonesia.  In the middle of the lake, the fishermen`s floating houses stand in a row decorated with colorful flags. Above those, you can watch sunrise or sunset in the same position while enjoying various species of birds, fishes and water grasses. 

At night, it is the right time to angle for fishes while enjoying the beauty of moon lighting the lake.On every August 23, a sea festival usually called Maccera Tappareng (literally means purifying the take) is started, signed by butchering a cow that is led by the fishermen leader. You can watch many interesting attractions such as traditional boat race, decorated boat competition, kites competition, the election of Ana` dara (princess) and Kallolona (prince) of Wajo district, Padendang (beating mortar), traditional music performance, Bissu dance played by transsexuals and other traditional performances. It is aimed to keep the unity and the familiarity among the fishermen by “3-S” principals, Sipakatau, Sipakainge, and Sipakalebbi (Respecting, advising, and appreciating each others). Watching these performances, you will know more about Bugis culture especially Bugis in Wajo district. 

Where Lake Tempe Location?

Lake Tempe is located in Tempe sub-district, Wajo district, South Sulawesi province. Lake tempe lies 7 km away from Sengkang city, the capital of Wajo district. To reach the destination, you may take any public transportation such as Pete-pete (Minibus) from Sengkang city to the Walennae River continued to LakeTempe from the Walennae River in 30 minutes by using Katinting (Motor boat). Its cost is about Rp. 50.000 to Rp. 75.000 / person. If you are eager to enjoy fishing at night while enjoying the beauty of the moon lighting Lake Tempe, you are allowed to spend the nights in the fishermen`s floating houses. 

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Trekking in Mount Singgalang Bukittinggi

Mount Singgalang

There are many mounts in West Sumatera province, one of them is Mount Singgalang that is located in Agam district. It is at an altitude of  2.877 meters. Mount Singgalang covers some forestry areas, the Dipterocarpaceae Hilly Forest, the Dipterocarpaceae Upper Forest, the Montane Forest and theEricaceous Forest (Mountainous Forest). The Dipterocarpaceae Hilly Forest is at an altitude of 300 meters to 750 meters with the main plants are Seraya wood, Keruning wood, and Meranti wood. The Dipterocarpaceae Upper Forest is situated at an altitude of  750 – 1.200 meters with Meranti Bukit wood, and Damar Minyakwood as the main plants. The Montane Forest lies at an altitude of 1.200 to 1.500 meters above sea level with Mempening wood, Berangan wood, Damar Minyak wood and Podo wood as the main plants. The Ericaceous Forest or mountainous forest is located at an altitude of 1.500 meters with Kelat wood, Periuk Kera wood as the main plants. On the peak of the mountain, you will find two ponds named “Telaga Dewi” and “Telaga Kumbang.”

Telaga Dewi

Mount Singgalang can be reached by land from Ketapig Airport to Bukittinggi in approximately 2 hours with Rp. 10.000,00 – Rp. 15.000,00 for its costs. To reach the top of the montain, there are three ways that can be accessed, Pandai Sikek way (form Koto Baru), Kenagarian Malalak way (from Toboh) and Balingka way. If you decide to climb by Pandai Sikek way, it is started from Padang city to Koto Baru and continue to Pandai Sikek by any accessible public transportation. However, if you start the trip by Balingka way, it will be started from Padang to Bukittinggi (Padang Luar) continue to Batu Tagak. The last route to reach the destination is Tobah way, it is started from Padang to Bukittinngi continue to Tobah by any public transportations. Belows are the costs for transportation:

• Rp. 3.000 through Pandai Sikek way
• Rp. 2.500 – Rp. 4.000 through Balingka way
•  Rp. 3.000 – Rp. 5.000 through Tobah way

Where Mount Singgalang Access Location?

Mount Singgalang lies in Bukittinggi nearby Mount Merapi, but geogrpahically, it is located in Agam district, West Sumatera province. You may spend more nights as there are many hotels that can be found. There are two natural tourism destinations, Mount Singgalang and Mount Merapi. You will be offered with the various local cuisines from Padang that are commonly called Masakan Padang.

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Andong, Traditional Transportation in Yogyakarta

Andong Yogyakarta

Andong or Dokar is one of specific transportations from Yogyakarta. It is also known as delman, bendi, or sado. An anthropologist who once did a research on Andong indicated its small shape as the differing factor of andong in Yogyakarta to the ones in other different places such as Surakarta and Cirebon.

Andong was historically a chariot with 4 wheels, which was used only by the noble people, the Kings and their relatives for particular event. It was one of the icons to indicate social status of the priyayis (the royal families) in the early 19th century to the 20th century. The story started when Mataram Kingdom was led by Sultan Hamengkubuono VII (around the early 19th century). The lay people were not allowed to use andong during that period. They could only use a gerobak sapi (a chariot pulled by cattle) or a dokar for transportation. Andong was gradually available for the lay people during the leadership of Sultan Hamengkubuono VIII. It was limited for the traders and merchants though.

Going around the city with Andong is an interesting experience that tourists might not have at other places. To enjoy such an experience, tourists can choose the andong they wish. There are 2 kinds of andong in Yogyakarta: the regular Andong (which is also known as ‘not for tourism andong‘, and ‘for tourism andong‘.

Kusir Andong

Tourists can easily identify andong, which are meant for tourism because they are clean, well taken care of, and relatively new. The number of each andong is written in Javanese letters and put on the front side.

Besides, tourists will also be able to see the driver (kusir) in complete Javanese outfit: the blangkon, sorjan and lurik, and a black ¾ size pants. The friendliness of the drivers and their broad knowledge on the history of the city contributes special taste of the andong in Yogyakarta.

Andong Location

Andongs are generally available at the city of Yogyakarta, Sleman District, Bantul District, Gunung Kidul District, and Kulonprogo District. However, the andongs for tourism can only be found in Yogyakarta because of their limited numbers (100 units). People will find a number of ‘for tourism andong‘ parked along the jalur lambat (the streets meant for slow ridings), when they go to Malioboro Yogyakarta. They can also find the same kinds around the Beringharjo traditional markets and the North Townsquare (alun-alun Lor) which are located nearby Malioboro. Those who want to try the regular andong can go to any traditional markets in Yogyakarta since they are available there. The cost for renting ‘for tourism andong‘ with the destination Malioboro-the Sultan Palace-Ngasem traditional market-Tamansari-Pojok Benteng-Pathuk-Sosrowijayan-Malioboro is IDR. 20.000-30.000 (data on February 2008).  On the other side, the cost for ‘not for tourism andong‘ usually depends on the destination (how far the place to go is).

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Indarapatra Fortress

Indarapatra Fortress


Indarapatra Fortress was built by the Lamuri Sultanate (The first Hindu Sultanate in Aceh) in the seventh century before Islam came to Aceh. It was built directly face to the Malacca straits for defensive purposes against the aggression of Portuguese. It was Laksamana Malahayati, the first fleet admiral woman in the world, who presided over her soldiers to defend Aceh Darussalam against the Portuguese` aggression.
Welcoming Visit Indonesia Year 2008, the local government of Aceh Darussalam makes serious efforts to renovate the fortress for the central role of the fortress as valuable historical site. It was big, made of limestone with the unique architecture and solid construction. Now there are only two extent buildings after Tsunami occurred in Aceh four years ago. Moreover, the gate has also broken at the same time. In the past, there were three buildings in the fortress, the biggest one was 70 x 70 meter square with more than 3 meters in height. It could also be found a big room with 35 x 35 meter square and 4 meters high. At the time when the fortress was built, it could be categorized into a futuristic fortress since the people had to climb it first to go inside the building.



Where Access Location?

Indarapatra Fortress lies nearby Ujong Batee, Ladong village, Masjid Raya sub-district, in the district of Aceh Besar, Nagroe Aceh Darussalam province.  You may use Labi-labi (The typical transportations in Aceh province) for about 40 minutes. You may also take your own car for approximately 35 minutes to reach the destination. Indarapatra Fortress is 19 km away from Banda Aceh city. The costs for taking Labi-labi for your transportation from Banda Aceh to Krueng Raya is Rp. 4.000,00.  It is hard to find lodgement around the destination, so you have to seriously consider spending more nights there.

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Pasir Putih Beach in the South Part of Bandar Lampung

Pasir Putih Beach

Pasir Putih beach is one of the tourism objects in Bandar Lampung for domestic and foreign tourists. For the sake of it, the cleanness of the place is preserved.Across the Pasir Putih beach, shady trees are planted to cover the tourists after they feel like getting enough sun from walking down the beach. The water is clean and fresh to bath and play in, and the white sand gives peace to the tourists. This place is perfect for spending holiday. Besides the treat above, in the afternoon, the tourists can watch the sunset.

If tourists want to watch the coral and sea creatures, they can swim until certain border or use motor boat until the middle part. This place has amazing kinds of fish, coral reef, and sea plants.

Pasir Putih Beach Location

Pasir Putih beach is located in the south part of Kota Bandar Lampung City, about 20 kilometers from Bandar Lampung across Jalan Trans Sumatera (Trans Sumatra street). To get there, tourists can use personal car or public transportation. It is 30 minutes from Bandar Lampung. For tourists, who want to spend the night near Pasir Putih beach, there are many lodgings. The tourists can bring their own food or order it from the lodging. Tourists can get souvenirs in Bandar Lampung, near the beach, or by ordering them from the lodging.

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