Indonesia is the largest archipelagic country in the world with over 17,508 islands and each certainly has its own unique plus point. Indonesia has five large islands: Sumatra (473,606 km2), Borneo (539,460 km2), Celebes (189,216 km2), and Papua (421,981 km2). The following are the 10 favorite tourism destinations in Indonesia:
1. Bali
Tourism in Bali is the most advanced and developed in the country as it has various tourism sites, including natural, historical, and cultural attractions. The island’s natural tourist attraction include the panoramic Kintamani crater lake, Kuta Beach, Legian, Sanur, Tanah Lot, Nusa Panida, Nusa Dua, Karangasem, Batur Lake, Bedugul Lake, Sangeh conservation area, West Bali National Park and the Menjangan Island Sea Park.
The cultural tourist attractions include 83 sites, such as the art related tourism in Ubud, the sacred site of Tanah Lot, the Barong ceremony in Jimbaran and numerous art shops and galleries that are cropping up over the entire island. Bali also has tourist sites of historical value, such as the heritage of Karangasem, Klungkung and Buleleng kingdoms.
2. Yogyakarta
In Indonesia’s tourist tourism map, Yogyakarta takes second position after Bali. It has variety of tourist attractions and the province has well developed tourist facilities and infrastructure. There are no less than 70,000 handicraft industries here in addition to other supporting facilities, such as accommodation and various means of transportation. Yogyakarta also has a number of unique tourism destinations, such as the Sultan’s Palace (Kraton), Prambanan Temple, Kaliurang, Mount Merapi, Parangtritis, and silver craftwork in Kotagede. Yogyakarta indeed presents a wide range of tourist attractions for visitors.
3. West & East Nusa Tenggara
In West Nusa Tenggara, Central Lombok is one of its tourist destinations. It’s only 30 kilometers from Selaparang Mataram Airport. Its pristine, exotic beaches face the Indian Ocean, not to be missed by surfing lovers. The Sasak tribe living at Sade and Tansang-Ansang villages continues to practice and preserve its ancient traditions. Traditional weaving at Sukarare, earthenware goods at Penujak, handicrafts made from ketak and rattan at Belaka village all support the area’s tourism industry.
In East Nusa Tenggara, Komodo Islands is one of its tourist destinations. The island is famous not only for its heritage of convicts but also for the unique fauna which roam it. The Komodo dragon (Varanus Komodoensis), the world largest living lizard, takes its name from the island. In addition, the island is a popular destination for diving.
4. Jakarta
Jakarta is Indonesia’s capital city, the center of government and commercial with a population more than 10 million it is an enchanting metropolitan city and tourism destination. Jakarta has complete facilities and infrastructure to supports it as a metropolitan city. Some of tourism destinations and recreation center available in the city are as follows: Sunda Kelapa port, various museums, National Monument (Monas), Ragunan Zoo, Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII), Kota Tua, Fantasi World, Ancol Dream Park with its Sea World and a lot more.
5. North Sulawesi
This province has huge potential for its natural, marine and cultural attractions. Some of its assets are: Bunaken National Sea Park and Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park. The province also features numerous panoramic locations. The province also features numerous panoramic locations.
Being northernmost province and on the border of Pacific Ocean this province has a huge potential of becoming the regional and global economic gateway for the country. Thus the province also has ample opportunities to develop international cooperation with foreign countries especially with nearby countries such as the Philippines and Malaysia.
6. West Sumatra
Although this province’s tourism is not as large as Bali or Yogyakarta, it still has huge opportunities to develop its tourism potential. West Sumatra’s natural tourist attractions include: Ngarai Sianok at Bukit Tinggi, the following lakes: Maninjau, Diatas, Dibawah and Singkarak and a waterfall in Anai valley, then there is Ambun Pagi, Carolina Beach, Bumpus Beach, Kerinci Seblat National Park (TNKS) and the Singgalam volcano. The cultural attractions include the Minang culture and traditions at Padang Panjang, while the historical sites are caves inhabited by the Japanese during the war at Agam dan Pagarujung Kingdom Palace at Batusangkar.
7. West Java & Banten
The West Javanese people are known for their religiosity, rich cultural heritage and traditional values. This province also has various natural, cultural, and historical tourist attractions. Among the natural ones are: Puncak, Salabintana, Lembang, Tangkuban Parahu, Papandayan Mountain, Bogor Botanical Park, Juanda Forest Park in Bandung, Gunung Gede National Park and Pangrango, Ujung Kulon National Park, Pelabuhan Ratu beach at Sukabumi, Pangandaran Beach at Ciamis, and Carita at Anyer. Some of historical-cum-cultural tourist sites, such as the Naga Village at Tasikmalaya, the Baduy village, Kasepuan Palace in Cirebon, and Boscha Observatory in Bandung.
8. East Java
Among the natural tourist attractions available in East Java are Sarangan Lake, Tretes, Mount Bromo National Park, Tengger, Ketanggunan Mountain at Arjuna, Mount Semeru, Purwo forest and Baturetno in Malang, Pasir Putih beach at Situbondo, Popoh beach, Pacitan beach and Ngliyep beach. The province’s cultural-cum-historical tourist sites include the following temples: Panataran, Jawi, Jago and Singosari in Malang. There are the Karapan sapi (bull race) on the island of Madura, labuhan ceremony along the beaches of the southern coast, the traditional reog ritual at Ponorogo and ludruk (folk theater in which all parts all played by men).
Historical sites include the grave sites of Muslim religious leaders, such as: Sunan Ampel, Sunan Giri, Sunan Bonang, Sunan Mojoagung, Sunan Drajat and then there is the tomb of Indonesia’s first president, Sukarno in Blitar. There is also Trowulan, the remnants of the Majapahit kingdom as well as the Mpu Tantular museum.
9. Central Java
Central Java is also rich in tourist attractions. The natural attractions are: Tawangmangu, Baturaden, Dieng Plateu, Kopeng, Penyu Bay in Cilacap, Kartini beach in Jepara, Widuri beach in Pemalang, Petruk cave, Lawe cave, Jatijajar cave, swallow nests in Kebumen and Nusa Kambangan. Among its cultural-cum-historical sites are the Borobudur temple, the Mendut temple, Gedong Songo and Sukuh Temples.
10. Riau & Riau Islands
Riau has much potential as a tourism destination although it has not been developed to the maximum, such as its Batam and Bintan islands and other areas. Most tourists visit the islands of Batam, Tanjung Balai Karimun, Tanjung Uban dan Tanjung Pinang.
Meanwhile the province of Riau islands is the country’s second gateway after after Bali. Some of the tourism sites available here are its beaches: Melur and Nongsa at Batam city, Belawan in Karimun regency, Lagoi, Tanjung Berakit, Trikora, and Bintan Leisure Park in Bintan regency. Natuna regency is famous for its diving and snorkeling spots.
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