Joanna James
As one of Asia's most dynamic holiday hubs, Indonesia is home to its fair share of cultural attractions and other highlights. Here are five of the country's most iconic attractions every tourist must visit at least once during a getaway in Indonesia.
No trip to Indonesia would be complete without spending time in one of Asia's finest beach capitals, Bali. The island is not only the main reason most travellers head to Indonesia in the first place but also a water sports Mecca for the masses. Some of the finest beaches in Bali include Kuta and Nusa Dua while Jimbaran, Canggu and Denpasar are equally breathtaking seaside hotspots lined with white, sandy beaches. Those with a passion for water-bound activities may find that Sanur is the best location on the island for these types of pursuits as everything from surfing and snorkelling to scuba diving and jet skiing is available at this beach haven. Travellers based at FOX Hotel Jayapura or any similar hotel in Jayapura must secure the help of a local tour operator to organise a trip to Harlem Beach, a great place for snorkelling.
As its name suggests, Komodo National Park is one of the few places in Asia where one can witness the majestic creature that is the Komodo dragon in the wild. While they are known to be quite violent and fierce, the national park which is also a UNESCO World Heritage site allows travellers to observe the creatures from a safe distance. Divided into five islands, the Komodo National Park is truly a vast expanse and the marine areas surrounding the isles are rich in coral reefs and marine habitats. This is why the area is also a big hit with travel enthusiasts, snorkellers, and kayakers.
If there's one ancient edifice that has ironically become synonymous with the now uniformly Islamic nation that is Indonesia, it is Borobudur. Dating back to the 8th century, this centuries-old Buddhist temple compound is spread over several acres and affords panoramic views of the surrounding area from its vaulted height. Designed and built to represent the Buddhist mandala, there are countless Buddha statues and dagobas lining this extensive spiritual space that was hidden and forgotten for centuries before it was rediscovered by explorers in the 1800s. The best time to visit the venue is in the early morning hours when the entire complex is drenched by the first rays of the sun.
Occupying pride of place in Ubud, the Sacred Monkey Forest is a nature lover's dream come true in Indonesia. Not only is this immense forest home to countless species of monkeys after which it is named but there are also some cultural remnants from the area's past that are well-preserved to this day. The ancient Hindu temple at the heart of the jungle is one such venue. Located near the tiny village of Padangtegal, the verdant Sacred Monkey Forest is also ideal for hiking excursions and trekking activities.
Home to some of the globe's most active volcanoes, a trip to Indonesia offers visitors the chance to experience what life on the Ring of Fire is truly like with a tour of an active volcano. Mount Bromo is one such hotspot where the views are as spectacular as the smoke that's still spewing from the heart of the mountain.
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