Joanna James
As one of Indonesia's top holiday destinations, Surabaya offers travellers easy access to some of its most captivating natural wonders and highlights. From exploring tropical islands and rivers nearby to touring charming villages, here are 7 locations every visitor based in Surabaya should visit.
Adrenaline junkies and thrill-seekers heading to Surabaya should not miss the chance to enjoy a white-water rafting experience on the Pekalen River. Although the locale is three hours away from the heart of the city centre, the rafting hub is a breathtaking location that's well worth the trip even if one does not fancy facing more than 30 rapids in a white-water rafting route that includes seven waterfalls.
History buffs based in Surabaya, on the other hand, should drive down to the ancient precinct of Trowulan where they can marvel at the ancient remains of the Majapahit Empire. Dating back to medieval times, the empire enjoyed its golden days in the 14th century. Iconic landmarks such as the Candi Bajang Ratu temple and the Wringin Lawang monument alone make the visit a memorable experience although one should also drop by the Trowulan Museum to understand more about this Hindu empire.
Budget travellers and others based at YELLO Hotel Jemursari Surabaya or any one of the other hotels in Surabaya must explore this historic village, which was once a thriving trade hub in the 11th century. Located in the Bungah village, some of the other highlights at the Gresik Regency include its unusual geological formations that have taken the shape of mammoth mushrooms. Scattered across a vast expanse, these unique rock formations create a formidable atmosphere that's otherworldly in a modern city such as Surabaya.
As the main reason most travellers head to Surabaya in the first place, no trip to the area would be complete without hiking up the iconic volcano that is Mount Bromo. With an impressive height of 2329 metres, this active volcano and its crater offer visitors breathtaking views of the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park and also provide ample hiking trails for trekkers to navigate.
As a lesser-known island paradise close to Surabaya, Madura Island remains a secret that only frequent visitors to the region have managed to suss out of locals. The stunning dune laden beaches and the Bukit Kapur Jaddih limestone canyons are perhaps the best reasons to head down to this resplendent island where one can also engage in snorkelling activities and trek across Gili Labak beaches.
Mount Ijen is one of Indonesia's most infamous volcanic sites. The captivating jagged appearance of its volcanic cones makes it a striking attraction. Hikers and geology geeks alike can witness the largest acidic lake on the planet and witness panoramic views of the area by taking part in a 3-5 hour hike up and down the mountain.
Spread out across 25,000 hectares, the Baluran National Park opened its gates to visitors back in 1984 and remains a great sanctuary to spot Java mouse-deer and endangered bird species in the wild.
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