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Bandung is the capital of West Java province in Indonesia, and the country's third largest city, and 2nd largest metropolitan area. Located 768 m (2,520 ft) above sea level, Bandung has relatively year-around cooler temperature than most other Indonesian cities. The city lies on a river basin and surrounded by volcanic mountains.
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Introducing Bandung
Bandung is a city in West Java, Indonesia. Located in the central highlands at an altitude of 768m, the city is known for its many universities, textile industry and many roadside cafes. Called Parijs van Java (Paris of Java) by the Dutch, its high altitude location makes the weather pleasantly cool. The food in Bandung is also well known for its wide variety. Thanks to all of this, Bandung is a very popular weekend escape for Jakartans, who crowd into the city on weekends and national holidays.
In the late 18th and early 19th century, as locals called it the bandoeng tempo doeloe (old Bandung) era, there were many buildings built with an art-deco style. The city that had served as a weekend resort for European rich men has made these type of buildings possible. Unfortunately the city administration has a tendency to create a modern look of the city with suspension bridge, banks, malls and commercial areas, instead of preserving old historical buildings. The non-profit organization Bandung Heritage Society has been formed recently to save these jewels forever.
There are many activities that you can do in the city or outside the city. As Bandung highland is surrounded by a string of mountains, activities in the outskirt of the city are mainly mountain resorts, adventures and outdoor sports. In the city, you can have culinary activities as there are so many food varieties, shopping with many clothing outlets and distros or just hanging around.
Fashion shopping and its accessories is the main reason for many weekend travellers from Jakarta, because those items are expensive in Jakarta. Starting with denim (jeans) stores along Jln. Cihampelas in the 90s with unique facades to attract people, fashion stores grow rapidly into sisa exports (rejected export products), then factory outlets, now with the new trend is the distro (distribution outlets). Don't expect luxury labels, because you can find them in Jakarta.
Bandung is a heaven for food lovers who enjoy new experiences. There are a lot of varieties, not only local cuisine but international ones. You can find any food you want for any kind of taste. Do note, that most eateries in Bandung focus on creating new variations, not making sure it tastes good.
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Geographical Of Bandung
Bandung is bookmarked by several hilly, mountainous parts. The Lembang highlands to the north is a popular weekend getaway area, offering even cooler climates and beautiful views of the surrounding plateau. Its popularity ensures its continuing development, with new hotels, resorts and restaurants built and continuing the urban expansion further north. Traditionally, this area is also supported by agriculture in form of flower and vegetable plantations, and several tea plantations further north.
The area surrounding Bandung is volcanic, and tourist attractions such as Maribaya and Tangkuban Perahu are only a short trip away. Maribaya offers mountainous terrain and its hot, sulfur springs are a popular destination year-long.
Tangkuban Perahu is a volcano with three craters into which areas tourists can walk through. These three craters are: Kawah Ratu ("Queen Crater"), Kawah Domas ("Domas Crater"), and Kawah Upas ("Upas Crater"). Tourists can go down into the Domas Crater where exist many hot geysers in which they can boil eggs.
The recent expansion of the city borders added the southern lowlands to the city of Bandung, mostly consisting of industrialized areas and recently housing developments. The garment industry is dominant among the manufacturing companies, and attracts many migrants from the countryside to relocate to Bandung.
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Weather All Year Round
Climate Bandung is situated on a plateau 768 meters above sea level with a cool climate throughout the year. Bandung is the most European city of Java.
The raining season starts in Bandung a little bit earlier, then the rest of Indonesia. Normally the raining season in Indonesia is from October till May, the peak of the raining season is in January. The dry season is from June until August, temperature is then 25-30 degrees Celsius during the day.
In the morning the sun is almost shining every day, but in the afternoon many times it gets cloudy, for sunbathing you have to wake up early from 6.30 the sun is already there! In the evening when the sun is down the temperature drops.The average temperature in Bandung is 22 degrees Celsius, the weather is pleasant all year round.
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Culture
Bandung is also called the "flower city" referring not to the plants, but to the area's women, who are supposed to be the most beautiful on Java. There is so much to do in Bandung that the city might warrant as much as a weeklong stay.
Because the number of Universities in town, some of the best cheap eats are found in Bandung. Food stalls are often grouped together, some under a covered pavilion. Santosa is such a "food court". It comes highly recommended by local students. Because many students are able to speak English and will undoubtedly approach a tourist to practice their language skills, this is a good place to have a conversation and perhaps learn more about the area and some of its sights. The hills outside the city are famous for their roadside cafes.
In town, there are several foods local dishes to try. The most popular is usually satay, skewered and grilled meat. Laksa, a kind of coconut milk soup/ curry is also popular and especially good option at one of the city's many street stalls. Because of the number of young people, Bandung is a popular weekend nightlife spot. Though Indonesia is a Muslim country, and alcohol is not prevalent, there are a few bars, and lots of nightclubs, coffee shops, and parks with things going on. Dago Road is known for being a happening hangout spot, although there are other places around University campuses and in the downtown area worth checking out.
While Bandung is not a coastal city, like most of Java's major metropolises, it enjoys cooler weather and an atmosphere of youth and good times. The natural beauty of the surrounding mountains provides hiking and sightseeing opportunities, making Bandung one of the best places to visit on the island of Java.
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