Hotels in Bandung

Bandung is the capital city of Java and one of Indonesia's largest islands. The tropical destination sits in the central and mountainous region, where you can see a great number of live volcanoes, including the more recently active volcano of Tangkuban Parahu. The area's high altitude combined with a warm and humid atmosphere is perfect for cultivating tea. Many of the town's nearby plantations were established by Dutch merchants during the eighteenth century. The city, first established in 1906, has built itself an excellent reputation for wealth and entertainment— known today as the Paris of the North. Though a great deal of redevelopment has occurred since the Second World War, the town's centre still has many surviving colonial-style mansions. There's also a high proportion of restaurants, bars and tourist attractions in the area. With the town's wide variety of industries, including telecommunications, the suburban area supports a population of well over eleven million people. As almost half of the locals are native Sundanese, the city glows with a rich cultural identity.

Most tourist accommodation options are largely concentrated in the centre of town. There are more than several luxury hotels, all with lavish indoor or outdoor pools. There are also many cosy, welcoming boutiques and informal guesthouses. The village also caters to youthful visitors and backpackers with a selection of hostels featuring relaxed atmospheres.

Neighbourhoods of Bandung

• Alun-Alun: Located within one kilometre of the city's centre, this is a lively district that's ideally placed for those looking to explore restaurants and shopping centres. It also has a large open-air square covered with artificial grass.
• Jalan Braga: This busy area lies south of the city's centre. It's a district with a high visitor rate, as most of the bars and clubs stay open all through the night.
• Jalan Diponegoro: The area around this main boulevard features many elegant buildings dating back from the city's early days, including large mansions, the fascinating Geology Museum and the town hall of Gedung Sate.

What to see and do in Bandung

Shopping is pretty much a national pastime in this city. There are numerous outlets and designer goods available at bargain prices. Gedung Sate, the city's town hall, is one of the best examples of 1920s Dutch colonial architecture. Visitors are allowed inside it and can enjoy spending rooftop views. Still, the region's nearby volcanoes are the main attraction. Kawah Ratu is the largest volcano, while Tangkuban Perahu is the liveliest. At Kawa Puti, there's a sulphurous lake with bright turquoise waters. One of the most picturesque tea plantations is Walini Ranca. Traditional markets, such as Pasa Baru, are always popular to visit. A must-do activity is to explore the floating markets at Kyotoku and Lembang, where you'll see hundreds of traders off-loading local goods from small, wooden barges. Dago Hill is a well-known spot, featuring beautiful waterfalls and amazing city views.

What to eat in Bandung

• Siomay and Batagor: These freshly made savoury fish cakes are very popular. You can pick some up at street food stalls throughout the city.
• Nasi Timber: This fried fish, beef or chicken dish is wrapped with banana leaf and mixed with bean sprouts, cucumber, tomatoes and peppers.
• Lotek: This is a local Sundanese dish comprising a delicious selection of lightly boiled seasonal vegetables, including cabbage, bean sprouts, potatoes and squash. Spices and herbs add extra flavour, and it's usually served with rice crackers and peanut sauce.

Typical events and festivals in Bandung

• Gedung Sate Festival: This festival comes every September and marks the founding of the city. The residents celebrate with music and theatrical performances.
• Bandung Lautan Api: This event is on the 23rd of March and honours the town's independence (gained in the 1940s).
• Festival of Sunda: This festival keeps local Sundanese culture alive, featuring stunning performances, traditional music and dance, plus mythical and legendary plays.

How to move around in Bandung

The easiest way to move around in Bandung's city centre is to hop on a minibus. The area has a large network of these rides running around, and they're locally known as angkot. There are also many regular taxis you can hail, or you can hire a car if you prefer comfort and convenience. A high-speed train is available for those wanting to journey beyond the city.

The climate in Bandung

Most tourists prefer to visit Bandung during the driest months between June and September. The remaining months experience a good amount of rainfall since it's the monsoon season. The city's high altitude provides it with a much lower temperature than most other Indonesian regions, which is quite refreshing. The average month-to-month temperature is approximately 26° Celcius.