Indonesia Between Heaven and Earth – From Temple Complexes to Monkey Forests

Indonesia is the world’s largest island nation, washed by the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The most popular among tourists is the island of Bali, although holidays there are more expensive than, for example, Java or other lesser-known islands. The Indonesian economy is actively developing, offering a wide range of holiday options, including budget ones.

Among the advantages of this country, it is worth highlighting the picturesque nature and rich culture, as well as a large number of attractions, including 9 unique sites listed as UNESCO heritage sites. Next to the simple huts in Indonesian cities, you can see magnificent palaces, and impressive Buddhist temples are especially attractive to tourists.
Let’s take a closer look at what makes Indonesia attractive – interesting places and attractions that a tourist should visit.

Gili Trawangan: attractions

Three small islands – Meno, Air and Trawangan belong to the Gili archipelago. They are located near the island of Lombok, but tourists vacationing in Bali can easily get to them by ferry or motorboat. Be sure to visit Gili if you want to enjoy the wild nature and picturesque blue lagoons, incredible sunsets and magical starry sky. Snorkeling and diving enthusiasts will be able to explore coral reefs, turtle habitats, an underwater wall, underwater sculptures and many other attractions. Interestingly, motorized vehicles are prohibited on the archipelago, and you can only travel in horse-drawn carriages.

Ubud

The cultural capital of Bali, located in the heart of the island. Ubud’s attractions are primarily represented by traditional Indonesian architecture, but also by many other objects, including natural ones. In addition, it is here that vacationers can enjoy the widest range of spa services.

Yogyakarta

An ancient city located on the island of Java, which was the capital of the Sultanate of Mataram in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. In addition, Yogyakarta was the capital of Indonesia during the revolution in the second half of the forties of the 20th century. This is a city with a rich historical heritage, which invariably attracts tourists.
Be sure to visit the ancient royal palace of Keraton and stroll along Malioboro Street, where many souvenirs and colorful street food are sold. Of the local dishes, you should try the sweet stew gudeg and the pie with mung beans – baklia.

Jimbaran

For those who prefer Jimbaran, the sights are not the main thing. As a rule, tourists are attracted by spacious beaches with white sand and azure sea waves. However, you should still visit the Garuda Wisnu Kencana Park, where you can see impressive statues of Wisnu and the mythical bird Garuda.

Jakarta Attractions

The streets of the old city have preserved colonial-era buildings dating back to the seventeenth century. There are no cars or even roads for them, so it is very convenient for pedestrians to stroll and look around. Buildings with Dutch architecture, art galleries, colorful cafes, museums and other interesting places attract many visitors, especially on holidays and weekends.

Komodo National Park

A huge park, recognized as a biosphere reserve and listed as a UNESCO heritage site, is located on 3 large islands and up to 26 small ones. You can get to it from the port of Labuan Bajo by boat in two hours. From the highest point on Padar Island, a gorgeous panorama of the park’s surroundings opens up, and on Komodo Island you can meet the famous Komodo dragon and other unique animals.

Lake Toba

A real natural wonder – a lake that formed in the crater of an ancient volcano, the eruption of which once influenced the climatic conditions of the planet. In the center of the lake there is the island of Samosir, where you can find many attractions and where the Batak tribes still live with unique traditions and culture.

Tirtagangga

A water palace built in 1946 in the eastern part of Bali. This is an example of traditional Balinese architecture, the complex of which includes pools filled with sacred water, as well as majestic statues of gods and demons. Various ceremonies are often held here, and the beauty of the architecture is famous among tourists.

Denpasar

A densely populated city in the southern part of Bali, which is an important cultural center. When visiting the sights of Denpasar, be sure to walk around Puputan Square – the historical center of the city. Here you can see a monument dedicated to the tragic events of 1906: when the island was captured by the Dutch, the rajah and all his subjects committed ritual suicide. The local museum presents interesting historical finds, including weapons, masks, household items and jewelry of the natives.

Prambanan Temple Complex

An impressive complex of temples – Hindu and Buddhist, built on the island of Java in the ninth and tenth centuries. The main attraction is the central temple dedicated to Shiva, the height of which is 47 meters. The complex was destroyed twice, but today the Shiva temple has been completely restored and is as close as possible to its original appearance. Next to it is a museum of unique archaeological finds.

Numerous statues and sculptures, as well as amazing patterns on the temple walls, attract tourists here every year. Sometimes visitors get to see a dance performance or a real historical play, which are often held on the territory of the complex.

Taman Sari Water Castle

The water castle is an entire architectural palace complex located in Yogyakarta on the island of Java. The reconstructed part of the complex includes ponds, pools, beautiful gazebos, and central baths. It was built in the eighteenth century for the Sultan’s family and included about sixty buildings for various purposes. Today, the Tama Sari complex is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Elephant Cave

The unique Goa Gajah sanctuary dates back to the ninth century and is located on the island of Bali near Ubud. This is one of the most ancient architectural and cultural monuments of Indonesia. Tourists are attracted by mysterious grottoes, outlandish images of mythical creatures, menacing faces carved in stone that drive away evil spirits, and, of course, images of elephants in 8 different interpretations. Inside the temple there is a stone statue of the god Ganesha, who is traditionally depicted with the head of an elephant. Goa Gajah was previously used for religious ceremonies, and today meditations are often held here.

Bromo Volcano

When listing the sights of Indonesia, one cannot help but pay tribute to the world-famous volcanic complexes, in particular the Bromo volcano (2392 m) on the island of Java. A local observation deck called King Kong offers a gorgeous panorama of Bromo, as well as two other volcanoes – Semeru and Tengger.

Near Bromo there is a temple where residents gather annually to make offerings to the deity Hyang Widi Waza. It is believed that for offerings of beautiful flowers, rice, fruits and vegetables, as well as other products, the deity will grant his blessing.

Krakatau Volcano

The world-famous Krakatau volcano is located on the Malay Archipelago. It erupted with incredible power in 1883. The natural disaster had devastating consequences, but over time, nature recovered. Today, forests are green again on the volcano island, and birds and animals live there.
It is believed that even earlier eruptions divided the single island into Sumatra and Java, forming the Sunda Gulf, in which Krakatau was located. Later, it was divided into a group of small islands, among which a new crater was formed. Today, tourists come to these places to admire the flora and fauna. However, the main thing to remember is that volcanoes are just sleeping and can wake up someday.

Monkey Forest in Ubud

Tourists vacationing in Bali simply must visit the Monkey Forest – an ancient sanctuary and natural oasis in the city of Ubud. Here, centuries-old trees grow, rivers splash and majestic temples stand, and hundreds of long-tailed monkeys consider themselves the rightful owners of the area. They live here absolutely freely and allow themselves to be photographed.

Visit Indonesia – the sights will definitely surprise you!