West Java (Indonesian: :Jawa Barat), with population around 35.72 million, is the most populous province of Indonesia, located on Java Island. Its capital city is Bandung.
History
T
he oldest human inhabitant archaeological findings in the region were unearthed in Anyer (the western coast of Java) with evidences of bronze and iron metallurgical culture dated back to the first millennium AD. The prehistoric Buni (the present-day Bekasi) clay pottery were later developed with evidences found from Anyer to Cirebon. Some artifacts (dated from 400 BC — AD 100) such as food and drink containers were found mostly as burial gifts.
Recorded history of West Java administration was started from the fourth century with the existence of Tarumanagara kingdom. Seven inscribed stones written in Wengi letters (used in the Indian Pallava period) and in Sanskrit language describe most of the kings of Tarumanagara. Records of Tarumanegara's administration lasted until the sixth century, which coincides with the attack of Srivijaya as stated in the Kota Kapur inscription (AD 686).
The Kingdom of Sunda then came into the ruling power of the region, the reference to which were found in the Kebon Kopi II inscription (AD 932). In the meantime, the Sultanate of Demak from central Java grew into an immediate threat to the Kingdom of Sunda. To defend against the threat, Prabu Surawisesa Jayaperkosa signed a treaty (known as the Luso-Sundanese Treaty) with the Portuguese in 1512. In return, the Portuguese was granted an accession to build fortresses and warehouses in the area, as well as trading agreement with the kingdom. This first international treaty of West Java with the Europeans was commemorated by the placement of the Padrao stone monument at the riverbank of the Ciliwung River in 1522.
Although the treaty with Portuguese had been established, it could not come to realization. Sunda Kalapa harbour fell under the alliance of the Sultanate of Demak and the Sultanate of Cirebon (former vassal state of the kingdom of Sunda) in 1524 after their troops under Paletehan alias Fadillah Khan had conquered the city. In 1524/1525, their troops under Sunan Gunung Jati also seized the port of Banten and established the Sultanate of Banten which was affiliating with the Sultanate of Demak. The 
war between the kingdom of Sunda with Demak and Cirebon sultanates then continued for five years until a peace treaty were made in 1531 between King Surawisesa and Sunan Gunung Jati. From 1567 to 1579, under the last king Raja Mulya, alias Prabu Surya Kencana, the Kingdom of Sunda declined essentially under the pressure from the Sultanate of Banten. After 1576, the kingdom could not maintain its capital at Pakuan Pajajaran (the present-day Bogor) and gradually the Sultanate of Banten took over the former Kingdom of Sunda's region. The Mataram Sultanate from central Java also seized the Priangan region, the southeastern part of the kingdom.
In the sixteenth century, the Dutch and the British trading companies established their trading ships in West Java after the falldown of Sultanate of Banten. For the next three hundred years, West Java fell under the Dutch East Indies' administration. West Java was officially declared as a province of Indonesia in 1950, referring to a statement from Staatblad number 378. On October 17, 2000, as part of nationwide political decentralization, Banten was separated from West Java and made into a new province.
Geography and demographics
According to the 2005 Socio-Economic Survey, West Java's population is 39,960,869, making it the most populous province in Indonesia. It has an area of 34,736 km²; aside from the province of Jakarta, it is the most densely populated province in the country with an average of 1,150 people per km².
West Java borders Jakarta and Banten province to the west, and Central Java to the east. To the north is Java Sea. To the south is the Indian Ocean. Unlike most other provinces in Indonesia which have their capitals in coastal area, the provincial capital Bandung is located in a mountainous area.
In addition to Indonesian, the official national language, the other widely-spoken language in the province is Sundanese. In some areas near the southern borders with Central Java, Javanese is also spoken. The main language spoken in Cirebon and nearby areas (Majalengka, Indramayu, Sumber) is Cirebonese, a dialect of Javanese. Indonesian is widely spoken as a second language, except in some remote rural areas.
Culture
Sundanese 
share Java island with other Malayan people: Javanese people. They primarily live in their home province of West Java. Although Sundanese live in the same island with Javanese, they consider themselves a distinct cultural area called Sunda. Someone moving from West Java Province to Central or East Java Provinces, is literally said to be moving from Sunda to Java.
Music
Gamelan Orchestra
The musical arts of Sunda, which is an expression of the emotions of Sundanese culture, express politeness and grace of Sundanese. The music some of the most beautiful sounds in the world. Degung orchestra consists of Sundanese gamelan.
Tembang Sunda is a genre of Sundanese vocal music accompanied by a core ensemble of two kacapi (zither) and a suling (bamboo flute). Tembang means song or poem and Sunda is a geographical, historical, and cultural construct which signifies home for the Sundanese people of Indonesia. The music and poetry of tembang Sunda are closely associated with the Priangan (literally the abode of the gods), the highland plateau that transverses the central and southern parts of Sunda. The natural beauty of Priangan, a lush agricultural region surrounded by mountains and volcanoes, politeness and grace of Sundanese is reflected in many songs of the tembang Sunda.
Kecapi Suling
Kacapi suling is tembang Sunda minus vocal.
Tarawangsa
Tarawangsa is a genuine popular art is performed on ensemble consists of tarawangsa (a violin with an end pin) and the jentreng (a kind of seven-stringed zither). It is accompanied by a secret dance called Jentreng. The dance is a part of a ritual celebrating the goddess of paddy Dewi Sri. Its ceremonial significance is associated with a ritual of thanksgiving associated with the rice harvest. Tarawangsa can also be played for healings or even purely for entertainment.
Bamboo Ensembles
The three main types of Sundanese bamboo ensembles are angklung, calung, and arumba. The exact features of each ensemble vary according to context, related instruments, and relative popularity.
Angklung
Angklung is a generic term for sets of tuned, shaken bamboo rattles. Angklung consists of a frame upon which hang several different lengths of hollow bamboo. Angklungs are played like handbells, with each instrument played to a different note. Angklung rattles are played in interlocking patterns, usually with only one or two instruments played per person. The ensemble is used in Sundanese processions, sometimes with trance or acrobatics. Performed at life-cycle rituals and feasts (hajat), angklung is believed to maintain balance and harmony in the village. In its most modern incarnation, angklung is performed in schools as an aid to learning about music.
The Angklung got more international attention when Daeng Soetigna, from Bandung, West Java, expanded the angklung notations not only to play traditional pélog or sléndro scales, but also diatonic scale in 1938. Since then, angklung is often played together with other western music instruments in an orchestra. One of the first well-known performances of angklung in an orchestra was during the Bandung Conference in 1955.
Calung
Like those in angklung, the instruments of the calung ensemble are of bamboo, but each consists of several differently tuned tubes fixed onto a piece of bamboo; the player holds the instrument in his left hand and strikes it with a beater held in his right. The highest-pitched calung has the greatest number of tubes and the densest musical activity; the lowest-pitched, with two tubes, has the least. Calung is nearly always associated with earthy humor, and is played by men.
Arumba
Arumba refers to a set of diatonically tuned bamboo xylophones, often played by women. It is frequently joined by modern instruments, including a drum set, electric guitar, bass, and keyboards.
Wayang Golek
Wayang golek is a traditional form of puppetry from Sunda. Unlike the better-known leather shadow puppets (wayang kulit) which are found in the rest of Java and Bali, wayang golek puppets are made from wood, and being three-dimensional.
They simply use a banana palm in which the puppets stand, behind which one puppeteer (or dalang) is accompanied by his gamelan percussion orchestra with (in Indonesia) up to 20 musicians. The gamelan uses a five note scale as opposed to the seven-note western scale. The musicians are guided by the drummer, who in turn is guided by signals which the dalang gives whenever there is a change of mood or pace required.
Wayang goleks (wooden puppets) are used by the Sundanese to tell the epic play "Mahabarata" and various other morality type plays.
Dance
Sundanese dance is rich and complex. It shows the influence of the many groups that have traded and settled in the area over the centuries, but remains uniquely distinctive, with its variation from graceful to dynamic syncopated drumming patterns, quick wrist flicks, sensual hip movements, and fast shoulder and torso isolations.
One of the most Sundanese dance is Tari Merak. The Tari Merak or Dance of the Peacock is a female dance. Merak means peacock and the choreography is inspired by the beautiful movements of a peacock. The gestures of a peacock are beautifully blend together with the classical movements of the Sundanese dance and thus making the dance a colourful expression of the proud peacock which is showing its beautiful feathers. The Tari Merak symbolises the beauty of nature.
Bandung and Vicinity | West Java Travel Guides
BANDUNG INTRODUCTION
Bandung is the capital of West Java in Indonesia. Bandung is 180 kilometres south-east from Jakarta Today Bandung has a population of 2 million people, the Bandung area an extimated 4 million. 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.
HOW TO GET TO BANDUNG
Bandung is 180 kilometres south-east from Jakarta, about 2 hours driving by car. It is better to take the train from Gambir station in Jakarta to Bandung, because this is a great experience. For a comfortable trip take the "Eksekutif" class. A pleasant 3 hour journey through mountains, paddy fields, tea plantations and a beautiful panorama. From Halim Airport in Jakarta there are several daily flights with Deraya and Merpati to Bandung and vise versa, a flight Jakarta - Bandung takes only 30 minutes.
HISTORY
The city history dates from 1488 when the first reference to Bandung exists. But from ancient archaeological finds, we know the city was home to Australopithecus, Java Man. These people lived on the banks of the Cikapundung in north Bandung, and on the shores of the Great Lake of Bandung. Flint artefacts can still be found in the Upper Dago area and the Geological Museum has displays and fragments of skeletal remains and artefacts.
The Sundanese were a pastoral people farming the fertile regions of Bandung. They developed a lively oral tradition, which includes the still practised Wayang Golek puppet theatre, and many musical forms. "There is a city called Bandung, comprising 25 to 30 houses," wrote Juliaen de Silva in 1614.
The achievements of European adventurers to try their luck in the fertile and prosperous Bandung area, led eventually to 1786 when a road was built connecting Jakarta, Bogor, Cianjur and Bandung. This flow was increased when in 1809 Louis Napoleon, the ruler of the Netherlands, ordered Governor General H.W. Daendels, to increase defences in Java against English. The vision was a chain of military defence units and a supply road between Batavia and Cirebon. But this coastal area was marsh and swamp, and it was easier to construct the road further south, across the Priangan highlands.
The Groote Postweg (Great Post Road) was built 11 miles north of the capital of Bandung. With his usual terseness, Daendels ordered the capital to be relocated to the road. Bupati Wiranatakusumah II chose a site south of the road on the western bank of the Cikapundung, near a pair of holy wells, Sumur Bandung, supposedly protected by the ancient goddess Nyi Kentring Manik. On this site he built his dalem (palace) and the alun-alun (city square). Following traditional orientations, Mesjid Agung (The Grand Mosque) was placed on the western side, and the public market on the east. His residence and Pendopo (meeting place) was on the south facing the mystical mountain of Tangkuban Perahu. Thus was The Flower City born. In the beginning of the 19th century, the Dutch established Bandung. The area was full of woods and only a few people lived in the area. The area of Bandung was difficult to reach and Bandung was only a spot on the map.
Around the middle of the l9th Century, South American cinchona (quinine), Assam tea, and coffee was introduced to the highlands. By the end of the century Priangan was registered as the most prosperous plantation area of the province. In 1886 the rail line connecting Batavia (Jakarta) and Bandung was completed, and promised a 2 1/2 hour trip from the blistering capital in Jakarta to Bandung. Bandung still was a small village (population in 1896 was 29.386).
With the rail way life changed in Bandung, hotels, cafes, shops sprouted up to serve the planters 
who either came down from their highland plantations or up from the capital to frolic in Bandung. The Concordia Society was formed and with its large ballroom was the social magnet for weekend activities in the city. The Preanger Hotel and the Savoy Homann were the hotels of choice. The Braga became the promenade, lined with exclusive Europeans shops.
With the railroad, light industry flourished. Once raw plantation crops were sent directly to Jakarta for shipment to Europe, now primary processing could be done efficiently in Bandung. The Chinese who had never lived in Bandung in any number came to help run the facilities and vendor machines and services to the new industries. Chinatown dates from this period.
In the first years of the 20th century, Pax Neerlandica was proclaimed, resulting in the passing of military government to a civilian one. With this came the policy of decentralisation to lighten the administrative burden of the central government. And so Bandung became a municipality in 1906.
This turn of events left a great impact on the city. City Hall was built at the north end of Braga to accommodate the new government, separate from the original native system. This was soon followed by a larger scale development when the military headquarters was moved from Batavia to Bandung around 1920. The chosen site was east of City Hall, and consisted of a residence for the Commander in Chief, offices, barracks and military housing.
By the early 20's the need for skilled professionals drove the establish
ment of the technical high school that was sponsored by the citizens of Bandung. At the same time the plan to move the capital of the Netherlands Indies from Batavia (Jakarta) to Bandung was already mature, the city was to be extended to the north. Bandung underwent a sudden boom and the population increased rapidly, this was the "Golden Century" of Bandung. The capital district was placed in the northeast, an area that had formerly been rice fields, and a grand avenue was planned to run for about 2.5 kilometres facing the fabled Tangkuban Perahu volcano with Gedung Sate at the south end, and a colossal monument at the other. On both sides of this grand boulevard buildings would house the various offices of the massive colonial government.
Along 
the east bank of the Cikapundung River amidst natural scenery was the campus of the Technische Hoogeschool, dormitories and staff housing. The old campus buildings and its original landscaping reflect the genius of its architect Henri Maclain Pont. The southwestern section was reserved for the municipal hospital and the Pasteur Institute, in the neighbourhood of the old quinine factory. These developments were carefully planned down to the architectural and maintenance details. These years shortly before World War II were the golden ones in Bandung and those alluded to today as Bandung Tempoe Doeloe.
Considering themselves as an upper class society, the Europeans community insisted on keeping themselves up-to-date with European lifestyles. To support this high fashion standard it was necessary to have some kind of "Champs de Ellyses", and Jl. Braga was the result. It turned into a shopping lane complete with theatre with the latest movies. Bandung then became famous as "Paris of Java". The city parks and gardens with the blooming flowers and the beautiful women, with a light braun and soft skin made Bandung also famous as the "City of flowers" or "Kota Kembang".
The war years did little to change the city of Bandung, but in 1946, facing the return of the Colonial Dutch to Indonesia, citizens chose to burn down their beloved Bandung in what has become known as Bandung Lautan Api, Bandung Ocean of Fire. Citizens fled to the southern hills and overlooking the "ocean of flames" penned "Halo Halo Bandung," the anthem promising their return. Political unrest coloured the early years of Independence and consequently people flocked to Bandung where safety was. The population skyrocketed from 230,000 in 1940 to 1 million by 1961. Economic prosperity following the oil boom in the 70's pushed this further so that by 1990 there were 2 million inhabitants. After World War II, Bandung became in the shadow from Jakarta.
Present day Bandung is thriving. As home to more than 25 schools of higher education, there is a vibrant collegiate atmosphere. The ITB still reigns supreme in Indonesian education. The ITB (Institute Teknologi Bandung) located right in the center of the elite area of Bandung. Today ITB produces qualified engineers and several graduates of the Arts faculty are acknowledged as famous commercial artists. The Universities of Padjadjaran and Parahyangan receive students from all over the country. The National Hotel Institute, the National Railway Institute, the Senior Officers Military Institute, the Women's Police Academy, grace the city. The excellent fine arts offerings have produced an artist colony of great repute and excitement. The textile industry is the largest in the country and contributes to a vigorous business climate.
In 1987 the city extended its administrative boundaries toward a Greater Bandung Plan (Bandung Raya) Plans for the city include higher concentrations of development outside the current city centre, in an attempt to dilute some of the population density in the old core. These days Bandung Raya is still years ahead, yet the land has suffered deeply. Commercial activities run amok, God only knows who can take control. The city core is practically uprooted, old faces are torn down, lot sizes regrouped, and what was idyllic residence is now bustling chain supermarkets and rich banks.
Bandung is also a place with a lot of industries, mostly in textile. The Indonesia aircraft factory of IPTN is also based in Bandung and has sold a number of aircraft's overseas. Bosscha Astronomical Observatory in Lembang installed in 1923 and still functioning as Astronomy research center. Technology is not the only science that Bandung can boast, Lembaga Pasteur, or Pasteur's institute, where the rabies serum and smallpox vaccine were researched and developed, is also located in Bandung. Present population of Bandung is extimated 2 million, with the surrounding cities the Bandung area houses an extimated 4 million people.
Getting around
The taxi service in Bandung is not so good as in Jakarta. Most taxi drivers don't drive on the meter/ argo and before entering a taxi you must negotiate about the price, ask your hotel or guide for an indication of the price. The taxi drivers almost never have change, so take small banknotes with you (500, 1000, 5000 and 10.000 rupiah). Some good taxi companies are Blue Bird and Gemari Pahah taxi (blue/ green taxi's), Blue Bird & GR taxi's always drives on the meter/ argo and our choice if we need a taxi. For more information about transportation, see the website Bandung Expat. It is also possible to rent a car with a driver for some hours or a day, this is an easier way to get around the city and visit the tourist attractions around Bandung. On sunday and public holidays it is always very busy on the road in and around Bandung, so better make your travel plans on other days.
On the first 1 or 2 letters you can find out from which area a car comes from, in the weekend Bandung is floaded with cars with number plate starting with B (Jakarta). The licence plate of Bandung starts with a D. An overview of the number plate system of cars in Indonesia, click here.
The Jl. Braga still serves as a shopping lane, here you can find a couple of antique shops, some shops from the colonial days are still there. For batik, souvenirs and handicraft there is Sarinah Department store on Jl. Braga a bigger selection can be found in Sarinah Department store in Jakarta. Another shopping street is along Jl. A. Yani. A modern shopping center is Bandung Indah Plaza (BIP), at Jl. Merdeka, Bandung Super Mall at Jl. Gatot Subroto and Istana Plaza. For jeans and T-shirts is Jl. Cihampelas "Jeans Street" the place to be. The Jeans street is a must when you go shopping in Bandung. There are many malls, stores and supermarkets in Bandung some of our favorites are Instana Parijs Van Java Mall, Plaza, Borma at the Jl. Setia Budi, Cihampelas Walk (CI Walk) the Jl. Cihampelas. The best supermarket in Bandung is Setia Budhi supermarket at the Jl. Setia Budhi. The are also some hypermarkets in Bandung such as Carrefour & Giant.
Money matters
There a plenty of banks in Bandung local banks and also foreign banks, so plenty of ATM's to choose from. If you want to change money Golden Money Changer in Jl. Juanda and in Otto Iskandardinata are recommended.
Going out
Some of our favorites are Gambrinus (German pub & restaurant) at Jl. Prof. Drg. Surya Sumantri No 59. Another must see are the restaurants Kampung Daun, Sapu Lidi and the Peak, all 3 in the north of Bandung, direction of Lembang. If you like pizza our favourite place in ? at Cihampelas Walk (CI walk) and many nice restaurants at Parijs van Java Mall.
Tourist attractions in the Bandung area
Bandung has many tourist attractions, some are described on this page. For more information the book "All around Bandung" ISBN 962-593-030-2 is a good guide where you can find more information about below mentioned attractions. The travelling time mentioned on this page is the minimum travel time needed, on a Sunday or public holiday the travelling time can be much longer or even double! Our advice is stay at home during a Sunday or a public holiday.
Kebun Binatang
This is a zoo in the centre of Bandung, near ITB Bandung. It is a nice place to visit, the zoo has varity of animals and birds most from Indonesia. Some species which can be seen komodo, tigers from Java and Sumatra, monkeys and orang utans and many kind of birds.
Tangkuban Perahu crater
Tangkuban perahu is a vulcano, 25 kilometre north of Bandung direction of Lembang. The name means hulk of overturned boat, the only crater in Java accessible all the way by car as far as its rim. This is Bandung's most famous natural attraction. You can see a breathtaking view by standing on the rim of far from active and its smouldering crater. Also take a walk with a local guide to the hot spring of the vulcano. This walk takes you about 30 minutes down hill through the forest from the rim of the vulcano to the hot spring. Indonesia has about 400 vulcanos, from which 350 still active.
Ciater Hot Spring
In the Hot Spring Ciater Resort you can enjoy swimming in warm sulphurized water pools, good for healing rheumatism and skin problems. It is a nice park with small pools in which you can sit or swim. About 30 minutes from Tangkuhan perahu crate.
Mt Ratuha and Kawah Putih
Mt Patuhu is located southwest of Bandung, Kawah Putih is a lake on this mountains is sometimes pale turquoise, or as it's name says white. The direction is drive to Ciwidey. Kawah Putih can easy be reached by car all the way to the rim and then it is a 100 metre walk to the lake it self. It is a very nice colourfull lake.
Cimanggu Hot Springs
The Cimanggu Hot Springs are some swimming pools full of hot water from the mountain. The water is much hotter then in the Hot Spring Ciater Resort, the area of this hot spring is very nice and a good place to relax. This hot spring is not so crowded as the Ciater Hot Spring. The drive from Bandung takes about 2 hours.
Lake Patengan or Situ Patengan
From the Cimanggu Hot Spring it is just a 30 minute drive through tea plantations. This is a lovely site for boating, the lake looks a a green carpet, the lake is surrounded by tea plantations. The Lake Patengan is a very popular spot for Indonesians on a Sunday and public holiday, but this can be said from all tourist attractions mentioned on this page.
Sindang Reret Hotel & Restoran at the Jl Raya Propinsi Ciwidey, is a good place for eating on your way or the way back to Bandung. From Bandung you will find the restaurant on the left side of the road. It serve good food and the asmosphere is great, nice location and many beautiful, big fish to watch.
Puncak
Between Bandung and Bogor in the mountains lays Puncak. A cool area which is very popular, specially by people from Jakarta. People from Jakarta escape in the weekend and on public holidays from the heat and busy streets of the capital of Indonesia to Puncak. Bandung to Puncak takes about 3 hours drive.
Bogor
A bit futher away from Bandung about 4,5 hours drive is Bogor, also called the city of rain. In Bogor you must visit the botanical garden. This botanical garden and in the garden is the palace "Buitenzorg" On a not so busy day on the road a visit to Bogor and Taman Safari can be done on the same day.
Taman Safari
Taman safari is a drive through zoo and amusement park and is open every day. On the way from Bandung to Taman Safari you have to pass Puncak, do not try to do this on Sunday or public holiday because you can end up in a big traffic jam. Because Puncak is a very popular spot for people from Jakarta. Normaly it take 3,5 hours from Bandung to get to Taman Safari
Ujung Kulon National Park - West Java Travel Guides
Ujung Kulon National Park is located at the western-most tip of Java, Indonesia. It includes the volcanic island group of Krakatoa and other islands including Handeuleum and Peucang. The park encompasses an area of 1,206 km² (443 km² marine), most of which lies on a peninsula reaching into the Indian Ocean.
It is Indonesia's first national park and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992 for containing the largest remaining lowland rainforest in Java. It is also one of only two homes of the critically endangered Javan Rhinoceros. A population of fifty to sixty live in Ujung Kulon, a smaller population of possibly 10 or less, live in Cat Tien National Park, Vietnam. The mainland part of Ujung Kulon was formerly farmland until it was devastated and depopulated by the 1883 eruption of Krakatoa after which it returned to its original forested state.
Permits for the park are available at the town of Labuan, where there is a National Park office. There is also an office at Tamanjaya. Accommodation is available on Handeuleum and Peucang islands.
This national park, located in the extreme south-western tip of Java on the Sunda shelf, includes the Ujung Kulon peninsula and several offshore islands and encompasses the natural reserve of Krakatoa. In addition to its natural beauty and geological interest – particularly for the study of inland volcanoes – it contains the largest remaining area of lowland rainforests in the Java plain. Several species of endangered plants and animals can be found there, the Javan rhinoceros being the most seriously under threat.
760 sq km of the peninsula and sea on Java's very remote south-western tip is devoted to Ujung Kulon National Park. Several offshore islands are included in the reserve, Peucang, Panaitan and one of which is the remains of a pre-16th century volcano. In 1883 the island of Rakata Besar exploded dramatically. It lost about half of its land area in the process and sent tidal waves across the Indian Ocean causing the deaths of 36,000 people. The smoking cone which can be seen today signals Anak Krakatau, offspring of the famous Krakatau. It appeared in 1929 and has continued to grow steadily; Java is one of the most geologically active places in the world.
Ujung Kulon has large tracts of undisturbed lowland rainforest, swamps and beaches. Because it is protected on three sides by sea, and on the fourth by the Honje mountains, it has provided a refuge for wildlife, some of which are now rare in the rest of heavily populated Java (population: over 100 million).
In the mid-1950s only 20-25 tigers remained on Java; half of these were in Ujung Kulon, but these are known to have vanished by the 1960s. The exact time of extinction for the Javan tiger remains unknown, but this was probably sometime in the 1980s. It was after this time, between 1980 and 1986 that the number of wild areas of Indonesia officially designated National Parks rose from five to sixteen. Ujung Kulon was one of the earliest preserved areas, first being protected in 1910, then declared a reserve in 1937. Come 1980 the designation was changed and became Indonesia 's first National park.
Ujung Kulon has always been of extremely high conservation value and contains several species of e
ndangered or threatened animals. Oriental small-clawed otters, hornbills, leopards, Asian wild dogs, Javan leaf monkeys, crocodiles, green peafowl, Javan gibbons, Javan warty pigs, green turtles, milky storks and Banteng wild cattle all make their homes here. In total, over 350 species of animals and 250 species of birds have so far been recorded here.
The most important resident of the park is the Javan or Lesser One-horned rhinoceros. This is the most endangered large mammal in the world and only two wild populations remain (there are no Javan rhinoceros in captivity). Ujung Kulon contains 50-60 animals while Cat Tien National Park in Vietnam has another 10-15 with different physical characteristics. The two subspecies used to be common over India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Sumatra and Java.
In an attempt to save the small stable population in Ujung Kulon, efforts are being made to prevent t
he illegal access which is gained both from land and sea. Though the number of rhino is not increasing, the age structure shows change, so it is thought the amount of poaching is higher than originally considered. This cancels out the expected yearly population increases. Having said that, there have indeed been some rises in numbers. Back in 1967 Ujung Kulon rhino plunged to an all time low of 21-28 animals.
The population originally came under threat due to loss of habitat, and medicine or sport hunting. Male rhino are most at risk from poaching as they have the dense formation of hair which makes up a large horn. Females usually have no horn, and when they do, it's insignificant. As with tiger bone, rhino horn is highly valued in traditional Asian medicine, and also in common with the tiger, there is no proof it has anymore effect than a placebo. Its primary use is as an aphrodisiac.
It is possible the present population may be at or near carrying capacity; the park maximum is estimated to be in the region of 80-100 rhino. Translocation of excess animals to restock Vietnam is not able to be done. The two groups are very different and cross-breeding is not thought to be possible. Translocation of rhino is very difficult anyway with low survival rates. Even if placed in captivity these large mammals would have a very high mortality (about 30%); this is usual for captive rhino.
Fecal DNA analysis and camera traps are being utilised to gain a better understanding of the current population. Habitat, food availability, and the possibility of translocation are also under examination.
Like all Indonesian National Parks Ujung Kulon continues to increase in popularity. Though reaching Ujong Kulon is expensive and usually involves a long boat ride which, except for the dry season, can be a rough trip, it is now one of the most popular National Parks on Java. Even the thought of the recommended malaria shots don't seem to put visitors off. Fortunately, access to the area is strictly controlled and a permit must be gained for entry, while guides are required for those wanting to hike through the park.
Ujung Kulon National Park is the first national park, founded in Indonesia. The park (80,000 ha) lies on a peninsula in south-west Java and includes the islands Pulau Peucang, Pulau Panaitan and the Krakatau archipelago. On 1 February, 1992, the Proposed Ujung Kulon National Park complex and the Krakatau Islands Nature Reserve were declared a World Heritage Site. The borders on the north, south and west side of Ujung Kulon are made up by the Indian Ocean. The Honje mountain range, including the highest point of the park Gunung Honje (620 m), forms the eastern border. The Indian Ocean is the main access route.
Single-horned RhinocerousHabitats in the park consists of lowland rainforest, swamp, mangrove and beach forest. Vegetation on Pulau Panaitan consists of dry-beach forest, mangrove forest and lowland rain forest which is characterized by an abudance of palms. On Anak Krakatau, the island that came into existence after the Krakatau exploded, flora and fauna are still young. Small animals and birds gradually colonize the lava island. The principal flora consists of grasslands, beach forest, lowland rain forest and moss forests at the higher altitudes. The most important reason to declare Ujung Kulon a National Park is the existence of the almost-extinct Javan Rhinoceroses in the area. The population of these extremely endangered animals in Ujung Kulon is estimated to be 50-60.
Getting There
Ujung Kulon National Park is accessible by boat (5-6 hour) from Labuan. You can get to Labuan by minibus from Jakarta (3-4 hour) or Bogor. An other possibility is to take a bus with destination Merak from Kalideres bus station in Jakarta. Get out in Cilegon and from there catch a bus to Labuan.The boat from Labuan leaves for Pulau Peucang or Tamanjaya.
The beach of Ujung KulonComing from Sumatra by ferry, your journey will end in Merak. From Merak, take the bus to Jakarta, jump off in Cilegon and from there see above. There may be minibuses going all the way from Merak to Labuan. A cheaper alternative to access the park runs over land. From Labuan you may take the HM minibus (from Serang bus station) or a taxi to Tamanjaya (about Rp. 25,000, 3,5 hrs). In Tamanjaya you'll be able to arrange a boat to Pulau Peucang (Rp. 700,000), Pulau Handeleum (Rp. 200,000) or Pulau Panaitan (Rp. 900,000); mooring and boat entry permits are not included. Krakatau is best visited from Labuan.
Where to Stay
Permits, local guides speaking only bahasa Indonesia (about Rp. 30,000/day, excluding meals and cigarettes), English-speaking guides (Rp. 100,000/day, excluding meals and cigarettes) and accommodation can be arranged at the PHPA office in Labuan, or at Kagum in Jakarta. You can also find accomodation in Ujung Kulon. But it's always best to plan ahead.
Moving Around
Navigate around the park on foot. If it's your first time here, you may want to consider hiring an English-speaking guide.
Dining Guide
Although you can order meals at places of accomodation, you should bring your own food for the trip.
Souvenir Tips
Unfortunately, not much to hope for. There may be some rhinoceros figures for sale, but you'll have to keep a keen eye on the quality. Ask your guide for keepsake recommendation, things that you're allowed to pick up along the way and will remind you for this pleasant experience.
Other Things to See or Do
Round Pulau Peucang and Pulau Panaitan you'll be able to snorkel and dive among beautiful coral reefs.
Travel Tips
The best time to visit the park is April to August, when the sea is calm, so you won't get seasick.
Use the menu Traveler's Tools-->Currency Calculator to estimate the costs mentioned above in your own currency.
Mount Papandayan Trekking - West Java Travel Guides
MOUNT PAPANDAYAN
A visit to Mt. Papandayan is one of the most spectacular outings to an active volcano you can make. Golden sulphur crystals, hissing steam, boiling mud and water, blue and black creeks, all set in a large
crater with a commanding view over the Garut Plain make this outing an unforget- table experience.
You can easily combine a visit to Mt. Papandayan with a weekend in or near Garut. Also, you can make it a one-day outing from Bandung, in which case you need a good seven to eight hours for the round trip. From Cipanas, expect a round trip to the Mt. Papandayan crater to take three to four hours.
MOUNT PAPANDAYAN NATIONAL PARK : Mount Papandayan is a complex stratovolcano, located in West Java, Indonesia. At the summit, there are four large craters, and it contains active fumarole fields. The 1772 eruption has truncated the volcano into a broad shape with two peaks and a flat 1.1 km wide of Alun-Alun crater in the middle. It looks like a twin volcano. One of the peaks is called Papandayan and the other is Mount Puntang.
This interesting place lies in the border of the Bandung and Garut regencies, about seventy kilometers south of Bandung and about 19,25 km from Garut. It is one if the most spectacular volcanoes in this province and the top of the mountain are easily reaches, because there are special road leading to the crater. Mount Papandayans crater is probably one of the most spectacular mountain scenes on Java Island. 
There is a Cangkuang temple situated by Cangkuang Lake, which was a major discovery of archaeological value as it was the first of its kind found in West Java, dating back to the 8th century. This volcano is situated 17 km from Garut or 50 km from Bandung.
Access to the mountain is easy with any vehicle. Public buses take you only to within 9 km of the crater, so you either have to walk the rest of the way or take an ojek (private motorbike with driver).
Though you can drive directly to the rim of the crater, keep in mind that your safety is not guaranteed—hot steam and boiling water and mud can scald you badly, and many of the sharp-edged rocks are rather loose. Do be careful.
There are two routes to Mt. Papandayan: one from the Garut area in the east and the other from the west via Pengalengan. Note that the two routes do not connect—not even a jeep can drive the 1 km across the crater.
From the east
The
eastern approach from Garut is by far the easiest. Good roads take you right to the lower edge of the crater. Between Cipanas and Garut is the Tarogong roundabout, 42 km from the Cileunyi toll road exit. When you come from the north (Bandung or Cipanas), head toward Garut and Papandayan at the Tarogong roundabout. Half a kilometer past the roundabout, turn off to the right to bypass Garut and follow the Papandayan road sign. Continue on past the turnoffs to Kamojang (7km) and Darajat (9 km). Some 15 km from Tarogong the road connects with the main Garut-Cikajang road. After another 7 km, in Cisurupan, where the main road takes a sharp turn to the left, you go straight up the hill. From here it's 9 km to the crater.
The road winds
up the mountain, at times steeply, but is reasonably well surfaced and should not pose a prob- lem for any car. At the car park, park- ing and admission fees are required.
Approaching Mt. Papandayan across the Garut Plain, you can see the horseshoe-shaped crater with a gap- ing hole to the northeast. This open side resulted when, on 11 August 1772, a terrible eruption shook the mountain and the whole Garut area. What had once been a solid mountain flank exploded sideways across the Garut Plain.
Geologists estimate that several cubic kilometers, or several thousand million tons, of rock mass were blown out that night. If trucks were loaded with that mass and lined up bumper-to-bumper, they would encircle the earth three dozen times! Small wonder that more than 3,000 people lost their lives during that eruption.
From the car park it's a 20-minute walk to the middle of the crater, and now you see why it is sometimes called the "Golden Crater's—its cen- tral part is a dome of yellow sulphur. Sulphur vapor hisses out of many small fissures in the dome to form columns visible from far away.
Shining yellow crystals of crystallized steam are everywhere, and in one place have collected to form a statue-like figure more than 2-meters high. In earlier times local people channeled the steam through pipes to control this crystallization process to be used for commercial purposes. Be extremely careful not to step on one of these old brittle pipes, for it is likely to break and release scalding steam.
You may wish to take a few sam- ples of sulphur with you as souvenirs, but it would be best to wrap them first—sulphuric acid may form and burn holes in fabrics. Apart from sulphur deposits, boiling springs and streams flow in dark blue and gray colors. Be sure to avoid the soft patch- es of ground.
Through the open northwestern side of the crater a fantastic view stretches before you across the whole Garut Plain and as far as Mt. Ciremai near Cirebon, 80 km away The Mt. Papandayan crater is truly a visual feast. To the Mt.
From the west
The western route takes you to the upper crater rim through some mem- orable scenery. Be forewarned, how- ever, that long sections of the road are often in poor repair and only passable with a jeep. Public transportation is unreliable. You can drive up either the Cisangkuy Valley or the Citarum Valley to the village of Santosa and then on to Mt. Papandayan (see the relevant sections in "South of Ban- dung"). From Bandung you may need about four hours to reach the crater on this
MOUNT PAPANDAYAN - VOLCANO TREKKING
Duration: 04 DAYS / 03 NIGHTS
Start / Finish: JAKARTA
Grade: Easy - Moderate
DAY 01: JAKARTA - GARUT
Upon arrival at Jakarta Airport, you will have drive to Garut at the southern of Badung.This land journey will takes 7 - 8 hours drive in normaly traffic road condition. Stay Overnight at hotel in Garut. (D)
DAY 02: GARUT - QUEEN CRATER - TREKKING TO PONDOK SALADA CAMP
Transfer to Papandayan entry gate, then you will have to start tr
ekking up the Mt. Papandayan pass through the active rim Crater, and Hot spring to reach Pondok Salada. It will takes 4 - 5 hours trek from the parking area. You will have stay overnight in tents at Pondok Salada base camp for aclimatization. (B, L, D).
DAY 03: SUMMIT MT. GEDE PAPANDAYAN - BANDUNG
Early morning proceed to the summit of Mount Papandayan (2,640 M) for about 2 - 3 hours walk. After you take picture then you will have descend down to base camp for have breakfast. At the approtiate time, you will transfered to Bandung for another sightseeing on the Paris Van Java. Traditional performance of sundanesse people will be present during stay in Bandung.(B, L, D)
DAY 04: BANDUNG - JAKARTA
On today , you will have drive back to Jakarta. Enroute stop at Indonesia Safari Park, a free range zoo on the mountain slopes. Overnight at a hotel in Jakarta Or transfer to the airport for flight to your next destination. (B, L)
Pangandaran Beach - West JavaTravel Guides
Pangandaran is a 
small town and a subdistrict in southern Ciamis regency, West Java, Indonesia. It is located on the southern coast of Java. Pangandaran is a popular tourist destination, having a beach which is considered to be one of the finest in Java and which offers excellent surfing.
A kite-flying festival is held on the beach in July and August. It is reported that the locals used to fly kites in the evenings to catch bats, and may still do so. There is a local belief that wearing any green garment in this area will anger Loro Kidul, the Javanese guardian spirit or goddess of the southern sea, and will bring misfortune.
The Penanjung Pangandaran nature reserve is nearby on a peninsula connected to the mainland by a narrow neck of land. About eighty percent of the nature reserve is secondary rainforest. The flora of the nature reserve includes the Rafflesia.
A tsunami hit the area on 17 July 2006. An undersea earthquake measured at 7.7 on the Richter scale triggered a three metre high tidal wave. Extensive damage was caused and hundreds of people were reported to be dead or missing
Pangandaran is a Tourist Location in West Java, Indonesia. Pangandaran is Family friendly and has also for individual Tourists much to offer. In the Bay Area Pananjung are two beautiful Beaches for swimming, surfing or just relaxing. Here you have much Activities and Adventures like Trekking, Snorkeling, Fishing and many more..
The National Park
On the southside From Pangandaran is a National Park mostly as Jungle. You can Walk there with a Guide to the beautiful Waterfalls and enjoy the flora and fauna. Or by a 1 day Trip around the Park
Batu Karas
Batu Karas is a little Village 1 hour away from Pangandaran. It's famous for Surfing there.
Batu Hiu
Batu Hiu is a Place between Pangandaran and Batu Karas. Batu Hiu means Shark's Rock wich is a coastal rock having the shape of a shark. It's nice for relaxing there or swimming at the Beach.
Green Canyon
The best Way to go to the Green Canyon is with a Guide or by Rent a Motorbyke. At a Boat Station are many Boats who drive to the Green Canyon. After 45 Minutes Boat drive over a nice River you are there. There is also the chance to swimming in the Green Canyon.
Getting Here
Pangandaran is locatet at the Southcoast from West Java, Indonesia in the District Ciamis. See the Descriptions above and the Map for further Information.
From Jakarta
A fast Way from Jakarta is by bus. The buses drive nearly every hour from Kampung Rambutan bus station toward Pangandaran. Most buses drive directly to Pangandaran. With some buses you have to change the bus in Ciamis or Banjar. The trip lasts around 7 hours and cost around Rp.50'000 without AC and around Rp.80'000 with AC. The fee depends on the bus company.
It's also possible to rent a Car with a Driver in Jakarta. This will cost around Rp.1'500'000.
From Bandung
With the bus you reach Pangandaran on the bus station Cicaheum. Some buses drive directly to Pangandaran. With some buses you have to change the bus in Ciamis or Banjar. It's recommendable to take a bus who drive direct to Pangandaran. The buses from Banjar are small and mostly overcrowded.
