Indonesia is an archipelago in Southeast Asia consisting of 18,110 islands of which 6,000 are inhabited and straddling the equator. In case of both population and land area, Indonesia is a huge country with vital cultural and geological diversity. It is home to hundreds of ethnic groups speaking many different languages. There are many tourist attractions in Indonesia.
The country is best known for its beaches, volcanoes, and jungles, which shelters tigers, elephants and Komodo dragons. Even though Bali is the spot most familiar to tourists, Indonesia tourist attractions include many other beautiful and dramatic places like lakes, beaches, forests, mountains and many more.
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Tourist Attractions in Indonesia:
In this list we are going to introduce you to the wealth of other top tourist attractions in Indonesia to be discovered in this vast and varied country.
10. Lake Toba
Lake Toba is one of the top tourist attractions in Indonesia. Located on the island of Sumatra, Lake Toba is an immense volcanic lake. This lake is about 100 kilometers long and 30 kilometers wide and it is the largest resurgent caldera on Earth. Breathtakingly beautiful Lake Toba had formed by a massive volcanic eruption some 75,000 years ago. According to the genetic estimation, only a few thousand people survived the catastrophe.
Lake Toba, one of the most incredible Indonesia tourist attractions and a very famous natural wonder, has an island named almost the size of Singapore in its center. The island in the middle – Pulau Samosir – is the largest island within an island and contains two lakes. You can have the great experience of visiting “a lake on an island within a lake on an island” by coming here. You can also kick back and relax and swim in the volcanically warmed waters.
9. Tanjung Puting
One of the most fascinating Indonesia tourist attractions is the Tanjung Puting National Park. The park is a famous ecotourism destination, which is located on the island of Borneo in the Indonesian province of Central Kalimantan. There are many local tour companies who offer multi-day boat tours to view and enjoy the wildlife and also visit the research center.
There are many wildlife here that includes gibbons, sun bears, clouded leopards, pythons, macaques, crocodiles and most famously orangutans. But it is quite unfortunate that the park is seriously endangered by illegal logging and forest clearing for agricultural uses.
8. Baliem Valley
If you want to have a glimpse of the stone aged world, then visit The Baliem Valley, one of the most famous tourist attractions in Indonesia. The valley is located in the highlands of Western New Guinea. Until 1938, the valley was not known to the outside world. It was discovered when an aerial reconnaissance flight southwards from Hollandia (now Jayapura) observed a large agricultural population.
If you visit here than come to Wamena, which is the starting point for most visitors. The valley is a very beautiful place from where you can marvel at the mountain views, thunderous rivers, and tribal villages. Your heart will lift up after encountering the tough but sweet spirit of the warm Dani people.
7. Mount Bromo
Located in East Java, Gunung Bromo or more commonly known as Mount Bromo is an active volcano and part of the Tengger massif. It is not the highest peak of the massif at 2,329 meters (7,641 feet), but it certainly is the most well-known. This gorgeous area is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Indonesia and Java. The area is so beautiful it will simply take your breath away.
The top of the volcano has been blown off and the crater inside relentlessly belches white smoke. The Sea of Sand of fine volcanic sand surrounds the place creating an unstintingly unearthly effect.
6. Bunaken
Among the Indonesia tourist attractions, Bunaken is a very famous dive and snorkeling area. Bunaken is located at the north of the island of Sulawesi. This beautiful island is part of the Bunaken Marine Park. More than 70% of all fish species that live in the western Pacific Ocean can be found here. Between the month of April and November is the best time to visit Bunaken when you can dive into the ocean and watch the beautiful fish species swim by.
5. Torajaland
Indonesia tourist attractions include many awesome places. One or two of them might be a bit notorious. Torajaland (TanaToraja) is one of them. Located on a highland region of South Sulawesi, the Torajaland is home of the Toraja people.
Torajans are mainly well-known for their immense peaked-roof houses known as Tongkonan and fabulous but gruesome funeral rites. The dead body is kept, often for several years, after his/her death until the actual funeral ceremony which can last for several days. After the ceremony, the deceased is finally buried in a small cave or in a hollow tree.
4. Gili Islands
One of the most popular tourist attractions in Indonesia, the Gili Islands are an archipelago of three small islands. They are Gili Trawangan, Gili Air, and Gili Meno. If you want to have a relaxed holiday then you should visit here. First of all, there are no cars or motorbikes to disturb the peace. There are also countless little beach side cafes that still play the reggae.
All in all, the islands are very relaxed and laid-back where you can truly enjoy your holiday. You should note that the name “Gili Islands” is rather superfluous as Gili simply means “Small Island” in Sasak. So you will be able to find many other islands around the coast of Lombok with Gili in their names.
3. Komodo National Park
Indonesia tourist attractions offer you a very fascinating national park. The Komodo National Park is not just any national park; this park is actually a great heaven of the famous Komodo dragon after whom the park is named. Komodo dragon is the largest living reptile in the world. This fascinating creature can reach 3 meters or more in length and weigh over 70kg. They have a bizarre food habit.
Komodo dragon mostly eats the carcass of dead animals. But they are the formidable predator and they will also hunt prey including birds and mammals. Even though attacks against humans are very rare, visitors should be very careful while visiting there. If you want to go there then you should know that The Komodo National Park is located within the Lesser Sunda Islands that includes the three larger islands Komodo, Rincah and Padar, and 26 smaller ones.
2. Borobudur
The Borobudur is one of the most famous Buddhist temples in the world. This famous temple is located 40 km (25 miles) northwest of Yogyakarta on Java. The Borobudur was built in the 8th and the 9th centuries by the kingdom of Sailendra. It took about 75 years to build this famous temple out of an estimated 2 million blocks of stone.
In the 14th century, the temple was abandoned for some mysterious reasons. It lay concealed in the jungle under layers of volcanic ash for centuries. Nowadays it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Indonesia.
1. Ubud
If you are interested to learn about the culture and tradition of Bali, then Ubud is the place for you. Ubud is considered the cultural heart of Bali and one of the top tourist attractions in Indonesia. This beautiful destination is perched among stunning terraced rice fields which give it a picturesque beauty. There are dance and music performances every day throughout the city. And there are also abundant art galleries and craft shops to explore.
Only in the last decade tourism in Ubud boomed exponentially even though Ubud has long been cherished as a great place to learn about Balinese culture. But it does not matter from which angle you look at it, because no matter what, Ubud is a great place to visit and have lots of fun.
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