Places of Interest

Indonesia is the biggest South East Asian nation. With its strategic locations near the equator, Indonesia holds unique and outstanding cultures and hotspots for tourists. The diversity of cultures, races, languages has brought Indonesia's name to the world.

Borobudur

Borobudur was built on a small hill in the Kedu Basin, a rich, fertile valley surrounded by spectacular volcanoes. Borobudur gives the feeling of freedom and openness evokes the sense of spiritual release that occurs in Buddhist philosophy when one enters the Arupadhatu, the sphere of enlightenment which is manifested on the final terrace of the monument.

This famous Buddhist temple, dating from the 8th and 9th centuries, is located in central Java. It was built in three tiers: a pyramidal base with five concentric square terraces, the trunk of a cone with three circular platforms and, at the top, a monumental stupa. The walls and balustrades are decorated with fine low reliefs, covering a total surface area of 2,500 m2. Around the circular platforms are 72 openwork stupas, each containing a statue of the Buddha. The monument was restored with UNESCO's help in the 1970s.

Tana Toraja - Land of the Heavenly Kings

Tana Toraja has a specific and unique funeral ceremony which is called Rambu Solo. In Tana Toraja, dead body is not buried, but it is put in Tongkonan for several times, even can be more than ten years until the family have enough money to held the ceremony. After ceremony, the dead body is brought to the cave or to the wall of the mountain. The skulls show us that the dead body is not buried but just put on stone or ground, or put in the hole.The funeral festival season begins when the last rice has been harvested, usually in late June or July, and lasts through to September.

Lake Toba

Toba Lake is the largest lake in South East Asia and also one of the most spectacular, surrounded by tall mountains and with the large island of Samosir in the middle. The centerpiece of North Sumatra, Lake Toba's bracing climate and magnificent panoramas clear the mind and soothe the soul. For decades a magnet from regional and foreign visitors alike, Toba has developed into a full-featured highland resort while retaining the rustic charm and relaxed ambiance that define Toba's attraction.

Formed by a stupendous prehistoric volcanic explosion, the 100 km long lake is the largest in Southeast Asia and one of the deepest and the highest in the world. The drama of that cataclysmic birth persist in 500 meter cliffs dropping into the blue-green waters, surrounded by steep, pine covered sloped, the climate is fresh and pleasant, with just enough rain to support the lush vegetation. Toba Lake has become one of the main tourist attractions for a long time in North Sumatra apart from Bukit Lawang and Nias, visited by both domestic and foreign tourist.

Monas

The National Monument, or "Monas" as it is popularly called, is one of the monuments built during the Sukarno era of fierce nationalism. The top of the National Monument (Monas) is Freedom Square. It stands for the people's determination to achieve freedom and the crowning of their efforts in the Proclamation of Independence in August 1945. The 137-meter tall marble obelisk is topped with a flame coated with 35 kg of gold. The base houses a historical museum and a hall for meditations. The monument is open to the public and upon request the lift can carry visitors to the top, which offers a bird's eye view on the city and the sea.

Taman Mini Indonesia Indah - TMII

One of spectacular Jakarta's recreation and educational place is Taman Mini Indonesia Indah. The concept of Mini Indonesia Indah is collecting and communicating the diversity of treasures of Indonesia. This park consists of 27 provinces, so it was supposed to represent at least 27 highlight of Indonesian culture, more detail, each province would have it's typical traditional architecture, nature, arts and other specific life.

Beside cultural aspects, the Mini Indonesia Indah also present natural treasures of Indonesia such as bird park, orchid garden, Keong Mas theatre insect park and others. In cultural aspect various museums are constructed in Mini Indonesia Indah to exhibit the specific arts such as Indonesia museum, Asmat tribe museum, army museum, stamp museum, and other cultural museums. Inside, there are recreational facilities also. The most interesting sight at Mini Indonesia Indah is the traditional pavilions of each ethnic or specific area of Indonesia.

Ancol Dreamland

This is the largest amusement park in Jakarta. This huge area provides all classes and kinds of entertainment. It was built in Jakarta on reclaimed beach land. Ancol is also a gateway for island trips to Kepulauan Seribu (Thousand Islands).There is a marina where hundreds of private boats lay anchor every day. The Marina is good spot for marine recreation and sport with lots of facilities, such as water cycles, canoes, sailing boats, and fishing gear. Stalls along the beach serve drinks and snacks while tents are available for sunbathers.Ancol is specially designed for family recreation. This place has a water park, theme park (Dunia Fantasi – Fantasy Land), an art market, oceanarium and Seaworld. On some events, Ancol will host several entertainments including music performances, wayang kulit (leather puppet), and a firework party.