Bandung is the center of Sundanese culture which developed before Islam under the kingodm of Pajajaran
or known as Parahyangan, in contrast to Javenese kingdom with the center in Yogyakarta and Solo. Bandung first built
as modern base by Dtuch in 1885 as the post of army, which was at the time recorded 900.000 population
consisted of Sundanese, Chinese and European. Bandung today has been well kown for its Dutch
architeture heritates, tecnological center, art, and shopping paradise which have made Bandung as the 4th
biggest city in Indonesia with population around 2 millions after Jakarta, Surbaya and Medan. Some interesting places within
the city of Bandung are Gedung Merdeka, located at Jalan Asia Africa, a place where the famous
Asia-African Nations Meeting preparation among the leader of Indonesia, China, Myamnar, and Egypt in
1950 followed by a huge meeting of Asia and African Meeting in 1955. Geology Museum, located
at Jalan Diponegoro 57, has an extensive geological exhibition including the fossil of Java man. Bandung
Institute of Technology or shorted with ITB, located at Jalan Geneca, opened in 1920 by Dutch with the architecture
of mixed Indonesia and Europe. This institution is the most popular school in Indonesia managed under the
state. Zoo Garden, within walking distance from ITB building has beautiful landscaped garden, yet not
many animals. Dago is a hill overlooking the city where the famous Thee Huis ( Tea House ) with
maginificent views during sunset, and a theatre house both outdoor and indoor where irregular cultural
festival take place. An excellent walk path seeing water falls, man made caves along the garden are of great interest
in Dago area.
Jean Street along Jalan Cihampelas is the center of jeans sales and exhibition with really cheap price.
Beside jeans there are also various cloths, especially madeof denim and T-shirt with good quality and
cheap price.
Wayang Golek known as marrionettes produced at Jalan Panggarang 22, by local artist Pak Huhyat
produces on place and one can buy there.
Leather Puppet produced at Jalan Kebon Kawung, just north of train station, which is well kown
for its unique figure and intricate carving of the leather.
Angklung Ujo a production of bamboo music instruments typical to this artist and invented by
local person named Mang Ujo. The location is at Jalan ABC Gang Suniaraja no. 3.
Shoe Production along Jalan Cibaduyut which is well known for its cheap price and creative
design, but less strong, and it is good for fashion of one time.
Lembang is a small town 16 kms north of Bandung on the way to Mount Tangkuban Perahu. Here is
found the old planet observatorium.
Mount Tangkuban Perahu located 30 kms north of Bandung, a huge flat summit of a mountain crater
looks like overturned canoe. A local legend tells about the origin of the mountain resembling canoe, that
an almost scandalous oedipus like event happened due to a youth separated for their life with his
mother and once he meet her mother whom he did not know any more he falling in love, yet the mother
soon identified the youth as her true son and making a difficult test before marriage be decided and
made failure fo the engagement. In local Sundanese story teller this youth is known as Sangkuriang.
Ciater Hotspring located 8 kms north east of Tangkuban Perahu, a huge tea and clove plantations with beautiful
panorama. There is a popular hotspring at Sariater with the hotel and
restaurant which is already commercialized. Hotspring has swimming pool which is most popular during
week end and national holidays.
Bandung will be fully booked during Idul Fitri Muslim holiday, around 17th Agust, and the whole
December up to the new year.
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