Discover the Beauty of Bandung: A Guide to Your Perfect Day Trip

As the country’s 3rd largest city, Bandung is not only West Java’s mountain stronghold, but a holiday hotspot for the masses. Here’s what day-trippers can do during a tour of this scenic hideaway.

Tangkuban Perahu
Tangkuban Perahu | Image by Affan Fadhlan on Unsplash

Marvel at the Cimahi Rainbow Waterfall

While the best time to gaze upon the Cimahi waterfall is during sunset when the light turns the cascade into a vertical rainbow, this towering natural wonder is stunning at any hour. Although the waterfall is known to double in size during the monsoon season, it is worth visiting the venue during the warmer months so that the hike up to the location is a more pleasant experience.

Hike Up the Tangkuban Perahu Volcano

No day tour of Badung would be complete without exploring the Tangkuban Perahu Volcano, which erupted for the last time in 2013. Those who are based at the FOX Harris Hotel City Center Bandung or any of the best hotels in Bandung must find a local tour operator for this volcanic tour even if the hike up to the crater’s lips is not that long.

Take a Dip in the Hot Springs

One of the best things to do in Badung is to enjoy a dip in the many hot springs in town. These hot springs are a result of the area’s volcanic heritage. Apart from the healing benefits of this warm dip, one can also unwind in style at either the Cibolang hot spring or the Sari Ater.

Uncover the Tea Estates

Don’t forget to stop by the many tea estates occupying Bandung where one can not only explore the tea plantations but also sign up for a factory tour. The tea estates close to Kawah Putih are especially captivating and ideal for long walks.

Tangkuban Perahu in Bandung

Located approximately 25 kilometres from the Bandung city centre is a volcano that’s dubbed the Overturned Boat by locals due to its strange shape. The active volcano is a fascinating geological site in the area.

Image credit- Unsplash,Yazid Hasan,CC0

Reaching the Volcano

Those who are based at FOX Harris Hotel City Center Bandung or any of the best hotels in Bandung will find that driving to Mount Tangkuban Perahu is the easiest way to reach the venue on weekdays. The entire journey will take no more than an hour and a half as the volcano is located approximately 25 kilometres away from the heart of the city.

Tour Options

Rental cars and organised tours to the volcano are available through local tour operators while those who wish to use public transport methods can head to the Bandung’s Minibus Terminal to find minibuses heading to the volcano.

At a Glance

Tangkuban Perahu holds the distinct honour of being the only crater in Indonesia where visitors can drive right up to the rim of the crater. The strange shape and structure of the volcano set it apart from other famous lava spewers in Indonesia and Southeast Asia as the mountain truly does resemble a boat that’s been overturned.

Geological Impact

Although the beauty of Tangkuban Perahu cannot be denied, the volcano has had both positive and negative impacts on the Parahyangan Highlands also known as the Land of God. The volcanic activity in the area is directly linked to the fertility of the soil in the hills, which has made the area rich in nutrients and ideal for crop cultivation.