8 Recommended Tourist Spots in Bandung and Karuizawa of Indonesia

Bandung, known as the "Karuizawa of Indonesia," is the third-largest city in Indonesia, following Jakarta and Surabaya. With its cool climate, it is a popular weekend destination for tourists from Jakarta. In this article, the author, who lived in Indonesia for about four years as an expatriate spouse, introduces eight recommended tourist spots in Bandung, ranging from famous attractions to lesser-known gems.

1. Rumah Mode Factory Outlet

Bandung is famous for its factory outlets, similar to outlet stores in Japan. These stores, marked with the name "Factory Outlet," are found all over the city. Historically, Bandung flourished as a textile city, and this legacy continues with numerous shops that manufacture and sell clothing.

The most famous and largest outlet is Rumah Mode Factory Outlet. It offers well-known brands like Polo, Burberry, CK, Paul Smith, H&M, and Adidas, and on weekends, the store is bustling with tourists. While Indonesia enjoys a warm climate year-round, the store offers a wide range of clothing, from summer to winter wear, making it a great place for bulk shopping. However, be cautious, as not all items sold are guaranteed to be genuine.

2. Trans Studio Bandung

Trans Studio Bandung, an indoor amusement park that opened in 2011, is highly recommended for families. Located inside the popular shopping mall Trans Studio, it is a major tourist attraction, often bustling with visitors.

The park offers thrilling roller coasters, interactive stand-up shows, and parades featuring original characters from Trans Studio, providing attractions for an entire day of fun. Tickets are available in regular and VIP options. The VIP ticket allows access to all attractions with priority boarding, so you can enjoy the park more efficiently without waiting in long lines. It tends to get crowded on rainy days and holidays, so make sure to take advantage of the VIP option.

3. Trans Studio Mall

Trans Studio Mall, which features an indoor amusement park and hotel, is the largest shopping mall in Bandung. It is a multi-purpose complex where visitors can enjoy shopping, dining, and entertainment all in one place. The mall is a popular destination for families, couples, and friends, with many locals also visiting regularly.

Not long ago, many of the brand stores found here were only available in Jakarta. The mall also offers a variety of restaurants serving Indonesian local dishes, Japanese food, Korean cuisine, and Chinese food, so there is something for everyone. Foreign tourists often stay at the hotel within the complex, spending their time shopping, dining, and enjoying the amusement park.

4. Gelora Bandung Lautan Api Stadium

Indonesia has its own professional league with 18 teams competing across the year. Bandung is home to the Persib Bandung football team.

The home stadium for Persib Bandung is the Gelora Bandung Lautan Api Stadium, which can hold around 40,000 spectators.

The stadium is filled with passionate fans, making it an exciting and energetic place to be. If you’re in Bandung, experiencing the local football scene is highly recommended.

5. Bandung Institute of Technology

Bandung is often referred to as a university town, with many tourists and students. Among the many universities, Bandung Institute of Technology (Institut Teknologi Bandung, ITB) is considered the top institution.

It is a prestigious engineering and technology university in Indonesia, and one of its notable alumni is Sukarno, the first President of Indonesia, who is also known for being the husband of Madame Devi. The campus is large, surrounded by trees, and enjoys Bandung’s cool climate, making it a pleasant place to visit. The campus also has parks, and visitors can rent bicycles for leisurely rides. Since it’s a popular tourist spot, it’s worth stopping by if you're interested.

6. Ciater Hot Spring

Indonesia is a volcanic country, and with its many volcanoes, it has many hot springs. Ciater Hot Spring in Bandung is a popular destination, drawing large numbers of tourists. The expansive area features rivers that are all hot spring water, with several spots resembling outdoor baths.

Due to the high number of visitors, the experience is more about playing in the warm river rather than leisurely soaking in the hot springs. This makes it a favorite spot for families with children. The hot spring is located about 1 hour and 20 minutes by car from the center of Bandung.

7. Juanda Forest Park

Juanda Forest Park is a forest park located about 10 km from the center of Bandung. While Bandung is cooler than Jakarta, this area is even cooler, surrounded by mountains, making it a popular summer retreat for many tourists. The park features flowing rivers, large suspension bridges, and mini parks for children, offering a full day of enjoyment. There are also rental bicycles available, allowing visitors to explore the park.

Trail running, a sport gaining popularity in Japan, is also a favorite in Indonesia. Every January, Juanda Forest Park hosts a trail running event, with races ranging from a full marathon to a 10 km race. The number of foreign participants increases every year, adding to the excitement of the event.

8. Bandung Giri Gahana Golf & Resort

Bandung has many golf courses, and its cooler climate makes it an ideal place for sports, especially when compared to Jakarta. Bandung Giri Gahana Golf & Resort is a complex facility that combines a golf course and hotel, making it a popular destination for families. A typical visit includes the husband playing golf, the wife enjoying a massage, and the children playing in the pool and park.

Indonesia experiences its rainy season from September to March, and Bandung, surrounded by mountains, gets a lot of rain, especially in the afternoons. Therefore, it is recommended to play golf in the morning to avoid the afternoon showers.

◎Conclusion

From popular tourist spots featured in travel magazines to hidden gems that only locals know, Bandung offers a wide variety of attractions. It is a cool and comfortable destination, just about 3 hours from Jakarta. With an airport in Bandung, it is easily accessible from other regions, as well as from Singapore and Malaysia.