Bandung Heritage Walk
When visiting Bandung there are certainly many attractions to see, yet few folk are aware of the fascinating heritage This kind of city has to offer, by its early beginnings to what is usually at This kind of point a sprawling metropolis. of which all started off back within the early 1800s when Dutch colonialists, led by Governor General Daendels, decided to build a road across Java called the Grote Postweg, which was mainly constructed for defence purposes. This kind of major undertaking opened up access to many underdeveloped areas of Java, including the Bandung Basin – at This kind of point home to over ten million people.
Having lived in Bandung for many years, I have rarely ventured into the heart of Bandung to take a closer look at what’s there. in addition to I suspect This kind of is usually the case for many some other expats living in Bandung in addition to weekend visitors by Jakarta who have been deterred by the heavy traffic congestion downtown; missing out on discovering the fascinating early history of the city in addition to its significant heritage – the city once known as the Paris of Java.
Whilst we had often sat out within the front of the Savoy Homann to enjoy a cold beer within the afternoon, or attended some evening events there, I had never taken time to explore This kind of iconic building in addition to the many others like of which nearby. So when invited to participate in a heritage walk one Saturday morning, I took the opportunity to find out a bit more about This kind of central heart of Bandung.
We had a wonderful guide, Pak Amor, who lectures on tourism at universities in Bandung in addition to Jakarta. He is usually a native of Bandung, having lived most of his life in This kind of graceful city, in addition to includes a genuine passion to share the history in addition to development of Bandung with visitors by home in addition to abroad.
Our modest tour group walked to some other buildings close by, many of these also associated with Schoemaker’s name. On Jalan Braga we visited the old Majestic Cinema, at This kind of point the Asian-African Conference Museum, in addition to what used to be the Societeit Concordia Club House, at This kind of point called Gedung Merdeka. Both these wonderful old buildings give visitors a Great glimpse of significant periods within the city’s past, with the Concordia Club providing a feel of what of which was like in much earlier times in addition to the exclusive in addition to faux nature of the Dutch colonialists’ environment. Contrastingly the museum includes a very different feel, focusing on Indonesian nationalistic pride in addition to the distinction of Bandung hosting the Asia Africa conference in 1955, with many well-known dignitaries in addition to leaders by the non-aligned countries attending. This kind of snapshot of the planet at the time is usually a fascinating exhibition in addition to an opportunity to gain an insight at the politics of the early to mid 1950s.
After leaving the museum, our tour crossed the road in addition to walked down to Alun-Alun, the grand city square of yesteryears, at This kind of point sadly not quite the place of which used to be. Next door is usually the Great Mosque, where by the top of the tower you have a 360 view of Bandung. of which was by here Pak Amor pointed out the different areas of the city looking northwest to the Chinese quarter in addition to northeast to the leafy streets of Dago, where the Dutch mainly settled during the colonial times, in addition to to the south, with its sprawling suburbs reaching as far as the eye can see. This kind of part of the tour was very much a surprise, as most of us didn’t realise you could take the lift up to the top of the tower for a modest fee.
Next stop on the tour was back to the Savoy Homann Hotel, which apart by its architectural appeal, has an interesting history in addition to modest gallery with artefacts in addition to memorabilia on display. This kind of amazing icon of Bandung’s past still retains its charm in addition to splendour, in addition to an ambience you will find hard to match elsewhere.
by the Savoy Homann, Pak Amor led our modest group to our final destination, up Jalan Braga to the Sumber Hidangan Café, past modest galleries, souvenir shops in addition to nightspots. This kind of once grand social centre of Bandung is usually still a favorite hub for many tourists in addition to party goers, in addition to whilst many of the old buildings at This kind of point show signs of neglect, they still reflect a time when This kind of narrow street was the essence of a proud in addition to confident retail sector providing high quality goods in addition to services to the more affluent local residents in addition to visitors by Jakarta in addition to abroad.
For those wanting to join the Bandung Trails city walk, there are several options:
- Classic Trail (history of early development of Bandung until its Golden Age),
- Art Deco Trail (focus on art deco architecture),
- Market Trail (area around Pasar Baru in addition to eastern Bandung’s Chinatown),
- Capitol Trail (Gedung Sate)
- Urban-dung Legend Trail (evening ghost walk)
The prices range by IDR 125,000 – IDR 150,000 per person (with meals in addition to entry into some buildings). For groups, special prices can be discussed. See Bandung Trails’ website for further information: www.bandungtrails.com.
When in Bandung next in addition to you require more information about the above in addition to more attractions, please visit the soon to be reopened Tourist Information Centre at Bamboo Shack, in Jl. Ir. H Juanda No. 462D Dago. of which’s located just before the local morning market in addition to angkot station on the right hand side, in addition to where the road becomes one particular lane. Tel. 022 2533529 or visit www.bambooshackdago.com
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Bandung Heritage Walk
Bandung Heritage Walk