Bandung Travel Guide
If you eat and breathe shopping, then this weekend getaway is for you.
Nicknamed the Paris van Java or the Paris of Java by The Dutch, Bandung is just a stone’s throw away from capital Jakarta.
A 3-hour journey by car and you’ll be right at the heart of this trendy and happening city.
Shop
Bandung is factory outlet shopping heaven and there are four main areas to bag a bargain (or five). Fill your shopping bags with ladies, mens and kids wear, bags, accessories, and shoes. A bit of a hit or miss, but if you’re lucky, you might even stumble upon brands like Zara, Esprit, Guess, Ann Taylor, Gap, Victoria Secret, Hugo Boss, and Nike for a fraction of the price you’d pay anywhere else.
Most popular Factory Outlets (FOs):
Rumah Mode has it all. Shops, plenty of food to choose from, and a great cosy café. The area is Jalan Setiabudi. Rumah Mode is No. 41F.
Heritage is housed in an old colonial style building in Jalan Riau. Once you’ve browsed through it with more shopping bags in tow, head to the Secret Factory outlet for more bargain hunting.
Next stop is Grande in the Dago district. From here, travel by foot to check out more fab shops in the area, including Episode, Blossom, and House of Donatallo for those with a shoe fetish.
The oldest centre of factory outlets in Bandung is Cihampelas, also known as Jeans Street. We love it for its unique shop fronts.
Eat
Feel like going local? Eat where the locals eat. Our pick is Kampung Daun, set in a valley near a small waterfall. We give it extra points for the cute huts to eat in. The atmosphere at night is just magical.
Food and drink with a view? Yes please. Try The Peak Restaurant or The Valley Restaurant. On the menu is a mixture of western and Indonesian food. Our tip: you’re here for the view, so head there while the sun is out, enjoy dusk moving in over the valley and watch Bandung ‘light up’. It can get a little chilly; be sure to pack a cardigan, or snuggle up by the open fireplace.
Sleep
The Padma is posh nosh and the best address in town. It’s a tad far from the city centre, but its picturesque setting and all the bells and whistles, makes it a worthwhile stay.
Hip, chic, and different, try The Chara hotel made out of shipping containers.
The Trans Luxury Hotel is another great address and is the pride of Indonesia’s luxury hotels.
Old-timer, the Sheraton Hotel, is still one of our top picks to stay for its convenient location.
Do
Shop till you drop (without breaking the bank)!
Tired of shopping or have the family in tow? Give the Trans Studio Bandung Theme Park a go. It’s like a miniature Universal Studios and a great place to take the little ones.
The Ranch is another great place to take the kids, especially if you’re looking for something outdoors. Lots to do from horse riding, boating, and fishing just to name a few.
For the more adventurous, head to the Tangkuban Perahu, a dormant volcano, about 30km (1 hour) from the city. Take a car all the way to the top to view the crater and set out for a leisurely stroll. Feel like burning some calories? Head down the well-marked path (no need for a guide), make your way to the hot springs and dip those tired little feet in the soothing hot water. Or boil an egg – no really, we’re serious!
Food
Must try Bandung snack food:
Batagor (savory) – this is an Indonesian version of fried wontons (fried fish dumplings) dipped in peanut sauce.
Martabak (sweet) thick pancake stuffed with chocolate, banana, sugar or cheese (yes cheese is often used in local desserts!)
Travel Tips:
It’s a 3-hour car journey from Jakarta.
It’s best to have a car to get around Bandung as everything is still widespread. You can hire a car for the day to take you around.
For something a little different, take the train from Jakarta to Bandung.
Bandung is a popular weekend destination, so brace yourself for the heavy traffic and crowded shops. We recommend adding an extra day to your stay and avoid heading there on long weekends.
Why limit yourself to just Jakarta? Explore more destinations with AirAsia’s handy downloadable guide to Indonesia. It’s free!
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