Introduction

Officially known as the Republic of Indonesia, Indonesia is the largest archipelago state in the World, which consists of 17,508 islands. It is the fourth most beautiful and enchanting country in the world and the third largest democracy of the World after India and the USA. Surrounded by the two great oceans of the world, the land of Indonesia rises from the blackest and the lowest point of some of the deepest oceans and soaring to the peaks of the volcanoes and the kingdom of snow of the Jayawijaya mountain which is located in Irian Jaya. If you wish to spend your holiday on the lap of the beautiful nature where you can find everything to enjoy for, then Indonesia is the perfect holiday destination for you, which offers various Indonesia Tourist Attractions, which are the combination of magnificent and glorious scenic beauty as well as modern amenities to spend your vacation comfortably.

Indonesia is a land of mountains- particularly volcanoes, dense forests, attractive beaches, spectacular natural beauty, which draws the attention of various tourists throughout the year. The rich culture and tradition of this country attracts the foreigners who want to experience the culture of Asia. With its glorious temples, huge mosques, museums Indonesia is a house of several magnificent Indonesia Tourist Attractions.

The wonderful islands and small islets of the country form the major Indonesia Popular Destinations. The virgin beaches, the long coastline, the amazing beach resorts, the natural beauty of the mountainous landscape, lying by the side of green rice and paddy fields, the rolling green foothills, the volcanoes and hot springs, the lakes and rivers, the wildlife and plantations, its history and culture, its cultural diversity and extraordinary architecture, and the ancient monuments all comes up the splendid and enchanting Indonesia Popular Destinations.

The Top 5 Tourist Attraction are:
1. Bali

2. Jakarta

3. Yogyakarta

4. Sumatra

5. Solo

Bali

Bali is an Indonesian island that is positioned at the western most part of the Lesser Sunda Islands. It falls between Java to the west and Lombok to the east. The island of Bali is a mythical and mag diamond shaped island which presents remarkable scenic beauty of the volcanic mountains and lakes, delightful rice terraces, ancient temples and palaces. The island of Bali is surrounded by the sparkling coral seas. It is well known as a popular and major tourist destination in the country and is well-known for its extremely developed arts which include dance, sculpture, painting, leather, metalworking and music. Bali Tourism is a flourishing business and draws a number of tourists every year to the city. There are a number of Bali Tourist Attractions which would engage the travelers wholly during their trip to this glorious place.
With a number of Bali Tourist Attractions like the Pura Dasar in Bali, Goa Lawah in Bali, Uluwatu Temple in Bali, Pura Penataran Sasih in Bali and Pura Besakih in Bali. The tourists would find it convenient and easy to enjoy a smooth and easy trip in Bali since they can visit the Bali Tourist Information Center in Indonesia in case of any kind of enquiry. The Bali Travel Guide provides detailed information of Bali. So just pack your bags and get ready for Sightseeing in Bali, some popular tourist spots such as the Pura Pusering Jagat in Bali, Jagatnatha Temple (Pura Jagatanatha) in Bali, Pura Kehen in Bali, Klungung Temple in Bali and Pura Tanah Lot in Bali during your trip to the country.

• Temples in Bali
  
  

The best known Bali Tourist Attractions in Indonesia are its "Myriad Of Hindu Temples." The smallest of the village has at least three temples, but among them the most significant and the largest are the nine diretional temples.

• Beaches in Bali
  

The island of Bali is blessed with a line of beaches that surrounds it and would serve as very good tourist attractions in Bali. The white sandy beaches are the ideal places for watching the sunrise as you jog down the beaches and the sunset as you sit down and relax in the beach. Apart from this the tourist can engage themselves in a number of sporting activities such as diving, surfing and snorkeling.

• Amusement Parks and Monuments in Bali

The amusement parks in Bali are perfect representatives of the natural splendor of the country. Great minds saw the potential of harnessing Mother Nature and all her wonders and converted vast areas of fertile land into amusement parks that have since inception contributed majorly to the development of the tourist industry.
Waterborm Amusement Park is one of the most important amusement parks in Bali. A paradise for children, it is capable of making adults take a walk down memory lane and remember their childhood. It is known of this amusement park in Bali that parents too get lost in the entertainment activities with their children.

• Museums in Bali

Bali is an alluring island which is also known to possess rich cultural wealth along with heavenly beauty and friendly people. Exotic is the word that defines Bali and the splendid tourist attractions in Bali lends a true meaning to this paradise. Besides the sunny beaches, water sports, appealing elegance, art and culture in Bali is also spectacular. Speaking of art, the superlative beauty of Bali is an inspiring force that never seems to stop inspiring its artists. A reflection of the ancient art forms, artifacts and antique items are found in some of the Bali Museums.
The island has a notable history which has also recorded the collection of various artifacts from time to time. Some of the museums are dedicated to Balinese art and painting like the Museum Puri Lukisan in Bali which has a fabulous collection of paintings and pieces of sculpture. It is a one of the finest museums in Bali and also the first fine arts museum in Bali. Agung Rai Museum of Art in Bali displays paintings and art forms of Bali.

Do take a visit to the Museum Semarajaya in Bali also which is one of the finest Bali museums. The museums are great spots for Sightseeing in Bali. The Museum Negeri Propinsi in Bali preserves the archaeological items of the past and has a collection of ethnographical history. If you are interested in the art and painting of the 16th and the 20th century Bali then do visit the Neka Museum in Bali. With such a superb array of Bali museums and tourist attractions, the travelers can have an insight into the development of the Balinese art form and the rich cultural heritage.

Jakarta, a city of contrasts

One cannot help but be overwhelmed by Jakarta for its vastness and its population. Divided into five administrative regions - North, South, West, East and Central - it is home to over 12 million people. The country's capital, Jakarta is a bustling metropolis that never stops growing, where the traditional and the modem, the rich and the poor, the sacral and the worldly often stand side by side. Because of its strategic location on the shores of the Java Sea, for centuries Jakarta has been a meeting point for the different races, cultures and traditions of the hundreds of ethnic groups that compose Indonesia and of the foreign travelers and traders that visit the archipelago. Today, Jakarta has all kinds of attractions to offer, ranging from museums, art and antique markets, first class shopping, good accommodations and food, to a wide variety of cultural activities.

National Monument (Monas) in Jakarta is located in Lapangan Monas or Merdeka Square in Gambir. This monument was constructed under the orders and directions of President Soekarno in 1961. However, its construction could not be completed before 1975. Built during Soekarno’s era of nationalism, it recollects the nationalist pride of the Indonesian people who fought against the Dutch colonialist. Located in central Jakarta, this monument is considered to be one of the most prominent memories of Indonesian nationalist spirit. National Monument (Monas) in Jakarta was designed by the architects, Soedarsono and F. Silaban with inputs from Ir. Rooseno. Built across a land of 80 hectar, this monument was inaugurated for common men on July 12, 1975 and was known as Tugu Monas. It was earlier known by several other names like Lapangan Gambir, Lapangan Ikada, Lapangan Merdeka, Lapangan Monas and Taman Monas.

The National Museum holds an extensive collection of historical, pre-historic, archeological and ethno-graphic artifacts and relics. It houses one of the most complete collections of bronzes and ceramics dating back to the Han, Tang, Ming mn dynasties, and statuary and sculpture which display Indonesia's Hindu, Buddhist and Islamic influences.

A visit to the old town area and Chinatown in North Jakarta is like stepping back in time to the days of the Dutch colonial rule. Surrounded by period buildings Taman Fatahillah square and the Jakarta Museum was once the Dutch East Indies Company's Town Hall in 17th and 18th century. Old maps and antiquities used by the Dutch colonist in the 18th century are put on display.

Across the square, besides the Fine Art and Ceramic Museum, the Wayang Museum holds a collection of wayang puppets from parts of Indonesia and Southeast Asia. The wooden and leather puppets displayed here represent the finest craftsmanship of the traditional theater. Shortened performances of the wayang kulit (leather puppets) are given every Sunday morning.

Another must see in the area is the Maritime Museum in the Sunda Kelapa Harbor area with its landmark old harbormaster's tower. The museum is housed in two former Dutch East Indies Company warehouses and exhibits Indonesia's seafaring tradition. Models of sea going vessels from all parts of the archipelago are displayed.

Early birds will enjoy going to Sunda Kelapa at dawn and watch fish freshly brought in from the sea being auctioned. This harbor was formerly an important trading port for the Portuguese and the Hindu Kingdom of Pajajaran in the early 16th century. Ruins of an Old Batavia's Kasteel (castle), warehouses and relics from the days of the spice trade can still be seen. Still functioning as a fisherman's wharf and an inter island port, Sunda Kelapa provides a safe harbor for tall masted Bugis schooners carrying merchandise as they have been doing for centuries.
Easily recognized for its authentic Betawi architecture, the Textile Museum in West Jakarta possesses a collection of over 327 kinds of textiles from all over the country: handwoven cotton, silk and batik cloths, both of the ancient and contemporary productions. A small workshop shows the process of batik making.

• Enriching and filling pastimes

As centers of Jakarta's cultural activities, Gedung Kesenian Jakarta and Taman Ismail Marzuki offer monthly programs which may include exhibitions, plays, musical and poetry recitals, folk art, dance performances and drama from local artists and visiting performers.

The way of life of Jakarta's indigenous habitants, the Betawi people, can be witnessed in the city's several Betawi cultural reserves, such as Situ Babakan and Condet in South Jakarta. Living in traditionally designed houses, the betawi population kepp alive traditional Betawi arts and culture, such as the Tanjidor orchestra, the Topeng Blantek dance and Betawi wayang performances, to name a few. Betawi dialects are also used daily among the people.

• A shopper's paradise

Whether you are a serious spender or half-hearted shopper, there is sure to be something for everybody in Jakarta. Multi-level shopping centers offer branded goods and local products from fashion to electronics while our traditional markets attract the more adventurous with tempting displays luscious tropical fruits and exotic tropical blooms. At Mangga Dua, textiles, garments, electronics and computers are sold wholesale price and cheaper with large quantity buys.

At Sarinah and Pasaraya Grande, be amazed with the variety of local handicrafts of superior workman ship, such as batiks, ikats, gems, brassware, silverware and wooden carvings.

• Aquatic fun and maritime splendor

A wonderful place for children and grown ups, Jaya Ancol Dreamland on the north coast of Jakarta is a popular recreation park complete with the Dunia Fantasi theme park, Sea World, swimming pools, an artificial lagoon for fishing, boating, bowling alley, nightclubs, restaurants and first class accommodations. The Pasar Seni or art market is full of artists, carvers and painters who produce and sell their work on the spot. Live music, from jazz, pop to the lively dangdut are staged every Friday nights in an open air theater.Off the coast of north Jakarta, the warm waters of the Jakarta Bay and the Java Sea beckon you to explore the Thousand Islands or Pulau Seribu. This cluster of islands offer an array of activities, from lazing on golden beaches to joining in vigorous water sports, camping at ruins of an old Dutch fort or enjoying first-class accommodations.

Yogyakarta

Yogyakarta is popular tourist destination in Indonesia and known for its cultural heritage. There are ancient temples that will make you open your eyes and be aware of old palaces that will take you back to the days of the sultans. Also there are museums and exotic markets where you can get some flavor of the culture, traditions and customs of the place.

Yogyakarta is located on the "ring of fire" and Mount Merapi is a very active volcano that often emits gray smokes and hot molten lava. The mountain is one of the major tourist attractions in Yogyakarta and despite its being a dangerous and active volcano, it is the favorite of those who love mountain climbing. Yogyakarta is also located in an earthquake prone zone and the earthquake in 2006 caused severe damage to the place and many of its ancient buildings such as the Imogiri Royal Cemetry.

• Borobudur Temple

Situated at Borobudur District, South of Magelang, Central Java, the Borobudur Temple is considered as one of the Seven Wonders of the World and the complex of the temple is one of the greatest monuments in the world. According to Bernet Kempers' Borobudur Temple is very unique in her own way. Nieuwenkamp (an artist) said that Borobudur was like “a big lotus flower bud ready to bloom” which was “floating” on a lake. Nieuwenkamp’s mind's eye was supported by N. Rangkuti (1987) supported the mind's eye of Nieuwenkamp and said that from the air Borobudur Temple looks floating.

The structure of Borobudur Temple includes 55,000 square meters area, which is constructed on a hill and the shape of this temple is like a stepped-pyramid of six rectangular storeys, three circular terraces and a central stupa forming the summit. The whole structure of this temple is looks like a lotus, which is the sacred flower of Buddha.The overall height of the temple was 42 meters, but after restoration only 34.5 meters of temple was revealed that had the dimension of 123 x 123 meters (15,129 square meters). The Borobudur Temple comprises 10 floors and the first floor to the sixth floor were square form; the seventh to the tenth floor were round form.

Considered as the highest symbol of Buddhism, Borobodur is a replica of the universe. Borobudur Temple symbolises the micro-cosmos and divided into three levels. The first level marks the man's world of desire that is influenced by negative impulses; the middle level marks the world where man has control of his negative impulses and uses his positive impulses; the highest level marks the world of man that is no longer bounded by physical and worldly ancient desire. Therefore, we can say that Borobodur Temple represents the ten levels of a Bodhisattva's life.

• Central Museum, Yogyakarta

The Central Museum is a must visit spot for all those who are on the tour of this land. It is reputedly one of the best museums in the whole of South East Asia. The Central Museum, Yogyakarta was established in 1788 and till today it is said to possess the most complete set of Indonesian artifacts in the world.
The collection is huge that it is rival to even the Leiden Museum that is said to be the best in the world. The Central Museum has the best collection of Thai, Chinese and Vietnamese export ceramics, Tang, Han and Ming porcelain. The numismatic collection of this museum is all inclusive of the rare specimens of the special type of cloth money that was used in various parts of the land of Indonesia.

• Prambanan Temple

Prambanan Temple Complex is the biggest and the most beautiful Hindu temple in Yogyakarta. Located on the Prambanan plains, this temple shines above the rest with its grandeur, architectural brilliance and is also termed as the most exotic temple in Yogyakarta. This temple holds a prominent position as a world heritage site.

The central compound of the Prambanan Temple Complex consists of eight large temples along with eight smaller ones. Among these, the main lord Shiva temple excels in its grandeur and architectural brilliance. Often called the Candi Shiva Mahadeva temple, it stands in the center of the temple complex along with the temples dedicated to 'trimurti' - Brahma, Siva, and Vishnu. There is also a small Nandi temple dedicated to Shiva's divine bull. And a temple of Candi Prambanan is often called Loro Jonggrang temple, is dedicated to Goddess Durga. One of the cella is occupied by Ganesh, the elephant-headed son of Shiva

Sumatra

Sumatra happens to be the sixth largest island of the world. Sumatra was previously known as Swarna Dwipa. There is absolutely no dearth of Sightseeing places in Sumatra. West Sumatra has got many popular tourist destinations. Many people visit West Sumatra to have a glimpse of the natural environment, and the culture and history of the Minangkabau and Mentawai people. Sumatra is an island of plenty .Sumatra’s scenery, wildlife, natural resources, cultural diversity and extraordinary architecture makes this place worth visiting. The beautiful island of Sumatra is encircled by tropical forests all around. There is a lot of opportunity for trekking in Sumatra. Trekkers will love to trek in Sumatra as there are many unusual beautiful routes to choose from. The beaches of Sumatra are no less inviting. So one should plan a visit to the Beaches of Sumatra and explore the sea coast when on a trip to Sumatra.

• Lake Toba

The dream country of Indonsia is dotted with numerous islands each with its own unique features. Divided into nine provinces Riau, Jambi, Bengkulu, Bangka-Belitung, Lampung and South Sumatra,Sumatra in Indonesia is one such island which attracts tourists from different parts of the globe. Sumatra has got many popular tourist attractions and Lake Toba is only one of them. Sumatra is a haven for tourists who long for a relaxing vacation away from the din and bustle of city life.

Lake Toba is popularly referred to as the focus of Northern Sumatra. The picturesque landscape and beautiful scenery surrounding Lake Toba make the place all the more lovable. Lake Toba happens to be the largest lake in South East Asia surrounded by tall mountains .The large island of Samosir in nestled in the middle of the lake. A regular ferry is available from the mainland to Samosir in Lake Toba. The hospitable tribe, Toba Batak resides in the island of Samosir. One can have some interesting revelations about the traditions and culture of the Samosir tribe on visiting the island of Samosir. Lake Toba happens to be the largest lake in South East Asia and measures 100km in length. It is also one of the deepest and highest lakes in the world. A prehistoric volcanic explosion led to the formation of the lake. Today the encircling landscape of Lake Toba is extremely steep and productive. The Lake Toba is so very beautiful that The Dutch writer Rudy Kousbroek dubbed it as 'the most beautiful place on earth' Visitors love staying on the peninsula of Tuk Tuk on Samosir while on a tour to Sumatra and discover the enchanting beauty of the place.

• Bukittinggi

Bukittinggi is located on a hill and nestled among majestic mountains, green plantations and rice terraces. It happens to be one of the friendliest towns in Sumatra.Sumatra is also an ideal place to have day adventure trips. Mount Leuser National Park in Northern Sumatra is a popular tourist destination for hikers. One will get numerous opportunities to trek through the untouched habitat of the rainforest in Sumatra.

Fort De Kock and the Museum, at Bukittinggi, From Fort De Kock a footbridge takes one over the main street of Bukittinggi to the Museum and the Zoo. The museum has a wonderful collection of Minangkabau art and culture put on display for tourists. The Zoo is also a place one can visit, though it is not really well-kept.

Sianok Canyon, in Bukittinggi, Indonesia The Sianok Canyon or Ngarai Canyon covers an area of bout four kilometers southwest of the town of Bukittinggi, Indonesia. One can walk trough the canyon and climb up a small steep trial. It is quite a heavy climb, but leads to a flat green ricefield, that will lead to Kota Gadang, which is at about two hours walking distance from Bukittinggi, Indonesia.

Solo

Solo is one of the premier cities of Central Java in Indonesia. The city is also known as Surakarta, though it is more popularly known as Solo by the locals. The city of Solo is located at a distance of about sixty kilometers to the east of Yogyakarta and hundred kilometers to the south of Semarang.
Solo has developed a unique identity as a favorite tourist destination of the country. Tourists from different parts of the globe as well as from various corners of Indonesia come here to enjoy a good time during their vacations. Solo is home to many cultural, traditional and heritage sites as well as different historic places.



The city is located close to the famous Prambanan temples. There are interesting museums, palaces and centers of art and culture. Tourist destinations like Kasunanan Palace, Puro Mangkunegaran Palace, Sahasra Adhi Pura Hindu temple, parks, gardens and museums make Solo a wonderful place to visit.
Mountain volcanoes like Merbabu and Merapi decorate the city on the north, and the southeast frontier is flanked by mount Lawu. Tourists can take part in various excursion trips to the top sites of interest in Solo. Take part in some of the colorful festivals like Sekaten or Garebeg Ceremony and explore the real flavors of Solo. Tourists can take part in various excursion trips to the top sites of interest in Solo.
Tourists can go for some shopping in the numerous Solo shops that offer a variety of products and specialty items. To taste the local delicacies such as Nasi Timlo, Serabi and Nasi Liwet, one must visit any of the restaurants and cafes.

• Bengawan Solo River

The Bengawan Solo river is about 540 km in length and is considered to be the longest river of the island of Java. The river plays an important part in the island by providing water to inhabitants and farmlands of the eastern and northern parts of the island. Bengawan River originates from the volcano of Mount Lawu, which is situated in Central Java. From Mount Lawu, the river flows towards a northerly direction through the Sewu Mountains and during its course the river is linked with other tributaries like Madiun and Brantas rivers, all of which are significant rivers themselves. As the Bengawan River flows toward the East, the river passes through the Kendang Mountains and reaches the Solo Valley proper and the river finally passes through Surakarta or Solo. After reaching the city of Solo, Bengawan River eventually arrives at its outlet on the Java Sea near Solo.

Despite being an important river, Bengawan River has become shallow now and is not navigable anymore. But then, the river used to be a significant link between Solo and the North Coast of East Java. Bengawan River has become an icon in Solo and a popular song called “Bengawan Solo” also has been composed by Mr. Gesang. The song was composed during World War II, when the city was under Japanese occupation. The song portrays the legendary river in a poetic and nostalgic manner; the song mentions mountains surrounding the river, its sources and its final journey to the Java Sea.