About Bandung
Bandung is a dynamic city boasting history, excellent shopping, and fulfilling dining and nightlife. Accommodation in the city caters to everyone from the backpacker to the luxury traveler. The city is serviced by Husein Sastranegara International Airport, located only three miles away from the city center.
Bandung is especially enjoyed by weekend travelers from Jakarta who flock to the distribution centers dealing in local high fashion and factory outlets that can generally be found in the Setiabudi Area. As the evening hits, the multitude of bars and clubs light up and draw crowds of dancers and party-goers. Cultural experiences can be enjoyed in the several museums established here such as Museum Geologi, and sites such as Gedung Sate displays strong hints of the city’s colonial past.
Bandung offers plenty of out-of-the-city opportunities as well. The region's high elevation translates into comfortable temperatures, perfect for visiting tea plantations, hiking up dormant volcanoes, or stopping by hot springs. Taxis and car rentals are the best way to reach these areas of the countryside.
You can reach Bandung by flying to Jakarta and take direct bus or shuttle from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport for about 3 - 4 hours. Or, you can also take flight to Bandung from Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in Jakarta for about 30 minutes.
It is not known exactly when Bandung city was built. However, contrary to the beliefs of some the city was not originally built by the orders of Daendels, the Dutch East Indies Governor General, but by the orders of 'Bupati' R.A. Wiranatakusumah II. The Dutch colonial powers built wide tree-lined boulevards, villas, gardens, and fountains, earning Bandung the nickname of "Parijs van Java", the Paris of Java, in the early 20th century. Many of these structures survive to today, and can be seen along the road leading to the Dago area north of the city