Indonesia is known as the country of a thousand islands with hundreds of large and small islands. Not only developing island tourism, Indonesia also owns many national parks, majestic natural volcanoes, and pristine landscapes. As a country in Southeast Asia, Indonesia has become an ideal destination for travelers worldwide. Beautiful Bali Island, majestic Mount Bromo, mysterious Baliem Valley… are some of the amazing places that you must visit on your trip to Indonesia.
In addition to relaxing in Bali, visiting Komodo National Park, or diving in Bunaken are attractive activities not to be missed when visiting the archipelago country. And if you are planning to experience Indonesia, don’t miss these 10 destinations!
1/ Bali Island
Perhaps the brightest spot on the Indonesian tourism map is Bali, the island of love stories, of the novel “Eat, Pray, Love” full of poetry. When Indonesia is mentioned, Bali Island is the first thing that comes to mind. Not only tourists but even famous stars from Asia and Europe are mesmerized by the beauty of this wonderful island.
Beautiful and romantic Bali Island
Bali Island is located in southern Indonesia, to the west of the Nusa Tenggara archipelago, between Java Island to the west and Lombok Island to the east. Bali Island in Indonesia combines the beauty of harmonious nature, with mountains, blue coastlines, lush green rice fields, and religious structures deeply rooted in the local Hindu culture. The best time to visit Bali is from May to October every year, with the peak season being July, August, and September. This is when Bali enters autumn, with cool, dry weather and no prolonged thunderstorms.
Bali looks beautiful in the new autumn
2/ The ancient city of Yogyakarta
Indonesia is known for its ancient and traditional style, and the ancient city of Yogyakarta is one of the representatives of that trend. If you have the opportunity to travel to Indonesia, you must visit the ancient city of Yogyakarta. You will have the chance to explore ancient traditions with different customs, various cultures, and also visit small alleys, admire beautiful street art.
Yogyakarta, the ancient city with a strong historical charm
In particular, you will find the historical essence of ancient Javanese culture in the temples of Borobudur and Prambanan – two famous kingdoms from two different religions.
3/ Lake Toba
Located within a massive volcanic crater in Indonesia, Lake Toba is recognized as one of the world’s most beautiful natural wonders. When visiting Indonesia, you definitely cannot miss out on Lake Toba.
Lake Toba lies within a volcanic crater
At a depth of 450m and an area of 1,145 square kilometers, Lake Toba resembles a giant ocean. Very peaceful, rustic yet wild and majestic, captivating the hearts of people. It’s hard to find an ideal scenic spot like this to stroll together, swim, and row a boat… Despite being a famous tourist destination in Indonesia, Lake Toba still retains its inherent natural beauty. Leaving the small village at Toba, you’ll find lush farmlands, churches, and some scattered peculiar tombs.
Lake Toba is a peaceful natural tourist attraction in Indonesia
4/ Mount Bromo
Bromo is a volcano known for its magnificent sunset views. Visiting Indonesia and witnessing the sunset at Mount Bromo is truly amazing. Mount Bromo is part of the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park covering an area of approximately 800 km2.
Majestic Bromo volcano
Bromo volcano stands out from the surrounding volcanoes as it is active, covering its entire surface with a gray ash color of volcanic rock, with no vegetation. Especially, when the sun is just rising, Bromo volcano appears to be immersed in the morning mist and drifting white clouds, only revealing the high crater, which is the moment that no one wants to miss when visiting Bromo volcano.
Attracting a large number of visitors
5/ Bunaken Island
Bunaken is a small island located off the northern coast of Sulawesi, near the city of Manado, known as one of the best diving spots in Indonesia. Despite its advantages, this place does not attract too many tourists. Compared to Bali and the Gili Islands, it is even less crowded. However, Bunaken Island is still a favorite destination in northern Sulawesi, so there are many guesthouses and facilities on the island.
Peaceful Bunaken Island
The vibrant coral reefs embracing the island offer an irresistible allure, easily capturing the hearts of both free divers and scuba divers from the very first moment of exploration. And of course, the colorful world of fish – such as clownfish (Nemo) – awaits for your admiration. If luck is on your side, you may encounter sea turtles, venomous lionfish, or even dolphins swimming near the boat. You can approach the boat owner and diving groups to sign up for a sea excursion, or rent scuba gear to explore the ocean on your own.
With an incredibly diverse marine plant system
6/ Komodo National Park
Located in the Lesser Sunda Islands, Komodo National Park consists of three large islands: Komodo, Padar, and Rincah, and nearly 30 smaller islands. Most tourists traveling to Indonesia want to visit Komodo National Park to see and learn about the legendary Komodo dragons. They are listed as endangered species and are extremely dangerous predatory animals. Therefore, security in the national park is tight, both to ensure the natural habitat for wild animals and to protect the safety of tourists. Visitors will buy an entrance ticket for about 25 USD and if they want to see the Komodo dragons, they must strictly follow the instructions of the guides.
Visit Komodo National Park to see the legendary Komodo dragons
Additionally, you can also visit Padar Island, which is also part of the Komodo National Park. The island was formed from an extinct volcano in the middle of the ocean, giving it a mysterious and majestic beauty. The most special experience is walking and taking photos on the “dinosaur’s back” – a mountain that extends straight towards the vast blue sea.
And don’t forget to check in with the Living Komodo Dragon
7/ Gili Islands
The Gili Islands are located in the strait of Lombok, praised by travelers as the paradise of Asian seas with stunning landscapes and incredibly pristine nature. Besides Bali, the Gili Islands in Indonesia are also a destination worth visiting. This place is well preserved and taken care of, maintaining its ecological forests, perfect emerald beaches with sprawling coral reefs for visitors to enjoy wonderful moments of relaxation.
The Gili Islands are stunning
When visiting the Gili Islands in Indonesia, you have three small islands to choose from: Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air. The peak tourist season for the Gili Islands falls between July and September as summer is the best time to hit the beach. The weather here is lovely and perfect for beach activities and sightseeing. It’s advisable to avoid traveling during the rainy season, around November to April. During these months, the weather is quite bad with heavy rainfall, making beach enjoyment quite challenging.
Enjoy the deep blue beaches of Gili
8/ Borobudur Temple
Borobudur is an exquisite and largest Buddhist monument in the world, built in the 8th century, located 42 km north of Yogyakarta, the center of Java Island, Indonesia, and was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991.
The Borobudur temple is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site
“Borobudur” in Indonesian means “Buddhist temple on a high hill”. The entire temple is built with 300,000 stones, constructed on a square platform of 2,500 m², following the model of a Mandala, representing the cosmic concept of Tibetan Buddhism. The temple is 42 meters high, consisting of 12 levels of various sizes and shapes, arranged in succession.
Visited by many international tourists
Borobudur is the most popular attraction when traveling to Indonesia. Visiting Borobudur is not only admiring Indonesia’s wonder but also the greatest and most valuable architectural masterpiece of Buddhism and humanity in the world.
9/ Lombok Island
Located east of Bali, Lombok is a well-known neighbor carrying world-renowned attractions. With many untouched spots, you can easily find a paradise retreat for yourself. Besides, the pristine beaches and impressive surf spots, Lombok is definitely a must-visit destination for those in need of some vitamin-sea.
Lombok Island – the neighbor of Bali Island
The beaches in Lombok are quite ideal with a moderate number of tourists. You can visit two beaches, Pantai Selong Belanak and Pantai Mawun, to enjoy various attractive services. Pantai Selong Belanak is suitable for those who love surfing with lessons costing only 330,000 VND. Meanwhile, at Pantai Mawun, you will feel a more peaceful and relaxed atmosphere.
For those who love tranquility
10/ Baliem Valley
Located far from Indonesia’s capital Jakarta, the mysterious Baliem Valley is nestled in the rugged mountainous region of the Jayawijaya range. Dubbed as the oldest ancient valley in the world, with swamps, dense forests, and notably wild tribes living here. Exploring Indonesia and discovering the enigmatic Baliem Valley will bring us many interesting insights about the nature and the people that are hard to find anywhere else in the world.
Mysterious Baliem Valley
When traveling to Indonesia, we often overlook the famous cities and bustling centers to explore the origins of life. In Baliem Valley, scientists believe that remnants of the Stone Age are still preserved to this day. Formerly known as Shangri La, the valley means “paradise under the world.”
Described as a paradise on earth
You will never feel bored when exploring tourist destinations in Indonesia because they will please even the most demanding travelers. Whether you like mountains or beaches, plateaus or adventurous activities, traveling in Indonesia will meet all your needs. Let Cuong Du Lich continue to explore this archipelago country in the upcoming videos. Please like and subscribe to the channel to stay updated on the latest travel information about Indonesia as well as other tourist destinations around the world.
