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Indonesia is located in Southeast Asia, straddling the equator (12°S to 7°N). With over 70% of its territory located in the Southern Hemisphere, it is the only country in Asia located in the Southern Hemisphere. With an east-west length of over 5,500 kilometers, it is the largest Asian country after China. Indonesia has a typical tropical rainforest climate, with an average annual temperature of 25-27°C and no distinct seasons. The northern part is influenced by the Northern Hemisphere monsoon, with abundant rainfall in July, August, September, and March. The southern part, influenced by the Southern Hemisphere monsoon, has abundant rainfall in December, January, and February.
Indonesia, just Bali?
No, Indonesia is more than just Bali. Don't forget, Indonesia is the largest country in Southeast Asia, the veritable "King of a Thousand Islands," encompassing 17,508 islands in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. It's the world's largest archipelago nation, boasting over 10,000 more islands than the second-largest country, the Philippines.
Even if you were to island-hop, visiting a new island every day without repeating, it would take 48 years. Of these, about 6,000 are inhabited, meaning the vast majority are uninhabited.
Indonesia not only has many islands, but also many volcanoes. There are more than 400 volcanoes, including 150 active volcanoes, accounting for one-sixth of the world's total.
It is too big, too fragmented, and too complex, just like more than 100 small countries from different continents put together, and miraculously, they become one country.
When you're in Indonesia, you'll feel like you're lost in a sweltering, humid kaleidoscope: dreamy islands, wild volcanoes; a land where everything grows, idyllic rice paddies; mysterious tribes, ancient religions; congested and noisy modern cities, and hearty Southeast Asian cuisine...
Indonesia's beauty stems from its countless unique islands and rich ethnic cultures, while its evil stems from its wild volcanoes and frequent earthquakes. This unresolved conflict between beauty and evil has created a nation of contradictions.
The island most familiar to Chinese people
Bali, though small as a cardamom pod, commands the highest international recognition. A century ago, the Dutch transformed it into a luxurious resort island, embodying Western aesthetics. Volcanoes, rice paddies, white-sand beaches, Hindu temples... With a cluster of internationally renowned hotels and a wealth of luxurious services, the image of "impoverished Southeast Asia" seems entirely foreign. "Bali is more famous than Indonesia itself! We actually have so many other islands." In 2017, Indonesian President Joko Widodo personally proposed the "10 New Balis" tourism initiative, encompassing the entire country.
Of course, Bali still has many niche attractions that are worth your careful exploration.
Sky Gate
While sculptures and monuments are common along the way in Bali, the most distinctive feature is this split-open gate. Documents describe it as a "Yin Yang Gate" (also known as the "Gate to Heaven," "Gate of Good and Evil," or "Welcome Gate"). Locals believe that good and evil coexist in the world, each balancing out the other, ultimately triumphing over the other. This gate serves as a reminder to practice good and avoid evil. The Balinese believe in the presence of spirits on the island, and that the forces of good and evil are evenly matched, with no clear winner. Passing through the Yin Yang Gate, good is carried along while evil is filtered out.
The temple in the picture is called Pura Lempuyang Luhur, a Hindu temple. While its name doesn't yet have a definitive Chinese translation, it's widely known as the "Gateway to the Sky." Located midway up Mount Lempuyang in northeastern Bali, at an altitude of 1,175 meters, Pura Lempuyang Luhur shares its name with the mountain. A pilgrimage from the base of the mountain to the summit, as ancient Hindus did, would require a climb of 1,700 steps. There are no entrance fees, only signatures and donations. The ticket office attendant will help visitors put on sarongs. Because the temple is not on any popular tourist routes, it rarely sees tourists.
This gate faces Mount Agung and the sea. On cloudy days, the view beyond is like something out of a fairy tale, as if stepping through it would lead you into another world. It's like an island in the sea, a gate to the sky.
Nusa Penida Island
Nusa Penida Island, located in the Lombok Strait between Bali and Lombok, is one of Bali's offshore islands, along with Nusa Lembongan. However, tourism here remains largely undeveloped, preserving its pristine ecology and making it one of Bali's hidden gems. The waters here are incredibly clear, with the surface barely touching the seabed, allowing for crystal-clear views of the underwater landscape. The island also boasts a magnificent coastline, exciting diving opportunities, and white beaches, where giant manta rays can occasionally be spotted.
⑴Kelingking Beach
This is undoubtedly the most rewarding spot in Bali for panoramic sea views. The towering, winding cliffs, the rarely visited location, and the turquoise waters that fade from shallow to deep are enough to astound travelers. The vegetation here is incredibly lush, stretching from the mountains to the sea. Furthermore, the waters here offer distinct layers of color. A simple plank path leads down the cliffs to a pure white beach below.
⑵Angel's Billabong
Angel Baths is a natural infinity pool nestled within volcanic rock. The volcanic rock has been eroded by waves over time, creating this unique bathing pool. The water within is turquoise, and beyond is the vast ocean, offering travelers a 360-degree panoramic photo opportunity.
Tips:
The Tenjin Baths are only accessible at low tide, as the waves can reach up to 20 meters high during high tide.
⑶Broken Beach
There are only a few natural arches left in the world today, and Tenshin Fissure is one of them. Formed by volcanic crustal movement, this wonder creates a natural sea inlet and outlet at the edge of a cliff, resembling an arch. The area where Broken Beach is located is actually a circular cliff. Not only can you capture iconic Instagram photos opposite the arch, but you can also step onto the arch to observe this amazing natural wonder up close.
The most populous island in the world
Java is the heart of Indonesia. Java is the fourth largest island in the Republic of Indonesia, home to 140 million people, more than half the country's population, and holds a dominant position politically and economically. The capital, Jakarta, as well as Bandung, Surabaya, Yogyakarta, and other major Indonesian cities are all located on this island.
If you're planning a trip to Java, Yogyakarta is a must-see. One of the island's oldest cities, Yogyakarta is now Indonesia's most important university city. Throughout history, it has been a center of Javanese culture and art. Various civilizations have constantly collided and merged in Yogyakarta. During the 1945-1949 War of Independence, Yogyakarta served as Indonesia's capital, and it remains the only province in Indonesia ruled by a sultan. Attracting over one million tourists annually, Yogyakarta is the only Indonesian island to rival Bali in terms of appeal, though it remains a niche destination for Chinese tourists.
How to get to Yogyakarta
Getting to Yogyakarta isn't too difficult, despite the lack of direct flights from mainland China. Garuda Indonesia offers flights to Yogyakarta via Jakarta and Bali. AirAsia also offers flights to Yogyakarta via Kuala Lumpur. There are numerous daily flights from Bali to Yogyakarta, offering various flight times and relatively affordable fares, costing only around 300 RMB one way.
In Yogyakarta, there are two attractions that tourists must visit.
⑴Borobudur
Borobudur, located approximately 40 kilometers northwest of Yogyakarta, is the world's largest Buddhist architectural complex and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is considered one of the Four Wonders of the Ancient East, along with the Great Wall of China, the Taj Mahal in India, and Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Another theory ranks Borobudur, Angkor Wat, and Myanmar's Bagan as the three greatest Buddhist monuments in Southeast Asia. If you've already visited Angkor Wat in Cambodia and Bagan in Myanmar, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, is a surefire destination.
Borobudur, meaning "stupa on the hill," is shrouded in mystery, as there is no written record of its builders or the purpose for its construction. Comparisons of Borobudur's reliefs and inscriptions suggest its construction dates back to the 8th or 9th century AD. Borobudur was likely built around 800 AD, based on reliefs and royal inscriptions. It was likely built by the rulers of the Sailendra dynasty, which ruled Java at the time. Later, a volcanic eruption caused the stupa to sink, where it remained hidden in the dense tropical jungle for a millennium until it was excavated by Dutch explorers in the early 19th century.
Constructed of local volcanic rock, this massive pagoda boasts 10 stories, comprised of six massive square platforms, three circular platforms, and a central dome. With a base spanning over 100 meters and a total height exceeding 40 meters, it is a truly magnificent sight. The pagoda features over 2,600 relief carvings and over 500 Buddha statues, each depicting a diverse array of designs. Some depict Buddhist stories, others depict daily life, livestock, and even flowers, birds, fish, and insects. The Buddha statues, large and small, each possess a unique expression and posture, offering visitors a wealth of opportunities to explore.
Climbing to the top, you'll see the central, pointed dome, surrounded by 72 Buddha statues seated within hollow stupas. You can peer through the hollow stupas to see the Buddha statues within, while a few, partially exposed, tower over humans and are particularly eye-catching. On clear days, you can overlook Mount Merapi from the top of the stupa.
Tips:
Borobudur is also a perfect spot for watching the sunrise. Many people make the trip in the quiet of the early morning to watch the sun rise, illuminating the stupa and Buddha statues. The moment is truly breathtaking. However, to see a stunning sunrise, you should generally depart from downtown Yogyakarta before 4:00 AM, as arriving later will prevent you from getting a good vantage point. Also, be sure to check the weather in advance and visit on a clear, fog-free day.
⑵Prambanan
Prambanan is Indonesia's most magnificent Hindu temple complex, having suffered numerous volcanic and earthquake damage. Remains of over 50 temples remain. Built between the 8th and 10th centuries AD, Prambanan shares many similarities with Angkor Wat in Cambodia, both in architectural style and sculptural subject matter. The temple complex comprises three courtyards, with the outer two floors largely in ruins. Only a few temples remain on the innermost level. The three majestic main temples are dedicated to Shiva, Brahma, and Vishnu, while three smaller temples honor their mounts, the sacred bull, the sacred goose, and the sacred eagle.
Like Borobudur, Prambanan Temple is also built of volcanic rock, with its walls covered in exquisite reliefs, but its content is mostly drawn from the Indian epic Ramayana. Compared with Angkor Wat, although it tells the same story, the artistic style and character images are quite different.
Prambanan Temple, also known as Lorojonggrang Temple, is named after an ancient princess. Legend has it that Hercules wanted to marry the princess, but she refused and demanded that he build 1,000 temples overnight. With the help of his friends, Hercules built 999 temples before dawn. The princess, using her divine powers to hasten the coming of dawn, forced Hercules to transform the princess into a temple, finally completing the 1,000-temple construction. This legend demonstrates the sheer scale of Prambanan Temple in its heyday.
The perfect combination of romance and wildness
If Gary Bear is the face of adventure, then Komodo Island is the epitome of charm and adventure. Once ravaged by volcanoes and earthquakes, it remains uniquely enduring thanks to the passage of time. Here, you'll find Komodo dragons that frightened American pilots, mysterious uninhabited islands that will leave you terrified, and the unique experience of living on a boat! Komodo Island remains relatively undeveloped, attracting only a handful of tourists each year. According to official Indonesian statistics, only 61,250 people visited Komodo Island in 2015, primarily from Europe, America, and Australia. Chinese tourists are virtually nonexistent in this secluded paradise.
⑴Komodo dragon
Of course, when you come to Komodo, you come to see the Komodo dragons.
If it weren't for this discovery, Komodo might still remain one of Indonesia's countless islands, one of obscure. The discovery of the Komodo dragon catapulted this secluded island to fame. Even National Geographic and Animal World have visited the island numerous times to explore its presence. In 1991, Komodo National Park was designated a World Heritage Site. It's home to the world's largest living lizard: the Komodo dragon, also known as the Komodo dragon. Adult Komodo dragons can reach 3-4 meters in length and weigh up to 100 kilograms. They are ferocious carnivores with a lifespan of 40-50 years. Scientists believe Komodo dragons are close relatives of dinosaurs, living fossils of biological evolution, and are found nowhere else in the world. Komodo dragons can consume up to 80% of their body weight in a single meal, preferring to prey on large prey like buffalo and then go months without food. However, in the past, feeding Komodo dragons was a regular part of performances. Tourism and overprotection have severely impacted their survival. In 1991, there were about 5,700 Komodo dragons living in the national park, but now the number has dropped to a few hundred.
⑵Pink beach
Everyone is drawn to Komodo Island by the giant dragons, but they fall in love with the pink beaches. Eighty percent of the beaches here have some shade of pink. Pink beaches are incredibly popular worldwide, and some people think you have to save up a fortune to fly to the Bahamas to see them. But the beaches on Komodo Island are every bit as stunning as those in the Bahamas. Furthermore, they're rarely visited. It's rare to even see a human, let alone an Asian. The magical beauty of these beaches is due to the remains of red coral, Indonesia's national treasure.
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The Gili Islands, namely Gili Air, Gili Tranwangan, Gili Meno, ATM, are outlying islands of Lombok and are called shining pearls scattered in the sea by the locals.
Gili T is actually the most famous and bustling party island, known for its lively nightlife. Beachside bars host bands every night, and the streets are bustling and unique. However, accommodation and food are more expensive. Gili Air and Gili Meno are relatively quieter, especially Gili Meno, which is perfect for a relaxing getaway. Most of the expensive resorts are located on Meno. If you venture a little further, you can enjoy a stretch of beach all to yourself. The Gili Islands are perfect for cycling and walking. Like Gulangyu, cars and motorized vehicles are prohibited on the islands, so the preferred method of transportation is by bicycle or horse-drawn carriage. Bike rentals are available on the islands. The water here is incredibly blue, and you can dive directly from the shore, where sea turtles abound.
Indonesia boasts the world's largest and most densely populated volcanoes. With over 400 volcanoes, 150 of them are active, accounting for one-sixth of the world's active volcanoes. Unfortunately, it is the most fiery region of the Pacific Ring of Fire, far exceeding even the Philippines and Japan. Indonesians possess some of the most apocalyptic auras of any human being. Volcanoes, along with earthquakes and tsunamis, have become a ticking time bomb in Indonesian life. The two largest volcanic eruptions in recorded human history occurred in Indonesia.
In 1815, Mount Tambora erupted, killing and injuring tens of thousands of people in London, tens of thousands of kilometers away. In 1883, Krakatoa erupted with a force equivalent to 13,000 Hiroshima atomic bombs.
These two events pale in comparison to another "super-explosion." In the history of humanity and Earth, scientists have discovered that 75,000 years ago, the largest volcanic explosion in Earth's history occurred on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, forming Lake Toba, the world's largest volcanic lake. This eruption directly led to a global cooling period that lasted 1,000 years.
Volcanoes have turned Indonesia into a "hell on earth", but they have also bestowed inexhaustible gifts.
Bali, Indonesia, is an active volcano also known as Bali Peak. Standing at 3,140 meters above sea level, it is the highest peak in Bali and is considered sacred by locals. Located in northeastern Bali, the volcano has erupted since 1842, with minor eruptions occurring only once every 50 years.
According to Balinese mythology, the gods used mountains as their thrones, placing the highest seat, Mount Agung, on the island of Bali. Another theory posits that the gods, seeing Bali's instability, placed the Hindu sacred mountain Mahameru on the island to calm it, later renamed Mount Agung. The Balinese believe this mountain is the "center of the world," and every temple on the island contains a shrine dedicated to the mountain's deity. Residents also shaped temple offerings and cremation pyres in the shape of Mount Agung to show their respect for the mountain.
Mount Bromo, the most photographed volcano in Indonesia, is ranked as the most beautiful volcano in the eyes of Indonesians. It is also the most mysterious and violent volcano in Indonesia.
Located in eastern Java, Bromo is an active volcano, with chimneys and steam constantly rising from its crater and erupting sporadically. The volcano is only 2,392 meters above sea level and easily accessible by car, taking a short drive to the foot of the mountain and then climbing the stairs to the crater viewing platform. Thousands of tourists visit the site daily. Local residents have built a Hindu temple at the foot of Mount Bromo, with 250 steps leading to the summit. The temple is quite simple, and can be described as an ascetic temple. Every year, a month-long ritual is held at the temple, during which people throw rice, fruit, vegetables, flowers, and even poultry into the crater to appease the dormant volcano, yet the volcano still awakens every few years.
In fact, there are many volcanoes in the area besides Mount Bromo, but Bromo is the only active one. Mount Semeru is the highest volcano on Java Island, reaching 4,676 meters above sea level. To reach Mount Bromo, you first need to cross the massive Tengger Crater, which is 10 kilometers in diameter. The steep mountain rises straight above the vast lava sand plain. This desolate area has a feeling of being at the end of the world or on the surface of the moon, especially at sunrise. The floor of the crater is covered with volcanic ash, devoid of any vegetation. The black ash forms dunes, which the locals call the "Sand Sea."
Blue flames from the depths of hell
Mount Yizhen stands over 2,600 meters tall. As an active volcano, its gases erupt through fumaroles within its crater, forming sulfur. At night, the sulfur burns into a breathtaking blue flame, creating a breathtaking spectacle. Within the crater lies a turquoise volcanic lake, approximately a kilometer wide and the world's largest acidic lake. This lake also erupts into a blue flame. Seeing the lake in its entirety requires exceptional luck, as smoke can shroud it at any moment, creating a mysterious and captivating spectacle.
Along the way, you'll see local miners making a living digging for sulfur. These miners brave danger, working completely unprotected, with each load of sulfur weighing 70 to 80 kilograms. Reportedly, these miners are paid a mere 800 Indonesian rupiah per kilogram, less than 40 cents in RMB, meaning they earn only 30 RMB per load. Strong miners can carry the sulfur twice a day. Indeed, it's volcanoes that give rise to this most dangerous and arduous profession in the world.
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Rinjani, also known as "Mount Lombok," is located in the northern part of Lombok Island, Indonesia. Standing at 3,726 meters above sea level, Rinjani remains an active volcano, comparable in height to Japan's Mount Fuji, making it the second-highest volcano in Indonesia. Its most distinctive feature is a volcanic lake formed by crustal movement within a ring of volcanic mountains, with a smaller volcano forming in the center.
Mount Rinjani attracts tens of thousands of climbers from all over the world every year. The expedition route of Mount Rinjani is highly recommended by Lonely Planet as a must-visit destination in your lifetime and is known as one of the top ten most beautiful volcano hiking routes in the world.
Indonesia's evil isn't limited to unstable volcanoes, but also includes frequent earthquakes and tsunamis. Yet, this God-given evil unites the nation. Remember the 2004 Aceh tsunami, which claimed over 200,000 lives. At the time, Aceh was struggling for independence, with rebels and the government locked in a stalemate. The disaster brought an end to the separatist war, bringing both sides to a peaceful understanding and establishing lasting peace through negotiations. Faced with disaster, Indonesians can only accept their fate with equanimity, living with resignation. "Let it go," the sentiment has long been ingrained in the Indonesian character.
