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When talking about Indonesia, most people only think of Bali. Bali, which has been ranked first in the world's best tourist destinations for many years, is always crowded during the peak season, and the experience is like the Great Wall and the Forbidden City during the Golden Week.
However, it is only a 1-hour boat ride away from Bali. As the most core and important island in Indonesia, Java Island (East Java) is home to Indonesia's most beautiful waterfalls and the most spectacular volcanoes. The connection between Mount Bromo and Mount Surabaya has a very high reputation in Europe and the United States, but very few Chinese tourists come here.
Mount Bromo • Photo by Martin
East Java has a unique geographical location. To the north, Sea Java faces the Indian Ocean, and to the east, across the strait is the world-famous Bali Island. Its capital, Surabaya, is the second largest city in Indonesia.
Surabaya is a cultural and historical center, with Zheng He's fleet visiting the area several times as early as 1405. The famous Bromo, Semeru, and Mount Ijen are all located in East Java.
A trip to East Java often starts from Surabaya, Indonesia's second largest city. Although there are still no direct flights to Surabaya from China, there are many flights to Surabaya.
You can choose to transfer in Kuala Lumpur with AirAsia, transfer in Singapore with Scoot/Singapore Airlines, or transfer in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia with Garuda Indonesia/China Eastern Airlines. The transfer time is usually 3-4 hours, which is relatively easy to reach.
Exchanging currency is a problem that every tourist will encounter. Here are three methods for you to choose from.
1. Make an appointment in advance to exchange Indonesian rupiah at a domestic bank
Advantages: more convenient and worry-free
Disadvantages: Domestic direct exchange rate is very uneconomical
2. Exchange US dollars domestically and exchange them for Indonesian rupiah locally
Advantages: It is convenient to exchange US dollars at domestic banks, and no advance reservation is required
Disadvantages: US dollars are still not circulated locally and need to be exchanged for Indonesian rupiah at local currency exchange shops. The exchange rate varies from shop to shop, so you need to compare prices (the ones at the airport are the worst!!!)
3. Local ATMs that support UnionPay withdrawals
Advantages: Real-time exchange rate, only handling fee
Disadvantages: cumbersome operation, possible language barrier (all in English)
East Java is a relatively developed region in Indonesia, and most restaurants and hotels offer Wi-Fi. If you're outdoors, it's recommended to purchase a SIM card from SIMPATI, which offers the best signal in Indonesia. Even on a volcano, the signal is very stable. Since Indonesia now has a real-name registration system, phones purchased on Taobao will need to be activated and filled in with personal information before traveling.
1. Gas mask (not brand new): There is a lot of toxic gas in the crater, so you are required to wear a gas mask. For personal hygiene, it is recommended to bring some alcohol disinfectant wipes/high-filtration masks.
2. Portable flashlight
3. The temperature at night is around 10 degrees Celsius. It is quite cold when there is wind on the top of the mountain. It is recommended to wear a jacket or a thin down jacket with fleece
4. Hiking shoes/non-slip sports shoes: choose dark-colored and dirt-resistant styles
5. Sulfur may cause eye discomfort, please bring your own goggles if necessary
6. Bring your own headlamp if necessary
7. The road from Yizhen Crater to see the Blue Fire is difficult to walk, so please bring your own hiking poles if necessary.
Answer: Safe!
There are local organizations that monitor the dynamics of each volcano in real time. If the volcano is particularly active at a certain time, they will close the scenic area in advance. Therefore, everyone needs to pay close attention to local dynamics before traveling. As long as it is a volcano that can be climbed, it is a safe volcano.
Surabaya, the capital of East Java Province, Indonesia, and the country's second-largest city, is named after the desolate swamps of the area. Indonesian Chinese found the pronunciation difficult to pronounce, first changing it to "Si Li Mu" and then to "Si Shui."
Surabaya, the gateway to Mount Bromo, welcomes a large number of volcano tourists every year. The local hotel industry has also seen significant growth, with prices becoming more affordable. Five-star hotels here average between 500 and 600 per night.
Surabaya Railway Station Photographed by Hasselblad
Surabaya Railway Station Photographed by Hasselblad
Malang is a city in eastern Java, Indonesia, within the East Java Province. It is 90 kilometers from the capital, Surabaya, and is primarily Muslim. The second-largest city in East Java, Malang's history dates back to the Kingdom of Mataram, and it is currently a popular tourist destination for Europeans.
Malang's most famous village, often called "Asian Moroccan Village," boasts rainbow-hued walls and roofs, many of which feature lions, dragons, and dolphins. This creates a striking contrast to the gloomy surrounding villages. The rooftops are meticulously colored, creating a rainbow-like pattern from north to south. From the air, it truly resembles a rainbow. Anyone passing the Brantas River bridge connecting the two villages is captivated by the vibrant colors of the two villages. Gradually, it has become a popular photo-op destination for local youth.
Rainbow Village consists of two parts: Warna-warni Township (Kampung Warna-warni) and Biru Arema Township (Kampung Biru Arema). Warna-warni Township boasts vibrantly colored houses, while Biru Arema Township is dominated by blue. Blue Village, which only opened in April 2018, is virtually deserted, and is filled with small, recycled artworks and beautiful murals.
The colorful village was once a slum around the Brandas River, but now it has become a famous tourist attraction in Malang City. It attracts a large number of tourists every year and has become a holy place for countless photography enthusiasts.
Kawah Ijen is located in the eastern part of Java Island. Several small composite volcanoes form a huge 20-kilometer-wide crater, surrounded by a volcanic lake about 1 kilometer wide. It is recognized as the most acidic volcanic lake in the world, with a Ph value of only 0.5.
As an active volcano, it spews sulfur through fumaroles within its crater, which burns at night to create a stunning blue flame. The crater also contains a blue-green volcanic lake, about a kilometer wide and the world's largest acidic lake, which also erupts into sheets of blue flame.
Sulfur gases belch from the volcano's interior, condensing to form sulfur ore. Miners work in dangerous conditions without protective gear, carrying 60-90 kilograms of ore on their backs each trip. A miner earns only about 40 yuan per day. Generations of miners have relied on this livelihood. The long hours and excessive workload in the toxic atmosphere often leave miners riddled with injuries and illnesses by the time they reach adulthood, and their average life expectancy is significantly shorter than that of the average person.
Ascent (Scenic Area Entrance - Yizhen Crater)
1. Hiking: The whole journey takes about 100 minutes. You can take a break at a small shop near the entrance parking lot and use the restroom (there is only one restroom on the mountain). Then go up the mountain. You will pass four rest stops along the way. The fourth stop provides restroom/drink sales services.
2. Rickshaw: The reference price is 700,000 Indonesian rupiah (350 RMB) for a round trip. The price may increase during holidays. The specific price depends on your bargaining skills.
Blue Fire Stage (Yizhen Crater-Crater Lake)
You can’t use rickshaws to get down to the volcano from the Yizhen crater, so you can only walk. The journey is very difficult, and you need to use your hands and feet in many places, but it’s all worth it to see the precious blue fire.
Baluran National Park, located at the easternmost tip of Java, covers approximately 25,000 hectares and offers a rich tapestry of African savannah, beaches, mangroves, and wildlife. The park's center features the 1,200-meter-tall Baluran volcano, earning it the nickname "Little Africa."
Established in 1928 by Dutch colonists, the nature reserve boasts a diverse ecosystem, including evergreen forests, mangroves, tropical forests, lowland forests, monsoon forests, seagrass plains, and coral reefs.
The most famous scenery is the tropical savannah, home to over 400 plant species, nearly 200 bird species, and dozens of animal species, including the endangered Javan buffalo, Indian muntjac, Javan mouse deer, and fishing cat. The park strictly limits the number of visitors allowed per day, but as long as you can enter the savannah, your chances of seeing wildlife are high, making it a perfect place for travelers who enjoy nature and adventure.
