In the past few years, the city of Bandung in Indonesia, also known as 'Paris van Java', is getting more and more attention from local and international tourist. Bandung is known for its 'factory outlets' which are located in all parts of the city and many children's play areas and attractions.
One factory outlet that I visited the most is called "Rumah Mode' on Jalan Dr. Setiabudi. I feel that this factory outlet has more clothing variety for woman, man & children. Also, without going out from it's complex, visitor can eat at 'Bumbu Desa' restaurant which serves local Sundanese food. For someone who has little time to spare, this place offers place to shop for branded clothing at a bargain and eat a local delicacies. There are few other restaurants and shops selling bread, local snacks and ice cream.
Around Dago area, visitor can also find many factory outlets, cafes and restaurants that have unique design and atmosphere. Visitor can even see Bandung city from some of these cafes and restaurants. Some that I have visited are:
- The Valley: http://www.thevalleybandung.com/
- Kampung Daun: www.kampungdaun.net
- Sapu Lidi: http://sapulidisawah.com
- Congo Cafe, http://www.koleksikayu.com/
- Calista Cafe, Jl. Bukit Pakar Timur IV. Kav BI, Bandung, Indonesia
- Koffie Fabriek Aroma Bandoeng, Coffee Store: Jl Banceuy No 51 Bandung, Phone +62 22 4230473
- Cloud 9, a bar/restaurant with a ski lodge theme. Jl. Bumi Sari, No.119, Bandung, Phone:+62 22 7003 3030
- Kopi Ireng, offering Kopi Luwak-coffee from 'Musang'/Weasel Poo (yeah, you got it right). http://www.kopiireng.com/
- Lantera, Wood Fired Pizza with nice ambiance, Jl. Terusan Ranca Kendal No.8, Bandung, Phone:+62 22 250 2523
- Warung Lela (Wa-Le), offering 'Ya Min Manis' - noodle in sweet soy sauce a la Bandung
Jl. Kupa No.6, Kompleks Rancakendal, Bandung, Phone: +62 22 250 1396
For children's pleasure, here are some places that I visited with my family during holiday in Bandung.
The Ranch
http://deranchlembang.com/id/
As it's name suggested, this place has a ranch theme with a twist. This wooden board gives you information about all things available in 'The Ranch'. When we visited 'The Ranch', not all rides are available.
There is a Gold Mine where children can mine fake gold for 15 minutes. The gold collected is then weighted and change for souvenir.
Individual horse riding and "Delman' rides are also available. The ride takes about 15 minutes.
'The Ranch' only has something like a small bakery that offers breads and hot dog, and one food court (which can be quite pack during holiday season) that offers local food like gado gado (vegetable salad with peanut sauce), satay (chicken/mutton meat on skewers), ayam goreng (fried chicken), mutton soup, and other local food.
Not far from 'The Ranch', local tourist normally go to a nearby place that sell 'Tahu Tauhid', Tofu which many claim to be 'not your ordinary kind' of tofu.
Tahu Tauhid, Jl. Cijeruk 113 Lemban or Jl. Sesko-AU No.20 Lembang, Phone: +62 22 2784749
Another famous Tofu in Bandung is 'Tahu Yun Yi' which existence dated back to 1940. www.tahuyunyi.com
Kampung Gajah
http://www.kampunggajah.com
Unlike 'The Ranch', "Kampung Gajah' has nothing to do with elephant except big elephant statue at the entrance.
We visited 'Kampung Gajah' in 2011 before it introduces all-in-one entrance fee which some visitors said quite expensive. Many complaint that during holiday season, babies and elderly have to pay the same entrance fee as adult even if they do not/cannot play any rides. If you plan a visit during a holiday season, please check or call them in advance to avoid unexpected situation.
Some of the things you can find in 'Kampung Gajah' are big playground which I am sure your children will like, bicycles and rides section, APV rides for adult or children accompanied by adult, 'delman'/horse carriage ride, boat ride, monorail ride, and few local restaurants. Visitor can also eat "Jagung Bakar'/Grilled Corn and some local snacks sold in some of the stalls.
Jl. Dokter Setiabudi 295, Bandung, Phone:+62 22 2005123
'Rumah Sosis' is basically a place to buy sausage (really). There are games like flying fox, bicycles and 'becak'/ricksaw rides, 'bom-bom' car and children's play area. But unless you want to buy sausage, some of the rides are similar to what being offered in Kampung Gajah. Most of the play area are indoors and need maintenance. Personally, I like 'Kampung Gajah' better than 'Rumah Sosis'. There are mix review on the sausage sold, some say its good, some say its average.
Rumah Baso
Jl. Setiabudi 3116, Bandung
Like 'Rumah Sosis', this is a place to buy 'Baso'/Meatball. Diffferent shape and size of meatballs are sold here. Beside meatball, 'Rumah Baso' also sell 'Risjoles' (fried pastry dough with fillings like ham & cheese, chicken, beef, sausage, etc). It also function as restaurant. Also in the same complex, there is children playground (which I think need maintenance) and small strawberry field where you and your child can pick your own strawberry. You have to pay for strawberry that you have picked after being weighted by the staff.
Other places of interest in Bandung you might want to visit:
- Trans Studio Bandung, a theme park with about 20 rides spread around 3 zones. www.transstudiobandung.com.
- Saung Angklung Udjo, an art, craft and performance center specializing in Angklung and Sundanese culture. Interesting. http://www.angklung-udjo.co.id/.
- Mount Tangkuban Perahu, a legendary mountain in West Java. Beware of people offering to be your local tour guide and charge unreasonable amount in the end. If you want to engage such service, make sure you agree to the fee in advance. Or, you can always say no. http://www.indonesia-tourism.com/west-java/tangkuban-perahu.html.
- Kawah Putih, volcanic crater likeTangkuban Perahu, located in Ciwidey, a small town about 50Km from Bandung. Nice scenery like no other with strong smell of sulfur. Due to time spent to reach it and unless your child is really a nature-lover, I would not recommend this place if you are traveling with very young children.
- Museum Geologi Bandung/Geological Museum, if your children keen on learning about rocks, minerals and fossils, this is the place to visit. But nothing much has changed since my first visit long time ago. http://museum.bgl.esdm.go.id
- Sari Ater Hot Spring, which has been developed into resort-style hotel & attraction. Normally very crowded during weekend and holiday season. Mostly, visited by local tourist. http://www.sariater-hotel.com/
- Bosscha Observatory, in collaboration with Institut Teknologi Bandung/ITB/Bandung Institute of Technology. It is a reserach and development center for Astronomy in Indonesia. Using Zeiss Telescope, children can look at solar images. You must register your visit based on the available time for public. Check its website for details. http://bosscha.itb.ac.id/
