Bandung

Bandung 'Paris Van Java'

Bandung is provincial capital of West Java, Indonesia. Located at main island of Indonesia, the Java Island on a highland plateau 768 meters above sea level

The main part of Bandung lies to the south of the railway line that crosses the city from east to west. Most of the banks, airlines, tourist offices and 5 star hotels are located here, along with the alun alun, as the main square in Indonesian cities is called. The principal thoroughfare, Jalan Asia Afrika, is in this part of town, as is Jalan Braga, which was the up-market shopping area in colonial times and is now the centre of Bandung’s nightlife. Most of the city’s budget accommodation and any many of its huge shopping malls are also in this area.

On the other side of the railway are the elegant residential areas of the Old Dutch suburbs with their wide tree lined streets, gardens and parks. The urban area stretches north along two parallel arterial roads, Jalan Setiabudi and Jalan Juanda, to the hills of Dago. The offices of the West Java provincial government, the Bandung Institute of Technology and the zoo are located in this area.

Although Bandung is only about 200 years old it has many places of historic and cultural interest, not least its museums and art deco architecture.