Outdoor Activities
 West Java’s rolling countryside makes it ideal for enjoying outdoor family activities, with pursuits on offer ranging from bird watching to cave exploring. A trip to the beach, to a water park or to an animal safari park will be a hit with the kids.
 Beaches
There are many beaches to choose from, but two that are sure to keep everyone in the family happy are Carita beach and Karang Bolong beach. Carita beachfeatures a long stretch of white sand backed by hundreds of coconut palms. A highlight here is the view of Krakatoa volcano. Karang Bolong beachis connected to a small forest that offers a variety of recreational opportunities, including a fresh water river for a refreshing swim after a day in the salty sea.
 Bird Watching
Dua Island is a small nature preserve that’s inhabited by over 50 kinds of birds that prey on fish. The various species originated in Africa and Australia, as well as Asia and come to the island to lay and hatch their eggs from April to August each year. The island is accessible by boat from Tanjung Priok.
 Cave Exploring
Suitable for all but the youngest children, the numerous caverns located in West Java offer hours of fascinating exploration. One of the most popular caves is Buni Ayu, adjacent to Pelabuhan Ratu beach. This cave is known locally as the ‘Gua Siluman,’ or the invisible cave. Its interior covers 12 hectares, and it boasts a five-metre high waterfall as well as classic stalactite and stalagmite formations.
 Lido Water Recreational Centre
Located approximately 13 miles (21kms) south of Bogor city, the recreational centre was developed along a lake that is conveniently situated on the route from Sukabumi and Pelabuhan Ratu to Bogor. The site, which features facilities for water sports, a hotel and restaurant, is surrounded by spectacular mountain panoramas.
 Taman Safari Indonesia
Animals from all of the world’s continents can be seen roaming freely in this 35 hectare nature preserve located on the Jakarta-Bandung road, some 46 miles (75kms) southeast of Jakarta. Among the animals represented here are some rare species, such as anoa, bears, giraffes, rhinos and white tigers. There are recreational facilities adjacent to the park where you’ll find a swimming pool, tennis courts, a waterfall and a manmade lake. A children’s playground is available as well, which includes a merry-go-round, a small train, a circus arena and a house of horrors. Eateries and changing areas round out the facilities on offer.Phone: +62 261 250 000; website: www.tamansafari.com.
Cultural Activities
The unique culture and language of the Sundanese, as the province’s people are known, have their roots in the ancient civilisations of Banten, Cirebon, Pajajaran and Tarumanegara. In Bandung city, popular cultural attractions include the wooden puppet show called wayang golek, the angklung bamboo orchestra and classical Sundanese gamelan and dancing.
 Mang Udjo Angklung Workshop
Handicrafts and performances of traditional music are on offer at this workshop, set against a backdrop of dramatic mountain peaks. Traditional crafts and musical instruments made from bamboo are sold here as well. The premier craftsman at the workshop is Mang Udjo, and his angklungs are well known because of their fine workmanship and precision in tuning. The location is the village of Padasuka, approximately four miles (seven kilometres) from Bandung.
 Baduy Cultural Conservation
Banten’s Baduy community is a unique, closed society which can be visited by outsiders certain months of the year. It’s situated six miles (10kms) on the village road from Cibolegar in the Leuwidamar district. The community is closed to all outsiders in April and May, as commemoration ceremonies, known as ‘Seba,’ are held during this period. Written permission should be obtained from the district office in Rangkasbitung before visiting this culturally-protected community.
 Cirebon Museum
Located northeast of Bandung on the coast, Cirebon is a seaport that has retained its rich cultural heritage. You can visit the ancient cemetery at Astana Gunung Jati that is the burial site of a holy sultan and now a pilgrimage site. The city also boasts the ancient palaces of the Kanoman and Kasepuhan, which now house museums where exhibits of house ornamentation, artwork, and various court treasures can be seen.
 Kampung Naga Cultural Traditions
Kampung Naga has retained many of its cultural traditions over the centuries. This is a small village, situated in the stunning mountains of the Salawu district, approximately 18 miles (30kms) from Tasikmalaya. An important ceremony, the ‘Upacara Pedaran,’ illustrates the village’s history and traditional culture and is held annually.
Prince Sumedang Foundation Museum
Relics of Prince Sumedang’s ancestors are housed in the Pavilion of the Sumedang Regency building. Included in the collections are crowns, royal clothing, gamelan and spears.The museum is run by a royal family foundation. The family ruled Sumedang until 1950.
Dining & Shopping
 Indonesian cuisine is available at many eateries throughout West Java, where speciality dishes from around the country, as well as local favourites are on the menus. Dishes that are popular most everywhere in the country include a tasty chicken dish from Kalasan in Central Java, grilled fish that hails from Ujung Pandang, Chinese seafood dishes and spicy Padang food.
 Sundanese food is the mainstay in West Java and is unusual in that the emphasis is on fresh and sometimes raw ingredients. The quintessential dish is nasi timbel, which consists of rice with assorted raw vegetables, such as cucumbers, lettuce, cabbage, tomatoes and coriander, freshly-ground chilli, tofu and chicken or salted fish. This is wrapped in a banana leaf and served with sayur asam, a vegetable soup given a sour flavour by the addition of tamarind.
 Shoppers will enjoy the locally-crafted items available in West Java. A vast array of quality goods can be found at small shops and markets throughout the region, including bamboo furnishings, basketry, batik, carvings from bone, ceramic items, cotton and leather bags, embroidery, hand-carved wooden statues, hand-painted fabric, hand-woven cottons and silks, paintings, sandstone statues, silver-work and carved wooden screens.
Bandung, West Java's capital, also provides plenty of shopping opportunities. For good value in inexpensive clothing and leather goods, Pasar Kota Kembang is the best place to go. The city’s first market, Kampung Ciguriang, and the streets of Pasar Baru, Jalan Pasar Selatan, Jalan Pasar Utara and Pasar Jatayu are the top places to look for locally-made products and gifts.
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