 West Java, or Jawa Barat in the local dialect, is located on Java Island and is the most populous of Indonesia’s provinces, having nearly 36 million residents. The provincial capital of Bandung is easily reached from the country’s capital, Jakarta, which is just a short flight or scenic train ride away.
The route from Jakarta to Bandung passes through some spectacular scenery, including volcanic mountains, rice fields and holiday resorts. Bandung lies approximately 112 miles (180kms) to the southeast of Jakarta and first gained international attention when it hosted the first Afro-Asian Conference in 1955. At that meeting, 29 African and Asian leaders met to promote cultural and economic relations and to make a united stand against colonialism.
 A wide array of attractions of interest are found in the province, from the Ujung Kulon wildlife reserve situated at the southwestern tip of Java, to the isolated and mysterious Baduy communities, to unspoilt beaches, the royal palaces in Cirebon and the world-renowned botanical gardens of Bogor. Passing through the province east to west, from the Central Java border to the Sunda Strait is a jagged mountainous ridge featuring smouldering volcanic peaks.
 The Sundanese are known to be a soft-spoken and light-hearted people with an appreciation for bright colours, which you’ll see reflected in local art and their mournful music called kecapi, which helps preserves centuries-old legends.
 The province boasts a number of seaside resorts along its west and south coasts, many with guest houses and modern hotels with a full-range of guest facilities. The hotels are particularly popular with urban Indonesians at weekends. The best way to get a good hotel deal is to book online in advance, where great savings can be made.
Weather
 The dry season in West Java runs from May to September, and this is the time the region experiences its sunniest days. The days tend to be warm and pleasant during these months, with temperatures averaging at 28°C. Late in the morning, it often tends to get cloudy so sunbathing is best done in the early morning.
 West Java’s rainy season begins in October and lasts until late April or early May. This is a time of tropical showers alternating with blue skies and sunshine. Temperatures are higher at this time, averaging at around 30°C. The heaviest rains typically fall in January. Situated in a temperate hilly area, Bandung boasts mostly pleasant weather year-round and an average annual temperature of a pleasant 22°C.
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