Shop In Jakarta
With a population of over 10 million people Jakarta is a huge city, it’s certainly a city to consider on your Asia vacation. Even though it’s the capital and largest city in Indonesa, it is without a whole lot of great attractions for travelers and you likely won’t want to spend a lot of time there. However, it’s where you’ll likely fly into before taking a train to Java’s more interesting locations. One thing the city has a lot of is nice shopping malls. The Grand Indonesia is the largest mall in the entire country and one of the biggest in Asia. This mega mall is modern and filled with high end stores, an enormous variety of delicious international cuisines and anything else you could possibly want. It is definitely worth a visit if you find yourself spending some time in Jakarta before heading on.
Watch the Sunrise at Borobudur
Borobudur is the world’s largest Buddhist temple and is the single most visited tourist attraction in Java. While the temple is worth a visit at any time of day, it’s truly spectacular to watch the sunrise from the top of the temple. Borobudur is a UNESCO World Heritage site and was built in the 9th century. You should be prepared to get there as early as possible to find a good spot as it will almost certainly be crowded any day of the year.
If you crave more ruins after visiting Borobudur the nearby Hindu temple complex Prambanan. Another UNESCO World Heritage site, Prambanan consists of 3 large temples dedicated to Shiva and are a popular place to watch the sunset.
Hike the Epic Mount Bromo
No trip to Java is complete without laying eyes on the spectacular views and dramatic landscapes of Mount Bromo and it’s surroundings. A typical tour will leave late at night from Surabaya in Eastern Java with a long jeep drive up Mount Penanjakan to watch the stunning sunrise over Mount Bromo. It’s quite chilly at the top and you’ll want to bring warm clothes.
After the sunrise you’ll drive to Mount Bromo and either ride on horseback or hike to the base. A short stairway leads visitors to the top of the crater. Sulfur gas fills the air and burns the lungs as you make your way to the peak. The active crater spews ash into the air and your clothes and shoes will be dirty, but you will leave with an unforgettable experience.
