Set in Puncak, high in the cool West Java hills around Bogor, the Gunung Mas Tea Plantation dates back to the Dutch colonial era. Today, the 6,000-acre (2,428-hectare) site is owned by the Indonesian government. Visitors can tour the tea factory and plantation and also opt for hiking, horseback riding, and even paragliding in season.
More than 500 temples adorn Prambanan Archaeological Park near Yogyakarta. Lumbung Temple (Candi Lumbung), a Buddhist temple complex, comprises one larger 9th-century temple with 16 surrounding smaller temples. It forms part of a group with Bubrah Temple and the substantial Sewu Temple complex.
One of over 500 temples in Prambanan Archaeological Park near Yogyakarta, Bubrah Temple (Candi Bubrah) dates to the ninth century. Its name means “destroyed,” but the restored structure reopened in 2017 and now stands 67 feet (20.5 meters) high. Bubrah Temple forms part of a Buddhist mandala group with Lumbung Temple and Sewu Temple.
A highlight of any visit to Flores, Kelimutu National Park centers on Mt. Kelimutu, a rugged volcano with three vivid crater lakes that look as slick as oil paint. The color of the lakes changes over time with their chemical composition, but often one is turquoise blue, one jade green, and the third deep chocolate, dark green, or black.
Just off the East Java coast, uninhabited Tabuhan Island is a beautiful snorkeling and kitesurfing spot. It’s only 12 acres (5 hectares), so travelers typically visit on day trips to snorkel, swim, and enjoy the relaxed vibe. You can see many tropical fish and colorful coral at the reef, with a large drop-off into the deep ocean not far offshore.
Watudodol Beach is a black-sand beach on East Java’s coast, north of Banyuwangi. You can see right across to Bali from Watudodol Beach, separated from Java by the Bali Strait. As well as relaxing with a fresh coconut here, you can catch a boat over to tiny Tabuhan Island or Bali’s Menjangan Island to snorkel or dive.
East Java’s Green Bay (Teluk Hijau) is located on the coast of Meru Betiri National Park and while local Indonesian travelers tend to know about it, fewer international visitors come this way. It’s rather isolated—you can only access the beach on foot or by boat from another nearby beach—so it’s a nice place to relax, swim, and visit a waterfall.
Waduk Bajul Mati, or the Bajulmati Reservoir, is a popular photography and sunset spot. With headlands overlooking meandering blue waterways dotted with islands, the reservoir is sometimes likened to the Raja Ampat Islands in West Papua. But at about an hour’s drive from Banyuwangi, where ferries travel between East Java and Bali, Waduk Bajul Mati is somewhat more accessible.
Nestled at the foot of the mighty Mt. Burangrang, Dusun Bambu (which translates from Indonesian as Bamboo Village) is a leisure complex with plenty of activities. Along with enjoying the lush natural surroundings of the resort, you can fill your day with go-karts, a water coaster, a playground, and electric scooter rides.
Translated from Indonesian as “The Royal Cliff”, Tebing Keraton overlooks some of Bandung’s lushest landscapes. Hailed as a hidden gem that provides a relaxing respite from the bustle of the city, the viewpoint features a rocky outcrop with a backdrop of the dense and mist-shrouded pine forest below. Bring your camera, as the views are a must for photographers.
Wedi Ireng Beach is a small, secluded beach not far from the bustling Pulau Merah Beach. The Javanese name of this beach—which translates to “Black Sand”— is misleading because although some sand here is black, the top layer is an attractive white. Wedi Ireng Beach is an idyllic place to swim, snorkel, and relax in almost unspoiled natural surroundings.
Lush, green, and at the heart of Halimun Salak National Park, Mt. Salak (Gunung Salak) is one of West Java’s most accessible volcanoes. The summit at 7,254 feet (2,211 meters) is an overnight trip for most. But the waterfalls on its lower slopes—including Nangka, Luhur, Daun, and Kawung—can be hiked in just half a day.
