Indonesia has a diverse culture, here are references to the most popular cultural tourism in Indonesia that you can visit!
Most Popular Cultural Tourism Reference – It cannot be denied that Indonesia has extraordinary cultural wealth. Each region of the archipelago has its own characteristics, ranging from food, dialect, language, customs and traditions that are interesting to explore.
Want to explore more deeply about Indonesia's cultural riches? So that you don't get confused about where to start, here are several references for cultural tourism in Indonesia that must be included in your next bucket list.
Most Popular Cultural Tourism Reference
1. Ullen Sentalu Museum, Yogyakarta
The first most popular cultural tourism reference is the Ullen Sentalu Museum, which is one of the most beautiful museums in Indonesia, recording the evolution of Javanese culture.
This museum tells the story of the Mataram Kingdom culture which gave birth to the Solo and Yogyakarta Palaces.
Address: Jl. Boyong No. KM 25, Kaliurang, Hargobinangun, Kec. Pakem, Sleman Regency, Yogyakarta Special Region 55582
Opening hours: Every day 08.30 – 16.00
See also:
2. Ganesya Museum, Malang
The following recommendations for cultural tourism in Indonesia are still relatively new. The Ganesya Museum, which opened in 2019, displays the remains of Java Island's past culture, from the Singosari Kingdom to the greatness of Majapahit kingdom.
The largest museum in Malang has a Mask Gallery, housing a collection of more than 1000 traditional and modern masks depicting the evolution of fine art in the country.
Address: Jl. Graha Kencana Raya Jl. Raya Karanglo, Karanglo, Banjararum, District. Singosari, Malang Regency, East Java 65126
Opening hours: Every day 13.30 – 22.00
3. Textile Museum, Jakarta
Even a piece of cloth can reveal a lot about Indonesian culture. Therefore, the Textile Museum is a cultural heritage site that is a shame to miss.
From Sabang to Merauke, the next most popular cultural tourism reference in Indonesia stores and cares for almost 1000 textile products, including woven fabrics, batik cloth and traditional equipment.
Address: Jl. K.S. Tubun No.2-4, RT.4/RW.2, Kota Bambu Sel., Kec. Palmerah, Central Jakarta City, Special Capital Region of Jakarta 11420
Opening hours: Tuesday – Sunday 09.00 – 16.00
4. Erau Festival, Tenggarong
This next cultural tourist spot in Indonesia is a celebration of the archipelago's oldest culture which has been going on for centuries! The Kutai Sultanate's custom, nicknamed Erau ("bustling"), is brought to life through art exhibitions and traditional celebrations.
What's even more exciting, Erau ends it with a water "war" between communities which is highly anticipated! If you plan to travel to East Kalimantan, you must stop by the Tenggarong cultural tourist attraction.
Address: The location of the Erau Festival activities is centered in Tenggarong City, Kutai Kartanegara, East Kalimantan, Indonesia.
5. Naga Village, Tasikmalaya
Can you live without gas and electricity for a few days? That is the way of life of the people of Kampung Naga. Sundanese people in this village still follow the traditions of their ancestors in order to preserve culture and the environment.
The most popular cultural tourism reference in Indonesia is hidden under the hills and features 110 stilt houses neatly arranged perfectly.
Address: Neglasari, District. Salawu, Tasikmalaya Regency, West Java 46471
Opening hours: Every day 08.00 – 17.30
6. Tirta Gangga Palace, Bali
The Karangasem Kingdom in Bali used to have a water palace surrounded by rice fields. This green and beautiful park is a tribute to the Hindu Community.
You can enjoy the beauty of the park or swim in the clean and cool water while seeing Indonesian cultural tourist attractions that are rich in history.
Address: Jalan Raya Abang Traditional Village Jl. Raya Tirta Gangga, Ababi, District. Abang, Karangasem Regency, Bali 80852
Opening hours: Every day 06.00 – 19.00
7. Pampang Dayak Village, Samarinda
Pampang Village, which is located 23 km from the center of Samarinda City, is home to the Dayak Kenyah tribe.
When visiting this cultural tourist spot in Indonesia, you will be taken to a traditional ironwood house called Lamin Adat Pemung Tawai and then entertained with various traditional Dayak dances.
Get ready to have fun, because the locals will invite tourists to dance with them!
Address: Jl. Pampang Cultural Tourism, No.32, RT.03, Pampang Cultural Village, North Samarinda District, Samarinda-Bontang Direction
Opening hours: Every day 08.30 – 17.00
8. Ratenggaro Traditional Village, Sumba
This historic city on the coast has human history since the megalithic era. Ratenggaro Traditional Village is home to 304 megalithic stone graves that are thousands of years old.
Apart from appreciating the ruins of the Great Stone Age, this most popular cultural tourism reference in Indonesia offers interesting activities such as horse riding and traditional clothing rental.
You can enter the Uma Kalada traditional house which has a 15 meter high ceiling.
Address: Umbu Ngedo, District. Kodi Bangedo, Southwest Sumba Regency, East Nusa Tenggara
Opening hours: open 24 hours
9. Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi
The culture of the people of Tana Toraja Regency is still quite strong, so every corner is interesting to explore.
Tongkonan traditional houses in Pallawa Village and Kete Kesu Village are examples. Then there is Batutumonga, "Land of the Clouds" which offers views of Rantepao City from a height of 1.300 meters above sea level.
Then, one of Indonesia's most popular cultural tourism references that has attracted the attention of the world community is Londa, a large rock cliff used to bury the bodies of the Tana Toraja people.
Address: Tana Toraja Regency, South Sulawesi
10. Baliem Valley Festival, Papua
The Baliem Valley Celebration is another Indonesian cultural celebration that attracts international attention. The Baliem Valley was once a battleground between the Dani, Yali and Lani tribes.
However, this struggle for power has now become the main attraction at the Baliem Valley arts and culture festival, one of the most popular cultural tourist attractions in Indonesia, especially for those of you who want to know more about the tribes and customs of West Papua.
Address: Jalan Sam Ratulangi No 7 Dok V Atas, Jayapura, Papua
11. Wae Rebo Traditional Village, Flores
The Wae Rebo traditional village is located in West Satarmese District, Manggarai Flores Regency.
Wae Rebo is a remote village with beautiful tropical forest views, surrounded by mountains, and borders the Komodo National Park which is located around 1.100 meters above sea level.
Wae Rebo is the most popular cultural tourism reference among tourists. The village received the highest award, Honor of Excellence, at the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Heritage Conservation 2012 in Bangkok in August 2012.
Address: Satar Lenda, District. Satar Mese Bar., Manggarai Regency, Nusa Tenggara Team.
Opening hours: Sunday – Friday 06.00 – 18.00, Saturday 24 hours
12. Lok Baintan Floating Market, Banjar
Next is the Lok Baintan Floating Market, a traditional market on the banks of the Martapura River in Sungai Pinang village, Sungai Tabuk District, Banjar Regency. This market is unique because the traders sell horticultural and agricultural products.
Address: In Sungai Pinang village, Sungai Tabuk District, Banjar Regency
Opening hours: Every day 05.00 – 12.00
13. Saba Baduy Tourism Village
This tribe lives in the interior of Banten, cut off from the outside world. Their way of life is simple, and completely at one with nature. Tourists are attracted to Baduy settlements because of their unspoiled natural and cultural environment.
Address: Ujung Poros Kanekes Village Keboncau Village, Cicakal Girang, District. Leuwidamar, Lebak Regency, Banten 42362
14. Bawomataluo Traditional Village, North Sumatra
Bawomataluo is a village in Fanayama District, South Nias Regency, North Sumatra, with an altitude of approximately 324 meters above sea level.
This most popular cultural tourist reference is famous for its row of traditional "Omo Hada" houses and one large traditional house known as "Omo Sebua".
Bawomataluo Village is also famous for its culture, one of which is the "Lompat Batu" or Hombo Batu tradition, which is a tradition passed down from generation to generation in Nias. Previously, this activity was used to train Nias youth to fight against the enemy.
Address: In Fanayama subdistrict, South Nias Regency, North Sumatra province
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15. Maimun Palace
The last one is the Maimun Palace, located in Medan City, North Sumatra, which is a palace inherited from the Deli Dynasty.
This palace was built in 1888 by Sultan Makmun Al Rasyid Perkasa Alamsyah and designed by T.H van Erp, a Dutch army captain. The architecture is a combination of Indonesia, Persia and Europe.
Maimun Palace was built on an area of 4,5 hectares. This building measures approximately 2.700 square meters and has two levels. Maimun Palace is divided into 3 parts, the Seri Main Hall, where the Sultan receives guests, and the right and left wings, each of which has 30 rooms.
Address: Jalan Brigadier General Katamso, Aur, Medan Maimun
Opening hours: Every day 08.00 – 17.00
With this richness and diversity, there are many references to the most popular cultural tourism in Indonesia that must be included in your next holiday itinerary!
