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BANDUNG is Indonesia’s third largest city after Jakarta and Surabaya, a charming city encircled by the lush Parahyangan mountains.

Here are a few things you can pack into a weekend in Bandung.

Reconnect with nature in a beautiful resort

To truly get away from the traffic congestion and pollution, it’s worth checking into Sapulidi Sawah, a modest lakefront resort featuring beautifully intricate Javanese Joglo architecture and a cool, crisp surrounding.

The resort’s rooms are set on slopes, and each room has a private balcony with canopy beds, wooden flooring and adorned with local art. It’s a 30-minute drive from the Bandung city center, great if you want to shut off in the thick of Bandung’s wilderness.

Pick up fresh produce at a floating market

Unlike the chaotic floating markets of Bangkok, the markets at north Bandung are much less raucous. You can eat delicious, hot food on one of the boats, feed the duck and geese, as well as pick strawberries directly from the trees.

What we particularly like is the experience of eating Sundanese cuisine on the boat, surrounded by the tranquil of the lake and Joglo-style huts. Plus, the price of admission will only set you back US$1, a steal for an experience so unique.

Enjoy the rolling, green valleys of Bukit Moko

The view from the top of Bukit Moko. Pic: Aneka Tempat Wisata

Bukit Moko is one of the best vantage points in Bandung from which to get a good view, especially at sunset. Because there’s no public transport that leads you into the valley, you can hire a car, a private van or trek by foot.

At the top, it’s worth stopping by the renowned Warung Daweung, a humble restaurant where diners can sit on plastic chairs facing the breathtaking view of the valley beyond. Surrounding the eatery are clusters of pine as well as patches of vegetation used to sustain the businesses.

Shop for unique local clothing

Some people design their trips to Bandung around shopping, owing to the fact the city is packed with some cool, unique shops, a far cry from the more manufactured malls in Jakarta. Note that the local middle-class favor fashionable vintage clothing that promote individuality.

A great one to visit is Widely Project, a concept store that stocks labels such as Nikicio and Tosavica. Structured tops, printed pants, strappy sandals and trendy sneakers make up the streetwear range at the store, and the young and hip will have a field day browsing through the collection.

Pick strawberries in Lembang

Lembang is a stunning plateau in west Bandung abundant with cool highlands and scenic villas. A highlight in the region are strawberry farms, where visitors can be seen cradling baskets and picking organic fruits.

Natural Resto and Strawberry Land takes it a step further by concocting many savory Sundanese dishes using strawberries including fish – gurame, to be exact – braised in a sour curry that’s been mildly sweetened with strawberries.

The post A weekend in… the cool, green vistas of Bandung appeared first on Travel Wire Asia.

Source: travelwireasia.com