Bogor

Some 60 km south of Jakarta, Bogor is the "bo" of the massive Jabotabek conurbation. The city has a population close to 1,1 million (2018) people, and the regency that surrounds it has a population close to 5.1 million people (2014). The town was the capital of Indonesia during the brief British occupation, and under the name Buitenzorg was also the summer capital of the Dutch in the hot dry season. Located 290 meters above sea level, Bogor is noticeably cooler than the torrid lowlands, and the place where many of the Indonesian elite have their villas. Once a place of beauty, rapid development has turned central Bogor into the same congested mess as every other Indonesian city, but there are still rivers, canals, red-roofed houses, mosques, churches, trees, flowers and views of nearby Mount Salak. Bogor Tourist Information Centre, ln Kapten Muslihat N0. 51 +62 815-8545-2018. Open daily from 08:00 - 19:00 History What is now Bogor and its surroundings has been inhabited for centuries. According to a 5th-century stone inscription (Prasasti Ciaruteun), the Bogor region was part of the ancient Hindu kingdom of Tarumanagara, the earliest known kingdom in Java and one of the earliest states in present-day Indonesia. After Tarumanagara was defeated by the neighbouring Srivijaya, the kingdom was succeeded by the Kingdom of Sunda. The kingdom reigned over much of western Java, and Bogor was chosen as its capital under name of "Pakuan Padjajaran".

Q1926929 By plane The nearest major international airport is Jakarta's Soekarno Hatta International Airport.(CGK) There are direct Damri buses from there to Bogor Rp 55,000 every 30 min (1-2 hours, depending on traffic). If you charter a helicopter from Soekarno Hatta airport, you can request in advance for permission to land at Atang Senjaya airport, Bogor. This airport is a military base, but it may be used for civilian flights in the future. By train Bogor is the southern terminus of the yellow and red lines of Jakarta's commuter rail network (KA Commuter Jabodetabek). Both lines run from Jakarta via Depok to Bogor, with the red line trains originating at Kota station in West Jakarta, and the yellow line trains originating at Jatinegara station in East Jakarta. Trains of both lines call at several stations in South Jakarta as well, while red line trains call at Gondangdia station in Central Jakarta, near the famous backpacker's street Jalan Jaksa. Daily intercity trains between Jakarta and Sukabumi (2h 15m, economy and executive class) call at Bogor Paledang railway station. In the mid 2020s a new LRT system will connect Bogor to Bekasi. By bus There are direct Damri buses from Jakarta's Soekarno Hatta International Airport to Bogor for Rp 55,000. Buses also go to Bogor from Jakarta, Bandung, Sukabumi, Yogyakarta and even further cities like Malang. Buses from Jakarta depart from Lebak Bulus, Kampung Rambutan and Kalideres bus terminals and take about 1-2 hours depending upon the traffic.

Bogor has got sidewalks which are mostly well accessible. It has been claimed that are many pleasant traffic-free walks in Bogor, alongside rivers and canals. The traffic in Bogor is chaotic. There is a daily traffic jam in Bogor from early in the morning to late in the afternoon. On weekend and holiday, people from Jakarta often go to Bogor with their cars. By minibus The easiest way to get around Bogor is by angkot, little green minibuses, hordes of which infest Bogor's central streets. Any trip from anywhere to anywhere costs Rp 2,000, paid when you get off. The downsides to using angkot are that the drivers are reckless and theft is all too common (guard your belongings). Also, some angkot like 02 or 03 only depart from their pangkalan (terminals) when full — 10 min on a good day on a busy route, 90 minutes on a bad day on an unpopular one. By horse cart Horse carts known as delman can be found in central Bogor, and it could be an option if you want to cruise around and take a look at the city. The poor beasts aren't very comfortable in the traffic scrum, though. By taxi Blue Bird Taxis operate in Bogor but prepared as they generally can turn up late or sometimes not at all, make sure you call 10 min after ordering to check it is coming. Allow an extra half an hour for your airport taxi. Ride-hailing-app services such as Go-Car (from Gojek) and Grab are also available.

Monuments

Tourist mini bus A half side open tourist minibus with capacity of 25 persons is called UNCAL or Unforgettable City Tour at Lovable City run a circle of Botanical Garden in one way direction for free. Start and finish at Botani Square. Amusement Parks Retreat Walking Bogor has riverside and canal-side neighbourhood lanes, but public pedestrian access is fragmented and visitors should seek current local advice rather than expect a continuous signed walking route. One is reminded, if one squints, of Venice in earlier days. One is likely to encounter colourful little houses and gardens, children flying kites, people bathing, vendors of snacks and spectacular views of Mount Salak. On the edge of Bogor one can walk beside rice fields and fruit orchards. Fishing Golf

Markets Most exciting are the traditional markets, filled with cheap clothing, toys, fruit, vegetables and the like. You should come every Sunday morning in Sempur for "in the morning" shopping while you have exercise. Tons of things and food for breakfast. Shopping malls Bogor Trade Mall, Jl. H. Juanda. Food court. Eka Lokasari Plaza, Jl. Siliwangi 123. Food court. Pangrango Plaza, Jl. Raya Pajajaran. Food court. Bogor Plaza, Jl. Surya Kencana. Food court.

Bogor's local specialities include pickles (asinan) and grilled bean sprouts (tauge goreng). De Daunan, east side of Botanical Gardens. Formerly Cafe Botanicus, serves up a mix of Dutch and Indonesian favorites, with lazy ceiling fans and a breezy veranda on a small hill looking over the garden. The rijsstaffel set is popular if a bit pricy at Rp 45,000. Sotomie Ciseeng. Jl. Suryakencana No. 302. A type of noodle with beef tendons and deep fried chives. Ngohiong, sold along Jl. Suryakencana. An originally Chinese dish (五香 wǔxiāng) made from flour and scraps of pork, deep fried and then served with tofu, fried potato wedges, a thick sweet sauce and pickles. Halal (non pork) version of the dish may also be available. Gang Selot, at Jl. Ir Juanda, next to SMU Negeri 1 Bogor. This is a good place for a food lover. Various food outlets with very cheap price.

Convenience stores such as Indomaret, Alfamart, and Circle K do not sell beer or any spirits. Drinking beer out in the open is culturally frowned upon, but generally speaking people won't say anything - you might get a few side eyes. That being said, you can still find alcohol in larger supermarkets, bars/bistros, and specialty beer stores, just like any other cities in Java.

Budget Mid-range Splurge

Bogor is called the 'rain city' due to the fact that Bogor gets more rain than all other cities in Java. Strong winds can occur once or twice a year with speeds of more than 100 km/h for one or two minutes, but never exceeding 200 km/h. Beware of collapsing trees. In January 2015, 4 people died and 21 people were injured when an 8-m long tree, 1.5 m in diameter tumbled and struck employees of one company when they were gathering in Kebun Raya Bogor.

The telephone area code of Bogor is 0251.

Puncak — highlands and tea plantations along the road to Bandung. Citarik River - there are two white water rafting companies on this river about 2 hr out of Bogor on the Cikidang Road (turn right off Jalan Sukabumi after the petrol station). These companies are on the way to the beach in West Java, at Pelabuan Ratu. Great river all year round, but peak season is strangely the dry season (May–August), it gets more fun in the wet season, but more unpredictable. Great boats and good fun to be had, plus some bungalows by the river for sleeping. Taman Safari (20 km east of Bogor towards Bandung) has an impressive drive-through zoo with lions, tigers, hippos, rhinos, zebras, giraffes, as well as plenty of other animals is well-kept large enclosures. There are also some amusement park attractions for children, a water park, a baby zoo, as well as conventional zoo exhibitions including penguins, snakes, kangaroos and Komodo dragons. A very well maintained zoo and a much better than other zoos found in the region. Admission is around Rp 100,000 per person. When visiting with children reserve a full day, but 3 hr is sufficient. Sukabumi Pelabuhan Ratu