Attraction
Gunung Mas Tea Plantation
Tea plantation on Puncak Pass between Bogor and Cianjur, with paths through the tea fields.
Region
West Java
West Java is the land of the Sundanese people.
West Java is the land of the Sundanese people. Volcanic landscapes with tea plantations, the university city of Bandung, the Botanical Garden of Bogor, and beaches on the south coast make the province a rewarding destination away from the classic routes.
With around 50 million inhabitants, West Java is Indonesia's most populous province. Its capital is Bandung, situated at around 770 m altitude, surrounded by volcanoes like Tangkuban Perahu and tea plantations. Bogor, with its Botanical Garden, lies on the edge of Greater Jakarta. On the south coast, Pangandaran is the main beach resort, featuring a nature reserve, surf beaches, and the Green Canyon river canyon. Most foreigners only traverse West Java, yet here you'll find much of the Sundanese everyday life.
Sights in West Java
Discover the most important sights and attractions
National Park
Gunung Gede Pangrango National Park
Mountain rainforest around the Gede and Pangrango volcanoes between Bogor and Bandung. Hiking trails start in Cibodas, you need a permit for the summit.
Best Time to Visit
When is the best time for your trip?
22–23°C·55–150 mm(moderate rain)
May to September is the dry season. During this time, volcano hikes and trips to the South Coast are most pleasant.
The values apply to Bandung at around 770 m elevation. In Jakarta and on the coast, it is several degrees warmer; Bogor is one of Java's rainiest cities.
Seasons
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
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Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Dry season
Rain Time
Passage
Best Time to Visit
▶Show detailed monthly data
| Month | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Sun (h) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 23.0 | 220 | 4.0 |
| February | 23.0 | 210 | 4.0 |
| March | 23.0 | 240 | 5.0 |
| April | 23.0 | 220 | 5.0 |
| May | 23.0 | 150 | 6.0 |
| June | 23.0 | 80 | 6.0 |
| July | 22.0 | 55 | 7.0 |
| August | 23.0 | 55 | 7.0 |
| September | 23.0 | 90 | 7.0 |
| October | 23.0 | 180 | 6.0 |
| November | 23.0 | 260 | 5.0 |
| December | 23.0 | 240 | 4.0 |
Culture
West Java is the heartland of the Sundanese, Indonesia's second-largest ethnic group. They speak their own language, Sundanese. Typical is music with the bamboo instrument Angklung, inscribed on the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage since 2010, and the Wayang Golek puppet show featuring wooden figures. The population is predominantly Muslim and rather conservative; dress appropriately away from beaches.
Getting There & Around
From Jakarta, the high-speed train Whoosh reaches Bandung (Tegalluar station) in about 45 minutes. Conventional trains and buses are also available. You can reach Bogor by KRL commuter train. Bandung has an airport for domestic flights, but many connections operate via Kertajati. To Pangandaran, you travel by bus or car; the roads through the mountains are winding and often busy. On weekends, routes from Jakarta to the mountains are heavily congested.
