Bali isn’t the only tourist attraction in Indonesia.【Sulawesi】worth you a visit!
PHOTO_Irene Hung / TEXT_Irene Hung
Indonesia is composed of 17,508 islands, and it’s the largest archipelago country in the world, which is also known as the “Country of Ten Thousand Islands”. Therefore, it has very different and diversified characteristics in terms of natural ecology, biological species, cultural heritage, lifestyle, etc.
When traveling to Indonesia, most people think of Bali. However, for some people who do not like to go to popular well-known attractions, they will instead yearn for less commercialized attractions. Not only will they not be charged a bunch of tips inexplicably, but they can also travel and experience local culture in depth.
After staying in Indonesia for 2 months, I will definitely tell you: Bali is not the only attraction in Indonesia 🙅, let alone the capital Jakarta. You should go to [Sulawesi] 😍, which is an island not well known by foreigners; however, it’s actually a secret land where Indonesian locals yearn for vacations (just like Taiwanese love for Kenting, basically equivalent to students in Indonesia will choose — Sulawesi for graduation trips or family trips.
10 must-see attractions in Sulawesi👇：
1. Pantai Losari
(PS: 💁As long as you see “Pantai” in Indonesia, it actually means “Beach”)
Pantai Losari is a very very famous landmark beach in South Sulawesi Province. It’s located in the fifth largest city, “Makassar City”, in Indonesia. Makassar City is also the largest city in “Sulawesi”. Pantai Losari is located in the city center with convenient transportation (about 50 minutes drive from Hasanuddin Airport, or 20 minutes drive from Soekarno-Hatta port; you can rent a motorcycle to go there by yourself or call a taxi “Grab”), and you can see sunrise and sunset scenery almost every day. Hence Losari Beach is a paradise for local residents and tourists to gather, dine, entertain, and relax. 💕
There are two best time points visiting here: the first is at sunrise, with an excellent view almost without clouds, it’s great to find a nearby hotel to stay, wake up in the morning to welcome the sunrise, go for a morning jog, and ride a bicycle . The second time point is at sunset in the evening.
Don’t be disappointed even if you miss the moment of sunset, because after the night falls, it becomes more lively! Besides sunrise and sunset, Losari Beach is known as the “night seafood and grilled fish center🐟” for many seafood restaurants only open at night, and it’s one of the world’s “longest food stands” along the coastline 🍖🍘🍛🍨🍤🍢🍴！
2. Rammang Rammang
Rammang Rammang is the first attraction that my Indonesian host family took me to explore after I visited Makassar City. It’s a natural wild park, even more like a hidden paradise. From a distance, you can see the peaks one after another. After buying tickets at the entrance, the boatman will drive the boat to greet tourists, and the boat journey is about 30 minutes.
After landing, you can see mountains surrounding us, and there are many small wooden houses where local villagers live, selling snacks, drinks, local dishes!
3. Malino Highlands
Malino Highlands is a plateau⛰ scenic spot full of forest parks, mountains, and undulating hills. It is suitable for arranging a day trip since the park is well-organized, and there are many attractions to explore.
Finally, we climbed to the top of the plateau, about 1,050 meters above sea level. The wind is quite strong and the temperature is only a few ten degrees, so remember to bring a jacket. Btw, there’s a plateau cafe☕; in addition to its good value for price, the scenery is breathtaking. The picturesque scenery is the most beautiful creation of nature, and it’s also the most touching part of this journey.
4. Fort Rotterdam
Fort Rotterdam is a 17th-century Dutch fortress and it was the military & government headquarter of the Dutch region at that time. It is now an art center, cultural space, and tourist attraction full of history and culture.
5. Trans Studio Theme Park Makassar
Trans Studio is the world’s third-largest indoor theme park 🎠🎡🎢🎪, covering an area of about 12.7 hectares, with an investment of up to 1 trillion rupiah to build this park. High ceilings and shopping streets designed into night views 🌌🎆 look really stunning and marvelous.
6. Leang Leang
Leang Leang is a work of art created by the god, carved on huge rocks in the mountains and forests, and there are many caves that people can climb into.
7. Bantimurung National Park
Bantimurung is a well-organized national park. The must-see attractions there are Butterfly Garden and the very spectacular waterfall. Nonetheless, the waterfall may be the one that surprise you! Because it’s not only for “watching”, you can also jump into the waterfall, and even take a swimming ring to slide along the water. No need to worry about safety problems for the water is not very turbulent and the height difference is not large. In addition, you can also take a shower photo while standing in the waterfall!
8. Bantaeng
Bantaeng is a primitive village along the coastline. Different from the crowded and noisy big cities, it has a small population and is a very clean, leisurely, and peaceful area.
In the afternoon, we proceeded to Pantai Marina Bantaeng, which took about 1 hour by car. The Marina Beach is wide, with beach volleyball facilities and a few cabins where you can look up at the starry sky at night. The sea is clean but there are many marine life. (One of my friends saw a jellyfish as big as his face while snorkeling! And he at once ran straight to the shore frighteningly 😂💦)!
9. Tanjung Bira Beach
Bira Beach is about 5–6 hours’ drive from Makassar. It’s one of the must-visit beaches in Indonesia, so-called “a sea pearl scattered on the headland”. There are multiple island hopping trips that can be arranged, so I recommend to stay for 3 days and 2 nights!!!
I was speechless when I saw the color of the sand at first, showing a white crystal clear sand, instead of the common golden yellow sand. Stepping barefoot on the white sand is just as soft as stepping on flour. In addition, the color of the sea water is azure blue when I see from a distance, but when getting closer, I can clearly see the translucent light blue color of the sea water.
The water activities include banana boat, speedboat, deep diving, and snorkeling. This is the first time I do snorkeling so carefree because the instructor will not restrict you to a narrow range, and will not rush you over time, either.
During the day, Bira Beach has a shopping street selling accessories and souvenirs; in the evening, there will be a row of outdoor restaurants on Bira Beach, where you can buy food and enjoy it on the beach. The starry sky at night is unforgettable with thousands of stars hang high. The sky shone and it’s indeed the most beautiful treasure here as well as the most incomparably beautiful beach I have ever seen in my life!
10. Putondo Resort Beach Takalar
Putondo Resort Beach Takalar is a small resort. The main attractions there are mountain greenways, cabins, and village restaurants. After walking a little further, you’ll come to the beach attraction. You can step into the water walking slowly, and also remember to wear slippers to avoid stepping on harder plants.
Must-see additional attractions💫：
Take salon photos
My host family took me to a photo shop in Makassar for local salon photos. I put on Indonesian traditional costumes and glittering jewelry, making me just like a foreign princess! Because the local traditional clothing is too distinctive, I strongly recommend that you leave a photo there!
Kajang
Kajang is a primitive village with a high level of secrecy, and it’s better to know locals who can visit there together! Some rules for entering inside to visit: you must dress in black all over, and the volume of voice must be kept to a minimum or it’s best not to speak. Besides, mobile phones and technology products cannot be brought in. You must also take off your shoes and walk barefoot. As above, I’m sure you can deeply understand the mysterious journey of this primitive village.
Taman Mini Indonesia Indah
The only recommended attraction in this article that is not on Sulawesi Island is Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, which is a super recommended attraction in Jakarta that I visited before flying back to Taiwan! It’s a theme park known as “miniature Indonesia” with all the popular attractions of Indonesian islands, that is, you can visit here when you have no time to explore other islands, such as Bali Island, and so on. Because the park is very large, I “rent a Grab driver😁” to ride me to various theme pavilions, and then the driver will help take pictures, so traveling alone becomes a breeze (no need to keep taking selfies 😂).
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