ACEH
MUST VISIT
Area: 58,377 km²
Population: 5.372 million (2019)
Aceh, formerly Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam, is the northernmost and westernmost province-level division of Indonesia. It is located at the tip of Sumatra, with Banda Aceh being its capital and largest city. Granted a special autonomous status, Aceh is a religiously conservative territory and the only Indonesian province practicing Sharia officially. There are ten indigenous ethnic groups in this region, the largest being the Acehnese people, accounting for approximately 80% to 90% of the region’s population.
Aceh is where the spread of Islam in Indonesia began, and was a key factor of the spread of Islam in Southeast Asia. Islam reached Aceh (Kingdoms of Fansur and Lamuri) around 1250 AD. In the early 17th century the Sultanate of Aceh was the most wealthy, powerful and cultivated state in the Malacca Straits region. Aceh has a history of political independence and resistance to control by outsiders, including the former Dutch colonists and later the Indonesian government.
Aceh is a diverse region occupied by several ethnic and language groups. The major ethnic groups are the Acehnese (who are distributed throughout Aceh), Gayo (in central and eastern part), Alas (in Southeast Aceh Regency), Tamiang-Malays (in Aceh Tamiang Regency), Aneuk Jamee (descendant from Minangkabau, concentrated in southern and southwestern), Kluet (in South Aceh Regency), Singkil (in Singkil and Subulussalam), Simeulue and Sigulai (on Simeulue Island). There is also a significant population of Chinese, Among the present day Acehnese can be found some individuals of Arab, Turkish, and Indian descent.
ACEH
WHERE TO VISIT
Mount Leuser National Park
Museum Tsunami Aceh
Baiturrahman Grand Mosque
Iboih Beach
Sumur Tiga Beach
Lampuuk Beach
Apung 1
Lake Laut Tawar
Pulau Rubia
Museum Aceh
Old Mosque Indrapuri
Masjid Rahmatullah Lampuuk (Masjid Turki)
Lapangan Blang Padang
Islamic Center Lhokseumawe
PEDIR Museum
Museum Gayo
Benteng Jepang
Queen Safiatuddin ParkMuseum
Museum Kota Langsa
Tugu Simpang Lima Banda Aceh
Jembatan Pante Pirak
Loyang Mendale
EMERGENCY
112
POLICE
110 / 112
HOSPITAL
118
US EMBASSY
+62 21 50831000
UK EMBASSY
+62 21 23565200
Mount Leuser National Park
ACEH
Gunung Leuser National Park is a national park covering 7,927 km² in northern Sumatra, Indonesia, straddling the border of North Sumatra provinces, a fourth portion and three-fourths portion, respectively.
Gunung Leuser National Park is 150 km long, over 100 km wide, and mostly mountainous. About 40% of the park, mainly in the north-west, is steep, and over 1,500 m in elevation. This region is billed as the largest wilderness area in Southeast Asia, and offers wonderful trekking. Around 12% of the park, in the lower southern half, is below 600 m above sea level. Eleven peaks are over 2,700 m. Mount Leuser (3,119 m) is the third-highest peak on the Leuser Range. The highest peak is Mount Tanpa Nama (3,466 m), the second-highest peak in Sumatra after Mount Kerinci (3,805 m).
SHUTTLES
Booking required
HOTELS
Camping/Lodge
DINING
Self arrange/tour guide
Airport
About 3h 20 minutes Airport – (KNO)
QUICK TIPS
Visitors are allowed to access the park through two main gates – the more popular, Bukit Lawang; or the quieter and less well-known, Ketambe.
Visitors will need to arrange a permit at a Gunung Leuser National Park prior to entering.
Travellers’ main accommodation selection will vary from setting up a tent and camping for the night, or stopping at the end of your daily trek and sleeping in a simple lodge. Both camping and lodging facilities are arranged by your hiking guide when trekking through the rainforest and are included generally in your packaged tour guide price.
PHOTOS
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Museum Tsunami Aceh
ACEH
The Aceh Tsunami Museum, located in Banda Aceh, Aceh, Indonesia, is a museum designed as a symbolic reminder of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami disaster, as well as an educational center and an emergency disaster shelter in case the area is ever hit by a tsunami again.
SHUTTLES
Walking distance
HOTELS
Within distance
DINING
Within distance
Airport
30-36 minutes
QUICK TIPS
Address:
Jl. Sultan Iskandar Muda, Sukaramai, Kec. Baiturrahman, Kota Banda Aceh, Aceh 23116, Indonesia
Operation Hours:
Open daily: 9am-12pm/2pm-4pm
Friday: Closed
PHOTOS
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Baiturrahman Grand Mosque
ACEH
Baiturrahman Grand Mosque is a Mosque located in the center of Banda Aceh city, Aceh Province, Indonesia. The Baiturrahman Grand Mosque is a symbol of religion, culture, spirit, strength, struggle and nationalism of the Acehnese people.
The mosque was originally designed by the Dutch architect Gerrit Bruins. The design was subsequently adapted by L.P. Luijks, who also supervised the construction work done by contractor Lie A Sie. The design chosen is Mughal revival style, characterized by grand domes and minarets. The unique black domes are constructed from hard wood shingles combined as tiles.
SHUTTLES
Walking distance
HOTELS
Within distance
DINING
Within distance
Airport
30-36 minutes
QUICK TIPS
Address:
Jl. Moh. Jam No.1, Kp. Baru, Kec. Baiturrahman, Kota Banda Aceh, Aceh, Indonesia
Operation Hours:
Open daily: 4.30am – 10pm
PHOTOS
HOTELS NEARBY
Iboih Beach (Weh Island)
ACEH
Pantai Iboih, also known as Teupin Layeu, is located opposite the west bank of the legendary Pulau Weh, or Weh Island, in northern Aceh, Sumatra’s most northern province.
Pantai Iboih (Iboih Beach) will bring your expectations of natural beauty to a whole new level. This small, hidden paradise has remained largely untouched by much of the tourist traffic, giving it a more relaxed and laid back atmosphere. Its forests are well protected by Iboih’s charming coastline of golden sands that is strewn with giant boulders.
SHUTTLES
Booked required
HOTELS
Within distance
DINING
Within distance
Airport
Ferry-Banda (2hr)
Banda-airport (30-35mi)
QUICK TIPS
From Banda Aceh, make your way to the Ulue-lue port where you have the options of either a ferry or speedboat to Sabang , on Pulau Weh. The speedboat cost a bit higher but takes about 45 minutes to get to Sabang Port with departures twice daily. The ferry ride will take around 2 hours. When you get to Pulau Weh, you can catch a bemo (minibus) to Iboih which is about 40 minutes away via a picturesque, hilly drive through a number of rustic villages.
A lot of water sports activities offered here, from snorkeling, diving and watching dolphin trip. A number of dive centers, yoga centers and eateries dot this stretch of beach.
PHOTOS
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