What is Tasikmalaya about

Tasikmalaya is a city and regency in southeastern West Java, Indonesia, between Bandung and Purwokerto on the southerly of the two major road routes across Java. The city is located in the mountainous Preanger region, about 50 miles (80 km) southeast of Bandung, at an elevation of 1,151 feet (351 metres). Roads and railway link it with Bandung to the northwest and Cilacap to the southeast. Geographically, is situated between 107° 53′ to 108° 20′ eastern longitudes and between 7° 3′ and 7° 49′ southern latitude. A quarter of Tasikmalaya Regency, which has an area of about 256,756,692 hectares, is covered by forest. This Regency may be divided into two areas, lowlands and mountainous regions.

The population of the entire regency (the city and rural area around it) is about 1.58 million. Like most of West Java, it is mostly populated by Muslim, ethnically Sundanese people, with a small Chinese Indonesian minority. The city is sometimes called the “City of a Thousand Pesantren,” for its many Islamic religious schools. There is a large mosque located in the city.

The city is a trading centre for agricultural produce including rice, corn (maize), peanuts (groundnuts), and rubber. Locally manufactured goods include purses, trays, handbags, floor mats, bowls, straw hats, and paper umbrellas. Tasikmalaya is known for its bamboo and pandanus woven goods and tussah silk printed by batik of particular designs and colors . The production of handicrafts for domestic and international consumption is an important local industry; in 1998 and 1999, export of handicrafts earned 2.6 billion rupiah for the region. There is a place which is famous for plaited handicraft, called Rajapolah.

Tasikmalaya Regency is rich in places of interests and cultural attractions. First of all, there is an interesting area called Kampung Naga. Thirty km from Tasikmalaya, visitors will find the uniqueness of Kampung Naga. The distance from Bandung to this kampong is about 88 km. The people of this Kampong still adhere to the old traditions. Their house building is unique. The uniqueness lays its uniformity, starting from the building materials, the house designs to the direction their houses are facing. Instead of its proximity to modern society, it has retained its traditional customs over the centuries. It is a small village in the beautiful mountains of the Salawu District. The most important traditional ceremony is called “Upacara Pedaran” which illustrates its age-old history and culture, held only once every year.

Places of interest in Tasikmalaya include the most attractive natural resorts. On April 5, 1982, the volcano Gunung Galunggung erupted about 24 km from the city, causing major damage through lahar and ash projection, and forcing a temporary evacuation of the area. From a tourism viewpoint at least, the area has benefited from the latest eruption of the Galunggung Mountain. The remains of the eruption have now become taking scenery and are worth-visiting. A lot of tourists, both foreign and domestic, have started visiting this resort. Shady trees are growing again and visitors can also enjoy the sight the crater and bathing in the spa.

Transportation is easily available, although the distance from Jakarta to Tasikmalaya is about 380 kilometers, and from Bandung about 120 kilometers. Since the road is good the distance can easily be covered by either public or private transport.