| Aceh is a special territory of Indonesia , this | | | | Aceh Besar / Jantho |
| position is the same with Jakarta and Yogyakarta. | | | | 1. Cut Nyak Dhien House. The house is a replica of |
| Aceh was located on the northern tip of the island | | | | the heroine Cut Nyak Dhien House, from the |
| of Sumatra. Aceh's full name is Nanggroe Aceh | | | | Aceh War. The house was burnt down by the |
| Darussalam. | | | | colonial forces but a replica was built later. This |
| Banda Aceh is the provincial capital and largest | | | | house in Lam Pisang, about 6 kilometers from |
| city of Aceh. Banda Aceh is a city which was | | | | Banda Aceh, is now a museum. |
| established on April 22, 1205 by Sultan Alaidin | | | | 2. Lhoknga Beach, White sandy beaches and |
| Johansyah, is one of the oldest Islamic city in the | | | | charming and beautiful view, especially for |
| South-East of Asia. The population was | | | | enjoying the sunset. Lhok Nga is used to be |
| approximately around 500,000 peoples in 2007. | | | | frequented by many surfers from arround the |
| The prior city name was Kutaraja, determined as | | | | world during the winter months. It's a long white |
| the provincial capital in 1956. Later its name was | | | | sand beaches, and still famous place to be visited |
| changed into Banda Aceh, where the first part of | | | | even after Tsunami. Lhoknga beach can be |
| its name comes from the Persian bandar and | | | | reached by bus, mini buses or taxis, about 17 km |
| means "port" or "haven". It is also proudly | | | | from Banda Aceh to Meulaboh directions. It takes |
| referred to as the "port to Meccah", as Islam first | | | | around 20 minutes from the city. You'll find rice |
| arrived in Aceh and spread throughout Southeast | | | | field on the way to Lhok Nga.... the new chapter |
| Asia. | | | | of Aceh has been start, the new beginning of |
| In the early seventeenth century the Sultanate of | | | | beauty and new life in Aceh after the tsunami. |
| Aceh was the most wealthy, powerful and | | | | 3. Lumpuuk Beach, Lumpuuk beach used to be a |
| cultivated state in the Malacca Straits region. Aceh | | | | popular beach. Calm water and overlook the |
| has a history of political independence and fierce | | | | nearby cliff island, it's just beautiful. There is also |
| resistance to control by outsiders, including the | | | | cave hidden on the hill rock. |
| former Dutch colonists and the Indonesian | | | | Although the situation is much different now, but |
| government. Aceh has substantial natural | | | | still, it's still interesting place to see. Lumpuuk is |
| resources, including oil and gas - some estimates | | | | situated near Lhonga beach. |
| put Aceh gas reserves as being the largest in the | | | | 4. Ujung Batee Beach, Ujung Bate is a black |
| world. Relative to most of Indonesia, it is a | | | | sand beach nice for walking and collecting |
| religiously conservative area. | | | | seashells. The beach is decorated with pine trees. |
| Until December 26, 2004, Banda Aceh was a | | | | It is nice to go picnic, enjoy the shade under |
| relatively a little known town. On that day the | | | | pine trees overlooking the beach and swayed by |
| Indian Ocean earthquake struck off the western | | | | the waves. |
| coast of Sumatra. Banda Aceh was the closest | | | | Sabang (Pulau Weh), Sabang island has gorgeous |
| major city to the earthquake's epicenter, and | | | | beaches and spot for diving. Virging Iboih forrest |
| suffered further damage when a tsunami struck | | | | with beautiful waterfalls and Keuneukai hotspring. |
| shortly afterwards. It was the worst hit area out | | | | This beautiful island on the most western tip, is |
| of all the locations hit. 130,000 people died and | | | | where the measurement of geographical of |
| many more were injured. 3 and a half Years after | | | | Indonesia starts. The zero kilometer sign is |
| tsunami , a small number of people are still living in | | | | situated in the island. Sabang is also a famous |
| barrack-style temporary living centers (TLC) or | | | | place for weekenders from Banda Aceh. The |
| tents. Reconstruction is visible everywhere, that a | | | | island is a gorgeous spot for snorkelling and diving. |
| great thing for aceh people. | | | | It has beautiful beaches with beautiful coral reefs. |
| Nice to See in Aceh | | | | I hope I am not too boasting by saying Sabang is |
| Still a little people knows that Aceh is rich of | | | | heaven for the divers. There are diving operators |
| events, attraction and unique cultures that it can | | | | in Sabang. Famous spot for diving is Iboih, Rubiah |
| be fascinate anyone. Aceh is also rich in natural | | | | island and Gapang. The facilities in Sabang are |
| beauty, waves and sea garden which is suitable | | | | simple and modest. Moderate class is found in |
| for diving. Some of most beautiful Aceh tourism | | | | Gapang. There are cottages with AC and |
| and historical sites and beaches have been | | | | attached bathroom. Cottages in Iboih are much |
| damaged by the massive earthquake and Dec '04 | | | | simpler. Bring your own sleeping bag If you don't |
| Tsunami but peoples there take care of their | | | | dare to lay down in the thin mattress. The price is |
| beautifull places. | | | | considerably cheap. Breakfast is rarely included. |
| This province which is also known as "Porch of | | | | From Banda Aceh, it is recommended to take |
| Mecca" (Serambi Mekkah) has various coastal | | | | speedboat from Ulee Lheu. It only takes 45 |
| attractions, handicrafts and various coastal | | | | minute with cost of Rp 60,000. If you are heading |
| attractions, handicrafts and nature tourism. | | | | to Gapang or Iboih, you can take public |
| Besides that, You can also enjoy spiritual tourism | | | | transportation ( L-300 minibus stuffed with |
| and family tourism. The Government of Aceh | | | | passangers). The cost is around 40,000 to 50,000 |
| wants to change the image that the tour is | | | | with travelling hours around 1 hour. |
| interesting not only on the beach or other beauty | | | | Aceh Utara / Lhokseumawe |
| nature places but also spiritual sites and family | | | | Lhokseumawe is a town located 274 km from |
| attractions that can provide insight and spiritual | | | | Banda Aceh which is now being developed as an |
| values. | | | | industrial zone. Many gigantic plants are |
| Some of nature interesting place are Lhok Nga | | | | constructed following the discovery of huge LNG |
| beach, Ujung Bhate beach, Rencong handicrafts, | | | | resources in the area. Touristic features of the |
| hot spring water, etc. Spiritual and family tourism | | | | town is a.o. Samudera Pasai. It was the first great |
| such as Indragiri Citadel Mosque (one of the oldest | | | | Islamic kingdom of Indonesia. All that remains of |
| mosque in Aceh), tomb of Admiral Malahayati, | | | | it, however, is a graveyard 18 km east of the |
| Teuku Cik Ditiro tombs, etc. | | | | town. One of the graves belongs to Malikussaleh, |
| Below are the list of interesting places in Aceh | | | | as Samudera Pasai's first king. Other objects for |
| Banda Aceh | | | | visitors at Lhoksuawe city are Blang Kolam Falls |
| 1. Museum Negeri. The museum is filled with | | | | and Ujung Blang beach |
| antiques. Among the exhibits is a big clock, a gift | | | | Aceh Tengah / Takengon |
| from the Emperor of China and brought to Aceh | | | | 1. Takengon, Takengon is a town located in the |
| by the famed Admiral Cheng Ho in 1414. Museum | | | | central area of Aceh. It is being promoted as a |
| Aceh There is a museum in Banda Aceh located | | | | tourist resort since its temperature is about 2O |
| near the Governor's residence. The main building | | | | degree C (68F), cool enough for a holiday resort. |
| of the Museum is a house built in a traditional style | | | | The main feature of the town is Lake Laut |
| by the Dutch Governor Van Swart in 1914. The | | | | Tawar. It is a pleasantly cool holiday resort, at an |
| museum is filled with antiques, and among the | | | | altitude of 1,200 meters above sea level. Central |
| exhibits a big bell Cakra Donya a gift from the | | | | Aceh is one of Sumatra's foremost producers of |
| Emperor of China conveyed by Admiral Cheng Ho | | | | high quality coffee. A warm water pool at |
| in 1414. On the bell can be found a Chinese script, | | | | Simpang Balik, Loyang Koro and Loyang Pukes |
| Sing Fang Niat Toeng Juut Kat, no one knows | | | | caves by the side of Laut Tawar are also |
| what it really means. | | | | interesting objects. |
| 2. Gunongan, Gunong means mountain in | | | | 2. Lake Laut Tawar, Located near Takengon, in |
| Acehnese, is a man made miniature mountain built | | | | the highlands of Cental Aceh, is very scenic. It has |
| by Sultan Iskandar Muda. This was a gift of Sultan | | | | soaring cliffs around the shore which are ideal for |
| Iskandar Muda to his wife, Putro Phang who came | | | | rock climbing. The lake is also stocked with trout. |
| from Malaysia. This building likely functioned as an | | | | There are warm water pools at Simpang Balik. |
| important recreational peace for the Queen and | | | | Many caves dot the lake's surroundings, Loyang |
| other royal family members to climb. Gunongan is | | | | Koro and Loyang Pukes caves by the side of |
| one of the most historical building in Aceh. Situated | | | | Lake Laut Tawar are interesting to explore. |
| in Teuku Umar street, located in the Taman Sari | | | | Motorboats can be hired for fishing and |
| Park ,opposite of the Dutch graveyard, Gunongan | | | | sightseeing. |
| survived earthquake and tsunami. On the plague | | | | Aceh Tenggara / Kutacane |
| planted in front of the building, it said that the | | | | 1. The Leuser National Park of Gunung Leuser is |
| year of the construction was 1607. | | | | probably the wildest in Indonesia, located in |
| You are allowed to climb, but you need to contact | | | | Southeast Aceh, can be reached from either |
| the guard, to open the door The view from the | | | | Kutacane, or Takengon. This magnificent national |
| top is nice. It is nice to walk around the building, | | | | park has a wealth of flora and fauna. The park |
| get higher and higher. It is quite enjoyable to visit | | | | also has research facilities for the study of |
| this place during the late afternoon or sunset. I | | | | primates, birds, insects, and other animals. Basic |
| couldn't help myself to try to figure out how was | | | | accommodation facilities are available at Ketambe. |
| the view of Banda Aceh in 1607. And how was | | | | The rapids-infested Krueng Alas river inside the |
| the queen manage to climb the miniature of the | | | | park is popular with rafters. |
| mountain. It was an exciting thought. | | | | 2. Alas River, The Alas River, 165 km southeast |
| 3. Pinto Khop which are located at a few steps | | | | from Takengon, cuts through the Gunung Leuser |
| from the Pendopo are also charms of the city. | | | | National Park. This area is especially popular among |
| Gunongan was erected around the 16th century | | | | the young and adventurous. The sharp bends and |
| during the reign of Sultan Iskandar Muda. | | | | many rapids are challenging to white-water |
| 4. The Great of Baiturrahman Mosque is the main | | | | rafters. |
| feature of Banda Aceh today. Lying at the heart | | | | Simeulue's Lobster |
| of the city completed with excellent architectural | | | | Simeulue is beautiful. although many places are not |
| style, this mosque is really one of Indonesia prime | | | | enjoyable for swimming because of its reefs. |
| tourism sides. The Mosque was built during the | | | | Most of beautiful beaches are found in Salang and |
| REIGNs of Sultan Iskandar Muda (1607-1636) and | | | | Alafan sub-district. Simeulue is surrounded by small |
| had caught fire several time including when the | | | | islands. There are surprisingly people living in some |
| Dutch attacked Kutaraja (Banda Aceh) in 1873. | | | | of those islands. As Simeulue has reefs around |
| Another mosque to replace the former one was | | | | the island, this is a perfect place for lobster, |
| later built by Dutch Military Government that was | | | | shrimp and crabs. When you visit Simelue, your |
| completed in 1883. The Mosque is extra ordinary | | | | visit is not completed without having a plate of |
| in architecture and ornamentation. It has five | | | | lobster. Sambai village (Teluk Dalam sub-district) is |
| onion shaped domes, two tall minerattes, wide | | | | recommended favorite palce to get fresh lobster. |
| white walls, and around is pillars various kinds of | | | | Although you can't expect lobster to be cooked, |
| beautiful ornament. | | | | you can buy lobster as much as you like, then |
| 5. Kerkhof or Churchyard is a much visited site | | | | take it to near small restaurant stalls and have |
| especially by Dutch visitors. War Memorial of | | | | them cooked for you. Although the wave is not |
| Kerkoff Peucut Kerkoff is the burial place of | | | | as dramatic as in Nias island, not too bad areas |
| the soldiers who died in the Acehnese War. | | | | for surfing. In Teupah Barat and Teupah Selatan, |
| About 2,200 soldiers were buried in this graveyard | | | | there are places nice for surfing. There is also one |
| including the General Kohler. Their names, where | | | | well-known resort name Willy's Resort (in Busung |
| and when they died can seen at the gateway to | | | | village) which is known among the surfers. |
| the Kerkoff. | | | | |