This coastal area where the Dutch formerly landed to trade. Banten has few relics to show of its past grandeur, however, there are the ruins of powerful Moslem Kingdoms such as the palaces of the Surosowan and Kaibon, the grand Mosque of Mesjid Agung Banten ( 1599 ) and a Dutch fortress and old Chinese temple.
Once the capital of Banten empire now is Banten is a small town at the northwestern coast of Java. At this point the Dutch and the English first landed on Java and were held struggles and trade. There are still many place in Banten, which remaind to the colonial time. The main site in Banten is the Mesjid agung ( The Grand Mosque ). This mosque was built in 1559 by the son of Sultan Hasanudin and is the major sigth in Banten. In opposite of the mosque are the remains of the royal palace Surosowan which was built the Dutch Moslem Hendricks Lucas Cardil and destroyed by grand child of the Sultan. Later the Sultan Agung rebuilt the palace but the Dutch destroyed again in 1832. On the road to Serang close to the Surosowan is the Kaibon Palace, which is now partly restored. Northwest of the mosque are the ruins of the fort Speelwijk. This fort was built by the dutch in 1682 and overlooks the see. Close to the fort is the old Chinese temple. These 200 years old temple is now completely renovated and still in use.
PLACES OF INTEREST:
SUROSOWAN PALACE- FORTRESS
Surosowan palace was built during the reign of Sultan Maulana Hasanudin ( 1525-1552 ). Most of buildings were totally damaged during an attack lead by the Dutch Governor General Daendels in 1808. To the south of the square lay the impressive Surosowan palace, designed by a Dutchman and later razed by countrymen. The Surosowan palace was pulled don by blasted attack of Daendels because Sultan Saifudin refused strongly of Daendels’ order of grootepostweg project that begun from Anyer to Panarukan and order to develop new port in Lada Bay. Event, Sultan flapped Du Puy off, a vice officer of Daendels, and sent his head to Daendels. Daendeles was getting up set, and then he demolished the Surosowan and Kaibon palace. Now becomes ruins, leave the red bricks and several sites. Likes water castle, the alleys, and the moats.
UJUNG KULON
This national park, located in the extreme south-western tip of Java on the Sunda shelf, includes the Ujung Kulon peninsula and several offshore islands and encompasses the natural reserve of Krakatoa. In addition to its natural beauty and geological interest, it contains the largest remaining area of lowland rainforests in the Java plain. Several species of endangered plants and animals can be found there, the Javan rhinoceros being the most seriously under threat.
1. Raising Awareness
The World Heritage site manager of Ujung Kulon National Park (UKNP), Awriya Ibrahim, had this to say about the designation;
“Awareness of World Heritage status at local level has been a challenge in Ujung Kulon National Park. This is due to the fact that local people, and often even local government, lack knowledge and understanding of World Heritage status. In addition to this they did not perceive direct benefit of obtaining the status”
To improve this situation a programme was initiated on conservation education. This campaign is partly funded by the United Nations Foundation (UNF) in collaboration with the UNESCO-World Heritage Centre (WHC) and an environmental non-governmental organisation (NGO) named Rare. The intention of this conservation education campaign is to foster a greater sense of pride and awareness among park staff and community members in the important natural resources found in Ujung Kulon. Implementing Rare’s ‘Pride Campaign’ methods in Ujung Kulon, the aim is to generate pride in the community so that they will want to conserve the biodiversity of the park in their daily lives.
“With the help of the World Heritage Centre and Rare we hope to build a stronger conservation constituency in support of the park and its efforts to promote conservation. In addition this will help to protect against the threats of unsustainable resource use, population expansion, uncontrolled tourism and other forms of unregulated development.”
The property’s World Heritage values are also communicated to residents, visitors and the public through leaflets, booklets, pictures, posters at the information centre, and through the extension activities especially aimed at elementary schools.
2. Increasing Protection
For Ujung Kulon’s management team, a noticeable effect of World Heritage status is the adding of weight or influence to political decision-making, which in turn reduces the threat to the site from being used for extractive purposes or being reduced in size.
“As Ujung Kulon National Park manager, in any meeting or workshop I use the Park’s World Heritage status to draw the attention of all of the park’s stakeholders to protect the site more genuinely. Local and central government have supported every policy that came from UKNP management authority to help the protection and conservation in UKNP, because they know the importance of UKNP as a World Heritage site.”
3. Enhancing Funding
In general, the funding for Ujung Kulon National Park comes from central government’s budget and there is little difference in park funding from this source in the few years either side of World Heritage designation.
The funds channelled into the park have increased but this is largely through the World Heritage/UNF/UN Environment Programme/Rare projects implemented there. The World Wide Fund for nature (WWF) is also a close partner to the park and its commitment to protect the remaining 50-60 Javan Rhinos has concurrently increased park funding and capacity.
“The WWF and the UKNP managers, in any meeting or proposal, use World Heritage status to increase the enthusiasm of donors to help fund their projects in UKNP. There is also a high level of willingness to give financial support to conservation programs in UKNP amongst many park stakeholders. They have awareness and pride in the value of the park’s natural resources and its importance as a World Heritage site.”
4. Improving Management
The changing of site manager for this World Heritage site is in the hands of the central government in Jakarta. There is no specific training related to WH for a new manager and he or she has to learn individually about the site including its World Heritage status.
To improve this situation, and contribute generally to management capacity-building, regular meetings on World Heritage sites are carried out by the UNESCO Jakarta office. By attending these meetings, the site managers can exchange their experiences, discuss their problems, and try to solve them together.
Asked about the potential benefits of exchange of experience and networking between World Heritage sites Awriya stated;
“Increased networking and exchange between sites can improve management further especially between protected areas outside the country.”
5. Harnessing Tourism
The UNESCO/UN Foundation/UN Environmental Programme/Rare project in Ujung Kulon is concerned with Public Use Planning (PUP). The PUP program is designed to assist the Ujung Kulon National Park management authority to plan for itself. The project then builds the capacity of UKNP management to carry out the plans by providing the vision and direction for how tourism, specifically visitor products and services, are developed and managed in the park.
“Through this important planning tool, we hope to build the capacity within the park staff to plan for and manage existing tourism. We will also explore the potential of using sustainable tourism as a tool in the future to achieve greater biodiversity conservation in the park and to protect against the possibility of unplanned tourism development extending down the coastline.” - Awriya Ibrahim
“The inscription of the site as a Natural WH increases the value of the park itself to the visitor. People are more interested to visit the site, knowing the important value that has been recognized through nomination and listing as a Natural WH Site, they appreciate it.”
Future Projects
The Ujung Kulon Coastal Patrol was set up as a complement to the existing terrestrial patrol units in the National Park. The need for the coastal patrol was based on the idea of preventing illegal entries to rhinoceros’ habitat from the sea in the peninsula of Ujung Kulon. Since the initial implementation in 2002, the coastal patrol has been able to prevent and apprehend several violators, including cyanide and bomb fishermen. The presence of five units of Ujung Kulon coastal patrol has also shown impacts on recovery and re-colonization of coral reefs in certain areas within Ujung Kulon marine territories. However this operation is working on a very slender budget and now requires additional financial support to operate fully.
KARANG BOLONG BEACH
Although Jakarta does have coastal areas at its northernmost edges, it is hard to feel that one is really “away from it all” at these narrow little beaches.
Instead, many will travel to the furthest western reaches of Java and to the coastal areas of Anyer and Carita. To get to this part of the island, it is possible to take the Jakarta-Merak toll road for most of the journey.
This road is principally intended to serve as a link to the port town of Merak and the ferries there that depart to Sumatra, but a turn heads to the western coast of Java. Thanks to the toll road, travelers can arrive at the western Java from Jakarta within two hours.
Traveling along the coastal road here, one is confronted by giant industrial complexes that do not suggest that scenic seashores lie ahead. The massive Krakatau steelworks bring heavy traffic to these parts, but perseverance and patience are rewarded.
Traveling beyond the heavy industrial development, one soon passes through the small town of Cilegon and on to the coastal road that hugs the seashore.
Soon, the lineal town of Anyer is reached but there is little here that really constitutes a town. Mostly all that is on offer are cottages and villas offering sandy accommodation.
Probably the most distinguished and literally outstanding aspect of Anyer is its slender and regal white lighthouse, which was erected after the 19th century volcanic explosion of Krakatau that devastated this coastal region.
Passing through Anyer the road continues to hug the shoreline, and gates along the way offer entry to public beaches that give glimpses of the blue sea and distant islands. The road continues to wind toward Carita, but just before it some 12 kilometers from Anyer, one reaches the destination of Karang Bolong.
Care is necessary when approaching this natural wonder, as the entrance gate is narrow and rather hidden on a bend in the road. It would indeed be a shame to miss this site, as it is simultaneously unusual and attractive.
A small fee is charged by the local people to enter this “tourist location” but this should not put anyone off.
Karang Bolong can be translated as a rock or cliff that is “perforated” or “drilled through”, and this is an accurate description. But perhaps some reference to the stone archway here would be a more attractive name, as is this archway that is the site’s most outstanding feature.
The archway is remarkably even and rounded on its underside, but above the cliff face it rises up as an angular and jagged edge. The cliff can be climbed via some steep and heavily moss-covered steps. But the climb is indeed challenging, as trees grow all over the cliff and seem to maraud over the walkway with their branches.
Similarly, the tree roots creep down the sheer rock faces of the cliff, seeking out sustenance. The trees seem precarious dwellers on this cliff, which itself seems to be precariously poised.
At its base, cavernous holes run right through it and the surf washes up against them, striking fears that the whole cliff could crumble and fall into the sea.
Rocky outcrops dot the area, and pagoda-like shelters have been built on some of them, providing shade and a fun place to take a break from the heat of the day. The tide washes in and out around these outcrops, so it is possible, sitting on a huge rock, to be “stranded” momentarily on a tiny island just meters off the shoreline.
Climbing to the top of the cliff allows for excellent views both inland and out to sea.
Looking inland, the small but attractive beach at Karang Bolong can be seen, as can the surrounding hills. Gazing seaward offers a panorama of deep blue waters, and distant cloud-topped islands can be discerned far off in these waters, shimmering in the hot sun.
It is suggested that the Krakatau eruption could have been responsible for carving out the rocks of Karang Bolong into their unusual shapes and sizes. But whatever formed this site, it is clear that the mighty powers of nature were at work.
Just across the coastal road from Karang Bolong, nature is for sale. Surrounding a circular parking lot is a small market where inexpensive seafood can be bought. Also for sale here are many different shells and corals, some of which have been shaped into desk-top ornaments or other decorative affairs.
These, however, give rise to concerns for the local ecosystems. That is, with so many shells and pieces of coral for sale, it may be surmised that much of nature is ruthlessly taken from the sea and exploited for the benefit of tourism.
If so, this would be a shame, for these parts surely need to be protected.
Karang Bolong is a scenic and highly unusual site, and it really ought to be enough to come and take in this sight and appreciate it. It is a popular site at weekends and on national holidays, so take heed that it may get quite crowded.
Even so, Karang Bolong is well worth a visit, as it does illustrate simultaneously the great power and remarkable beauty of nature.
The sea here is clean, clear and blue while the sea air is both fresh and invigorating, thus offering a natural getaway from the hustle, bustle and clutter of the big city.
AVALOKITESHVARA CHINESE TEMPLE
Avalokiteshvara the temple is oldest Chinese temple in Banten. This temple is built around 1860 and successfully renovated at 1930. It’s so unique place, since it situated in the front of Speelwijk Fort. The visitors can stay here during their trip to Banten. Simple and humble place to stay but it’s one of the option whenever we’re in Banten.
SPEELWIJK FORT AND CEMETERIES
This fortress is site in the north west of Surosowan, Pamarican village. Fort speelwijk was built in 1682 by VOC and expanded in 1685 and 1731 to control the activities of the Banten Kingdom and protect the Dutch interests at Banten. Situated not so far from Chinese temple Avalokiteshvara, this fortress directly facing to the sea. From this point, the Dutch troopers was watching and guarding the fort from pirates and local heroes. Inside the fortress, There’s an Old Dutch cemetery. One of the buried bodies is a man who born in Bergen-Op-Zoom in 17th century. The ruins of fortress implies that it was the great fortress in Banten, height about 5 meters and length of each side of 80 meters; also the canal for defense surrounded it. It has four bastions that still stand sturdily.
KAIBON PALACE
Refer to its name Kaibon, derived from word “Ibu” ( mother ). This palace ruled by a queen for temporary. The palace named was coined from the fact that Sultan Muhammad Raffiudin ( the last of Sultan Banten ) built it as a gift to his mother, queen Asyiah. Since the king who supposed to be in throne was not adult yet. sultan Raffiudin was 5 months old when he got the reign. Now remain the ruins with moats and Small Rives nearby and have gorgeous gateway.
Keraton Kaibon lies about one kilometer from the Banten Grand Mosque. This palace had erected in the early 19th century, it sits on an immense 15,000 square meters. The premises were broken into at the order of Dutch Governor general Deandels in 1813, ( subsequently ending the sultans reign ) and then damaged by the Dutch in 1831. Today the ancient walls, foundations, the gateway and the main bear truth to the once-powerful Banten sultanate.
CARITA BEACH
This beach is about a three-hours drive along the highway to the west of Jakarta, and has a great beach for swimming, as the waters are relatively calm of this side if the island. A great place for swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling, sailing, fishing, and underwater photography, this resort offers a complete set of facilities including restaurants, accommodations, motorboats, and diving equipments. The beach is located in West Banten, Labuan district, Pendeglang regency, which is accessible by any land transportations and takes about 3 hours drive from Jakarta. The parlous state of conservation in Indonesia, and in Java in particular means that this small, degraded forest behind this busy beach resort is one of the best places to find Java’s lowland endemics. The forest has heavily used both by tourists ( more high school students ) and by local woodcutters and trappers. All the forest on ridge tops appears to have been recently logged and this forest would appear to have a limited future – another victim of Indonesia’s economic woes.
DUA ISLAND
Dua island ( pulau dua ) is the name of a small nature preservation inhabited by some 50 kinds of fish-eating birds. it is located in the Banten bay and is accessible by boat from Tanjung Priok harbor or from marina, Ancol.
This pristine island is also one of Indonesia’s major bird sanctuaries, were more than 50,000 birds stop over during the winter or breeding season. Among these migratory creatures include greats, ibis, teals, kingfisher and pelicans,while herons, storks and cormorants are some of the permanent residents. These birds originate from Africa, Asia and Australia and stay on this island to lay and hatch their eggs during April through August each year and fly back home afterwards. Little wonder, then, that this natural heaven is also known is Pulau Burung ( bird island ). The island is hop away from Banten old town and can be accessed by walking on the soil during low tide. The visitors can take a boat to get there quickly and safely.
