TOURISM OBJECT IN ACEH

TOURISM OBJECT

PLACES OF INTEREST IN ACEH
Around Banda Aceh
Banda Aceh is the capital of Aceh and also the main gate­way to the province. The Governor's Residence, was built by the Dutch in 1880 on the spot where the palace of the sultan once stood. This building is known as one of the historical sites with a unique architecture and completed with traditional house equipments. This place is of course a restricted area and entering it must he with a kind of Permission from the security guard.

Baiturrahman Grand Mosque
Is one of the most outstand­ing landmarks in the capital city. The old mosque that stood there before it was burnt down at the beginning of the Aceh War, was rebuilt in 1875, taking its present shape after a number of renovations and expansions.

Museum Negeri
Is another charm of the city. The museum is filled with antiques. Among the exhibits is a big clock, a gift from t e Emperor of China and brought to Aceh by the famed Admiral Cheng Ho in 1414.

Gunongan and Pinto Khop
Which are located at a few steps from the Pendopo are also charms of the city. Gunongan was erected around the 16th century during the reign of Sultan Iskandar Muda.

Kerkhop or Churchyard
Is a much visited site especially by Dutch visitor where the remains of more then 2,000 Dutch soldiers lie burried.

The Syiah Kuala Grave
Is another popular visitor's object. Teungku Syiah Kuala was one of Aceh's great Moslem Ulamas of the past. His grave stands near the mouth of Krueng Aceh River about 2 kilometers from the city, visited by local visitors and other parts of Indonesia and Malaysia.

Indra Patra Fortress
This old fort was built during the time of Iskandar Muda. It probably functioned as a defence against invader's attacks.
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See also Bali, the famoust place in Indonesia

Posted in: , , on Thursday, March 26, 2009 at at 7:41 PM 0 comments  

Aceh

Aceh
Tourism Destinations & Facilities

Chinese chronicles from as early as the sixth century speak of a kingdom called Po‑Li on the northern tip of what is now Sumatera. Arabic writings and Indian inscriptions from around the 9th century also mention this area and its obvious importance. Of all the regions in Indonesia, Aceh, at the northwestern end of Sumatra, is the first to have contact and he‑ influenced by the outside world. Ironically, 1 is still one of the least known regions of Indonesia, even among Indonesians themselves.

Aceh has a fascinating history which over the centuries has shaped and transformed the region into what it is today. In 1292, Marco Polo, on his epic voyage from China visited Sumatra on his way to Persia and reported that ill the northern part of the island there were as many as six busy trading ports including Perlak, Samudera and Lambri. The first Islamic kingdom of Perlak was established in the year 804 about 100 years after Islam is first believed to have reached the archipelago. In 1511, the Portuguese seized the important strategic port of Malacca, pushing many Asian and Arabic traders to call instead on the developing port of Aceh, bringing with them wealth and prosperity. Aceh's dominance in trade and politics in northern parts of Sumatra and in the entire region had begun and would last until it reached its zenith between 1610 and 1640.

Aceh's decline began with the death of Sultan Iskandar Thani in 1641, and as a result the British and Dutch both began vying for domination of the area. Eventually the signing of the London Treaty in 1824 saw the Dutch gain control of all British possessions in Sumatra in return for their surrender of enterprises in India and withdrawal of all claims on Singapore.

The Dutch found gaining control of Aceh to be more difficult than they had anticipated. It was a long drawn out struggle foi the Dutch in their attempts to subdue the rebellious and courageous Acehnese. The Aceh War, which lasted intermittently from 1873 to 1942, was the longest ever fought by the Dutch costing them over 10,000 lives.

Things are different now as industrialization and global communications have made contact with the outside world a daily occurrence and with it has come a more open attitude towards things alien. Visitors should keep in mind, though, that the Acehnese take their religion, their manners and their morals very seriously.
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See also Bali island

Posted in: , on Monday, March 23, 2009 at at 8:33 PM 0 comments  

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