65 Cool and Unusual Things to Do in Indonesia - Atlas Obscura

Unusual Attractions in Indonesia

Kediri, Indonesia

Tanah Lot

Isolated atop this Balinese sea crag is a lovely Hindu temple that is said to be guarded by sea snakes.

Baturiti, Indonesia

Ghost Palace Hotel

An abandoned hotel in the highlands of Bali is shrouded in stories of ghosts, curses, and corruption.

Ubud, Indonesia

Sacred Monkey Forest (Mandala Wisata Wenara Wana)

Hindu temple of the dead home to hundreds of long-tailed macaques.

Abang, Indonesia

Pura Lempuyang Luhur

Bali's remote "gateway to heaven" is one of the most sacred places on the island.

Magelang, Indonesia

Gereja Ayam

This massive chapel in the middle of the Indonesian forest is both haunting and fowl.

East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

Komodo National Park

A sprawling nature preserve harbors the world's only living dragons.

Denpasar Timur, Indonesia

Taman Festival

A haunting theme park is slowly being swallowed by the jungle.

Sukawati, Indonesia

Goa Gajah

The name of this ancient Indonesian temple translates as "Elephant Cave" but it could be more accurately called "The Hellmouth."

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Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Indonesia

Srandakan, Indonesia

Mie Lethek Garuda

In this rare traditional factory, three generations of know-how, several strong cows, and a one-ton mortar come together to make Yogyakarta's famous "ugly noodles."

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Stories About Indonesia

The World's Largest Bee and the Cautionary Tale of Its Rediscovery

Scientists were thrilled to find the Wallace's giant bee, missing for four decades. Things did not go as they'd hoped.

by Oliver Milman

A female orangutan and her three-year-old offspring from Central Kalimantan, Borneo; primatologists found the primates reduced social interaction in the wake of destructive fires.

How Orangutans Changed Their Behavior After Devastating Fires

Primatologists found the disaster's effects lingered years after the smoke cleared from Borneo's forests.

by Bridget Alex

Biruté Mary Galdikas has spent more than half a century studying Borneo's orangutans.

The Anthropologist Who Has Spent 50 Years Protecting—and Learning From—Orangutans

Biruté Mary Galdikas has quietly fought on the frontlines of some of conservation’s biggest battles.

by Gemma Tarlach

Steamed bread in the shape of tigers is displayed at a stall ahead of the Lunar New Year in Yuncheng, Shanxi Province, China. (January 16, 2022)

The Magic Behind the Lunar New Year Is Lots of Hard Work

Colorful scenes from behind-the-scenes.

January 28, 2022

Seen from the International Space Station, twin volcanoes Sundoro (left) and Sumbing on the Indonesian island of Java.

Are Twin Volcanoes Double the Trouble?

They come in pairs more often than you might think, but generally aren’t twice as dangerous as the solo acts.

by Gemma Tarlach

December 8, 2021

Many animals ensnared in trash don't have long to live, but this one appears to have adapted.

How Could a Crocodile Spend Years Cinched By a Tire?

One in Indonesia has been carrying a rubber ring since at least 2016. Here’s how the litter might be affecting the animal’s life.

by Jessica Leigh Hester

February 9, 2022

A Northern Common Cuscus in Indonesia's Gunung Mutis Nature Reserve.

The Cute Critter Rewriting Our Understanding of Prehistory

Before cows and chickens, cuscuses may have been the original livestock.

by Manvir Singh

October 23, 2020

The gentle, almost soothing aftermath of Krakatoa over the Atlantic Ocean.

See the Soft Aquarelle Watercolors That Resulted From Krakatoa’s Big Bang

A set of paintings show the calm, lingering aftermath of a world-shaking event.

by Isaac Schultz

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