About Bandung

History

Although the oldest written reference to the city dates back to 1488, there were numerous archaeological finds of  ustralopithecus (Java Man) that lived on the banks of Cikapundung river and the shores of Bandung’s Great Lake. In the 17th-18th century, the Dutch East Indies Company (VOC) created small plantations in Bandung, with a road to Batavia (today’s Jakarta) completed in   786. In 1809, Louis Bonaparte, the ruler of the Netherlands and its colonies, ordered the Dutch Indies Governor H.W. Daendels to improve Java’s defences against the threat of the British, who occupied the nearby Malay peninsula. Daendels responded by building the Great Post Road (De Groote Postweg) that stretched about 1000km between the west and the east coasts of Java. Because the north coast had impassable swamps and marshes at the time, the road was diverted through Bandung along what is now Jalan Asia-Afrika.

Daendels liked Bandung’s strategic location so much that he ordered the capital to be moved there. Military barracks were built and Bupati Wiranatakusumah II, the chief administrator of that area, built his dalem (palace), Masjid Agung (the grand mosque) and pendopo (meeting place) in the classical Javan alun-alun (city square) near a pair of holy city wells (Sumur Bandung) and facing the mystical mountain of Tangkuban Perahu.

Powered by its cinchona (for malaria drug quinine), tea, and coffee plantations, Bandung prospered and developed into an exclusive European style resort with hotels, cafes, and shops. Many of Bandung landmarks, including the Preanger and Savoy Homann hotels, as well as the shopping street of Jalan Braga, are still available today. The Concordia Society building, now Gedung Merdeka, was built with a large ball room as a club for rich Europeans to spend their weekends.
Pasopati bridge flyover, a new landmark of Bandung.

In 1880, the first major railroad between Jakarta to Bandung opened, boosting small industries and bringing in Chinese workers. The first of Bandung universities, the Technische Hogeschool (TH) was established on July 3rd, 1920. One of the its alumni members is President Soekarno himself. That university is now known as the Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB).

In 1942, after Japanese soldiers landed in coastal areas of Java, the Dutch retreated from Jakarta to Bandung, but were driven out from there as well and surrendered soon after. After the end of the war, first the British and later the Dutch came back trying to reestablish the pre-war colonial situation, but on 24 March 1946, during the struggle for Indonesian independence, the city of Bandung was burned down by retreating forces of the TRI, because they would not comply with the order given by the British forces to move out of Bandung to the south (Bandung Sea of Fire/Bandung Lautan Api). For the TRI this act was a sign of refusal to surrender. Over 200,000 people fled the city during the incident.

In 1955, the Asia Africa Conference (Konferensi Asia Afrika) was held in Bandung, paving the way for the creation of the Non-Aligned Movement in 1961. The Indonesian parliament was located in Bandung from 1955 to 1966, but was moved back to Jakarta in 1966.

Districts

Western Bandung

Mainly industrial and developing residential area. Hussein Sastranegara International Airport is here and also the Aircraft industry. This region is connected to the west with Cimahi and Padalarang where you can find more industries, and also the Kota Baru Parahyangan (residential area).

Northern Bandung

Mainly contains the up and coming residential area in the north part of Bandung. The air is considerably cooler here so it is preferable for residential area. Still need some progress for well managed residential area but in some enclave it already has upscale residential area. Residential area developing to higher area with fresh and cool air like sariwangi, gerlong, and ciwaruga. This region also contains many universities. Contains malls like Paris Van Java malls and Bandung Trade Center. Jalan Setiabudi in the north also has a row of Factory Outlets and in process of gentrification. Further north from this region are more residential suburb that seeks Bandung’s fresher air. In the north part of this area you will find many beautiful recreation place like dusun bambu, villa istana bunga, lembang, maribaya waterfall, the peak, kafe bunga, curug tilu waterfall, ciwangun indah camp, curug pelangi waterfall. Plenty cafe and restaurant with mountaneous tropical rain forest view here..

Cipaganti and Cihampelas Areal

 
Two long strips that contains upscale residential area (on Jalan Cipaganti) and Bandung’s jeans center (on Jalan Cihampelas). Stride on small streets between those two main street and you will find more relaxed residential area with some nice cafes dotting the area. Cihampelas Walk Mall (open concept) is in this area. Travel service from Jakarta mostly have terminal in this area.

Dago Area

 

In the colonial era, this is the favorite residential area for rich people. Currently you can find row of factory outlets, restaurants, and hotel along Jalan Dago (Jalan Ir. H. Juanda). Together with Riau/Gedung Sate Area, this part of the city is undergoing a tremendous change in the process of gentrification. You can find the Bandung Institute of Technology and Bandung Zoo here. The area is nice to explore, possible on foot but preferable by car.

Bandung East

Contains middle class residential area in the vast area further to the east of Bandung. Contains the Saung Angklung Mang Udjo.

Gedung Sate

Part of the historical colonial government complex which is very planned and nice to explore on foot. Together with Dago area, this part of the city is undergoing tremendous change in the process of gentrification. You can find many restaurants and factory outlets in this area. A lot of trees shading the road making this area a perfect location for cafes. Be sure to stop by Gedung Sate as the architectural heritage in Bandung.

Upper Central Area

This is the new important business area in Bandung. Contains Bandung’s railway station, Paskal Hypersquare, and Istana Plaza Mall.

City Hall Area

Also part of the historical colonial government complex similar like Riau/Gedung Sate Area. But this area has more building that still functional as government / military building. Broad road and big government complexes mark the area. Contains Bandung’s city hall, the central bank office, Bandung’s cathedral, and many more historical building. Together with Riau and Dago Area, a lot of architectural sights here. The famous Braga street is here.

Kota Area

This is a very busy business and China town area. Contains Pasar Baru Trade Center with its grand bazaar style. On weekdays continually suffering from traffic jam

Bandung South

A vast area that is dense with residential, business, and industrial area. Majority are not a tourist area except some dots like the shoes production center in Cibaduyut. Contains a lot of textile and garment industry that is the main industry in Bandung area.

Source : http://wikitravel.org/en/Bandung