Aceh , Past and Present
Aceh , Past and Present. It’s difficult for me to write about aceh history becaused I have a lot of friend from aceh . Most of them says about a bad thing happen in aceh when suharto becoming indonesia’s president. Most of them told me about how people in aceh gave their money to bought airplane for president sukarno.
Aceh is a special territory of Indonesia , this position is the same with Jakarta and Yogyakarta. Aceh was located on the northern tip of the island of Sumatra. Aceh’s full name is Nanggröe Aceh Darussalam.
Banda Aceh is the provincial capital and largest city of Aceh. Banda Aceh is a city which was established on April 22, 1205 by Sultan Alaidin Johansyah, is one of the oldest Islamic city in the South-East of Asia. The population was approximately around 500,000 peoples in 2007. The prior city name was Kutaraja, determined as the provincial capital in 1956. Later its name was changed into Banda Aceh, where the first part of its name comes from the Persian bandar and means “port” or “haven”. It is also proudly referred to as the “port to Meccah”, as Islam first arrived in Aceh and spread throughout Southeast Asia.
In the early seventeenth century the Sultanate of Aceh was the most wealthy, powerful and cultivated state in the Malacca Straits region. Aceh has a history of political independence and fierce resistance to control by outsiders, including the former Dutch colonists and the Indonesian government. Aceh has substantial natural resources, including oil and gas - some estimates put Aceh gas reserves as being the largest in the world. Relative to most of Indonesia, it is a religiously conservative area.
Until December 26, 2004, Banda Aceh was a relatively a little known town. On that day the Indian Ocean earthquake struck off the western coast of Sumatra. Banda Aceh was the closest major city to the earthquake’s epicenter, and suffered further damage when a tsunami struck shortly afterwards. It was the worst hit area out of all the locations hit. 130,000 people died and many more were injured.
3 and a half Years after tsunami , a small number of people are still living in barrack-style temporary living centers (TLC) or tents. Reconstruction is visible everywhere, that a great thing for aceh people.
Nice to See in Aceh
Still a little people knows that Aceh is rich of events, attraction and unique cultures that it can be fascinate anyone. Aceh is also rich in natural beauty, waves and sea garden which is suitable for diving. Some of most beautiful Aceh tourism and historical sites and beaches have been damaged by the massive earthquake and Dec ‘04 Tsunami but peoples there take care of their beautifull places.
Below are the list of interesting places in Aceh
1. Museum Negeri The museum is filled with antiques. Among the exhibits is a big clock, a gift from the Emperor of China and brought to Aceh by the famed Admiral Cheng Ho in 1414. Museum Aceh There is a museum in Banda Aceh located near the Governor’s residence. The main building of the Museum is a house built in a traditional style by the Dutch Governor Van Swart in 1914. The museum is filled with antiques, and among the exhibits a big bell Cakra Donya a gift from the Emperor of China conveyed by Admiral Cheng Ho in 1414. On the bell can be found a Chinese script, Sing Fang Niat Toeng Juut Kat, no one knows what it really means.
2. 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.
3. Kerkhof or Churchyard is a much visited site especially by Dutch visitors where the remains of more then 2,000 Dutch soldiers lie buried
4. Cut Nyak Dhien HouseThe house is a replica of the heroine Cut Nyak Dhien House, from the Aceh War. The house was burnt down by the colonial forces but a replica was built later. This house in Lam Pisang, about 6 kilometers from Banda Aceh, is now a museum.
5. Indra Patra FortressThis old fort was built during the time of Iskandar Muda. It probably functioned as a defense against invaders. (Damaged because of Tsunami)
6. Around Lhokseumawe Lhokseumawe is a town located 274 km from Banda Aceh which is now being developed as an industrial zone. Many gigantic plants are constructed following the discovery of huge LNG resources in the area. Touristic features of the town is a.o. Samudera Pasai. It was the first great Islamic kingdom of Indonesia. All that remains of it, however, is a graveyard 18 km east of the town. One of the graves belongs to Malikussaleh, as Samudera Pasai’s first king. Other objects for visitors are Blang Kolam Falls and Ujung Blang beach
7.TakengonTakengon is a town located in the central area of Aceh. It is being promoted as a tourist resort since its temperature is about 2O degree C (68F), cool enough for a holiday resort. The main feature of the town is Lake Laut Tawar. It offers soaring cliffs around the shore which are ideal for rock hiking. The lake is also stocked with trout. It is a pleasantly cool holiday resort, at an altitude of 1,200 meters above sea level. Central Aceh is one of Sumatra’s foremost producers of high quality coffee. A warm water pool at Simpang Balik, Loyang Koro and Loyang Pukes caves by the side of Laut Tawar are also interesting objects.
8.The Leuser National Park of Gunung Leuser is probably the wildest in Indonesia, located in Southeast Aceh, can be reached from either Kutacane, or Takengon. This magnificent national park has a wealth of flora and fauna. The park also has research facilities for the study of primates, birds, insects, and other animals. Basic accommodation facilities are available at Ketambe. The rapids-infested Krueng Alas river inside the park is popular with rafters.
9. The Great of Baiturrahman Mosque is the main feature of Banda Aceh today. Lying at the heart of the city completed with excellent architectural style, this mosque is really one of Indonesia prime tourism sides. The Mosque was built around the 12 Century and had caught fire several time including when the Dutch attacked Kutaraja (Banda Aceh) in 1873. Another mosque to replace the former one was later built by Dutch Military Government that was completed in 1883. The Mosque is extra ordinary in architecture and ornamentation. It has five onion shaped domes, two tall minerattes, wide white walls, and around is pillars various kinds of beautiful ornament.
10. War Memorial of Kerkoff Peucut Kerkoff is the burial place of the Dutch soldiers who died in the Acehnese War. About 2,200 soldiers were buried in this graveyard including the General Kohler. Their names, where and when they died can seen at the gateway to the Kerkoff.
11. GunonganGunongan is a man made miniature mountain built by Sultan Iskandar Muda 1608-1638 for his wife Putro Phang (From Malaysia). This building likely functioned as an important recreational peace located in the Taman Sari Park for the Queen and other royal family members to climb.It is quite enjoyable to visit this place during the late afternoon or sunset.
12.The Monument RI.001 SeulawahThe Monument was erected to commemorate the heroic donation of the Acehnese to the central Government of the Republic of Indonesia became independent in 1945, the Dutch intended to reoccupy the country. In the ensuring struggle in 1949, the Republic of Indonesia was badly in need of an airplane to open the blockade of the enemy as much area had been already fallen into their hands. Mr. Soekarno, the president of the Indonesia at that time. Urgently requested that people of Aceh to donate the money for an airplane. A Douglas DC-3 was bought shortly afterwards, and paid for with Acehnese Gold. This very early plane was the precursor of the Garuda Indonesia fleet, which nowadays is the biggest airline in Indonesia.
13. Alas RiverThe Alas River, 165 km southeast from Takengon, cuts through the Gunung Leuser National Park. This area is especially popular among the young and adventurous. The sharp bends and many rapids are challenging to white-water rafters.
14. Lake Laut TawarLocated near Takengon, in the highlands of Cental Aceh, is very scenic. It has soaring cliffs around the shore which are ideal for rock climbing. The lake is also stocked with trout. There are warm water pools at Simpang Balik. Many caves dot the lake’s surroundings, Loyang Koro and Loyang Pukes caves by the side of Lake Laut Tawar are interesting to explore. Motorboats can be hired for fishing and sightseeing.
15.Syiah Kuala GraveSyiah Kuala grave is another pride of Banda Aceh, which is located about 3 km to the east. Syiah Kuala was one of Aceh’s great Moslem Ulama of the past. He had spent more than 15 years in Mecca for religious learning before he dedicated most of his life to science and society. He had written many books on Islam, social studies, and science. He also had a lot of student coming from Malaysia, West Sumatra and Java. (mostly destroyed because of Tsunami)
Travel Tips
1. The dry season in Aceh usually lasts from the months March through August. The rainy season starts in September to last until February.
2. The average annual temperatures ranging from 25 to 30° Celsius. In the highlands, the average temperature is 20 Celsius Degree.
3. Daily flights between Jakarta and Banda Aceh are maintained by Garuda Indonesia and Lion Air, via Medan. Aceh can also easily be reached by air from Singapore via Medan and ferry boat from Penang, Malaysia
4. If you buy or rent something please negotiate
5. For details List of Hotel in Banda aceh , kindly please clik the link below :
http://www.info4indonesia.com/list-of-hotel-in-indonesia choosed Banda aceh in alpabhet.
6. For safety holiday Please protect your self with Insurance program.
7. Some Emergency case please dial 0651 108 ( Telkom Information Center ) , you can ask the telp number ( like hotels , police or embassy there )
8.Have a Nice and Safety trip
Tags: aceh, Aceh's map, banda aceh, history of aceh, map of aceh
