Henry Watson: "Anyer Beach is such a disappointment. Huge stinking chemical plants have been built in the vicinity of the tourist beach. Apart from being soooo ugly, it's a great terrorist threat. Just one granade attack an square kilometers of plants will explode, with many dead tourists."

The enchanting land of Sunda stretches from the Sunda Strait in the west to the borders of Central Java in the east. The region is primarily mountainous, with rich green valleys hugging lofty volcanic peaks, many of which surround the capital of the province, Bandung. The history of West Java is a story of trade, spices, and the rise and fall of powerful kingdoms. In the late 1500's the region was ruled from mighty Cirebon, which still survives as a sultanate today, although a shadow of its former glory. Banten, once a powerful maritime capital rivaling the Javanese Mataram Empire, is today a fishing village with an illustrious past. West Java was of the first contact points in Indonesia for Indian traders and their cultural influences, and it was here that the Dutch and British first set foot in the archipelago.

West Java surrounds the nations capital of Jakarta on three sides, anti good roads provide links to most of the province, passing through rugged mountains, iridescent paddy fields and along pastoral stretches of palm- fringed coastline.

There are a number of popular resorts on the western and southern coasts with modern hotels and extensive facilities, favorite weekend gateway for people living in Jakarta.

West Java provides visitors with an extensive array of fascinating things to see and do. Venture to the brink of the awesome power of Krakatau or explore the pristine wildlife reserve of Ujung Kulon on the south-western tip of, Java. Take refuge in the Pulau Dua Bird sanctuary off the coast of Banten or visit the mysterious Baduy peoples.

More on West Java:

Marubaya
Jatiluhur Dam
Bogor
Zoological Museum
Batu-Tulis Ciaruteun (Stone Inscription)
Cibodas Botanic Garden
Taman Safari Indonesia
Pelabuhan Ratu Beach
Krakatoa Volcano
Duo Island (Pukzu Duo)
Garut
Kampung Naga
Cirebon
Pangandaran, Karang Nini and Batu Hiu