The First-Timer’s Travel Guide to Bandung, Indonesia (2019)

People call Bandung the “Paris of Java”. It was a nickname given to Bandung in the early 20th century, back when the city was a resort destination for wealthy Dutch colonialists. The connection isn’t as obvious today, but take a stroll along Jalan Braga and the reasons for the metaphor become more apparent.

All along this charming street are preserved Art Deco buildings that harken back to the city’s colonial past. On either side were plenty of European-style cafes, restaurants, and boutiques. It gave the city a continental look and feel that earned it its Paris of Java nickname, a name that’s still in use to this day.

Bandung’s colonial days may be behind it, but one thing has persevered. It’s still the beloved resort destination it once was, attracting hundreds of thousands of…