5 Indonesia's Hidden Gems to Visit on the Weekend: Carsome Recommendation

TheIndonesia.co - In this new year, perhaps you have made exciting vacation plans with your family. Vacation locations tend to be quieter so it feels safer to visit.

For you that doesn't have a plan, traveling to a hidden gem where you can spend the weekend, would be a great idea. You can even ride public transportation to reach the location. Traveling by private car is, of course, safer, because you can choose who you will travel with – family or friends.

Here Carsome presents you with a list of recommendations of places you might want to spend a weekend. What are the places? Check out the list below:

Gunung Anyar Mangrove, Surabaya
There are many mangroves near the coast of Surabaya, East Java. One of them is Gunung Anyar Mangrove which has been equipped with facilities for walking, making this hidden gem a good location for education and tourism at the same time. This place is also perfect for jogging or doing exercise. There is a jogging track surrounded by trees so you can feel cooler in the city that is infamous for its hot weather.

Balinese Village, Bekasi
In Harapan Jaya sub-district, North Bekasi, 20 kilometers to the east of Jakarta, there is a community of Balinese families who have lived in the area since the 1980s. This area is decorated with traditional Balinese ornaments complementing the Balinese architectural houses which in the end creates a Bali ambiance. You can walk around this kampong and talk to the locals, it's like experiencing Bali without having to go to Bali.

Gamplong Nature Studio, Yogyakarta
There are many locations in Yogyakarta besides the beach and Malioboro street. One of them is Gamplong Studio Alam, a studio where you can experience the 20th century Batavia. Check out the location designs that have been used for films such as “Sultan Agung: The Untold Story”. The studio had become the setting for several box office movies such as Sultan Agung and Bumi Manusia, both directed by Hanung Bramantyo.

Gedong Songo Temple, Semarang
If you love ancient architecture, not far from the city of Semarang, lies the Gedong Songo Temple, a collection of Hindu temples built in the 9th century. Don't forget to take lots of photos to post on Instagram because you will feel like you are going back in time. The Hindu temple complex was built by the Syailendra dynasty, located about 1,200 meters above sea level.

Srengseng City Forest, Jakarta
This is a garbage dump that has been turned into a green area. You can find more than 4,500 plants in this 15-hectare forest. This hidden gem provides a beautiful view, where you can also fish, picnic, and even wall-climbing here.