Pangalengan Bandung Tourism, Enjoying The Cool Air At The Tea Plantation And Bosscha Observatory

Bandung canning illustration (Unsplash / Hanandito Adi)

JAKARTA - Of course, what comes to Bandung is the cool air with a green view. It is not wrong to direct the vehicle to a tourist destination in Pangalengan, Bandung. What's interesting about an area that is 45 kilometers from Bandung?

You need to steer south and follow the road signs towards Pangalengan. With a distance of less than an hour, your destination point arrived. Here there are two tourist attractions that are always memorable.

First, a tea plantation that is green like a rug and secondly, the binoculars where Sherina and Sadam enjoy the twinkling of space objects in the film Sherina's Adventures.

Pangalengan Tea Plantation

A tea plantation of 2,022 hectares in Pangalengan was started in 1890 by Kerkhoven. Shortly thereafter, in 1896, this plantation was developing. Its development was supported by Kerkhoven's brother, Karel Albert Rudolf Bosscha.

Of course our memories do not escape from his last name, Bosscha. These two figures contribute to developing beautiful destinations in Bandung. Karel, a 22 year old farmer who is nicknamed the Raja of Pariangan Tea by local people.

Because his role is quite large in developing the tea garden, it is not surprising that in the end he assumed the position of administrator of the Bandung Tea Plantation.

Pangalengan is located at an altitude of 1,000 - 1,400 meters above sea level (masl). From its altitude, low temperature pressure might make you catch a cold if you don't wear warm clothes.

This plantation is located in Pangalengan District, known as the Malabar Tea Plantation. Not only the Malabar Tea Plantation, the area of green land where tea trees are grown also belongs to Kertamanah, Pasir Malang, Purbasari, Santosa, Talun, and Sedep.

On one hill stands a house where Karel Albert Rudolf Bosscha lives. If you stop here, you can clearly see the extent of the green plain. The hills stand out so they look like natural decorative accessories that are refreshing to the eye.

Bosscha Observatory

Through the rapid development of tea plantations, Raja Teh Priangan donated part of his wealth to several foundations.

This includes being the main fund supporter in building Technische Hogeschool Bandung (ITB), Societeit Concordia (Gedung Merdeka), and Bosscha Star Observatory.

Before evening, you can stop by the meneer's house first. The house is still organized and well cared for. Starting from antique furniture to typical Dutch building shapes, it can be a spot to take interesting pictures.

During the pandemic, based on updates from IDN Tourism, the Bosscha Star Observatory can be visited. However, reservations are needed and with certain schedules.

Interested in following the tracking path on the edge of the tea garden and then stopping at the stargazing observatory while wondering where Venus and Mercury are? Don't forget to follow health protocols and always take care of your health.