All over the world, there are many places or areas which are designated by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites. In Indonesia, you might ever hear about some places, such as one of prehistoric sites in Indonesia, Borobudur Temple, and Ujung Kulon National Park.
Both are some of the popular world heritage sites in Indonesia. But, do you know that Indonesia still has a lot of world heritage sites? These are 7 world heritage sites in Indonesia you might never know before.
- Subak Bali Cultural Landscape
Subak Bali Cultural Landscape has been world heritage site since 2012. Located in Bali, this site consists of terraces and water temples. The function of Subak Bali Cultural Landscape is to manage water system in the area covered by this site, as the meaning of subak itself.
The interesting part of this site is the concept of Tri Hita Karana that is so philosophical, it reflects togetherness of the realms of the spirit, human world, and also the nature.
One of the reasons why Subak Bali Cultural Landscape is designated as world heritage site is because of its authenticity. Its landscape until its structures of water management are all originally authentic.
- Sangiran Early Man Site
You may be familiar about the history of Indonesian early man, Homo Erectus, found in Sangiran. There is also a place to know more about it, that is Sangiran Early Man Site. This site was declared as world heritage site since 1996. To reach this site, it is about 15 kilometres to the north if you are from Solo, Central Java.
Sangiran Early Man Site is an important place to understand the evolution of human being in Indonesia. That is one of the reasons this site is being world heritage site.
Not only physical evolution, you can also learn about the cultural evolution of human in this site. This is a good place for all generations to enrich their knowledge on how is the change of human in each stage.
- Lorentz National Park
If you are in Papua and thinking about things to do in easternmost of Indonesia, you can choose to visit one of national parks in Indonesia, Lorentz National Park. This site has been world heritage site since 1999. In Southeast Asia, Lorentz National Park is the largest protected area which covers about 2 million more hectars.
Lorentz National Park consists of the biodiversity around the region. Furthermore, you can also find fossil sites here. This is another site to learn about human evolution beside Sangiran Early Man Site.
The special thing in this site is, Lorentz National Park is one of three tropical regions all over the world that have glaciers. Don’t you feel more eager to visit this site?
- Sembilang National Park
Planning about things to do in South Sumatra, visiting Sembilang National Park can be a good choice! This site is one of world heritage sites in Indonesia, declared in 2004. It is spesifically located in Musi Banyuasin Regency, South Sumatra.
Similar with Lorentz National Park, Sembilang National Park also covers a lot of biodiversity in the region. It is also the habitat for some rare species. You can find many species of flora and fauna, such as palm, bird, reptile, etc.
If you are seeking for calmness, you can enjoy the green forest or see the clear and fresh water of the swamp here.
- Gunung Leuser National Park
Still in Sumatra Island, you can find another national park, that is Gunung Leuser National Park. This national park, which is designated as world heritage site since 2004, covers the areas of two provinces, Aceh and North Sumatra.
This is the best choice for you to see local endemic species, because there are at least 92 local endemic species identified here. In this site, you can see the largest flower in the world, Rafflesia arnoldii.
Gunung Leuser National Park also covers a plenty of biodiversity. This site takes a big part to maintain ecosystem in Sumatra, Indonesia, and the world.
- Kerinci Seblat National Park
Sumatra Island consists of many national parks. There is another and bigger national park, that is Kerinci Seblat National Park. Declared as world heritage site in Indonesia since 2005, this national park covers the area along 4 provinces. Those are West Sumatra, South Sumatra, Jambi, and Bengkulu. The area is more than 14.000 hectares.
Kerinci Seblat National Park, or also being know as Taman Nasional Kerinci Seblat (TNKS), has a lot of biodiversity inside. There are also many things you can find in Kerinci Seblat National Park.
If you like hiking, you can go to Mount Kerinci. There are some beautiful lakes if you want to enjoy clear water, such as Lake Kaco. You can also find some unique animals, such as wild duck, if you visit Bento Swamp in the area of TNKS.
- Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park
One more world heritage site you should know is Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park. It has been world heritage site since 2002. It is also located in Sumatra island. Most area of this park are under control of Lampung Barat District and Tanggamus District government. There are many interesting things to do in Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park.
People often call this site as BBSNP. This site contains some last protected forests in Sumatra. BBSNP also covers a lot of biodiversity. It is the home of some most endangered species in the world, Sumatran elephant, Sumatran rhino, and Sumatran tiger.
Especially in the function of preserving Sumatran rhino, BBSNP got highlighted by WWF for being conservation area of Sumatran rhino. As BBSNP being declared to be world heritage site in 2002, in the same year this site was also selected to be nominee as World Heritage Cluster Mountainous Area together with two other national park, Gunung Leuser National Park and Kerinci Seblat National Park.
After knowing those 7 world heritage sites in Indonesia, you might feel more proud to be Indonesian. So, which site are you planning to visit soon?