Bengkulu, Indonesia

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Bengkulu, Indonesia

Region: Bengkulu


Geographic Coordinates: -3.795600, 102.259000
Temperature Range: 22.0°C to 32.0°C (72°F to 90°F)
Climate: Tropical climate with wet and dry seasons.
Population: 360495
Language: Indonesian

Bengkulu is a city located on the western coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. It is the capital of Bengkulu Province and has a population of approximately 350, 000 people. The city was founded in the 17th century by the British East India Company and was known as Bencoolen at that time. Today, It is a bustling port city with a rich history and culture. One of the most popular attractions in Bengkulu is Fort Marlborough. This historical fort was built by the British in 1713 and played an important role in trade between Asia and Europe during colonial times.

Visitors can explore its walls, Towers, Barracks, And underground tunnels while learning about its history. Another must-see attraction is Pantai Panjang Beach which stretches for over seven kilometers along Bengkulu’s coastline. The beach offers stunning views of the Indian Ocean and visitors can enjoy swimming, Surfing or simply relaxing on its white sand beaches. For those interested in culture, There are several museums worth visiting including Museum Negeri Bengkulu which houses artifacts from local tribes such as Rejang and Serawai as well as displays on colonial-era trade relations with Europe.

Bengkulu also boasts several natural wonders such as Bukit Kaba volcano which stands at over 1, 950 meters tall making it one of Sumatra’s highest peaks. Visitors can hike to its summit for breathtaking views or take a dip in nearby hot springs. The province surrounding Bengkulu City also offers unique experiences such as trekking through Kerinci Seblat National Park where visitors can spot rare wildlife including Sumatran tigers and elephants or exploring Lubuk Linggau Waterfall which cascades down steep cliffs into crystal-clear pools below.

food lovers will be pleased to know that Bengkulu has some delicious local dishes including Pempek (fish cakes), Sate Padang (beef skewers) and Rendang (spicy beef curry). Visitors can also try traditional desserts such as Kue Lapis Bengkulu, A layered cake made from rice flour and coconut milk. Bengkulu is a city rich in history, Culture, Natural beauty and delicious cuisine. It offers something for everyone whether you’re interested in exploring historical sites or trekking through the wilderness. With its friendly locals and laid-back atmosphere, It’s no wonder that Bengkulu has become an increasingly popular destination for tourists visiting Indonesia.



Primary Industries

  1. Agriculture (especially rubber and palm oil plantations)
  2. Fishing
  3. Forestry
  4. Mining (coal and gold)
  5. Tourism
  6. Education (with several universities and colleges)
  7. Healthcare services
  8. Transportation
  9. Retail trade
  10. Growing creative industry sector with various art galleries, handicraft shops, music studios, and cultural events
  11. Government promotion of the development of renewable energy sources such as solar power to support sustainable economic growth in the region

Noteable History

  1. The arrival of the British East India Company in 1685, which established a trading post in Bengkulu.
  2. The exile of Prince Diponegoro, a Javanese prince who led a rebellion against Dutch colonial rule in Java, to Bengkulu from 1830 to 1855.
  3. The birthplace of Thomas Stamford Raffles, a British statesman who served as the Lieutenant-Governor of Java during the early 19th century and played a key role in founding Singapore.
  4. The establishment of Fort Marlborough by the British East India Company in 1714, which served as an important trading post and military base for over two centuries.
  5. The arrival of Chinese immigrants to Bengkulu during the late 19th century, who played an important role in shaping the city’s economy and culture.
  6. The birthplace of Muhammad Yamin, an Indonesian nationalist leader who played a key role in drafting Indonesia’s declaration of independence.
  7. The Japanese occupation during World War II from 1942 to 1945 had significant impacts on Bengkulu’s economy and society.
  8. Several universities and educational institutions were established in Bengkulu during the post-independence period including Universitas Bengkulu and Institut Agama Islam Negeri (IAIN) Imam Bonjol.

Museums and Things To See

  1. Fort Marlborough: a historical fort constructed by the British during the 18th century.
  2. Thomas Parr Monument: a statue that commemorates the first British resident of Bengkulu.
  3. Museum Rumah Cut Nyak Dien: a museum dedicated to Cut Nyak Dien, an Indonesian national hero, and her life and struggle.
  4. Pantai Panjang Beach: a renowned beach with white sand and crystal-clear water.
  5. Soekarno’s House Museum: A museum showcasing the childhood home of Indonesia’s first president, Soekarno.
  6. Benteng Danau Dendam Tak Sudah: An ancient fortress that overlooks Lake Dendam Tak Sudah.
  7. Bengkulu Botanical Garden – A beautiful garden with various species of plants and trees from all over Indonesia
  8. Masjid Jamik Bengkulu – An old mosque built-in 1820 that showcases traditional Islamic architecture
  9. Bukit Kaba Geopark – A geopark featuring geological formations such as Mount Kaba, hot springs, and waterfalls
  10. Taman Hutan Raya Bung Hatta – A park featuring hiking trails through lush forested areas with scenic views


Sports Teams

Sports History of Bengkulu Province

  1. Football is the most popular sport in Bengkulu.
  2. Notable football teams from Bengkulu include:
    • PSBL (Persatuan Sepak Bola Bengkulu)
    • Persihal Halbar
    • Persikaba Kabupaten Bengkulu Utara
  3. PSBL is one of the oldest football clubs in Bengkulu founded in 1970.
  4. Persihal Halbar was established in 2004 and has won several championships over the years.
  5. KONI Kabupaten Rejang Lebong was founded on March 28th, 1996 by Drs Hj M Yamin SH MM as chairman with Mr Syafruddin SE as secretary general and Mr Aminudin ST as treasurer which later became Persikaba Kabupaten Bengkulu Utara.
  6. Other popular sports in Bengkulu include basketball, volleyball, and badminton.
  7. However, there are no notable professional teams in these sports at national levels yet.


Cultural Events

  1. Tabot Festival is a religious festival that commemorates the death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad.
  2. Pariaman Festival is a cultural festival that celebrates the diversity of Bengkulu’s ethnic groups with traditional music, dance, and food.
  3. Rejang Lebong Festival showcases the unique Rejang culture through traditional dances and music performances.
  4. Seluma Cultural Week highlights the cultural heritage of Seluma district through various activities such as art exhibitions, culinary events, and traditional performances.
  5. Bengkulu International Kites Festival is an annual event where kite enthusiasts from around the world gather to showcase their skills and compete in various categories.
  6. Tenggulun Festival is a traditional ceremony held by the Pekon community to honor their ancestors through offerings and rituals.
  7. Serawai Cultural Parade features colorful costumes and traditional dances from various ethnic groups in Serawai district.
  8. Padang Guci Festival celebrates Padang Guci’s famous pottery industry with exhibitions, competitions, and workshops for visitors to learn about pottery-making techniques during this annual event.
  9. Bencoolen Expo is a trade fair showcasing products from across Indonesia including textiles, handicrafts etc along with entertainment programs like music concerts etc., making it an exciting event for both locals and tourists alike!

Cuisine

  1. Pempek Palembang: a type of fish cake that is a popular snack in Bengkulu. Some popular places to try it include Pempek Kapal Selam and Pempek Candy.
  2. Sate Padang: grilled beef or chicken skewers served with spicy peanut sauce. A popular place to try it is Sate Padang Pak Datuk.
  3. Nasi Goreng: fried rice with various toppings such as chicken, shrimp, and vegetables. Some recommended places to try it include Nasi Goreng Bang Haji and Warung Bu Fatimah.
  4. Mie Celor: a type of noodle soup made with coconut milk and shrimp broth. A popular place to try it is Mie Celor 88.
  5. Bakso Bengkulu: meatball soup that is typically served with noodles and vegetables. Some recommended places to try it include Bakso Rudi and Bakso Pak Dodi.
  6. Rumah Makan Sari Lautan Mas: a seafood restaurant that offers fresh fish, crab, prawns, squid, clams, and other seafood dishes.
  7. Warung Tegal Mbak Yati: serves traditional Indonesian dishes such as nasi campur (mixed rice), soto ayam (chicken soup), gado-gado (vegetable salad), at an affordable price.
  8. La Cucina Italiana: an Italian restaurant serving delicious pizzas, pasta’s along with wine selection.

Parks and Recreation

  1. Pantai Panjang Beach
  2. Taman Krida Budaya Bengkulu
  3. Fort Marlborough
  4. Bukit Kaba Geopark
  5. Pulau Tikus Beach
  6. Benteng Marlborough Museum
  7. Tapak Paderi Beach
  8. Curup Tenang Waterfall
  9. Lubuk Linggau Beach
  10. Taman Hewan Tamansari

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