The province of South Sulawesi comprises the narrow south-western peninsula of this orchid-shaped island which is mainly mountainous. The seafaring Bugis dominate the southern tip, whereas the northern part of South Sulawesi is inhabited by the Torajas whose unique culture rivals that of the Balinese. The capital city of South Sulawesi is Ujung Pandang was formerly Makassar. Ujung pandang nowdays as the gateway to eastern Indonesia, due to its chief trading port. Beside international trading port, there is traditional Bugis vessels have sailed to as far as the Australian coast. The southern part of Ujung Pandang now developed for water sports activities and further north through rugged country is famous Toraja Land (Tana Toraja) as the land of the heavenly kings. The Torajas have a unique culture based on animistic beliefs. Toraja land well known for its grand burial ceremonies on cliffs or hanging graves, they practice an ancestral cult even today wheredeath and afterlife ceremonies are great feasts when buffaloes are sacrificed in the final death ceremony, after which the declarer's remains are placed in a coffin and interred in caves hollowed out in high cliffs. The mount of the cave is guarded by lifelike statues, looking out from a balcony. When long drive from Ujung Pandang to Toraja Land the mountains offer a fantastic panorama of natural beauty. South Sulawesi is also known is for its silk industry and silverwork whereas its economy is based on agriculture. Ujung Pandang is easily accessible by air. There are several daily flights from Jakarta, Bali, Surabaya and Manado.
Places of interest :
Fort Rotterdam (Benteng Ujung Pandang) facing the sea front as the Landmark of Ujung Pandang built in 1545 during the reign of Tuni Pallanga, the 10 Sultan of Gowa.
Poetere Anchorag, located on the outskirts of Ujung Pandang, poetere is where sailing boats and other small vessels anchor to unload their cargo.
Samalona island, just across the harbor of Ujung Pandang which has been developed into a pleasant recreational resort. It can be reached by boat within 45 minutes and has simple accommodation.
Sungguminasa, about 11 kms from Ujung Pandang formerly the seat of the king of Gowa.
Tomb of Sultan Hasanuddin. Sultan Hasanuddin (1629-1690) was famous for his exceptional bravery in his straggled against Colonial encroachment in South Sulawesi. His tomb and those of other king of Gowa are located in a secluded cemetry not far from Sungguminasa, 8km from Ujung Pandang.
Malino, located 70 km from Ujung Pandang offers a haven from city life.
Bulukumba, where you will find white sandy beaches at Bira, 178 km from Ujung Pandang to the south. Traditional ship building is also located at this place, not far from here the visitors can cross to the island of Selayar.
Goa Mampu, the largest cave in South Sulawesi, the legendary cave of Mampu is about 140 km from Ujung Pandang.
Bantimurung, located to the noth of Ujung Pandang, Bantimurung about 41 km from Ujung Pandang. Here the air is filled with butterflies which fly from shrub to shrub over the water. These rare brightly colored ornithoid butterflies are considered the most beautiful in the world.
Goa Leang-Leang is now declared an archeological site, these prehistoric caves have strange rock carving of hands and a wild pigs, believe to be 5000 years old.
Pare-Pare is the best place for stop and having lunch when doing the journey from Ujung pandang to Toraja land or reverse.
Sengkang is the capital town of Wajo regency is well known for its silk weaving and the center of Buginese silk. Here we can enjoy the view of Tempe Lake is one of the tourist resort at Sengkang.
Soppeng is located 240 km to the northeast of Ujung pandang well known for its silk industry.
Toraja Land (Tana Toraja), around 328 km from Ujung Pandang within 8-9 hours drive from Ujung pandang the capital city of SouthSulawesi. Toraja Land well known for its unique culture and ancient traditions. Rantepao is the center of tourism in Toraja Land. From Rantepao, side trips can be made to Kete, a traditional village where there are handicraft and unique shops, behind the village there is a grave site on a hillside. Two cliff graves easy to reach are Lemo and Londa. Palawa is traditional village with its Traditional Tongkonan houses.
Enrekang about 236 km to the north of Ujung Pandang where you can see beautiful landscapes at Bambapuang as the best place for having refreshment when doing journey from Ujung pandang to Toraja land or reverse. Polewali-Mamasa is the capital town of Polmas regency located 246 km north of Ujung pandang, inhabited by Mandarnese, Buginese, Torajans and Javanese ethnic groups.
Hotels in Ujung Pandang - South Sulawesi.
Marannu City Hotel, located in Jl. Sultan Hasanuddin no3-5, Ujung pandang.
Makassar Golden Hotel, located in Jl. Pasar Ikan no 52 Ujung Pandang.
Makassar City Hotel, lcoated in Jl. Khairil Anwar no 28 Ujung pandang.
Hotel Marjan, located in Jl. Mesjid Raya no 84 Ujung Pandang.
Losari Beach Hotel, located in Jl. Pasar Ikan No. 1 Ujung Pandang.
Hotels in Rantepao - Toraja Land, South of Sulawesi.
Aston Misiliana Hotel, located in Rantepao Toraja land.
Rantepao Lodge, located in Jl. paorura Toraja Land
Marante Highland Hotel, Toraja land.
Sahid Toraja Hotel, Toraja Land.
North Sulawesi is the most developed region on Sulawesi island that inhabited by four largest ethnic groups, they are the Minahasans, Bolaang Mangondow, Gorontalo and Sangihe Talau group, but there are many more dialects and subgroups. In 16^th century at the first contact with europeans northern Sulawesi had strong links with the Sultanate of Ternate northern Maluku and Bugis traders from Southern Sulawesi. The region is very rich and the most prosperous in Indonesia because of its local products such as cloves, nutmeg, vanilla, coffee and coconuts. Therefore Indonesia government really focus to develope infrastructure is probably the best in Indonesia and export demand for its local products. The most interesting places around North Sulawesi is city of Manado is one of the pretties city in the east as described by naturalist of Alfred Wallace. Manado as the provincial capital is very clean, confident and cosmopolitan with the highest standard of living in the eastern Indonesia. Manado is the main gateway to north Sulawesi province. The land structure shows as morphology of wavy slopes and hills in the northern and central part of the city. The southern part is made up of the mountain foot of volcanoes in central Minahasa. The principal deep-water port of northern Sulawesi, however, is at Bitung about 48km from Manado. This seaport carries trade between one island and the others as well as with Singapore and the Philippines. For intercity travelling the road are good, particularly the network linking Minahasa, Bitung, Bolaang Mangondow and Gorontalo. Along Jl. Sam Ratulangi the main road running north-south, you'll find upmarket restaurant, hotels and supermarkets. Jl. Piere Tendean is slowly changing with new breakwaters and dive centers. Bunaken is around 1,5 hours by motorized outrigger canoe from Manado, Bunaken island is a veritable paradise for snorkelers and scuba diving. The coral reef off Bunaken island is particularly good for that and shouldn't be missed while you are in this region. The drop off wall at liang cove is rare in the world, as it's described by international divers as being spectacular with caves, gullies, and coverns harboring an immense wealth of marine life. The water everages a balmy 28^o Cand visibility is sensational over 30m. The Bunaken sea garden is rich with colorful tropical marine life. Manado Tua Island is the main island of its sister island group : Bunaken, Siladen, Mantehage and Nain, situated just off Manado city in the bay. The path to the top take several hours to climb but the view takes in all the islands in the Manado bay. Superb for snorkelling and skin diving, and ideal for corals and sponges. The beach is a mixture of white sand and coral formations. Beautiful reefs and coral gardens are also found around the islands of the northern most tip of the Minahasa peninsula and along the east coast. The reef lines the coast of Tangkoko Batuagus in the area of a nature reserve. A permit should be obtained from the sub Balai Konservasi Sumber Daya Alam (Nature Conservation Office) in Manado before heading for this reserve. Tasik Ria is situated about 20km southwest of Manado and has a beautiful sandy beach with coconut trees. Ideal for sunbathing, swimming, fishing, diving and snorkelling. Tasik Ria seashore resort has a four stars Manado Beach Hotel with 205 rooms, swimming pool, bar and discotique is a lush seashore resort. Other recommended hotels in Manado such as : Sahid Manado Hotel, Santika Manado and the Ritzy Hotel Manado. Tara-Tara is located 15km further southwest from Tasik Ria where you can find traditional village as the center of Minahasan culture and arts. Watu Pinabetenga where you can find a megalithic stone of the ancestors of Minahasa. Tangkoko Batuangus is located on the slopes of mount Dua Saudara as a nature reserve an open grassland covered with a great variety of plants. Here you can find black apes, Maleo Birds, Snakes, Wild Pigs, Hornbills and Rusa deer. Dumoga Bone National Park is around 260 km from Manado. At this park you can find specific animal species like Maleo Birds, Anoas, Hornbills, Wild Pigs, Torsius Spectrums and fruit Bats