Makassar Tourism Travel Guide and Tourist Attractions

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Makassar Tourism Travel Guide and Tourist Attractions Information in Makassar, South Sulawesi.

Makassar, (sometimes spelled Macassar, Mangkasara) formerly called Ujung Pandang is the provincial capital of South Sulawesi, Indonesia, and the largest city in Sulawesi Island. From 1971 to 1999, the city was formally named Ujung Pandang and after a precolonial fort in the city, and the two names are often used interchangeably. Makassar has become the primary port and airline hub of the eastern archipelago, the thousands of remote islands being developed and incorporated into the mainstream of Indonesian society and economy.

Makassar also played a key role in Indonesian history. The 16th-century Gowa Empire was based here until the Dutch weighed in. Three centuries later, in the 1950s, the Makassarese and Buginese revolted unsuccessfully against the central government. Loud, independent-minded, intense and proud, Makassar certainly leaves an impression. The Bugis people originate from this region, and are in some areas just known as "sea gypsies". The Bugis are famous boat builders and sailors, and they have in ancient times probably gone as far as Madagascar and north Australia to trade their goods. Later on they also settled in other coastal areas of Indonesia, in particular on Sumatra and Riau. The old Paotere harbor are well worth a visit, the traditional Bugis sail ships called "Perahu" arrive and depart with goods to and from other Indonesian islands.

Makassar also is gateway to Eastern part of Indonesia and entry point to an adventurous tour to the Tana Toraja highlands, deep in the fertile plateaus of Sulawesi, or also known as Celebes. The unique Torajan culture, including their animistic burial rites call it Rambusolo, makes this region one of the most fascinating wonders in Indonesia.

Nowadays Makassar is a bustling city with inhabitants from all over the archipelago, ethnic and most dominant language is Makassar and Bugis, at the last census people also spoke Javanese, Sundanese, Batak, Minangkabau and Banjarese. Tens of thousands were put in the last language group 'remaining languages', which concludes most of the innumerable languages in eastern Indonesia. People from this region come to Makassar to trade, to study, to buy provisions or just to escape the limitations of the village life.

One of the potential sector in Makassar is from tourism industry, existing tourist variety, good nature tourism with its natural conditions. The most interesting ways of spending an evening in Makassar, is going to see the Losari Beach, in Indonesia call it "Pantai Losari", which is the name of the ocean side promenade in the town center with a large number of local "warung", where you can have something to eat. There are some modern hotels here, where you can relax on a cafe overlooking the ocean and enjoy the sunset. In the tourist shops on Somba Opu street you will find woodcarvings from Papua and Eastern Kalimantan, masks from Tanimbar and Bali, bronze drums from Alor, ikat fabrics from Flores, wooden sticks from Central-Sulawesi, clove-shovels from Ambon, sirih-nut dishes and metal works from the Buginese-Makassarese area, Chinese ceramics, and old Dutch, English and Spanish coins brought from everywhere in the archipelago. The city occupied 175,7 square kilometers area. Located in southern part of South Sulawesi and faces the horizon of Makassar Strait.

Makassar (Ujung Pandang) tourism travel guide and tourist attractions popular destinations can be enumerated as below :

Fort Rotterdam.
Fort Rotterdam also know Benteng Makassar is a historical artifact of the greatness of the past kingdom of South Sulawesi. Gowa Kingdom was the strongest and the most glorious kingdom during the 17th century. During the time Makassar was know a trading city.
Viewed from the sea the kingdom of Makassar during that period was an area that was completely fortified. In year of 1967 when Gowa was under the power of Dutch, all forts was destroyed except Fort Rotterdam and two years later Fort of Somba Opu was totally destroyed by The Dutch government.
During the Dutch colonialism, the fort was rebuilt and renamed "Fort Rotterdam". During the period the fort and its area started to be the center of governmental and commercial activity. During the Japanese colonialism the fort functioned as the ceter of agricultural and language studies.

Islamic Center.
Al Markas Al Islami (formerly Masjid Raya Makassar) is the most luxurious Mosque in South Sulawesi and the largest in the eastern par of Indonesia. Besides functioning as the center of worship its also facilities the education, social and culture activities.
Al Markas Al Islami stand in 10 hectare area in Makassar Downtown. This worship center appears dominantly due to its size and lovely shape.

The Old Graveyard of King Tallo.
These old tombs are regarded as a complex, due to the size in wich 778 grave in different forms and of various material are laid. Its located in the northern part on Makassar City, exactly on the former Tallo fort. Formerly, Tallo Kingdom was an area ruled by Gowa Kingdom. That kingdom was later divided into two major divisions since the king had two Princes, both were ambitious men to be the next king. The two kingdom are : Tallo and Gowa. Therefore a proverb emerged : Dua Raja Satu Rakyat (one folk under the rule of two king). Based on the data from the available literature and archeologists, it is said that the graves of Tallo and Gowa kings from the beginning to the end of the 17th century can be found in this graveyard.

Paotere Harbor.
Paotere is the place to anchor the sailing boat og the people of Sulawesi coming from all part of Indonesia. The sailing boat anchored there varied in style ans shape, such us Phinisi Boat, Lambo and some others. It is a fascinating and amazing scenery of the masts standing side by the side. It is event more beautiful and fascinating during the sunset with its colorful rays.

The Graveyard of Prince Diponegoro.
Prince Diponegoro was the son of Sultan Hamengkubuwono III of Yogyakarta, one of the king from the oldest kingdom of Java, who let the struggle against the Dutch, which is widely known as Java War in the year 1825 - 1830.The war exploded due to the rejection of the Dutch colonial policy, the raising of the tax and the acquisition. He was eventually caught through a trick, exiled to Manado and was later moved back to Makassar where he was first arrested. He died in Makassar in 1855. His tomb build in the family graveyard, is preserved and seriously cared. it was build in accordance with the Javanese tombs.

Samalona Island.
Across the harbor of Ujung Pandang is Samalona Island which has been developed into a pleasant recreational resort and It can be reached by boat in 45 minutes from Makassar. Samalona Island is a cluster of coral reefs area with 2,34 ha in width. This small island is a favourite destination for local. There are some activities you can do there like sunbathing above the sandy beach and diving into the deep waters of Samalona Island to observe the wonderful coral reefs and beautiful sub-marine.

Kodingareng Island.
Kodingareng Island was elected preservation center because the island has the widest coral reefs in South Sulawesi which are still in a good condition. Kodingareng Keke Island located in Sub-District of Ujungtanah, Makassar. The distance is about 8.37 miles or 13.48 kilometers from the coastal city of Makassar.
Now, about a thousand heads of families now inhabit the island which is about 13 km from Makassar is. As an island tour, people who visited the island to see the beauty of white sand lined with trees on the beach. Tourist can stay in trim cottages. Do something fun, with the clear waters without city waste contamination very good for snorkeling , than rest comfortably and also can enjoy sunbathing during the day.

Somba Opu Shopping Center.
Somba Opu shopping street well know as shopping area for souvenir, handicraft, gifts, cloth, gold and many more. Located near at Losari Beach.

Others Shopping Center/Mall.
Grosir Market Butung, Mall Ratu Indah (MARI), Mall Panakukkang (Mall Diamond), MTC Karebosi, Karebosi Link, Central Market, Mall GTC Tanjung Bunga, Trans Studio Mall.

Trans Studio Word Indoor Theme Park.
Trans World Studio located in the Regions and the Global Tourism Business Tanjung Bunga, Makassar, the area of integrated tourism object in Makassar. Trans Studio was built of 12,7 hectares with investment of IDR 1 trillion more. Facilities built in the shopping center which includes the Trans Walk and Rodeo Drive, and Studio Trans, Trans Hotel, office of Bank Mega. Trans Studio building was built around 22,000 m² with 20 meters high which is the largest indoor amusement park in eastern Indonesia  at this time (second large indoor theme park after Trans Studio Theme Park Bandung. Read More Trans Studio Word Indoor Theme Park Makassar ».

Chinese Temples.
There are a few old temples in Makassar City. The most important is Tian Hou Gong or Temple of the Heavenly Queen, on the corner of Jl. Serui and Jl. Sulawesi. This was probably built in the early 18th century and restoration in 1738, 1803 and 1867. The statue of the 'heavenly queen', Tian Hou is on the back side of the main altar behind a wooden wall. She is the protector of the sailors and is often related with fertility. From the side-altars, the first on the left is dedicated to the 'Golden Mothers of the Golden Immortals', the second to Xuan Tian Shang Di, which is honoured in Indonesia for it's medical powers; the third to the protectorate of Fertility. The altars in the patio are dedicated to several Buddhist gods. The Long Xian Gong or 'Temple of the Appearance of the Dragon', along Jl. Sulawesi and Jl. Bali, was built in 1868. The main altar is dedicated to Xian Mu, 'Mother of the Immortal'; the altar on the right side to Mi Lo Fo, the protection of jewelries that on the left side to Tu Di Gong, god of the soil and wealth. The Temple of the Community of Merchants of Guandong, close to Long Xian Gong, was damaged when the road was improved. It's dedicated to Guan Di, protectionate of the Guangong communities. The Chinese came here to plead oaths, before being witness in a court. On the right side of Guan Di are a horse and it's jockey, towards who mothers aim their prayers that their children will be obedient. Since 1987 the Chinese community has permission to hold lion dances on Jl. Sulawesi during Chinese new year. The fourth temple, along Lombok street, is fairly new. It was built in 1953 to replace the temple along Jl. Sulawesi, which was destroyed during the Japanese occupation.

Bugis Water Park.
Bugis Water Park is one of the largest water parks in Indonesia, located at Bukit Baruga Complex, Antang, Makassar. The park theming was developed around the rural areas and cultural realities of the region and takes about 7 hectares of land (approx 17 acres). After years of planning and construction by PT. Baruga Asrinusa Development, Kalla Group, in collaboration with Polin Water Parks and Pool Systems, the site is now one of the largest water parks ever built in Indonesia. While the park's developers and designers were intent on creating a world-class water park, they also wanted to maintain the region's traditional cultures and values, which are reflected in the park's overall design. The park counts a total of 10 attractions which include Polin's Aquatube, its Free Fall speed slide, its multi slide with side-by-side lanes and mat-based racing, Polin's Black Hole, a leisure rive and three pools. Read More Bugis Waterpark Makassar »..

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