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Bandung, City of Flowers, is the provincial capital of West
Java and Indonesia' s third largest city. Known in colonial times as the Paris of Java because of its European ambiance and
sophistication, Bandung shares with Miami a fine legacy of Tropical Deco architecture dating from the 1920's.
Situated
on a plateau in the beautiful Parahayangan mountains, Bandung's pleasant climate and lush surroundings have offered an escape
from the heat of the lowlands since the mid 19th century when it was the heart of the region's most prosperous plantation
area. Host to the historic Asia Africa conference in 1955, Bandung is now a center of higher education ,commerce and aircraft
industry which despite its modern amenities still retains much of its colonial era charm.
Bandung is also renowned
for its shopping, particularly for shoes, textiles, clothing and denims which are found in the colourful Jeans street . Easily
reached from Jakarta by train , road or air (the scenic train trip is recommended), Bandung, with its cool mountain air is
a popular second stop for those visiting the national capital and an essential stay-over for travellers enroute through Java.
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