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Bukittinggi

Bukittinggi is a city of 117,000 people (2014) in West Sumatra. It is a city popular with tourists because of its pleasant climate and central location. Bukittinggi is also a popular shopping destination for cheap textiles and fashion products, especially for Malaysians.

Understand
Bukittinggi (Indonesian for "high hill") is one of the larger cities in West Sumatra. It is in the Minangkabau highlands, 90 km by road from the West Sumatran capital city of Padang. It is located near the volcanoes Mount Singgalang (inactive) and Mount Marapi (still active). At 930 m above sea level, the city has a cool climate with temperatures between 16° and 25°C

History
There are some interesting legends surrounding the foundation and naming of “High Hill” Bukittinggi. The city has its origins in five villages which served as the basis for a marketplace. The city was known as Fort de Kock during colonial times in reference to the Dutch outpost established here in 1825 during the Padri War. The fort was founded by Captain Bauer at the top of Jirek hill and later named after the then Lieutenant Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies, Hendrik Merkus de Kock. The first road connecting the region with the west coast was built between 1833 and 1841 via the Anai Gorge, easing troop movements, cutting the costs of transportation and providing an economic stimulus for the agricultural economy. In 1856 a teacher-training college (Kweekschool) was founded in the city, the first in Sumatra, as part of a policy to provide educational opportunities to the indigenous population. A rail line connecting the city with Payakumbuh and Padang was constructed between 1891 and 1894. During the Japanese occupation of Indonesia in World War II, the city was the headquarters for the Japanese 25th Army, the force which occupied Sumatra. The headquarters was moved to the city in April 1943 from Singapore, and remained until the Japanese surrender in August 1945.

During the Indonesian National Revolution, the city was the headquarters for the Emergency Government of the Republic of Indonesia (PDRI) from December 19, 1948 to July 13, 1949. During the second 'Police Action' Dutch forces invaded and occupied the city on December 22, 1948, having earlier bombed it in preparation. The city was surrendered to Republican officials in December 1949 after the Dutch government recognized Indonesian sovereignty. The city was officially renamed Bukittinggi in 1949, replacing its colonial name. From 1950 until 1957, Bukittinggi was the capital city of a province called Central Sumatra, which encompassed West Sumatra, Riau and Jambi. In February 1958, during a revolt in Sumatra against the Indonesian government, rebels proclaimed the Revolutionary Government of the Republic of Indonesia (PRRI) in Bukittinggi. The Indonesian government had recaptured the town by May the same year.

Get in
Bukittinggi is located about 2 hours north-east by road from the international airport. The only way to get there is by car. But all the roads are good and smooth. As Bukittinggi is a tourist destination, try to avoid traveling on weekends as the traffic can be quite bad especially when climbing uphill.

By chartered minivan
Known by the locals as "Travel" is cheapest way to get there. The approximate price is about Rp30,000/person for one way. The vehicle is a Honda Odyssey 2.4 minivan with a capacity of 7 seats. Keep in mind that the bus driver usually waits until the chair occupation is about 75%. Once the car is "full", the minivan will depart and take the passengers to their destination.

Jasa Mulya and Annanta run a SUV service between Padang and Pekanbaru via Bukittinggi. Journey time to Pekanbaru around 6 hours in normal traffic. Fare Rp. 150,000 or 180,000 depending on vehicle type as of December 2023. Contact them on Whatsapp a day or two (or more during peak season) before departure for the actual schedule.

For Kersik Tuo near Kerinci Park, minivans depart throughout the day, leaving the bus station and also picking up at hotels if booked by phone. Travel time is 8 hours, cost is Rp130,000 (2019), and the trip is relatively comfortable, with stops at roadhouses.

By bus
The main bus station is at Aur Kuniang, 2km southeast of the town center. Many services are minibuses and shared cars, which stop at the bus station but will also collect and drop passengers at their accommodation if booked by phone.

DAMRI is the bus operator that goes to Padang. Two hours, price Rp20,000 as of 2017. There are also buses to/from Lake Maninjau 1½ hours.

Hotels in Bukittinggi can organize a door-to-door transfer from your hotel in Bukittinggi to your hotel in Padang. Departs hourly. Approximate price: Rp40,000 to 50,000 as of 2017. Hello Hostel might be among the cheapest especially if you stay with them.

Several bus companies (such as ALS) run buses from Parapat near Lake Toba. The trip is very winding and rough, and takes approximately 15–20 hours. Be prepared for bus sickness, and to pay around Rp250,000 to 300,000 depending on bus (always AC, higher class but with toilets; driver will stop every 2–4 hr and for eating). As the trip is uphill from Lake Toba, the one-way fare is more expensive this way than coming from the south. ALS Parapat - Butikkinggi (route Medan–Jakarta) happens multiple times a day (12:00, 14:00, 15:00) but only 18:00 one will take route to Padang (AC, toilet).

ALS also runs a service to Medan from its branch on Jalan Raya Batusangkar.

Numerous buses go from Medan to Jakarta and stop on the way at Bukittinggi.

By taxi
At PDG (Minangkabau International Airport) of Padang, there are several desks and individual operators where you can order taxis but they all ask around Rp300,000, including Grab and Gojek. There is also a train right at the airport that charges Rp5000 to go to Kayutanam, about half the 70 km to Bukittinggi, from which you can hail a minibus the rest of the way. As of June 2022, there are three trains per day, leaving at 9:25, 14:00, and 19:10, and they take about an hour and 10 minutes. (Going back, trains leave Kayutanam Station at 06:50, 11:30, and 16:20.)

An alternative is to take a motorcycle taxi for Rp20,000 about 4 km to the main road (the Duku turn-off) and hail a passing minibus to Bukittinggi for another Rp20,000. (Warning: they can be crowded.)

Get around
Angkot shared taxis may be an affordable way to get around the city, if you happen to know which route stops by where you are staying. Route number and destination are shown on the windshield. Paint colour indicates their terminal in the city - the red ones terminate at Pasar Bawah. A single trip within the city costs Rp 4,000 as of December 2023. Shout out siko pak (stop here driver in Minang) when you reach your destination. Pay the fare when you get off.

Besides city transportation (Angkutan kota), bus charter and car rental are solutions for getting around in this city. If you want to rent a car, it's best to do so at Minangkabau International Airport. Rent a motorcycle is also possible in Bukittinggi for Rp70,000 a day (more expensive than Kuta), and you should have booked certain hotel in Bukittinggi first. Please also make certain with motorcycle rental that a day is 24 hours and not 12 hours.

Ojol (motortaxi e-hailing) platforms Gojek and Maxim are available in the city. As of December 2023, Maxim offers more competitive fares with rides under 3 km costing Rp 8,900. Unlike Gojek, Maxim has yet to offer card payments. Carry enough small notes and coins for your ride unless you are happy to tip double of the actual fare.

In town

Bukittinggi is a small town, so these places are within walking distance with each other (15–30 minute walk).

There are horse carriages waiting around the Jam Gadang area. Please be cautioned that the rides are very costly, therefore please ask for their rates first.

Around town
There are two tours that hotels and tour agencies try to push, a tour to Minangkabau and another tour to Maninjau. If you have time, you may go and stay there few days.

The Minangkabau tour will visit these places in east area of Bukittinggi:
 * The King's palace in Pagaruyung
 * Balimbing village with old century traditional house that is more than 350 years old
 * Handcraft in Pandai Sikek, such as kain songket (traditional woven clothes), ukiran kayu or bamboo (handmade crafting)
 * Traditional coffee toasters
 * Bika, traditional sweet made from coconut, rice flour and palm sugar, located in Koto Baru, between Padang Panjang-Bukittinggi.

The Maninjau Tour will visit places in west area of Bukittinggi:
 * Lake Maninjau
 * Puncak Lawang, a place where you can see a panoramic of Lake Maninjau
 * The "44 turns", forty-four numbered(!) hairpin bends up the mountain from where you can see a panoramic of lake Maninjau.

Each tour requires at least 8 hours and usually held from 09:00-17:00 (including a stop at some restaurants). The price is ranging from Rp250,000/pp to Rp450,000/pp (2017 price). Hire a car is highly recommended if you're in a group of more than 4 people. Car's price includes driver, fuel, entry ticket, and parking fee. Tips aren't compulsory, lunch invitation is more than enough. Most of the places require ticket and will charge a parking fee. One tour will require about Rp40,000 only for parking and ticket entry. Another option is hiring a car and arranging with the driver to visit the places in Minangkabau and Lake Maninjau. If you are alone, it is also possible to find guides in the Sianok Canyon park who will take you to Lake Maninjau with a motorbike (ask for Parta e.g., no fixed price, he will take what you give him). In any case, depart earlier, as the tour will take all day.

Famous agencies selling these tours are Lite'n'easy, and Roni's tour and travel (in hotel Orchid). However since they are both recommended by a famous American guidebook, they tend to quote overpriced fees. Hello Hostel (very near both other agencies) seems cheaper.

The budget option to Maninjau is to take the bus (or minibus) from the bus station (get there from the Bemo station near the market) to Maninjau (35 km, 2 hr by bus, 1 hr by minibus). Unfortunately, a tourist racket has been set up so you won't get the ticket for the Rp6000 (Oct 2007) the locals pay. Expect to pay at least Rp10,000 (Oct 2007). Have the right change ready; don't expect to get any from the conductor. To get back, either try to catch a minibus (Rp10,000) or a big bus (Rp15,000-20,000). The big buses you have to catch in the same direction you came, since the narrow road is a one-way for lorries.

The budget option to Minangkabau is to take the Batusangkar public bus for Rp18,000 (Dec 2023) and hire a motorbike (Rp15,000 return as of Oct 2007) from there (or walk the remaining 5 km) to Pagaruyung. You can now also hire one on Maxim for less than Rp10,000 (Dec 2023) one way from Batusangkar city centre. For Minibuses and buses back to Bukittingi leave from the bus terminal or may be flagged down anywhere.

The Harau Valley is a pretty gorge about an hour east of Bukittinggi comprising a valley floor of rice paddy hemmed in by shear sandstone cliffs. There are several waterfalls with pools (both natural and constructed) for bathing, and you can go rock climbing on the cliffs. Harau is reached via Payakumbuh.

If you are interested in visiting the equator, you can take a bus to Bonjol where there is a monument marking the equator built over the main road, good for photo opportunities if you are keen to stand in both hemispheres simultaneously. Theres also a museum on the site which houses a few artefacts of little interest - mainly coins and banknotes. Catch the bus from the Aur Kuning bus station, minibuses depart fairly frequently. Expect to pay Rp10 000 as a tourist. To get back there is a bus which comes from the opposite direction (or northern hemisphere) at 17:00, or alternatively you can wait at the small roadside cafe right next to the monument where locals will help you flag down a bemo which is destined for Bukittinggi (its quite difficult for non-locals to distinguish between a service bemo and a someones car, but the locals seem to know what is what.

Do

 * Traditional dances are performed for 90 minutes every day from 21:00–22:30. Each group has its own schedule. If you want to buy a souvenirs or CDs about their performance, wait until the show finish because every dancer will offer you a souvenirs. The prices are, for CD about Rp100,000, for the traditional flute about Rp50,000. It's more expensive because you can get with half price in the town. (No rupiah!)
 * Bukittinggi and West Sumatra in general also is the great place for adventure, as for rafting, kayaking, surfing, rock climbing, mountaineering and paragliding. See https://www.facebook.com/sumatraadventure for more informatin of adventure activity and other tour.
 * There are several rivers for rafting and kayaking, as Kuantan River, Anai River, Sinama River, Ombilin River and many others. The grade of the rivers is varied from grade 2 to grade 5.
 * For rock climbing, there is cliff in Baso, Harau Valley and Sijunjuang. The grade of route are varied from 5.8 to 5.14 and the high also varied from 20 m to 150 m.
 * There are several place for paragliding, as Puncak Lawang near Lake Maninjau, Pintu Angin Hill near Lake Singkarak and Aia Manih Beach near Padang.
 * For mountaineering and trekking there is several volcano with the high more than 2500 m above sea level, as Merapi, Singgalang, Tandikek, Sago, Talang, etc. Merapi is an active volcano.
 * Mentawai island is one of the best place in the world for Surfing.
 * For local assistance to arrange transportation, get tourist information or arrange guides, the guys of Lite'n'easy are an excellent choice. They are friendly, knowledgeable, speak English and are conveniently located at Bedudal Cafe (see the Eat section below), just ahead of the pedestrian bridge over Jl A. Yani. Ask for Fikar.

Buy
Ramayana Shopping Mall accepts credit cards. There are also 2 markets known as Pasar Atas (Upper Market) and Pasar Bawah (Down Market) near Jam Gadang. Pasar Atas is the largest market in Bukittinggi. On Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays vendors sell their goods beside the road.

Pasar Bawah is for fruits and vegetables whereas Pasar Atas is for souvenirs and clothes. Most of the prices in each kiosk are similar, and you should bargain. One wholesale shop located in the middle of Pasar Atas sells souvenirs at the lowest price. A pair of women's slippers is about Rp7,000 and a key holder is about Rp2,000-5,000. Most of the souvenirs sold here are of low quality. Souvenirs of better quality can be found in Pandai Sikek. One men's shirt is about Rp35,000 and a pair of leather women's slippers is about Rp35,000.

Pasar Aur Kuning area is a large group of wholesale ("grosir") sales market/shops. Pasar Aur Kuning deserves a special mention here. It is famous with the local people/season travelers. If you are buying items in bulk, this is the place to visit. Some of the shops will allow you to buy in small quantities "eceran". Please ask the trader if they allow "eceran". For price comparison, if a trader in Pasar Atas (Clock Tower area) sells a cowboy hat for Rp100,000 as the opening price, you can expect to buy exactly the same item at Pasar Aur Kuning for Rp30,000. The price per item may go down further after negotiations. To get to Pasar Aur Kuning, take the red Angkot (minibus) from Pasar Bawah (in front of Pasar Banto). Angkot no. 19 or 13 (Tigo Baleh) charge Rp2000 one way. Pasar Aur Kuning also houses a bus terminal to various parts of Indonesia. Travel to Padang by van is located adjacent to Simpang Rayo restaurant.

 * Aishah Chalik Art Shop, Jl. Cinduamato 90. Various souvenirs. There is good quality traditional cloth called kain songket (colorful cloth with golden thread embroidery), as well as shoes, T-shirts, sarongs, prayer rugs, female prayer clothing, etc.
 * Toko Tiga Saudara, Pasar Wisata Bukittingi. This is a one stop centre for sovernirs, i.e. woven handbags, keychains, replicas of "Rumah Gadang", miniature bicycles. You can get better prices if you buy in bulk. Look for a guy by the name of Anton. Do ask for a discount. You will notice that item displayed would be of slightly better quality than that offered in smaller shops. Price comparison is essential to enjoy better bargains.

Eat
People in Bukittinggi like dry, spicy, and sweet snack foods. They make snacks with different tastes and shapes from ingredients that make the foods here special. For example, from cassava they can make spicy long cassava chips, tasty cubed cassava chips, and sweet round cassava chips. The many others include shredded dry eel, spicy potato chips, sweet potato chips, etc. They can be found in Pasar Atas at low prices, but they are not fresh. On the way back to Padang there are many food shops that sell these snacks of better quality.

There's small fish named Ikan Bilih (Bilis) or "ikan Danau" in Lake Singkarak that is not found elsewhere. Locals deep fry it or cook it in a sour soup with vegetable. One portion of fried Bilih is about Rp 5,000 and you eat the whole fish, head and bones and all. Most of the restaurants in Bukittinggi serve Padang cuisine which is creamy, spicy, and hot. An average price is about Rp 15,000 per person for one meal. The food unsold is kept overnight and reheated the next day, so it is not recommended for those who like fresh food.

After dark, there are many hawkers near Jam Gadang selling fresh foods such as nasi goreng (fried rice), mie rebus (boiled noddles) Roti Bakar (bun with scrambled eggs), and martabak mesir (beef pancake). One portion is about Rp 7,500 - Rp 10,000 pp.

Do try the local dessert delicacy known as "Martabak Bandung". The same dish is widely known in Malaysia as "Apam Balek" but the Malaysian version is limited to only one flavour i.e. nuts with a mixture of corn. Here in Bukittinggi or other parts of Indonesia, there are no less than 50 flavours of Martabak Bandung to choose from such as chocolate, cheese, strawberry, jackfruit, honey, banana, durian, etc. It should not be confused with "Martabak Mesir" which is a delicacy from the Middle East.

Anti-diarrhea medicine is highly recommended in case you get diarrhea during your food adventure.

If Travelling during Ramadan, Dea bakery, one stall at Makan Place Plaza Bukittinggi are opened for lunch (and breakfast for bakeries). Street markets like near pasar bawah would too. Other places may be but with a closed-like front door so need to pay attention to find them.

Sikotang or Sarobat
Sikotang or Sarobat is one of the most famous drinks in Minangkabau. The beverage is made from red ginger (Zingiber sp) and spices such as cinnamon bark (Cinnamomum sp), nutmeg/"pala" (Myristica fragrans), etc. Sikotang is usually mixed with egg, bread, green beans (kacang padi/kacang ijo), and cane or palm sugar. Such a hot drink is useful for keeping your body warm during a cold highland night like in Padang Panjang, Batusangkar and Bukittinggi. Price Rp 5,000-15,000.

Daun Kawa (coffee leaves)
Daun kawa is made from roasted dry leaves of the coffee tree. The dried leaves are boiled in hot water and put into sections of bamboo and drunk from a "cawan tampuruang" (coconut shell). It can be found in Bukittinggi, Payakumbuh and Batusangkar. Please ask anyone, especially people over age 40. They will show you where a good place is to taste Daun Kawa! Price Rp 5,000-15,000 in 2009

Jus Pinang (Pinang juice)
Juice of Pinang (betel nut, the Areca catechu seed) is a bitter tasting drink available in Padang, Bukittingi, and other areas that is believed to have an effect on sexual stamina. Pinang has a biological effect as a stimulant like tobacco, coffee, and tea. Its chemical contents are arecolin, arecain, tannin, and flavonoids. Just try it and feel the difference! For beginners, don't drink more than one pinang seed. Price Rp 5,000-15,000 in 2009.

Teh Talua (egg tea)
This is a special Minangkabau drink made from egg mixed with hot tea and lemon. Please taste it. You will never forget the experience! Price Rp 5,000-15,000 in 2009.

Fruit juices
There are a variety of fruit juices ranging from Alpokat (avocado juice), Sirsak (soursop), Jeruk (orange), wortel (carrot) etc. The list is endless. Prices range from Rp 4,000-10,000.

Kopi Luwak ("Civet Cat" Coffee)
Enjoy one of world's most prestigious coffees, Kopi Luwak, in Batang Palupuah Kampong, Bukittinggi. The coffee is made from coffee beans that have passed through a civet cat before roasting. Keep in mind the vast majority of coffee that is sold as "Civet Cat coffee" is not authentic.

Alcoholic drinks
The Minangkabau also have traditional alcoholic beverages such as tuak. Tuak is made from fermented nira, a liquid collected by cutting the fruit branch of aren or enau tree (Arenga pinnata). However, it is quite difficult to find in Bukittinggi due to the Muslim majority population.

Budget
Small budget hotels are easy to find. Many locals offer accommodation which are like family-owned hotels that provide a "feel at home" atmosphere. The prices span from Rp 80,000 - Rp 200,000 per room without air-conditioning. Breakfast is included. There are no lifts in these small hotels, so be prepared if your room is on the upper floors. Room cleaning is not provided everyday in some cases, so don't hesitate to ask the hotel manager if you want a daily cleaning service.

 * Orchid Hotel, Jl Teuku Umar, doubles from Rp170,000 including a very basic breakfast (coffee and bread). Located near the mosque, the call to prayer can be extremely loud, especially from F-Su and during Ramadhan. Staff is nice but constantly trying to sell you tours, transportation, etc. No wifi.
 * Hotel Asean, Jl Teuku Umar, singles from Rp80,000.
 * d'enam Hotel, Jl Yos Sudarso No. 4, double with toilet Rp100,000, toilet outside Rp90,000 (prices 2017); located on top of a hill close to the mosque and the clocktower, friendly and helpful staff,.
 * d'enam Hotel, Jl Yos Sudarso No. 4, double with toilet Rp100,000, toilet outside Rp90,000 (prices 2017); located on top of a hill close to the mosque and the clocktower, friendly and helpful staff,.

Splurge
The top hotels in the city are The Hills Bukittinggi (formerly the Novotel Coralia) and Pusako Hotel. Although The Hills Bukittinggi is comfortable place to stay especially for tourists from the West, the cost is at least Rp 800,000 for a night; in comparison there are many small hotels around Fort de Kock that are around Rp 120,000 that are quite nice.

Connect
There is a row of internet cafes along Jl. Ahmad Yani and Jl Pemuda. Four internet cafes are in the vicinity of (underneath) the pedestrian bridge which links Fort de Kock and the zoo.

Check out the prices as the internet cafes on the main street are so much more expensive than the ones around the corner. Suggest you ask a local for the cheapest one. The local price is Rp4,000 per hour.

Most hotels and many restaurants offer complementary Wi-Fi, although the speed may not always be as high as you expect.

Go next

 * Padang Panjang
 * Payakumbuh
 * Harau Valley
 * Batusangkar
 * Lake Maninjau
 * Padang
 * Pekanbaru
 * Medan

title: Bukittinggi


text:
Bukit Tinggi

Bukit Tinggi is an area in Pahang, Malaysia, near Janda Baik.

By car
Bukit Tinggi is a good 45 minutes drive from Kuala Lumpur. It is the exit after Genting Highlands.

By bus
There is a daily shuttle bus provided by Berjaya that runs from Berjaya Times Square, KL to Colmar Tropicale, Berjaya Hills. It runs at 10:00, 13:00, and 17:00. It costs RM35/adult and RM30/child for a one way transfer. Returns are RM55/adult and RM50/child.

By car
The distances between the attractions in Bukit Tinggi are a considerable distance. Driving your own transport around is a practical way go about it. Every main attraction in Bukit Tinggi has a parking space for your own transport.

By foot
The areas within Colmar Tropicale's vicinity such as the Japanese Garden are within considerable walking distance.

By shuttle
Berjaya provides a complementary shuttle from the Colmar Tropicale village center to surrounding areas within the vicinity, such as the Japanese Garden.

Go next

 * Genting Highlands - a nearby integrated resort with casinos, theme parks, hotels and shopping malls

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Bukit Tinggi


text:
Bukovina

Bukovina is a historic region of Central Europe that is now divided between Ukraine and Romania.

Regions

 * Southern Bukovina — A region of Romania.
 * Northern Bukovina — A region in Ukraine.

title: Bukovina


text:
Bulacan

Bulacan is a province in the Philippines. It is located just north of Metro Manila and shares boundaries with Pampanga and Nueva Ecija in the north, and Manila Bay on the south west.

Regions
The province is divided into three cities and 21 municipalities (or towns).

There is no generally agreed pattern on dividing Bulacan into geographical regions, but a rough division can be:

 * Northern Bulacan (Angat, Baliwag, Bustos, Dona Remedios Trinidad, San Miguel, San Rafael)
 * Coastal Bulacan (Balagtas, Bocaue, Bulakan, Calumpit, Guiguinto, Hagonoy, Malolos, Marilao, Pandi, Paombong, Plaridel, Pulilan)
 * Eastern Bulacan (San Jose del Monte, Norzagaray)

Cities

 * - A frontier town known for its long river of the same name, which is famous for visiting and swimming. Angat Dam is the biggest dam in Bulacan.
 * — formerly known as Bigaa, it was renamed after its most famous resident, poet Francisco Baltazar (who assumed the name Francisco Balagtas), who wrote the classic epic Florante at Laura (Florante and Laura) while in prison.
 * — well-known throughout the country as the "Fireworks Capital of the Philippines", due to its numerous small businesses manufacturing and selling fireworks.
 * — the future site of the New Manila International Airport located in Barangay Talptip
 * — has its own trademark product, the finger food 'minasa'. Minasa refers to "cassava cookies", made from cassava flour, egg yolk, yeast, butter, and coco milk. It is often compared to the uraro, another local delicacy.
 * — named after the mother of former first lady Imelda Marcos, DRT is the largest town in Bulacan, comprising a land area that is roughly one-third of the entire province.
 * — the seat of the provincial government. It was also the former national capital during the Philippine Revolution and the site of many battles of the revolution.
 * — one of the oldest towns established not just in the province but also in the entire country. Its name translates to "[a place] with lots of bamboo", which can still be seen in the partly-rural northeastern barangays.
 * — home of Ipo Dam.
 * — famed for the Santa Clara festival, which features as well-known fertility folk dance parade.
 * — famed for its carabao festival
 * — a city made up of mostly-agrarian lands. San Jose del Monte was actually the province's first chartered city.
 * — known for Bulacan’s Prime - Home of Bulacan’s Garlic Longaniza.
 * — the town is well-known for its sweets, local delicacies, baked goods, balut, salted eggs, and Bulacan cuisines, but its chicharons and pastillas are their most renowned export.
 * — known for fireworks and pork rinds. Someone should consider moving to Sta. Maria if they love what the countryside offers: the peace, nature, and festivities.
 * — the town is well-known for its sweets, local delicacies, baked goods, balut, salted eggs, and Bulacan cuisines, but its chicharons and pastillas are their most renowned export.
 * — known for fireworks and pork rinds. Someone should consider moving to Sta. Maria if they love what the countryside offers: the peace, nature, and festivities.

Understand
Bulacan, while still agricultural in background, has become part of Manila's ever-expanding sprawl that has converted most farmland and paddies into subdivision, malls, and industrial parks. In 2015, it has a population of over 3 million, and is one of the most densely populated provinces in the Philippines.

Residents of the province call themselves Bulakenyo (derived and sometimes spelled as Spanish Bulaqueño). Most of the locals are culturally and linguistically Tagalog, but towns at the boundary with Pampanga also have significant numbers of Kapampangan speakers, and the sparsely populated areas of the province are the traditional land of the Dumagat, a Negrito tribe inhabiting the foothills of the Sierra Madre.

Talk
Native Bulakenyos speak and write Tagalog. As a matter of fact, a good number of famous Filipino writers hail from Bulacan. Francisco Balagtas (after whom Balagtas town is named) was born here and wrote "Florante at Laura", which is deemed a classic in Philippine Literature and is a required reading in high schools. Jose Corazon de Jesus ("Huseng Batute") and the National Artist Virgilio Almario also hail from Bulacan. It is safe to regard the province as one of the seats of the Tagalog Language. Bulakenyo dialect retains many features of ancient Tagalog in terms of grammar and vocabulary.

Nevertheless, a good number of Bulakenyos can understand and speak English, thanks to mandatory English education in the country. In particular, the younger generation of Bulakenyos have more exposure with the mass media and the Internet and, thus, with English.

By car
The North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) is a major motorway that can get you into Bulacan from Metro Manila (particularly Quezon City and Valenzuela) and the neighbouring province of Pampanga. Exits in Bulacan include Marilao, Bocaue, Tabang, Sta. Rita and Pulilan. Comparatively and almost parallel to the NLEX, travellers can take the at-grade McArthur Highway, stretching from the Bonifacio Monument in Caloocan City up to Pangasinan.

Asian Highway 26 enters Bulacan from Nueva Ecija, running south towards Manila. It follows NLEX near Malolos.

By bus
There are provincial buses to and from Manila to most key cities and towns in the province. Some operators are:

San Jose del Monte is served by city buses from Metro Manila, mostly via Fairview in Quezon City.

By plane
Bulacan is halfway between Ninoy Aquino International Airport and Clark International Airport, both served by international and domestic flights, but transportation from either airport to anywhere in Bulacan is rather bewildering.

The municipality of Bulakan, southeast of Malolos, is the location of the future New Manila International Airport, which is eyed to replace the airport in Manila. The Philippine government has approved the proposal, but no construction has started yet. If completed, the airport will have four runways, which can be expanded to six (as compared to the present Manila airport, which has two), and ground transportation to Manila is through an expressway and a railway.

By train
Bulacan has never been served by train since the 1990s, but there is ongoing construction of an electric railway that will travel between Manila and Clark Airport. As of 2022, parts of that line are nearly complete, with partial operation (between Valenzuela and Malolos) to begin at least by 2023.

San Jose del Monte will be served by the nearly-complete MRT Line 7 (MRT-7), but the trains will never serve the city proper itself, stopping short of the Bulacan border at Caloocan.

Get around
In the major highways, the main mode of transportation is by bus of jeepney.

There are also van shuttles (UV Express) that service longer routes within the province (for example, from Meycauayan to Malolos via the NLEX).

Within most cities and towns, you can get by tricycles.

See

 * Barasoain Church (Malolos) - The site of the First Philippine Republic during the Revolutionary War. There is an adjoining museum at the parish convento.
 * Biak na Bato National Park - The site of the Pact of Biak na Bato, an important truce forged by the Spanish government and the Revolutionary Philippine Government during the late 19th century
 * Casa Real (Malolos) - a historical museum situated a few meters from the diocesan cathedral
 * National Shrine of St. Anne (Hagonoy)
 * National Shrine of the Divine Mercy (Marilao)
 * Angat Waterpark (Angat)
 * Pinagrealan Cave (Norzagaray)
 * Puning Cave (Dona Remedios Trinidad)
 * Amana Waterpark (Pandi)

Native delicacies

 * Ensaymada
 * Inipit
 * Pastillas, a favorite and popular "pasalubong" (or take home treat) in Bulacan. Traditionally, it is made of the best carabao's milk, but in commercial quantites, believed to be made out of locally produced and commercially available milk in supermarkets. Patiently simmerred in very low heat and painstakingly stirred into a soft and sticky batter that melts in your mouth, pastillas is rolled into finger-sized pieces, then rolled onto white sugar. Bulacan's pastillas are individually wrapped in white Japanese paper, as compared to the intricately cut pastillas wrappers as it is made in other parts of Luzon. They are then packed into colorfully patterned boxes, a practical way of handing these sweet delicacies either as gifts, or just as "pasalubong". Beware not to limit yourself to only a couple of boxes of these milky treats, as one may later on lament that he should have taken a half-dozen or a dozen even, boxes of the best pastillas of Bulacan.
 * Puto, a rice cake that may be topped off with cheese slices or egg. Some of the most famed puto can be bought in Marilao and Mecauayan
 * Suman
 * Minasa
 * Chicharon
 * Bulacan Longganisa, also known as longganisang bawang. Known for garlic flavor. Bulacan longganisa also have Hamonado, as sweet cured pork sausage. In 2021 department of tourism accredited Bulacan’s Prime -Home of Bulacan’s Garlic Longaniza as a tourist shop where travelers can buy authentic Bulacan Longganisa, located at San. Rafael and Baliwag.

Stay safe
Many parts of the province are low-lying, and prone to flooding during the monsoon season. This includes the coast of Manila Bay, the banks of Angat River, and the Candaba swamp and Pampanga River delta. High tide and dam outflows can also worsen floods.

Owing to their proximity to Manila and the accompanying suburban industrialization, southern Bulacan also suffer from air pollution.

title: Bulacan


text:
Bulawayo

Bulawayo is a relaxed, elegant industrial city with wide tree-lined boulevards, in western Zimbabwe. Several World Heritage sites, including historic monuments from the precolonial era and national parks, are within an hour's drive from Bulawayo, making it a great tourist destination.

Understand
Bulawayo was founded by Lobengula, the last Ndebele king, who settled in what is now Zimbabwe around the 1840s along with a large number of fellow Ndebele who had trekked there all the way from Zululand. In 1893, the British South Africa Company invaded the area in a conflict known as the First Matabele War. The British troops destroyed the city and forced the king to flee. They then built modern Bulawayo over the ruins of the former royal Ndebele city.

Climate
Although by latitude, Bulawayo is in the tropics, by virtue of its fairly high elevation, its climate is subtropical. Bulawayo is cooled by a prevailing southeasterly airflow most of the year, and experiences three seasons.

With little rain and cool, refreshing temperatures during the day, the winter season from May to August is ideal for a visit.

Temperatures soar in the hot dry period from September to November, so it is advised to book accommodation with air conditioning if you plan to visit during those months.

Rain moderates the temperature from December to March, mainly in the form of brief afternoon thunderstorms.

By plane
The main airport is Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport.
 * Air Zimbabwe Harare, Johannesburg, Victoria falls.
 * Airlink Johannesburg.
 * Ethiopian Airlines Addis Ababa
 * Fastjet Zimbabwe Harare, Johannesburg

Visas available on arrival are US$30 for single entry, US$45 for double entry. For UK and Irish citizens, it is US$55 or double entry US$70. For Canadians, single entry is US$75.

If you're going to Victoria Falls and you plan to visit Zambia or Botswana, buy a double-entry visa. But if you plan to go to Botswana and Zambia, buy a single-entry visa. Then obtain a Kaza Univisa for US$50 at the Zambian border. This is then valid for daytrips to Botswana but only obtainable at the Zambian border.

A taxi from the airport into town should be US$10 as of July 2019 (price on Vaya app is Z$85).

The ATM in the airport does not work.

By train
National Railways of Zimbabwe runs a daily train to and from Victoria Falls to Bulawayo. It departs Bulawayo at 19:30. From Victoria Falls it departs 19:00. The trip takes about 15 hr and is sometimes delayed. It costs Z$20 for first class sleeper and Z$9 for bedding as of July 2019. First class cabins have 2 or 4 bunks per compartment, second class generally has 6, although there are special "half compartments" with 2 and 3 bunks respectively. Economy class is also available. Electric lights are available and sometimes shaver sockets, but no normal plug sockets, running water or toilet paper. This train is sometimes without electricity, so take a torch just in case.

There is also a night sleeper train from the capital Harare three times a week. Sleeper class $12, seat $10. Cross-border trains from Botswana have resumed after a long hiatus, with one daily morning departure from Francistown.

By bus
Minibus taxis run from the township outside Victoria Falls to Bulawayo in the very early morning and takes approximately 7 hours.

The five most commonly recommended bus companies running daily services from Johannesburg to Bulawayo are Intercape, Greyhound, Intercity, Citiliner, Eagle Liner. Tickets can be booked online. The journey costs R330–R470 (South African rand) on high quality luxury coaches. Eagle Liner buses depart Bulawayo for Johannesburg everyday at 14:30. the ticket cost R330. The Eagle liner booking office is at 5th Ave and G Silundika street.

Intercape also has buses from Bulawayo to Vic Falls, Harare. Intercape has the Largest intercity route network in southern Africa.

Extra City and Stallion Cruise also have buses going to/from Harare and Victoria Falls (many in the morning, one overnight, US$15, 7-8 h).

Get around
The city is fairly walkable.

By bus
Local transport is mainly by 18 seater minibuses called "kombis". The cost from the CBD to the suburbs is usually 50 cents.

By taxi
Taxis do not have a particular colour but are clearly marked. A taxi trip within the CBD costs US$2 and outside the city center limits it costs US$1 per km.

Do

 * Cricket:

 * Explore the streets
 * |Amakhosi Theatre, cnr of Old Falls Rd. and Lady Stanley St. Try this for local performing arts events.
 * |Amakhosi Theatre, cnr of Old Falls Rd. and Lady Stanley St. Try this for local performing arts events.

Shopping & supermarkets

 * Spar supermarkets there are many Spar supermarkets all over Bulawayao.
 * Spar supermarkets there are many Spar supermarkets all over Bulawayao.
 * Spar supermarkets there are many Spar supermarkets all over Bulawayao.
 * Spar supermarkets there are many Spar supermarkets all over Bulawayao.
 * Spar supermarkets there are many Spar supermarkets all over Bulawayao.
 * Spar supermarkets there are many Spar supermarkets all over Bulawayao.
 * Spar supermarkets there are many Spar supermarkets all over Bulawayao.
 * Spar supermarkets there are many Spar supermarkets all over Bulawayao.

Banks & ATMs
As of July 2019, all ATMs in town have been disconnected from the international network and foreign cards do not work. You will not be able to withdraw any cash, so bring plenty of US dollars. In Bulawayo, shop assistants are not used to foreigners. You can pay for things by credit card but you will be charged 8 times too much, i.e. instead of Z$10 you will be charged US$10!

Some shops may accept US dollars in cash but will give change in Zimbabwean dollars.

Banks will not change US dollars into Zimbabwean dollars due to a shortage of paper notes, but they will change US dollars into EcoCash (you will need to get an EcoNet SIM card first).

Budget under USD 50
Have a look at Airbnb for some cheaper rooms under usd 40.

Stay healthy
There was an outbreak of cholera in 2008. Check on current conditions before you go, and make sure to avoid obvious possible sources of contagion, such as unboiled water that is not from a sealed bottle and raw fruits or vegetables, especially if they can't be peeled. Also, strongly consider washing toothbrushes only with water that has either been boiled or come out of a sealed bottle. Unfortunately, water shortages are also a strong possibility in Bulawayo and the rest of Zimbabwe.

title: Bulawayo


text:
Bollenstreek

The Bollenstreek (lit. "Bulb Region") is a region in the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. It is famous for its large flower fields that bloom in spring. At the same time of the year, almost one million visitors see the Keukenhof flower gardens in Lisse.

Cities

 * — vibrant student city with a historic town centre
 * — mostly visited in spring for the large Keukenhof flower garden
 * — historical city with a nice beach.
 * (Sassenheim, Voorhout and Warmund)
 * — historical city with a nice beach.
 * (Sassenheim, Voorhout and Warmund)
 * (Sassenheim, Voorhout and Warmund)

Other destinations

 * — 800,000 visitors from all over the world visit this flower garden and the surrounding flower fields in spring

Get in
Leiden Central station has direct connections to trains from Schiphol Airport.

Get around
Arriva and EBS operate local buses in the area, although train service is usually more convenient.

See
The bulb fields are a seasonal attraction, in the spring (end of March to the end of May). The main bulb-growing area is on the sandy soil behind the dunes, between Haarlem and Leiden. If you just want to see the flowers briefly, you can do that from the train between Haarlem and Leiden. There are also signposted cycle routes through the bulb fields, such as the Leidse Bollenroute, a 37 km route, starting at the rear of Leiden Station.

title: Bollenstreek


text:
Bulgan

Bulgan is a city in the Bulgan province of Mongolia. The city is home to several small museums and a small active monastery that occupies a temple built in 1876, with about 30 active monks just south of the city.

Understand
Bulgan is a small city of roughly 18,000 people (2008) in the middle of the breadbasket of Mongolia. The city has been an active settlement for hundreds of years with the Bangiin Khuree Monastery once being home to over 1,000 monks before being completely destroyed by Stalinist purges in 1937, and other buildings dating back to the 17th century.

Get in
There's a paved road between Bulgan and Ulaanbataar. This road passes through Erdenet, the second largest city. There is 1 bus that leaves everyday from the Dragon Center in Ulaanbaatar to Bulgan at noon, plus several buses between Bulgan and Erdenet daily. It is also possible to travel via public transit between Bulgan and Mörön.

See

 * Dashchoinkhorlon Khiid Monastery founded in 1992. Replaced a monastery that was destroyed in 1937 by Stalinist purges.
 * Mausoleum of Khatanbaatar Magsarjav, hero of the Battle of Hovd, where he helped drive the Chinese out of a fort in 1912 in the Mongolian war of independence.
 * Uran Togoo Tulga Nature Reserve, 60 km south of the city, has an extinct volcano.
 * Museums located in the city preserve a fort used in the 1921 war against White Russians, the first Mongolian into space, J Gurrangchaa, and the Aimag Museum with displays on ethnic groups, ancient artifacts, the Chinese occupation, and the communist era.

Eat
Most restaurants in Bulgan lies near the main highway.

Sleep
The city has two hotels.

Go next
From Bulgan, you can travel on coaches or minibuses to the nearby city of Erdenet.

title: Bulgan