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Banda Aceh Grand MosqueSource: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Baiturrahman_Mosque#mediaviewer/File:Meuseujid_Raya.JPG
Author: Si Gam
Author: Si Gam
Banda Aceh is a city on the northern tip of Sumatra, Indonesia. It is the capital and largest city in Aceh Province, Indonesia. The city, which was originally known as Kutaraja, meaning "king's city" is now called Banda Aceh, meaning "Port Aceh," partly because it was the traditional port for departures for Haj pilgrimages.
Rumah Aceh, a replica of a traditional Acehnese houseSource: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rumoh_Aceh_2.JPG
Author: Si Gam Acèh
Author: Si Gam Acèh
Banda Aceh came to international attention when it was devastated by the 26 December 2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake, which caused the death of some 167,000 people within northern Sumatra alone. Much of the city has now been rebuilt, making it look like the newest city in Indonesia.
Travel to Banda Aceh
Budget travelers can now fly AirAsia from Kuala Lumpur and Firefly from Penang. You can also fly Garuda from Jakarta and Medan.Travel within Banda Aceh
The main mode of transportation are the becak (motorcycle taxis and trishaws) and labi-labi (minivans). A trip within Banda Aceh should cost you in the region of Rp.8,000 to Rp. 15,000. A trip from airport to Banda Aceh should be around Rp. 40,000.
Mosque at Meulaboh Village, northern Sumatra, after the tsunamiSource: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sumatra_meulaboh_mosque.jpg
Author: U.S. Navy
Author: U.S. Navy
Places of Interest in Banda Aceh
- Cut Nya Dien House
Former home of Indonesia's heroine Cut Nyak Dien. - Desa Lampulo Boat On House
A boat carrying 59 people that was carried by the tsunami and deposited on a house. All on board survived. - Gunongan
A whimsical structure erected by Sultan Iskandar Muda (1607-1636) as the bathing place for his wife Putro Phang. - Kerkhof
War memorial cemetery to 2,000 Dutch soldiers. - Masjid Raya Baiturrahman
The grand mosque at the very heart of Banda Aceh. - Museum Aceh
Museum showcasing the cultural history of the region, with displays of ceramics, weaponry, attire, jewelry and calligraphy, among others. - Teungku di Bitay's Grave
Grave of an Achenese Muslim saint. - Tsunami Monument
Monument beside a 2,600 ton vessel that was swept 2 km inland. - Ulee Lheue
Ground zero of the Tsunami, the shore line facing the Straits of Malacca where the tsunami approached.
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Dear visitor, thank you so much for reading this page. My name is Timothy Tye and my hobby is to find out about places, write about them and share the information with you on this website. I have been writing this site since 5 January 2003. Originally (from 2003 until 2009, the site was called AsiaExplorers. I changed the name to Penang Travel Tips in 2009, even though I describe more than just Penang but everywhere I go (I often need to tell people that "Penang Travel Tips" is not just information about Penang, but information written in Penang), especially places in Malaysia and Singapore, and in all the years since 2003, I have described over 20,000 places.
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