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Explore a different side of Indonesia in these museums
Not only are these museums Insta-worthy, they might teach you a thing or two about Indonesia.
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The entrance to Agung Rai Museum of Art in Ubud, Bali. (Shutterstock/File)
T
rick-eye museums are all the rage on social media. If you're looking for more eye-popping places to visit or to make your Instagram feed stand out, consider these destinations.
Not only are these museums Insta-worthy, they might teach you a thing or two about Indonesia.
Yogyakarta's Kaliurang area is a popular destination among nature lovers, but few know about the private Museum Ullen Sentalu. Enjoy the cool mountain air while admiring the museum's art collection, which comprises mainly of Javanese intangible heritage pieces.
While visitors can opt for a guided tour or a free one, museum director Daniel Haryodiningrat suggests the guided tour so that you will have a deeper understanding of the collection.
Tips: Bring an umbrella during the rainy season, and wear comfortable shoes as the tracks can be slippery.
Read also: Five museums in Indonesia for your next family vacation
House of Sampoerna (http://houseofsampoerna.museum/)
The Kretek cigarette, despite all its controversies, is undoubtedly a big part of Indonesian society. Spare your time to visit the House of Sampoerna in Surabaya, East Java, an ex-orphanage turned into cigarette factory that now functions as a museum showcasing the development of Sampoerna -- one of the largest cigarette producers in the country.
Visitors can observe the making of hand-rolled cigarettes the company is known for, Dji Sam Soe.
The museum will be closed during the Idul Fitri holiday. Interested visitors are advised to contact the management beforehand to ensure a full experience during their visit.
House of Danar Hadi
You are not a batik lover until you step inside the House of Danar Hadi, Surakarta. Founded by Santosa Doellah, owner and director of batik brand Danar Hadi, the museum holds a vast collection that amounts to more than 10,000 pieces of batik. The collection is recognized by the Indonesian Record Museum as the biggest of its kind in Indonesia
The building itself is a marvel. Built in 1890 on a 1.5-hectare area that served as a home to the KPH Wuryaningrat's family, a part of the Surakarta Sultanate who also fought for the nation's independence.
Read also: Jakarta to have Islamic museum
Tjong A Fie's Mansion (http://tjongafiemansion.org/)
Peranakan culture is deeply embedded in the diverse society of Medan, North Sumatra, and it seems fitting to visit the Tjong A Fie's Mansion while you're there.
Tjong A Fie was a Chinese immigrant who gained prominence as the leader of the Chinese community in Medan in the early 20th century. However, A Fie did not discriminate against race or religions since he famously helped people from all backgrounds.
The 35-room mansion was built in 1895 with Chinese, Malay and Art Deco influences in its architecture, reflecting A Fie's inclusive philosophy.
Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA) (http://www.armabali.com/museum/)
One cannot talk about Bali and art without mentioning Ubud, dubbed as the cultural heart of the Island of the Gods.
ARMA boasts itself to be "more than a museum." Inspired by Dutch art experts, founder Agung Rai says the museum both showcases and records the development of Balinese art. It is also a center for art education, he adds.
Providing spaces for performing arts, workshops, conference, classes and a reading room, ARMA functions to cultivate cultural learning among its visitors. (kes)
