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Not just a transit city, here's what to check out in Sorong
Sorong in West Papua, which serves as a transit spot for travelers en route to diving haven Raja Ampat, is home to interesting tourist attractions.
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Sorong in West Papua as seen from the ocean. The Sorong administration reportedly plans to expand Tanjung Kasuari Beach, Raam Island (also known as Crocodile Island), Doom Island and a conservation forest.
(Shutterstock/File)
S
orong in West Papua, which serves as a transit spot for travelers en route to diving haven Raja Ampat, is home to interesting tourist attractions.
The Sorong administration reportedly plans to expand Tanjung Kasuari Beach, Raam Island (also known as Crocodile Island), Doom Island and a conservation forest.
Sorong Tourism Agency head Yacobus Sedik told Antara on Friday that the administration was planning the infrastructure development to support tourism in the aforementioned places.
"We're currently educating locals on how to protect the historical buildings left from World War II that we can use as heritage tourism," said Yacobus.
Read also: Raja Ampat easier to reach thanks to Garuda's new Jakarta-Sorong service
Below is what to expect from the four destinations:
Tanjung Kasuari Beach
Located in Saoka subdistrict in Maladumes district, this pristine beach is around seven kilometers from Sorong city center.
Blessed with refreshing atmosphere and white sand, the place has become a popular destination among the locals and is always packed during holidays despite not yet managed professionally.
Raam Island
Also known as Crocodile Island, due to its shape, this destination is home to white sand beaches, breathtaking under-the-sea panorama, World War II underwater wrecks and culinary tourism.
Part of Sorong Kepulauan district, it can be reached with a 25-minute motorboat ride.
Read also: Guide to visiting Raja Ampat for first-timers
Conservation forest
The forest at the 14-kilometer point in Sorong was declared a conservation forest by the Forestry Ministry in 1981. It is located on Jl. Sorong-Klamono in Klablim subdistrict, Klaurung district, around 7 kilometers from the city center.
Locals can be found visiting the forest as an alternative tourist destination to enjoy the fresh air while marveling at the ancient tall trees and interesting bird species like the yellow-crested cockatoo, Papuan hornbill and palm cockatoo.
Doom Island
Known as a historic island, this place used to be the Dutch administration center in East Indonesia during World War II.
Accessible by motorboat from Sorong, around a 10-minute journey, it is famous for its splendid underwater scene and Dutch heritage houses. The most beautiful scene on the island can be viewed from the Bethel Doom Church located on the top of the hill, where visitors can marvel at an uninterrupted view of Raam, Soop and Dofior islands with coral cliffs in the background.
The island is also less polluted as vehicles are rarely used there. At the port, tourists can expect to be greeted by dozens of becak (pedicabs) that are ready to transport them around. (kes)
