Think Lombok is Just Beaches and Mountains? 4 Hidden Gems of the Gorgeous Island You Should Know

The Indonesian island of Lombok is becoming an increasingly popular travel destination, and the gorgeous natural landscape alone makes it worth the trip! However, if you think that pristine beaches and awe-striking highlands are the only attractions the island has, you couldn’t be more wrong!

From its super friendly and culturally unique people to its scrumptious delicacies, Lombok has it all. Read on and get to know 4 hidden gems across the West Nusa Tenggara island that will have you packing your bags for a new adventure!

1. Learn to dance and play music like a local in Setanggor Village

Source: Jakarta Post

Located just 9 kilometres from Lombok International Airport, this is the perfect place to learn about the colourful Lombok culture. In the village, there are tons of activities to do which are either agricultural, textile, spiritual or even educational in nature!

What to expect:

• Blend in with the locals and see how they traditionally farm and cultivate crops such as dragon fruits and more.
• Ride on cidomos, a Lombok small horse-drawn carriage, to move around between tourist hotspots.
• During night time, enjoy a river cruise on top of a raft while eating local delicacies. All while listening to traditional Lombok flute music drifting over the waters!
• You can even contribute to the local society by being an English teacher to the Setanggor children! How cool is that?
• A certified Halal tourism spot, visitors can join in the traditional oration of local tales called memaos, where a group leader will recite naskah lontar, a palm-leaf manuscript, or learn how to recite the Qur’an properly with local orators.

Source: Jakarta Post

Traditional Lombok cidomo | Source: Alexbalitour

Source: jhdwi

2. Go on a culinary journey and try out Lombok’s street food

What’s a travel excursion without good food, right? Unlike neighbours Bali, Lombok serves almost exclusively Halal food due to its Muslim majority population and these are some of dishes you need to try out when you’re there:

Bebalung

Source: mamamierzha_kidswear

Literally means “animal bone”, this broth is made out of either cow or goat ribs that are stewed with shallots, ginger, tamarind leaves, salt, pepper and more.

Served hot with steamed rice, lime juice and sambal, you’ll be asking for second servings in no time!

Source: foodjournal_daily

Ayam Taliwang

Source: pristian_2322

An Indonesian grilled chicken available throughout the country, what makes Lombok’s version special is its usage of ayam kampung which is smaller, juicier and more organic than regular chicken.

Taliwang is the sauce, which is made of shrimp paste, lime juice, salt, chillies and garlic. Absolutely yummy!

Source: warungtaliwanglombok

Sate Bulayak

Source: permadi1993

A variation of the ever so popular satay dish found throughout Southeast Asia, what makes this local twist on the dish unique is its accompanying rice cake, called Bulayak, which is wrapped in palm leaves in a long cylinder shape. Served with spicy coconut milk sauce, it’s definitely a must-try when in Lombok!

Source: mayandanabila

Ares

Source: tengakarta

Made out of banana stems, this dish is usually found at wedding receptions and religious festivals. Ares is a curry in which beef, chicken and even fish meat are simmered together along with coconut milk, galangal, ginger and turmeric.

All of these ingredients mix together to bring about one unique, and most importantly delicious, dish!

Source: masrondom

3. Join in the unique Lombok Hari Raya celebrations!

Source: wartantb

Being a Muslim-majority island, Lombok celebrates Eid Fitri just like us here in Malaysia. However, the locals have quite a unique tradition when it comes to Hari Raya called Lebaran Topat, which takes place on the 7th day of the Muslim month of Syawal.

What to expect: 

• The word “topat” itself is derived from ketupat, which is a delicacy all too familiar to us back home.
• In a tradition stretching back hundreds of years, join in with the locals and feast on festive dishes whilst enjoying traditional musical shows.
• The highlight of the celebration has got to be the perang topat or the ketupat wars where two local factions will throw ketupats at each other in a friendly tradition.
• A celebration attended by both the Muslim and Hindu communities of Lombok, this Hari Raya celebration is definitely one of the most unique celebrations on the planet!

Source: goodnewsfromindonesia

Source: Tribunnews

4. Awaken your spiritual side at Mataram’s Islamic Centre Mosque

Source: liburpedia

One of the West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) province’s main religious destinations, the NTB Islamic Centre Mosque or the Hubbul Wathan Grand Mosque in Mataram is a magnificent feat of architecture with its 99-meter-tall Asmaul Husna tower being the most awe-inspiring highlight.

What to expect: 

• Muslim tourists from all over the world come to the mosque to pray each day.
• You can enjoy a spectacular view of the whole city of Mataram from atop the tower as there is an elevator that brings visitors to the top of the Asmaul Husna tower for a fee of just RM1.50!
• There is also an exhibition gallery featuring photographs of the mosques throughout Lombok called the Island of a Thousand Mosques.
• The mosque also welcomes non-Muslims to view its premises and learn about Islam as well as the local Islamic traditions of Lombok!

Source: ayiep_darbozt

Source: Jakarta Post

Who says there’s only beaches and mountains in Lombok? Taking into consideration the food and local culture, the island is most definitely one of the most Muslim-friendly travel destinations in the world, which is perfect for us Malaysians. No wonder then Lombok has been awarded the best Halal tourist destination in Indonesia!

Can’t wait to pack your bags? For more information on the gorgeous island of Lombok and other amazing Indonesian destinations that are bound to satisfy your wanderlust, click here.