Aceh - Ie Seuum Natural Hotspring

Aceh is well known for its natural resources such as oil and gas. It is not surprising that Aceh also has several natural hotspring spots. One of the famous natural hotspring spots is called Ie Seuum. Ie Seuum is located in Ie Seuum village of Mukim Krueng Raya in the Merjid Raya district of Aceh Besar province. This place is located in the foothill of Mount Seulawah, approximately 38 km from Banda Aceh.

Water temperature in Ie Seuum is approximately 85' celcius, with rather huge water debit from four sources.

Visitors usually come from Banda Aceh and Aceh Besar province. They came because natural hotspring is known for its skin disease healing quality.

How to get there: to reach the site, you will have to use private car through Banda Aceh Krueng Raya road to Lam Teuba or through Sultan Iskandar Muda airport. The site is located 8 km from the Sultan Iskandar Mudah airport.

Aceh - Ali Hasjmy Museum

Ali Hasjmy was borne in Lampaseh, Banda Aceh in 28 March 1914 and died in Banda Aceh, 18 January 1998. Known as a muslim religious teacher, writer, humanist, and also a politician, he was once a governor of Aceh and rector of IAIN Jami'ah Ar-Raniry Darussalam, Banda Aceh. He was also a member of ICMI (Moslem Scholar Society of Indonesia - Ikatan Cendekiawan Muslim Indonesia). When he was no longer actively involved in the government, he was active in the education sector.

As a form of his appreciation for the development of science, he establish Ali Hasjmy Education Foundation (Yayasan Pendidikan Ali Hasjmy) in the beginning of 1989. In 1990, he donated tp the foundation a land of approximately 3,000 square metres, books of more than 15,000 volumes, ancient script, historically and culturally valuable photo albums, and heirloom of historical significance.

All of his possesions mentioned in the above was then made as collections of the Library and Museum of  Ali Hasjmy Education Foundation (Yayasan Pendidikan Ali Hasjmy). In 15 January 1991, the library and musem was inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Emil Salim, the then State Minister of Demography and Environmental Affair.

The musem is located in Jl. Jenderal Sudirman No.20, Banda Aceh.

How to get there: because it is located near the centre of the city of Banda Aceh, the museum is easily reached by any mode of land transportation, private or public.

Aceh - Putroe Phang Park

Putroe Phang Park is located in the Sultanate of Aceh Palace complex in Banda Aceh. This park was made as a token of love of the Sultan for his consort named Putroe Phang. Putroe Phang means the Princess from Pahang as the consort was borne in Pahang, Malaysia.

A unique building named Gunongan was built right at the center of the Medan Khayali of the park. This Gunongan was made similar to the hills of Pahang to comfort the consort whenever she yearn for her homeland.

The sultan was not attracted to Putroe Phang only because she was beautiful. Putroe Phang was also famous for her intelects. She was crowned as the government advisor for her expertise to create laws on women child.

How to get there: the park is strategically located in the center of the city. It will not be difficult for you to find by private car, or alternatively, your can also use motorcycle becak (becak motor) to one of the most important historical site in Aceh.   

Aceh - Baiturrahman Mosque (Masjid Raya Baiturrahman)

Baiturrahman Mosque is a mosque located in the centre of Banda Aceh in Jl. Masjid Raya Baiturrahman, Banda Aceh. This mosque was originally built by the sultanate of Aceh. When the Dutch attacked the city of Banda Aceh in 1873, the mosque was also burnt down. In 1875, the Dutch reconstruct a new mosque to replace the original mosque.

The mosque which occupies an area of approximately 4 hectares has beatiful and unique architecture. It has seven dome, four tower, and one main tower. The inside room is covered by Italian marble of 4,760 square metre and may accomodate up to 9,000 prayers.

There is a bog pond in the court yard of the mosque with ornamental plants and coconut tree.

The mosque survived the 2-metre-Aceh-tsunami in 26 December 2004. After the tsunami, the mosque was made a place to lay down thousands of dead bodies of tsunami victims.

How to get there: because it is located in the centre of Banda Aceh, you can reach the premise by any type of vehicles such as motorcycle becak and labi-labi.