Banten (town)

Being a great trading centre in Southeast Asia, especially of pepper, the sultanate of Banten was powerful and prosperous starting in the 16th century, which led to the construction of impressive buildings in its capital town of Banten. However, the capital of the colonial power, the Dutch East Indies, was located just 60 km east in Batavia (now the city of Jakarta). This led to intense conflicts, and eventually led to the end of the sultanate in the early 19th century, when it was absorbed in the Dutch East Indies. Nowadays, the town of Banten is an administrative village under the authority of the larger city of Serang. Banten's port is no more than a local fishing port, with the ports of Merak to the west and Jakarta to the east being much more important.

By car

Banten is about 7 km north of the city of Serang. The Jalan Raya Banten road leads directly from the city centre of Serang to Banten. To get to Banten from Jakarta, you can take the Jakarta-Merak toll road and get off at the Serang Timur (East Serang) exit. From there, it is about a 10 km drive to Banten.

By train

Banten is served by . There are several daily trains from Serang and Rangkasbitung (terminus of commuter line from central Jakarta), and several in the other direction to Cilegon and Merak (ferry port to Sumatra).

By bus

There is also an angkot (minibus) route from the city of Serang to Banten. To ask for directions, mention specifically Banten Lama (Old Banten).

Most of the sights in Banten, as well as the railway station, are within walking distance of each other. Another option is to hire an ojek (motorcycle taxi). The neighborhood is poor and in parts resembles a shanty town.

• Wie146

  Surosowan sultan palace

  address: Jl. Masjid Agung Banten
  Located in the once-prosperous kingdom of Banten, this royal palace was designed by a Muslim Dutchman Hendrick Lucas Cardeel and completed during the reign of the first sultan. Surrounded by a high brick wall, it served as a glorious residence from 1526 to 1808 and was equipped with an aqueduct connected to a reservoir. A major excavation in 1984 divulged the greatness of this exuberant palace. Foundations of some pavilions, a bathing area in the south wing, and two filtration tanks are some of the structures awaiting the keen explorer.

• Great Mosque of Banten

  address: Jl. Banten Lama
  16th century mosque, one of the few surviving buildings of the old Banten town. The minaret tower was built in 1632.

• Old Banten Archaeological Museum

  address: Jl. Masjid Agung Banten
  Museum on the history of the town and the sultanate of Bandung, as well as Southeast Asian ceramics.

• Vihara Avalokitesvara

  address: Jalan Bio Banten
  Buddhist monastery, and one of the oldest Chinese temples in Indonesia.

• Fort Speelwijk

  address: Jl. Vihara, Kampung Pamarican
  Dutch fort built in 1682. The square-shaped fort is in good shape. Outside of the fort there is a Dutch cemetery.

There are various warungs (local eateries and streetfood stalls) in the town of Banten, serving seafood and other local dishes.

There are no hotels in the town of Banten. The nearest hotels are in the city of Serang. It is also possible to visit Banten as a day trip if you stay overnight in Tangerang or Jakarta.

• Anyer — this beach resort town is about 40 km west of Banten.
• Serang — in the nearby provincial capital there are various hotels, shopping malls, and restaurants.