Tasikmalaya

Tasikmalaya – Mountain city of Islamic ascetics

Deep within the mountainous region of Parahyangan in West Java province lies the city of Tasikmalaya. Its landlocked nature and its elevation some 350 meters above sea level are both quite fitting qualities for a city that has developed a reputation for being a place where "santri" (Islamic students) from around the country undergo religious education at the city's many "pesantren" (Islamic boarding schools), "madrasah" (Islamic schools) and Islamic universities. Beyond all of this Islamic learning, Tasikmalaya's 741,760 inhabitants living throughout the city's 183.14 square kilometer territory have worked hard to turn the city into a popular destination for its cuisine and handicrafts over the years, particularly when it comes to the local unique batik motifs and patterns.

Though the city is best known for these handicrafts (with its colorful Geulis Umbrellas being popular souvenirs), the city's best tourism offerings are more nature-based. Its hilly terrain contains many scenic, secluded and pristine canyons (like the panoramic Tonjong Canyon), its roaring waterfalls (like the 80-meter-tall Agung Galunggung) and its lakes (like the tranquil Situ Gede). Families looking for accessible places to visit and have fun can enjoy Karang Resik Tourism Park. If you want to experience the area's Sundanese culture, be sure to visit Naga Village where people still adhere to the traditional practices of this indigenous group.

Economically, the city was able to survive the worst the pandemic had to offer. At the start of the pandemic in 2020, Tasikmalaya suffered -2.01 percent growth. But it has since had a come back, with 3.57 percent growth in 2021, 5.01 percent in 2022 and 5.96 percent in 2023. Its Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) at current prices in 2023 amounted to Rp 27.41 trillion, with the biggest contributing industries being wholesale retail and trade (at Rp 5.93 trillion or 21.63 percent), construction (at Rp 4.40 trillion or 16.04 percent), and manufacturing (at 3.67 trillion or 13.39 percent).