Bandung’s Face on the First Day of 2026

Bandung is the capital of West Java, Indonesia, known as the “Paris of Java” for its colonial-era art deco architecture and vibrant creative scene. Historically, it gained prominence as a major plantation and trading hub under Dutch colonial rule and was the host city for the landmark 1955 Asia-Africa Conference, a pivotal event in the Non-Aligned Movement. Today, it is a bustling university city and a popular weekend destination for its cool climate, culinary offerings, and surrounding volcanic landscapes.

The “City of Flowers” is a common nickname for several places worldwide, most notably **Grasse in France**, renowned as the historic global capital of perfumery since the 16th century. Its industry grew from a center for leather tanning, which began using local flower scents to mask odors, leading to the cultivation of vast fields of jasmine, roses, and orange blossoms. Today, it remains a major hub for fragrance production and a popular tourist destination for its floral heritage and perfumeries.

Jalan Asia Afrika is a historic street in Bandung, Indonesia, most famous as the location of the Gedung Merdeka. This building hosted the landmark 1955 Asia-Africa Conference, a pivotal meeting of post-colonial nations that promoted solidarity and non-alignment during the Cold War. Today, the street and its conference museum serve as a symbol of that important diplomatic history.