Parepare is the second biggest cities in South Sulawesi. This beautiful city is located in a beach and in the edge of the hills. If you visit this city, you will be offered by special beautiful landscapes; golden-red sky in the sunrise and sunset time, house-shop in line row, port in a middle of the city, and people who start their daily life.
Commerce and services that is offered by people become the characteristic of the city where the third president of Indonesia, B.J. Habibie, born. This harbor city has many shop and restaurant in the middle of the city. As a harbor city, ships activities also become a special daily view in Parepare.
Parepare: A very Short History
In the past, Parepare is a highland where grow bushes in the sideway of the land from northern side (Cappa Ujung) to southern side of the city and has many holes in its ground. Then by a historycal process that land is named as Parepare City.
From old manuskrip of the Suppa Kingdom, about XIV century, there is a son of King of Suppa left the palace to the south and build his own region on the beach. This region then known as Soreang Kingdom, then another one kingdom built around XV century, it is Bacukiki Kingdom.
In a friendship visit, King of Gowa XI, Manrigau Dg. Bonto Karaeng Tonipallangga (1547-1566) walk from Bacukiki Kingdom to Soreang Kingdom. As a king who is known as master of strategy and develpopment peoneer, King of Gowa is interested to the views and landscape and spontaneously he said: ”Bajiki Ni Pare” (This is good build to be a harbor). Since that time Parepare named as harbor City of Parepare. Then many people came to sell their things in Suppa include Malayans.
Seeing the strategic position as port that is take covered by cape and festivity because often visited by people, Netherland conquered this place then make it as important city in the middle of South Sulawesi. In this city Netherland build their headquarter then expand their wings to the eastern and northern of South Sulawesi that centered in Parepare for Ajatappareng area.
In the Indies era, in Parepare, is located a resident Assistant and a Controlur or Gezag Hebber as Head of Goverment (Indies), with governmental area status named Afdeling Parepare that is covered Onder Afdeling Barru, Onder Afdeling Sidenreng Rappang, Onder Afdeling Enrekang, Onder Afdeling Pinrang and Onder Afdeling Parepare.
In the ach of Onder Afdeling is located a Controlur or Gezag Hebber. The Controlur also helped by Bugis Kingdoms leaders, they are; Arung Barru in Barru, Addatuang Sidenreng in Sidenreng Rappang, Arung Enrekang in Enrekang, Addatung Sawitto in Pinrang, and Arung Mallusetasi in Parepare. This governmental structure run until Second World War, when the fall of Indies Government around 1942.
In 1945, after Indonesia took its freedom, governmental structure based on Regulation No. 1 year 1945 (Committee of Indonesia National). Then continued to the Regulation No. 2 Year 1948, where its governmental structure also changed become in the District only there is Head of District or Head of Country Governmental and no more Resident Assistant or Ken Karikan.
When the Parepare status became Afdeling that has 5 Districts as mention before and when regulation Number 29 Year 1959 about the making and deviding District in South Sulawesi released, all of that four Onder Afdeling became District, they are the District of Barru, Sidenreng Rappang, Enrekang and Pinrang, while Parepare itself became Kota Praja. Then in 1963 the Kota Praja term changed to be Kotamadya and finally when Regulation Number 2 Year 1999 released Parepare become city until now.
There is Parepare Here
Geographically, Parepare city located in coordinat point between 03° 57’ 39” to 03° 57’ 39” South Latitude and 119° 36’ 24” to 119° 43’ 40” East Longitude. This city located not so far from capital city of South Sulawesi and located in middle point of South Sulawesi so strategic enough to acces another cities like Toraja, Palopo, Watampone, Majene and Makassar. From Makkasar, Parepare located around 155 kilometres in the northern or about 3 - 4 hours by car.
Parepare is located in the coastal area of Makassar Strain between Celebes and Borneo, it is mean that it easy to take trip to this city.
Parepare has population about 110 thousands persons and the wide of this city is around 99 kilometers. There are 4 sub-districts in Parepare, they are Soreang, Bacukiki, Ujung, and West Bacukiki. Beside Makassar Strain, Parepare take position in between some districts, they are Pinrang, Sidenreng Rappang, Barru, Enrekang and Majene. All of those districts known as Ajatappareng where Parepare is the center of its governmental.
You have to Visit Parepare!
Because Parepare is located in the middle of South Sulawesi, it is easy to take this city by land transportation. And because it is located in the coastal area of Makassar Strain, this place is also really easy to take by water transportation.
Interesting places and tourism objects are placed near to the city, the farest place only took 45 minutes to go there. Transportation acces to the tourism objects is easy and various; rent motorcycle, pedicab, and other cheap public transportations.There is no difficulty for you to visit this city.
Walking around while enjoying this city atmosphere can be a good activity. In alongside of the road there are leafy trees will accompany you to enjoy this clean city. For your information, Parepare is awarded Adipura Cup for 12 times. Adipura Cup is award for the cleanest city in Indonesia.
How to go Parepare?
By air and land transportation
Parepare can be reached by land trasportation from Makassar. There are various vehicles can take you to Parepare. If you come from outside of Soth Sulawesi and arrive in Makassar by an airplane, from the airport we suppose you to take on a public transportation named Damri. Ask pete-pete drive to take you to the Daya Terminal. In the terminal find a Damri bus. You will enjoy a pleasent trip on it by paying only Rp30.000.
The trip will be 3 or 4 hours. In the trip you can enjoy farm field view and hills also sea shore of South Sulawesi. You also can stop in some traditional food center alongside of the route. You can taste Hot Dange in Pangkep and Gogos in Barru.
If you want to more fast, you can take a trip by a MVP or AVP public transportation, this vehicle known as 'panther'. the price will be more expensive, Rp30.000, but you only need 2 - 3 hours.
By water Transportation
Parepare is a harbour city that has port as main facility for sea transportation. Ships will stop in the port where placed in middle of the city. There are 3 city port in Parepare, they are Nusantara Main Port, Cappa Ujung Port, and Lontangnge Port. Those port can be anchored by a all of kind of ships. There are a lot of tourist who want to go to the Toraja always used this type of transportation.
Activities
Start your day in the morning by enjoy fresh air in Parepare. You can walk through the clean road under the leafy trees. Do not forget to take a light breakfast by tasting Bugis traditional cakes, Putu Berre', that you can find in the junction of Jl. Bau Massepe and Hastom Area (Jalan Hasanuddin and Jalan Patompo). It is easy to find this traditional food that made from sticky rice and coconut.
After enjoying morning atmosphere, it is time to visit interesting place and tourism objects. Parepare has many interesting places for you to choose. If you like beach, some places like Lumpue Beach, Tongareng Beach, Bibir Beach and Mattirotasi Beach wait for you.
However if you prefer nature and culture tourism than beach, you can enjoy Jompie City Forest, Karajae River, Tompangeng Cave, Bilalangnge Culture Area and Cempae Well of Soul Mate. Parepare also has historical place, like Monumen Korban 40.000 (40.000 victims monument) that placed close to Agung Mosque. There are also many monuments in Parepare, they are Welcome Monument, Adipura Monument, Dolphin Monument, Youth Statue and Bau Massepe Statue (National hero from Parepare). Finally, do nt forget to visit Museum of Labangenge.
Take a rest and enjoy sunset in Pare Bay with Ujung Lero Cape view. There are two alternatives; Bibir Beach and Mattirotasi Beach. Start to walk alongside of Bibir Beach while wait for sunset. Choose one of cafe and start to enjoy the red ball sun fall down in Ujung Lero Cape. To accompany you, order a warm beverage and snack.
When the sun disappear, continue your trip to the Mattirotasi Beach. This is a nice place to taka a dinner. Various menu like Nasi Goreng and various food from nuddles and gado-gado you can order from one of small restaurant in this beach. The price for each portion is around Rp15.000.
After take a dinner, you can enjoy night life in Parepare. Not so far from beach, there is Adipura Monument, the monument to remain people that Parepare can keep their city clean. Not so far from this place there is Senggol Market Area. Senggol Market is trade mark of this trade, service and education city. This area is known because set aside various cheap used-thing.
If you still have time, you can enjoy sea of light from one corner in the Jl. Sudirman, near to Parepare Mayor Office. For you who want to spend the night in Parepare, this city also set aside various interesting places, like Singing Hall, Cafe, Discotic and treet muciccians. In the saturday night, main road in this city full of people who come from Parepare and outside of Parepare to enjoy night liofe in this city.
Shopping Tourism
As a trade city, Parepare can be a right destination for you who want to enjoy shopping tourism. There is a special area set aside almost all of your needs. In this place you can find famous label used-clothes and another cheap household things.
If you want to buy something in more comfort place, not so far from Senggol Market there is a boutique named Aza Carlos. It is set aside your needs; from necktie, shoes, clothes to various hat and others accesories. How about the price? We believe that you can not believe an Oakley glasses only Rp150.000 to Rp300.000. If you do not believe it, prove it!
Not only clothes and its accesories like watch and glasses, this boutique also sell various electronic matters like notebook and television. All of those things directly come from Batam and Singapore. So, enjoy cheap shopping tourism here, in Parepare!
City Tour
Preserved Park of Lamario
This park is located in Jalan Mattirotasi, Cappa Galung. This place is close to the beach and become a favorite rest place for people who travel and pass Parepare.
There is a beautiful panorama around this place. Various kinds of fishermen boats are parked in line on the beach. You can do many tourism activities here, like fishing near to the boat statue or doing beach volley ball.
This place of interest is appropriate for family. This park provides games for your children, like cradle. You can enjoy the beach atmosphere without worry about your children.
In the night, many people also visit this place, especially children and teenagers. They are doing various activities. And this place also full of place that offer many kinds of food, snacks, and beverage in the night.
Cappa Ujung Port
The name of the port itself is unique; both of the words, ‘Cappa’ and ‘Ujung’ actually have the same meaning. In Buginese, ‘Cappa’ means ‘Ujung’ (end or tip). So, Cappa Ujung means the end of the end. The port called Cappa Ujung maybe because the port is located near to a bay that separate between Tanjung Ujung Lero (Pinrang Regency) and Parepare. Parepare people are known like to use and mix two languages in their daily life communication; Indonesian and Buginese.
Cappa Ujung Port is located in the western side of Parepare, where you can see the freighter and passenger ship activities. Most of the ships like phinisi, traditional ship in South Sulawesi. Ocean view from this place is really attractive with fishermen’s traditional boats tied up in row on the beach. Also there is traditional market that makes this place promise lots of tourism activities for you.
Andi Makkasau Town Square
This town square also known as landmark of Parepare. You may reach this square easily because it is located in the middle of the city. This accessibility becomes the main reason why this square always took as place for traditional and modern art performances or aother culture events.
This square also known as Andi Makkasau sport field which is visited by many people in the afternoon. People use this square for various activities. Some people use it for place to play with their children. Another people use it for sport, like jogging, football, etc.
Mayor Office of Parepare
This building is located in Jl. Jenderal Sudirman No. 78 Parepare. This building is center of governmental activities of Parepare. Mayor office of Parepare stands on the hilly area which has fresh air. From this place you can enjoy Parepare City views. You can see directly Parepare Bay that has exotic views. In the night, you can see Parepare becomes sea of light. Lamps from people’s house like thousands of firefly.
Nusantara Port
As the main port in Parepare, location of this port very effective for the passenger mobility and luggage that will be sailed to another island in Indonesia. Around the port, there are many kinds of activities that you can see if you visit. You also can enjoy the splendor of the port in the afternoon at the sunset time, when the sky become golden-red.
Location of the port very strategic; it is located in the center of the city. It will simplify you to visit and explore Parepare City.
Senggol Market
Senggol Market (Pasar Senggol) is night shopping tourism icon of Parepare. In the noon, this area is really quiet, but it is very different in the night. In this area, hundreds of merchants sell numerous needs of Parepare people and tourists.
Senggol Market known as center of used-clothes commerce which is by South Sulawesi people named cakar. The word ‘cakar’ is short form or acronym of ‘Cap Karung’ (sack label), because those used-clothes take from sacks. In spite of used-clothes, their quality is not second.
You can find numerous famous trade-marks in Pasar Senggol, and of course, with the cheaper price. For example, you can buy Polo T-shirt only Rp20.000. Or you can buy a Levi’s jeans only Rp50.000.
In Pasar Senggol area also you can find another thing like jacket, neck-tie, belt, socks, coat, shoes, bag, wallet, and under wears. You need not to expend hundreds thousands rupiahs to get a label famous hand-bag. But if you have Rp50.000, you can have a Luis Vitton hand-bag. Even bed cover, curtain or blanket is available in Pasar Senggol. You can find all of those things with very low-priced.
Beside offer very low-priced things, Pasar Senggol that is located in middle of the city become one of attraction for people to visit it in the night. This area also offers many restaurants which can serve you by various delicious foods. It will not hard to find restaurants which have traditional, Indonesian and Chinese food in their menu. At last, this area also offers many accommodations.
Monument of Adipura
Not so far from Pasar Senggol, there is a monument named Monumen Adipura. It was built as success symbol of Parepare that reached Adipura Cup. Adipura Cup is awarded to the city which is considered as cleanest city in Indonesia. This monument not only a symbol, when you visit Parepare you will agree that this city is truly clean and beautiful. Around the monument, there are many cafés can be your choice if you want to enjoy food and beverage while enjoying beach atmosphere.
Islamic Centre
Islamic Centre is located in Jl. Agussalim. It is center for Islam religion and education in Parepare. In the top of its tower, you can see Parepare from highness.
Monument of Youth Statue
The Monument of Youth Statue is symbolized by statue of a youth who bring books and torch. Books and torch are symbols that Youth of Parepare have spirit to learn and go forward. This monument stands in the crossroad of Jl.Bau Massepe, Jl. Agussalim and Jl. Pemuda.
Main Bus Station of Lumpue
This station is located not so far from main gate between Parepare and Barru, also near to tourism object, Lumpue Beach. This terminal functions as a place to get taxe from vehichels from outer city that passed by this route.
If you want to go to this terminal, you only need 15 minutes from the middle of the city. And if you want to trip to another city in Sulawesi Islands by land vehicles, this terminal is a right place to get information about route and bus.
Nature and Culture Tourism
Bacukiki Village
This village is located about 30 minutes to the south-east from center of the city. It is former of Bacukiki Kingdom area, where is built in the 15th century. There is a holy stone in this place that become base from this village name. Bacukiki come from Bugis word 'batukiki' that means neigh stone.
They say, from this stone sometimes is listened a horse neigh which is a sign for one of this three matters; the death of one from castle people, there will be an epidemy attack, and disaster like fire and flood. According to the people, the last horse neigh listened ten years ago when the last king son in law death.
The archaeological remains of Bacukiki Kingdom now placed in Labangengnge' Museum, while former where the Saoraja (palace) stand now become place where there is a mosque, in front of Watang Bacukiki Village office.
As an area of kingdom era former, a part of Bacukiki people still keep their belief to the Dewata Sewuae, belief before Islam arrive in Sulawesi. The followers of this belief known as Tau Lotang, some of them also live in Sidrap and Wajo.
Not so far from this village there is a hill named Bulu Ruangnge. The followers of Tau Lotang believe that in this hill 'To Manurung' first time shown. To Manurung is the derivation of kings who ever govern in the Bacukuki Kingdom. Every end of January, followers of Tau Lotang come and meet together in Ruangnge Hill to take a ritual 'pilgrim'. They meet every year in a place in Wajo in the early of January.
Sumur Jodoh (Well of Mate)
In the northern side around 7 km from Parepare City, in Kelurahan Watang Soreang, there is a unique well named Sumur Jodoh (well of mate). Only with 20 minutes, you can reach this place of interest by all kind of land vehicles.
People believe that this well can bless everyone who visits. People visit this place for various purposes, but most of them hope its water give them bless in order to get someone to marry soon.
Without saying its legend, this well at glance similarly with others wells. The difference is location of this well on the beach. You maybe think that the water of this well is salty like the sea water. But, the fact is the water of this well is tasteless. According to the people, this well always full of water even in the dry season.
For you who do not have a lover to marry, you can visit this well. But if you do not believe that this well can bless you to find your mate to marry, it does not matter. If you visit this well, you also can enjoy the fishermen doing their fishing activities.
Cave and Waterfall of Tompangnge
Tompangnge Cave is located in the south eastern side of Parepare city. You can reach this interesting place for around 45 minutes from Parepare. This cave also is known as Bat Cave (Gua Kelelawar) because it is occupied by thousands of bats. You also can find some reptiles there, like lizard and snakes.
This Cave is appropriate for you who like adventuring. To reach this cave, you should walk about 2 kilometers on the hills. But do not worry; you will not be tired, because this adventure serves you by green garden in all of hills.
The location of this cave becomes more interesting because near from cave there is a waterfall. That spring of the waterfall comes from roots of woods in the top of the hill beside of the Cave of Tompangnge.
Lumpue and Tonrangeng Beach
Lumpue Beach has beautiful view like tropical beach as well; leaves of coconut tree. In right side, there is rock hill that is overtopped. Beside of the rock hill, about 100 meters from Lumpue Beach, there is other beautiful Beach, Tonrangeng Beach. Tonrangeng Beach has white sandy.
In the Tonrangeng Beach, you can enjoy ocean view and Buginese traditional ships of the fishermen parked in row in the beach.
If you want to visit Lumpue and Tonrangeng Beach, it is really easy. All of kind of vehicles can be reach this place. From center of the city, you can go there by pete-pete (special public transportation in South Sulawesi) or by ojek (rented motorcycle). Most of pete-pete in Parepare colored yellow. Find pete-pete which is route to Lumpue. You only need 15 minutes and Rp2.500 per person to pay the pete-pete.
In the Lumpue Beach, you have to pay Rp3.000 per adult person and Rp2.000 for kids before enter the area. This place provides a kind of facilities named Bola Bale-bale (small house to take a rest). You have to pay Rp20.000 per hour for one Bola Bale-bale. Especially in Tonrangeng Beach you need not to pay something before enters the area, but you have to pay Rp15.000 to Rp30.000 per tent for a place to take a rest. If you want to spend the night in the beach, you can pay a small house rent Rp200.000 per night.
Bibir Beach
This beach is located in southern side of Parepare, exactly around crossroad between Jl. Bau Massepe and Jl. Mattirotasi. Parepare people named this area with Cappa Batue. Bibir beach has very beautiful view, especially in the afternoon, in the sunset time.
You can see landscape that has golden sun walk down behind the hills of Tanjunglero. You must be enjoying the view where sky and sea turn to be beautiful colors. Fishermen silhouette and their ships are playing with sea waves.
Many café lines up in the beach serve you with various beverage and foods to accompany you to enjoy the panorama. You also can choose to walk around while enjoy the sunset.
City Forest of Jompie
Only a few cities that have city forest area. Parepare is one of the city in Sulawesi that offer city forest tourism. More unique because City Forest of Jompie is located in the middle of people dwelling.
In this location, there are many kinds of old rare plants. You can find easily old and big hardwoods and ebony in this forest. Also you can find orchid and pineapple in this area.
This forest provides a pedestrian around the forest. You also can find place to take a rest in the forest while enjoy the freshness of the air. Top of the forest offer a very attractive view of Parepare. There are many facilities in this place of interest; place to camping, rent house, etc.
For you who like swimming, this forest area also provide a swimming pool that has spring from the forest. This forest area also can be a place to doing research, especially to research about kinds of animal and plants that live n this forest.
Almost all of kind of vehicles can be used to reach this area. From the center of the city, you can go by public transportation with has route to Soreang or you can rent a motorcycle. You only need to spend 10 minutes and Rp2.500 to go to the forest. When you want to enter the forest area, you have to pay Rp2.000 per person.
Karajae River
Karajae River is one of river in Parepare. River that flows and divides Bacukiki sub-districts is very appropriate for you who like tracking activities. You are not only get beautiful views but also you can see various animals, like lizards, fishes, and snake in the branches of the trees.
Tourism Information Center
This information center for tourism is located in Jl. Veteran No. 16 Parepare. It is the official of Sport, Youth, and Tourism of Parepare City. In this place, you can find all information about tourism from 07.30 – 16.00 wita (Monday - Friday). If you cannot find the place, you also can get information by phone/fax in (0421) 25518 or visit www.pareparekota.go.id. You can reach this place by motor or car and almost all of route or section of the public transportation pass in front of this building. This place stands in the corner of Andi Makkasau Town Square.
Tourism Events
Most of tourism attractions which are become Parepare people culture have resemblance with another region in Buginese. But tourism attractions in Parepare still have a few differences, especially in process and technique of performance.
There is several art attractions which is still exist and regularly perform by people, both for special ceremony or tourism events. They are ceremony of Buginese traditional wedding with its processions, traditional Dance of Jeppeng performance, Gendrang Bulo Dance, Kecapi Symphony, and traditional ship carnival. Most of the art attractions, like dance performance, are conducted in every August to celebrate Indonesia Independence Day. Those performances also conducted in every February to celebrate Parepare birthday.
There are a lot of choices to spend the night in Parepare. This city provides many singing hall, café, pubs, or street music. In Saturday night, main street will be full of people who come from Parepare and outer. They come to enjoy Saturday night by waste their time in the night clubs.
Food
You can enjoy food tourism in some points in Parepare city, like in the Bibir Beach and Mattirotasi Beach in the night. You can also taste several kind of traditional foods and beverages. It is easy to find restaurant in Parepare.
Special Menu
•Sarabba
Sarabba is a very famous body warmer beverage from Bugis-Makassar. It is made from ginger as main ingredient and aroma. It is very easy to find a kind of this beverage in Center Java. It is called Wedang Jahe. However by mixture of palm sugar and coconut milk make Sarabba stronger than Wedang Jahe. Sarabba is very popular because usually become a drink mate for snack like fried cassava, corn ball, fried tofu, fried tempe and fried banana.
You can taste this special beverage in the cafes alongside Jl. Alwi Abdul Djalil Habibie close to Pasar Senggol area. By paying about Rp10.000, you can enjoy this traditional beverage while enjoy Pare bay and Ujung Lero Cape view.
•Pisang Epe
Pisang Epe (Banana Press) is one of Makassar special food that is made from banana. It is burned and pressed then put palm sugar paste on it--sometimes that paste mixed with durian fruit essence.
Like Sarabba, this food easily can be found in the cafes alongside Jalan Alwi Abdul Djalil Habibie close to Pasar Senggol. Those cafes only sell this food in the afternoon till mid night. The price of this food is cheap, only about Rp5.000 per portion. There are 2 to 3 pieces of banana in a portion.
•Putu Berre’
This food is made from sticky rice and coconut scraped. This food can be found in the morning, around 05.00 to 07.00, in Hasrom Area. This food is very cheap, only Rp 1.000 per piece. Of you try 2 or 3 pieces, ot will be a proper berakfast.
•Coconut Milk Rice (Kanre Santan)
This food is made from mixture of rice and coconut milk. This food also known as Kanse' (acronym of Kanre Santan). Kanse is good to eat with fried tuna and/or nasu palekko'. A portion of Kanse priced Rp10.000 to Rp12.000. You can find this food ind some small restaurant in Parepare, among other in Jl. Baharuddin and Jl. H.A.M Arsyad.
•Nasu Palekko (Naspal)
Nasu Pelekko is a kind of rice that offered with curry and small slice of duck meat. Main spices of this food are ginger and garlic.
Where to Take a Nap?
Many hotels in Parepare can be proper choice for you as place to take a nap since in this city. The hotels that located in the hilly area offer beautiful city view for you. You can see huuses grow among the trees. Also you can see dragonfly scattered above the city from the morning to afternoon. This nice place serve you beautiful sunset and city view. From your hotel you can enjoy Pare Bay and Ujung Lero Cape.
If you want be near from the center of city, chooce one of hotel that placed in Jl. Bau Massepe, Jl. Andi Makkasau and Jl. Sulawesi. Those hotel are located close to the bach and Senggol Market. Or you can choose another hotels that spreaded in all side of the city.
