In addition to mountains, beaches, and cultural heritage, Aceh has a natural tourism that is no less interesting. Its name is Langsa Aceh Mangrove Forest Park. Located in Kuala Langsa, this park is said to be on an international scale and has even been ogled by foreign tourists.
The location is about five kilometers from Langsa City. Visitors who want to come here can ride four or two-wheeled vehicles, by traveling to Kuala Langsa Harbor. The atmosphere here is very pleasant and suitable as a family vacation spot.
As previously mentioned, this eight thousand hectare area is often referred to by international researchers. Because the Langsa Aceh Mangrove Forest is touted as one of the mangrove forests with the most complete collection of species. According to a source's records, there are no less than 38 types of mangroves here.
Exploring the Langsa Aceh Mangrove Forest is quite exciting. Visitors will be invited to walk on a wooden bridge while looking at the lush greenery around them. There is no need to worry about security, because here there is a watch tower containing officers who are ready to monitor the situation from a height of 10 meters.
The Langsa Aceh Mangrove Forest is one of the most popular tours for young people. Towards the weekend, lots of teenagers and young people visit here. Besides being beautiful, the entrance ticket is also cheap – only two thousand five hundred rupiah.
However, all visitors who come here are warned not to act strange. Especially if you only intend to go into the forest and make out with your lover. To ensure that no one violates, the manager even made a special warning board around the mangrove forest.
There are many nice spots to just take selfies or take beautiful photos in the Langsa Aceh Mangrove Forest. Generally, the point that is a favorite of tourists is the curved brown bridge that is above the waters. So beautiful, there are also couples who occasionally make this place as a pre-wedding location.
The next favorite spot is the watchtower. This point can be found in the middle of a trip through the Langsa Aceh Mangrove Forest. If you dare to climb the vertical stairs, you will be presented with views of the mangrove forest from a height – beautiful and charming.
Meet the Monkeys
The Langsa Aceh Mangrove Forest is also a habitat for several local animals, such as monkeys, snakes, monitor lizards, fish, shrimp and crabs. Especially for a group of monkeys, they occasionally appear to visitors. It is therefore advised not to bring food, shiny items, or other objects that can attract the attention of monkeys.
So far there have been no incidents involving monkeys and tourists in the Langsa Aceh Mangrove Forest. But just in case there's nothing wrong with that.
Langsa City is one of the areas in Aceh province which has a mangrove forest tourism object or mangrove forest tourism with natural charm that is quite stunning for local and foreign tourists who visit.
This national-scale mangrove tourism destination covers an area of about 8,000 hectares, located in the village Kuala Langsa, West Langsa sub-district. The location is quite easy to reach, you can get there by public transportation or by bicycle from the four-way intersection of Sungai Pauh national road Medan-Banda Aceh.
For information, Langsa city mangrove ecotourism is a mangrove nature conservation that is used for tourism and nature recreation. This place also has a function as a habitat and shelter for several types of wildlife such as monkeys.
This omnivorous animal also looks very familiar to visitors, but there are some tourists who feel uncomfortable with the presence of this animal for fear of being attacked.
However, their existence has added value, you know. Especially for travelers who like animals that live in the wild.
Usman Abdullah, the Mayor of Langsa who has succeeded in turning this mangrove area into a tourist destination, thousands of travelers in the archipelago have started to glance at the beauty of the mangrove forest of Langsa city.
Mangrove ecotourism in Langsa City has adequate supporting facilities offered for the needs of visitors with relatively affordable entrance ticket prices.
Ticket prices are divided into two categories, namely weekdays between Monday to Friday the fare is Rp. 5,000 per person. While Saturday and Sunday the price is Rp. 10,000 per person.
Various activities can be done at this location. To enjoy the mangrove forest tour, first by walking through the footbridge, this method is cheaper because it doesn't cost money but can't go around the entire area.
While the second way is to use a speed boat to go around the mangrove forest to enjoy the natural wealth that is still maintained in its beauty. However, according to Yana, before she managed this tour the speed boat was already in an unhealthy condition so it could not be used.
In addition, Yana revealed that in the future there will be something even more interesting if a mangrove tower with a height of 45 meters has been completed (on process). Later, visitors from the height of the tower can see the extent of the mangrove forest area of Langsa City.
Furthermore, this area is also equipped with other facilities such as stalls/canteens and prayer rooms so that tourists can do their worship in these places. The mangrove forest is open every day from 9 am to 6 pm. Towards sunset there will be a warning to leave the tourist attractions. In the mangrove forest area there are many Acehnese food stalls such as Aceh noodles and other seafood dishes.
For information, Langsa city mangrove ecotourism is a mangrove nature conservation that is used for tourism and nature recreation. This place also has a function as a habitat and shelter for several types of wildlife such as monkeys.
This omnivorous animal also looks very familiar to visitors, but there are some tourists who feel uncomfortable with the presence of this animal for fear of being attacked.
However, their existence has added value, you know. Especially for travelers who like animals that live in the wild.
Usman Abdullah, the Mayor of Langsa who has succeeded in turning this mangrove area into a tourist destination, thousands of travelers in the archipelago have started to glance at the beauty of the mangrove forest of Langsa city.
Mangrove ecotourism in Langsa City has adequate supporting facilities offered for the needs of visitors with relatively affordable entrance ticket prices.
Ticket prices are divided into two categories, namely weekdays between Monday to Friday the fare is Rp. 5,000 per person. While Saturday and Sunday the price is Rp. 10,000 per person.
Various activities can be done at this location. To enjoy the mangrove forest tour, first by walking through the footbridge, this method is cheaper because it doesn't cost money but can't go around the entire area.
While the second way is to use a speed boat to go around the mangrove forest to enjoy the natural wealth that is still maintained in its beauty. However, according to Yana, before she managed this tour the speed boat was already in an unhealthy condition so it could not be used.
In addition, Yana revealed that in the future there will be something even more interesting if a mangrove tower with a height of 45 meters has been completed (on process). Later, visitors from the height of the tower can see the extent of the mangrove forest area of Langsa City.
Furthermore, this area is also equipped with other facilities such as stalls/canteens and prayer rooms so that tourists can do their worship in these places. The mangrove forest is open every day from 9 am to 6 pm. Towards sunset there will be a warning to leave the tourist attractions. In the mangrove forest area there are many Acehnese food stalls such as Aceh noodles and other seafood dishes.
Including Mangrove Forest With The Most Complete Collection
The Langsa Mangrove Forest, which has become the pride of the Acehnese people, has a complete variety of mangrove plants, you know! Even the collection is included in the most complete collection in the world, not only on a national scale. That's great right? This area is at least overgrown by more than 35 types of mangroves. Several types of mangroves are Avicennia, Sonneratis, Ceriops, Bruguiera, and Rhisophora.
What makes this Mangrove Forest different from other mangrove forests is the beauty it provides. Here you can find a bridge with a length of 300 meters. The bridge is made of wood and spans the entire surface of the swamp water, which makes the mangrove forest even more beautiful. The curved bridge design is a favorite place to take pictures.
Because it is an international scale tourism, Langsa Mangrove Forest already has adequate facilities. Starting from public toilets, resting places, and worship, they have been provided in detail and clean. This will certainly make tourists more comfortable. In addition, there are boats that are willing to go down the river along the mangrove forest for those of you who are lazy to walk. You just pay the boat rental fee. There is a speed boat too, you know!
Besides having a complete collection of mangroves, this forest also has several fauna! Here live various types of marine life such as shrimp, molluscs, and other fish. You can also meet and interact directly with some monkeys and monkeys. The monkeys and apes here are quite tame. So you can invite to play or take pictures.
1st place API Award
Successfully won 1st place in the Anugrah Pesona Indonesia (API) Award, the most popular ecotourism category and Most Favorite Tourism 2019.
The award presentation for the prestigious event in the tourism sector took place, Friday, November 22, 2019 at the Sapta Pesona Building Hall, Ministry of Tourism, Jakarta.
The final voting results for the 2019 API Award, the Langsa City mangrove forest received 93.26 percent of the votes via premium SMS (all operators.
The nicks set aside Lusi Island destinations in Sidoarjo Regency, Flory Village, Sleman Regency, Lore Lindu National Park, Sigi Regency, Bangkirai Hills, Kutai Kertanegara Regency and others.
Usman Abdullah hopes that the existence of the mangrove forest will be able to support the creative economy in the area.
Complete Facilities
As one of the popular ecotourism destinations, the Langsa Aceh Mangrove Forest has complete facilities to pamper tourists. In the outer part of the forest, there are various kinds of food stalls for those who want to rest their feet while filling their stomachs. The choices are varied, ranging from Acehnese noodles to a variety of seafood.
Langsa Mangrove Forest is open every day, but pay attention to visiting hours. The manager starts providing login access at nine in the morning and closes at six in the afternoon. Towards sunset, there will be a warning to all tourists to immediately leave the location.
That was a brief overview of the beauty and privileges of the Langsa Aceh Mangrove Forest, one of the interesting ecotourism destinations in Aceh. If you have the opportunity to visit the Veranda of Mecca, there is nothing wrong with taking the time to come to this location.
Become an alternative tourist destination during the Covid-19 pandemic.
A number of travelers from within the region as well as neighboring regencies/cities, often make this tourist destination a vacation with family on the weekends.
"The Covid-19 pandemic has made it difficult for us to travel far. So the holidays are enough in the Kuala Langsa mangrove forest," said Ainun (33), a resident of Peureulak, East Aceh when I met him at the Kuala Langsa Mangrove Forest Park tourist attraction,
The European Bridge, became one of the visitor photo spots in the area
According to him, a vacation in this mangrove forest tourism object can educate his children. Seeprti introduces mangroves and their various species and can see monkeys up close.
More importantly, he said, in this location there are a number of contemporary photo spots and beautiful natural panoramas. Besides, excursions to mangrove forests do not need to spend too deep.
“The distance from Peureulak to Langsa is only 40 minutes by car. Then the entrance ticket is cheap and there are various snacks available. Anyway, it's cheap," I am the mother of three.
Meanwhile, Ayudhia Management Public Relations – the manager of the Kuala Langsa mangrove forest area – Munawar said that since being managed by his side the number of tourists has continued to increase even during the Covid-19 pandemic.
"We continue to improve and local and foreign tourists continue to arrive. What else on a weekend like this," he said.
The management, he said, provided health protocols such as a place for washing hands, measuring body temperature and visitors were required to keep their distance and wear masks.
"In addition, every weekend live acoustic music is provided as entertainment, while still paying attention to the application of Islamic law and local wisdom," concluded Munawar. (put)
It is common knowledge that Indonesia's marine wealth is very attractive to the international public. And it's only natural that international class marine tourism exists in Indonesia.
But there is something that is forgotten by some people, if on a beach there is always a type of plant that is not foreign to the eyes of tourists, the name is Mangrove or Mangrove.
Even though the existence of these plants should be able to become part of a marine tourism destination. For those who don't know, in Langsa City, Aceh Province, there is an international-class Mangrove Forest tourist attraction. The name of the tourist location is Langsa Mangrove Forest.
The largest Mangrove Forest in Southeast Asia
Langsa Mangrove Forest has an area of about 8000 hectares and is said to be the largest mangrove forest in Southeast Asia with the most complete collection of species.
It is estimated that there are about 38 types of mangroves that live in this location, because it is rare for a mangrove forest area to be overgrown with different varieties.
Variety of Mangroves in Langsa Mangrove Forest
For those of you who don't know, Mangrove forest or Mangrove forest is a forest that grows on brackish watery swamps located on the coastline and is influenced by tides, precisely in coastal areas and around river mouths.
Aceh Province is a province that is rich in marine tourism, even one of the islands is already famous in the eyes of the world, namely Pulau Weh. And the world is even more amazed when a large Mangrove forest is in Aceh.
Langsa Mangrove Forest is an affirmation that the earth of Aceh is still able to maintain ecosystems and natural balance, even though the threat from rapid development is so worrying.
Mangrove Heaven in Langsa Aceh
Please note that Mangrove forests have extraordinary benefits for human life on land. It's just that many people are not aware and do not know about the benefits. The benefits of mangrove forests are as follows:
The Enchantment and Variety of Langsa Mangrove Forest Tourism
Langsa Mangrove Forest apart from being a natural tourist, but can also be an educational tour for your vacation with family. And here are the various tours and charms of the Langsa Mangrove Forest:
- Beautiful Bridge
Don't imagine visiting Langsa Mangrove Forest to have to walk through the swamps, walking in water and mud like walking in a wild forest.
Walking in the Langsa Mangrove Forest is like walking in a very large beautiful park. How come? Yes, because the journey around the forest is through a route that has been provided.
The path is in the form of a long bridge with cool colors, and the shape of the bridge is very artistic.
Bridge in Langsa Mangrove Forest
Beside the bridge path, there is a gazebo or place for visitors to sit down. The gazebo is not one, but many. Almost in every corner there is a place to sit.
And along the path of the bridge is a selfie spot that is very worthy to be posted on your social media. The beautiful bridge blends with the natural beauty of the Langsa Mangrove Forest.
- Flora and Fauna
There are many kinds of flora species in Langsa Mangrove Forest, from the Mangrove species alone, there are no less than 38 species. Plus other types of plants.
But the most unique and interesting is the presence of fauna or animals that inhabit the mangrove forest, namely monkeys who sometimes play along the visitor's path.
Don't be surprised by the panorama of monkeys playing on the bridge, in fact the presence of these monkeys is an element of lure for tourists to come to the Langsa Mangrove forest.
Monkeys as if greeting visitors in Langsa Mangrove Forest
Not only local tourists who come, even foreign tourists also often come to this tourist location. And for the record, don't let you disturb the animals, okay?
The life of the ecosystem in the mangrove forest, wherever it is located, will be threatened with extinction when its management is not optimal. And will speed up the abrasion process.
So, let's protect our natural wealth. Because Langsa Mangrove Forest is part of the lungs of the world, and part of the balance of nature.
- Tower
If you want to see the whole beauty of the mangrove forest, then you can go up to a tower or watch tower. And witness for yourself a very amazing sight.
But be careful when climbing the tower...
Other facilities
The Langsa Mangrove Forest tourist attraction is already complete. Parking area, prayer room, public toilets, canteen, and a pier.
Langsa Mangrove Forest Location and Address
The location and address of the Langsa Mangrove Forest is in the Kuala Langsa area, West Langsa, Langsa City, Aceh Province
Route to Langsa Mangrove Forest
The route to Langsa Mangrove Forest can be passed by all types of vehicles, both motorbikes and cars. It's just that there is no public transportation that reaches this location.
The location of the Langsa Mangrove Forest is very strategic, because it is close to the Kuala Langsa port, then the distance from Langsa City is only about 8 kilometers with a total travel time of about 20 minutes.
The route to Langsa Mangrove Forest if the first departure is from lLangsa City, then the first route is to Jalan Iskandar Sani.
Then after that, continue your direction to Jalan Kuala Langsa. After driving about 7 kilometers, then turn left. And the destination to the Langsa Mangrove Forest tourist location has arrived.
Langsa Mangrove Forest Entrance Fee
The price of admission to Langsa Mangrove Forest is Rp. 5,000 per person.
Langsa Mangrove Forest Operating Hours
Langsa Mangrove Forest Operational Hours from 09.00 to 18.00. open from Monday to Sunday.
Lodging in Langsa Magrove Forest
There is no lodging at the Langsa Mangrove Forest tourist attraction.
Travel Tips to Langsa Mangrove Forest
For those of you who want to take a vacation to the Langsa Mangrove Forest tourist attraction, it's good to pay attention to the following things as travel tips there. Among them:
Always maintain and respect the ethics, morals, and beliefs of the local community. As is the case at the Langsa Mangrove Forest tourist attraction, it is not allowed to commit indecent acts, make out for those who are not married, and other rules that are contrary to Islamic teachings.
The Langsa Mangrove Forest is part of the monkey habitat. Don't be surprised, and don't panic if there are monkeys sitting in the middle of the bridge or travel path at the tourist location.
Do not destroy the environment, and do not throw garbage carelessly. Especially plastic waste and cigarette butts.
Always be careful when climbing the watchtower. For those who are afraid of heights, it's better not to force yourself up to the watchtower.
Don't forget your camera, okay... because the scenery there is very instagrammable
Closing
Forests, seas, land, and the creatures in them have a position to bring balance to nature.
Not only humans play a role, but all creatures have a vital role in building harmony. Therefore, take care of the preservation of nature and its contents.
Teach positive values to our children, and provide an understanding that humans and nature must always be in harmony. Because both of them are God's creation.
How? Interested in visiting? If so, you can visit every Monday – Sunday from 08.00 to 17.00. For weekends or weekends it will be closed at 18.00. The entrance ticket charged is also very cheap, only IDR 5,000 for a normal ticket and IDR 20,000 for a tour package. So when are you going to visit the Langsa Aceh Mangrove Forest?
Happy holidays, and stay grateful…