Jambi is a province on the island of Sumatra, Indonesia. This region offers enchanting natural beauty, deep history, and a rich cultural heritage.
Visit the wonderful Kerinci Seblat National Park, a paradise for nature lovers that stretches across the borders of Jambi, West Sumatra, and Bengkulu. Here, you can get a closer look at Indonesia’s diverse flora and fauna, including Sumatran Tiger, Sumatran Elephant, and even Amorphophallus titanum, the world’s tallest flower.
Those who seek the thrill of adventure may climb Mount Kerinci, the tallest mountain in Sumatra, and marvel at the island's beauty from above. Alternatively, you can relax and unwind at the scenic Kerinci Lake, which is located at the foot of the mountain.
You can also delve into the rich history of Jambi by paying a visit to the Muaro Jambi Temple Complex. This magnificent archaeological site was built during the reign of the Srivijaya Empire and has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Once finished with sightseeing, don’t forget to try local delicacies, such as tempoyak, daging masak hitam, or kue muso. With so many wonders to behold, Jambi surely will give you an unforgettable experience.
The easiest and fastest way to get to Jambi from Jakarta is by directly flying from Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport to Sultan Thaha Syaiffudin Airport in Jambi. Flight duration is around 1,5 hours.
Another option is to take a bus from Kampung Rambutan or Pulo Gebang Bus Terminal in Jakarta to Jambi City Bus Terminal. This journey typically takes around 10-12 hours, depending on traffic.
If you enjoy road trips, driving to Jambi from Jakarta is also viable. The standard route is through Trans-Sumatra Highway, though note that this will be a long journey lasting from 18-24 hours, depending on the road conditions and stops along the way.
Some top tourist destinations in Jambi include Kerinci Seblat National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the largest protected forest in Sumatra. It boasts stunning landscapes and abundant biodiversity. You can also visit other national parks like Bukit Duabelas National Park, Bukit Tiga Puluh National Park, and Berbat National Park to see more of Sumatran wildlife.
Avid mountain climbers can also try climbing the renowned Mount Kerinci, the tallest mountain in Sumatra. At the same time, those who enjoy being in nature can check out Kerinci Lake, which is located at the foot of the mountain.
History lovers can visit the Muaro Jambi Temple Complex, a temple complex built by the ancient Srivijaya Empire, with unique architectural elements and a glimpse into the region’s history.
You can take a private vehicle, use public transport, or rent a car. If you use a car, you can take the route towards Sungai Penuh.
If you choose to take a bus, you can get on one from Jambi’s Terminals and head towards Sungai Penuh. From there, you can hire a local guide to accompany you to the park and arrange transportation within the park.
The best time to visit Kerinci Lake is during the dry season, which lasts from April to September. During this period, the weather in Jambi is usually sunny with low rainfall, which offers better visibility and clearer lake water.
Since Jambi is one of the regions that produce durian, you should try out tempoyak ikan patin, a fermented durian cooked with shark catfish and spices. Some other options are nasi gemuk and rendang cempedak
If you’re craving some snacks, you can try local snacks like kue padamaran, rambutan goreng, bolu kojo, kue srikaya, and kue muso.
Travel Tips for Jambi Province
Get to Know Jambi Province