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District in South Sulawesi, Indonesia
Photo: Sergey, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Rantepao is the main town in the Tana Toraja region of South Sulawesi.
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Pasar Bolu
Several tombs in full nature (in particular a particularly impressive forest of giant bamboos). The site is much less interesting than other equivalent ones in Tana Toraja, but the road reaching Deri is very scenic, with many villages as beautiful as Kete Kesu but without any tourist (nor entrance fee) here.
Among the nominated sites, Ke'te' Kesu' is the most complete settlement. The site consists of a compound of houses and granaries, burial place, ceremonial ground, ricefields and water-buffalo pasture.
Lemo is also a cliff burial site with galleries of ancestor statues. One of the most interesting (and visited) sites.
Londa is a grave site where two methods of burial are customary. One of the most interesting (and visited) sites.
The site of Bori Parinding is a combination of ceremonial grounds and burials. The ceremonial ground is an open space used for traditional ceremonies, including rituals for the dead and thanksgiving.
Pallawa site is also a compound of houses and granaries. There are 11 houses and 15 granaries.
A café serving local food in a nice atmosphere. Decent prices. However, as in many places, the owners will try to have you hiring a "guide" at a too-expensive price.
Opened in early 2018, this place offers clean food, local dishes, and Wi-Fi.
Located inside the hotel of the same name, this restaurant serves excellent local food, always cooked on demand. Hence every dish must be ordered in advance (at least 45 min, up to 2 hr for the most famous specialties).
A restaurant mixing the street food style restaurant and more elaborate hipsters-like restaurants (with wooden tables, and pictures of food and various music instruments on the wall).
Nice café where the young inhabitants of Toraja come to have a drink. Electricity. Free Wi-Fi. Many mosquitos though.
Nice place with a very beautiful environment in the nature (the hotel surroundings is full of flowers and beautiful plants). Staff is nice but of little help, and may put some pressure on you to hire their (overpriced) fake guides (as, unfortunately, in many other places in Rantepao).
The homestay has large and clean rooms. It is within walking distance of the center. The staff is very friendly. The owner speaks English and French and you can contact him for any information. The price includes a simple breakfast
A big museum-cum-shop, with demonstration looms and fabrics on display from all over Sulawesi.
By plane
By bus
The bus terminal for local transportation is not in Rantepao, but in Bolu, 2 km further northeast. A bemo ride between central Rantepao to Bolu costs Rp 5,000 (as of 2016).
Rantepao is small enough to be walkable. Otherwise, riding an ojek or becak or bemo is easy.
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Toraja · Regional · TRT
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