Indonesia
Sulawesi
Attractions and Recommendations
Region Sulawesi Country Indonesia Destination: Asia
Description | Climate | Attractions | Recommendations
South Sulawesi
A short flight or a scenic and interesting eight-hour drive through Bugis villages, coastal fishing villages and the Toraja foothills brings visitors up to the verdant Toraja highlands or Tana Toraja where the almost fluorescent green of the rice fields are dotted with distinctive saddle backed houses. Known as Tongkonan, these houses are said to echo the horns of the buffalo, that are an inseparable part of the Torajans. The Torajans believe that aristocrats must be buried between heaven and earth - hence their spectacular grave sites. High up in the limestone cliffs are set tombs, carved out of solid rock, and guarded by human effigies called tau taut. Watching sightlessly over the rice fields, they guard the souls of the deceased. Some of the most impressive grave sites are accessible from Rantepao, most of the sites are easily accessible.
A short flight or a scenic and interesting eight-hour drive through Bugis villages, coastal fishing villages and the Toraja foothills brings visitors up to the verdant Toraja highlands or Tana Toraja where the almost fluorescent green of the rice fields are dotted with distinctive saddle backed houses. Known as Tongkonan, these houses are said to echo the horns of the buffalo, that are an inseparable part of the Torajans. The Torajans believe that aristocrats must be buried between heaven and earth - hence their spectacular grave sites. High up in the limestone cliffs are set tombs, carved out of solid rock, and guarded by human effigies called tau taut. Watching sightlessly over the rice fields, they guard the souls of the deceased. Some of the most impressive grave sites are accessible from Rantepao, most of the sites are easily accessible.