Sulawesi
The beautiful orchid shape island of Sulawesi is famous worldwide for its magnificent coral gardens and multitude of tropical marine life. Bunaken marine reserve and the Wakatobi offer some of the best diving and snorkeling in the world. Further inland, mountains and volcanoes create lush fertile highlands. In this region lies remarkable Tana Toraja, often referred to as the “Land of the Heavenly Kings”. With a belief that their forefathers descended from heaven onto a mountain generations ago, The Toraja have a distinctive culture based on strong animistic beliefs. They practice an ancestor cult where death and afterlife ceremonies are elaborate and important feast. Ancestral remains are placed in coffins which are then interred in caves hollowed out in high cliffs and guarded by life-liked statues.
The southern tip of Sulawesi is home to the seafaring bugis. The bugis are also silled boat builders. Bugis vessels called phinisiqs have been known to sail as far as south Africa and Australia. Today Bantaeng and Bulukumba are the place to see traditional boat building techniques.
Formerly more commonly known as Celebes, the 11th largest island in the world. So many beautiful places for diving, snorkeling, swimming, water skiing, or boating. Bunaken, with dense population of fish, coral and deep underwater caves, gullies and valleys. Pantai Olele in Gorontalo with the amazing beauty of underwater life. Togean Island in central Sulawesi, offers various types of coral. Karampuan Island in west Sulawesi, with its untouched natural coral reefs surrounding the island. Sea Garden of Pulau Hari in South east Sulawesi, blessed with an amazing coral reefs and the way sun’s rays reflect off the watersorrounding the island makes people call the island as ‘Island of Daylight’. For rafting adventure try Lairiang River with huge bluish tropical rain forest along, the longest river in Sulawesi. Lore Lindu National Park, is a world class venue for white water rafting. Also visit Lake Poso, wonderful place for relaxing. Be amazed by the sparkling falling waters at Bantimurung Waterfall in South Sulawesi with the most beautiful brightly-coloured ornithoid butterflies, Tamasapi Waterfall in west Sulawesi, and Maramo Waterfall in South east Sulawesi are the places where you can see the very rare speciesof animals, such as Maleo birds, Anoas, Hornbilis, Kuskus and Tarsius spectrums (the smallest primate in the world).
Tana Toraja, lays on the wonderful scenery of lush valleys and rice fields sheltered by rocky cliffs. Wellknown with its architectural masterpiece, the Tongkonan Houses, in Torajan Village, you can see the ancient culture and ceremonies like the cliff grave, a cave hollowed out in high cliffs to put coffin into it, and at the mouth of the cave is guarded by lifelike statues called TauTau. Londa is one of the oldest hanbging grave /sites. Also see the traditional boat building techniques at Bulukumba and see the Sandeq Boat race, an annual traditional Mandar boat race in west Sulawesi, held on August.
TOURISM PLACES
Nort Sulawesi
Cultural & heritage /sites: Pelabuhan Bitung; WatuPinabetengan; SawanganVillage, Tomohon
Beaches : Batu Nona beaches, Bunaken Nationalmarine park; Tanah merah
Nature & scenic attractions: Airmadidi; Gunung Ambang reserve; Gramobangu; Klabat Mountain; Tangkoko Batuangus reserve; lake Tondano
Central Sulawesi
 | Museums: Museum negeri. |  | Nature & scenic attraction : Lore Lindu National park, Palu; Morowali reserves, Poso; Tanjung api reserves, Borone. |
 | Beaches: Tanjung karang beach; Donggala; Togian isla |
