Travel Guide Bima

Bima, a dynamic city on the island of Sumbawa, is distinguished by its rich history and culture. With a population of around 40,000, it is the island's largest city and therefore a bustling center of activity. Its major attraction is the Musée Asi Mbogo, formerly the sultan's palace, which captures the essence of local history. The museum displays a variety of artifacts, including kriss, royal jewelry, historical costumes and a collection of ancient farming tools. It also offers an educational insight into Indonesian dialects and their evolution from the Latin alphabet, enriching understanding of the history of the Bima Sultanate.Away from the museum, a visit to the salt fields of Bima Bay can be an interesting experience. Here, during the dry season, workers can harvest up to 2,000 kg of salt per hectare! This illustrates an important aspect of the local economy.Although Bima was once known for its Muslim conservatism, particularly in its attitude to women, the town is gradually evolving. However, it is still advisable to respect local traditions, particularly when it comes to dress code (covering at least the legs and shoulders). Visitors can soak up the local atmosphere by strolling the bustling streets, exploring the colorful markets or sampling the local cuisine.