LOMBOK ISLAND TOUR

Mataram is the capital of Lombok. The city actually consists of four different cities Ampenan, Mataram, Cakranegara (Cakra) and Sweta. Ampenan has most of the city of monuments, including Negeri Nusa Tenggara Barat museum, which gives a good overview of Lombok culture. Cakra is the best place for eating, sleeping and shopping. It is also the Water Palace, which is worth visiting, and the largest temple of Lombok, Meru Purse. Mataram is the administrative center and Sweta the transport connection across the island.


As a center of government administration, Mataram has many large, impressive public buildings and large homes. The city also has transportation and shopping centers. Main Square is used for art, theater, dance and wayang kulit (Puppet Theater) performances. In other parts of Mataram, there are various old markets and neighborhoods featuring traditional crafts such as basket ware and gold and silver-threaded sarongs, or wraparound garments.

Ampenan port once the main port of Lombok, but is based mainly on fishing vessels. Cakranegara is important Balinese and Chinese populations, Chinese were brought by the Dutch to provide cheap labor.
Though officially three separate cities, Ampenan, Mataram Cakranegara and ride together, so it is difficult to tell where one stop and the next begins. There are banks, travel agencies, shopping streets, interesting shops, traditional markets and a few things to see, but the city is not the main attraction.

Cakranegara
The main shopping center Lombok has a thriving Chinese and Balinese Community. Most shops and restaurants are run and owned by Chinese.

Ampenan
When was the main port of Lombok. The old buildings mixed with the population of Chinese, Arabs and Melayu. You can find many local restaurants with great Chinese and Sasak food.