Batu City
Apple-Producing District turns Tourist Destination

Batu City, surrounded by mountains and valleys, enjoys clean, fresh air and stunning panoramic views. Vegetables, fruits, and flowers grow in almost every part of town. This natural beauty has been the primary asset for Batu Mayor Eddy Rumpoko. "We work hard to maintain the cool climate and beauty of Batu," he told Tempo last week.

Batu, established as an autonomous area in October 2001 and often described as the 'Switzerland of Java', is the newest autonomous area in East Java. Before that, Batu was a municipality under the administration of Malang Regency. When Batu became autonomous, its government began boosting horticultural centers and tourism. Eddy said that it took a long time to get the people involved in turning Batu into a tourist destination. All their lives, they had known little more than farming.

May 10, 2016