West Java has a railway tourism concept allowing visitors to see the route once passed through by Charlie Chaplin.

The idea of exploring West Java in a unique way is being prepared by the local government. It goes beyond visiting popular destinations, offering journeys that trace the long history of railways in Pasundan land.

The West Java Provincial Government, through its Tourism and Culture Office (Disparbud), introduced the West Java Railway Heritage concept – a tourism experience centered around train transportation. This concept is believed to revive the charm of historic rail routes while boosting tourist visits.

Head of West Java Disparbud, Hendra Sofyan, is optimistic this approach can attract both domestic and international tourists.

"West Java has the most complete railway history and routes, with trains passing through beautiful natural forests and rice fields. The largest train factory was also historically located in West Java," he stated in Bandung on Tuesday.

Geographical and historical advantages serve as key assets. Many old railway lines traverse natural landscapes, from valleys to mountains.

At several points, colonial-era stations still stand strong, holding stories ready to be revived through thematic tours.

Beyond nostalgic journeys, this concept is also expected to become a new economic driver in the region.

With West Java Railway Heritage, Hendra hopes to stimulate train usage as transportation access while boosting local community economies.

Hendra emphasized that trains aren't just about mobility but also gateways to business opportunities.

"Using trains as access will invigorate local economies including MSMEs, transportation, and other local services," he said.

To realize this concept, West Java Disparbud has collaborated with train enthusiast communities to design tour packages. One featured icon will be Cibatu Station.

"Cibatu Station will be a destination. Charlie Chaplin once visited there, traveling by steam train to Garut City," Hendra explained.

Imagine tourists boarding vintage steam trains, traversing historic routes through rice fields and hills, stopping at stations once visited by film legends.

Statistics Indonesia (BPS) recorded a 12.17% monthly decline in international tourists visiting West Java in August 2025 compared to July, and an 82.01% annual drop.

However, positive news comes from the modern Whoosh high-speed rail connecting West Java-Jakarta. International tourists using Whoosh reached 19,536 visits in August 2025.

This figure rose 16.42% monthly and surged 32.07% annually. Cumulative January-August 2025 visits totaled 124,350.

For domestic tourists, August 2025 recorded 16.64 million trips, down 6.32% monthly but up 27.59% annually. Cumulative January-August 2025 trips reached 141.50 million, a 30.85% year-on-year increase.

Bogor Regency remained the top destination (14.66% of visits), followed by Bandung City (11.21%).

With its historical foundations, rail infrastructure stretching from mountains to coastlines, and positive trends in modern rail transport, West Java Railway Heritage is more than just an idea.

It could become a bridge between past and future for West Java tourism – revitalizing economies, culture, and local pride. (Antara)