Indonesia's Lake Toba among New York Times' 52 Places to Go List 2024

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The New York Times has listed Lake Toba in North Sumatra as one of the "52 Places To Go in 2024." Published on January 8, the annual comprehensive list contains tourist destinations across the globe compiled by experts in consideration of sustainable travel and cultural events.

Lake Toba is in 24th place. This lake, which is encircled by eight districts, is one of Indonesia’s super-priority destinations set by the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy for its splendor and uniqueness.

“Unlike Indonesia’s more popular destination, Bali, Lake Toba is without the crowds. It’s also far from the din of the country’s audacious plans to move its sinking capital,” The New York Times wrote.

World Heritage Site

Lake Toba is the largest lake in Southeast Asia and among the deepest lakes in the world, with an area of approximately 1,145 square kilometers and a depth of 450 meters. Its immense width makes it seem like an ocean.

In July 2020, the Lake Toba Caldera was designated as a UNESCO Global Geopark. Studies revealed that the caldera was created by three phases of eruption that began between 800,000 and 900,000 years ago, with the most recent eruption taking place about 74,000 years ago. 

Tourists can not only enjoy natural tourism but also cultural tourism. Lake Toba is surrounded by many traditional villages inhabited by people who continue to practice their customs.

Here’s the full list of The New York Times’ "52 Places To Go in 2024":

1. The Path of Totality, North America

2. Paris, France

3. Yamaguchi, Japan

4. New Zealand by train

5. Maui, Hawaii

6. Baaj Nwaavja I’tah Kukveni, Arizona

7. Singapore

8. O’Higgins, Chile

9. Ladakh, India

10. Geneva, Switzerland

11. Dominica, The Caribbean

12. Manchester, UK

13. Craters of the Moon, Idaho

14. Baltimore, Maryland

15. Salar de Uyni, Bolivia

16. Negombo, Sri Lanka

17. Massa-Carrara, Italy

18. Bannau Brycheiniog, Wales

19. Morocco

20. Valencia, Spain

21. Kansas City, Missouri

22. Antananarivo, Madagascar

23. Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

24. Lake Toba, Indonesia

25. Almaty, Kazakhstan

26. Quito, Ecuador

27. Mingan Archipelago, Quebec

28. Montgomery, Alabama

29. Tasmania, Australia

30. Waterford, Ireland

31. Tsavo National Park, Kenya

32. Brasilia, Brazil

33. El Salvador

34. Koh Her, Cambodia

35. Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland

36. Montevideo, Uruguay

37. Mustang, Nepal

38. Vienna, Austria

39. Brisbane, Australia

40. Pasadena, California

41. Hurghada, Egypt

42. Boundary Waters, Minnesota

43. Thessaloniki, Greece

44. Normandy, France

45. Grenada, The Caribbean

46. El Camino de Costa Rica

47. Albanian Alps

48. White Horse, Yukon

49. Choquequirao, Peru

50. Dresden, Germany

51. Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, Mexico

52. Flamingo, Florida

MILA NOVITA

Editor's Choice: 10 Countries with the Highest IQ Scores in the World

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News