Nostalgic Parahyangan Escape Revives the Romance of a Legendary Train

For some, intercity travel is not merely about moving from one place to another, but about weaving together a memory. One recollection that may still resonate for many is the memory of the Parahyangan train, which began operating and became legendary on 31 July 1971. In its era, the train was a mainstay for many people travelling back and forth to visit the city of Flowers, Bandung. That memory is now being revived through a special programme called Nostalgic Parahyangan Escape, via a collaboration between Plataran Indonesia, KAI Wisata, and Whoosh, transforming the Jakarta-Bandung journey into an exclusive escape blending cultural heritage, history, and distinctive Nusantara cuisine. “When we talk about history, I remember the Parahyangan train was very famous around the 1970s and 80s. Today, we are reviving the memory of the Parahyangan train, but no longer as a mode of transport—now it has become a mode of tourism,” said Plataran Founder Yozua Makes. The journey connecting the past and the future is specially curated, beginning at the main meeting point in the VIP Lounge at Gambir Station, Jakarta. Afterwards, participants are invited to board the Private Panoramic Train to reminisce while traversing the legendary Parahyangan route. Throughout the journey to the City of Flowers, passengers’ eyes are treated to natural panoramas, accompanied by delicious snacks from Teras by Plataran, and a guided storytelling session exploring the history and culture of West Java. Upon arrival in Bandung, the city’s charm awaits exploration. Participants are first taken on a cultural journey at the Gedung Sate Museum, revisiting the history of Bandung’s iconic building. Afterwards, they enjoy a specially curated selection of typical Bandung dishes at Plataran Bandung. After lunch, the Bandung city tour continues with a visit to another iconic building in the City of Flowers, Villa Isola, followed by exploring the Bosscha Observatory, tracing the educational heritage at the Bandung Institute of Technology, before finally returning to Bandung Station by Bandros, and heading back to Jakarta using the Whoosh high-speed train. Amidst super busy routines, the Nostalgic Parahyangan Escape programme could be an option to briefly escape daily life. For those wishing to directly experience the romance of this journey, Nostalgic Parahyangan Escape is available periodically twice a month, and is scheduled to continue throughout 2026 to 2027, with complete information available on the official Plataran Bandung Instagram account.