Bireuen is located 218km southeast of Banda Aceh at the crossroads to the Gayo Highlands.
PLACES OF INTEREST
Traditional houses in Pusong
In Pusong, east of Bireuen, there are many interesting traditional Acehnese houses to be seen. One is the house of Teungku Awe Geutah, which is decorated with beautiful wooden carvings. It now belongs to the Muslim boarding school, Bale Khaluat, and is now used as a centre for science centre.
House of T. Hamzah Bendahara
In Keude, west of Bireuen, there is another good example of a traditional Acehnese house with intricate wooden carvings.
Hero’s Grave – 44
This is a small monument for 42 men and 2 women (one of whom was pregnant). They were killed by the Japanese in the battle at Sabil, Jeunib, in which the Acehnese attacked a train.
In Samalanga, there is a monument that was erected in remembrance of a battle in 1877 between the Acehnese, under Tgk. Cut Meuligo and the Dutch, under General K, Van der Heijden. It is located 30 km along the road to Banda Aceh.
Batee Lliek Spring
Near the road, the east of Bireuen there is a natural cold water spring which is great for bathing.
This is a shady beach with a beautiful view and nice cliffs, near Calok, in Samalanga, 40km west of Bireuen. The beach is 3km from the road.
