Rafflesia Viewing Sites (Bengkulu–Kepahiang Road)
Rafflesia arnoldii
Rainforest along the mountain road from Bengkulu to Kepahiang, where you may see the world's largest flower, the Rafflesia.
Rafflesia arnoldii can reach a diameter of up to 1 meter. It is the provincial flower of Bengkulu and was first discovered near the city by Raffles and Arnold. Rainforest along the mountain road to Kepahiang, around Taba Penanjung and Tebat Monok, often has flowers in bloom. Local flower-protection communities post bloom updates on social media, and villagers lead visitors into the forest for a small guiding fee. The flowering period cannot be predicted, and each bloom lasts only a few days and gives off a smell of rotting meat. It is about 50 km from the city and requires a hired car. Watch for slippery mountain roads and leeches.
Opening hours
Depends on flowering season
Nearby sights
- Kabawetan Tea Plantation
- Mount Kaba
- Lake Dendam Tak Sudah
- Bengkulu State Museum
- Sungai Suci Beach
- Fatmawati's House
- Jamik Mosque Bengkulu
- English Cemetery (Jitra)