STOP SCROLLING. You HAVE to see this unreal hidden gem in Lombok 🌴
Okay—so we were supposed to just pass through Lombok. Like a quick few nights between Bali and the Gili Islands, nothing major. But then THIS happened.
It was our third day, around 6:45 AM, golden hour had just started to spill across the hills, and we'd randomly decided (aka got FOMO on Instagram) to check out Bukit Selong. I know—everyone posts about it now, but trust me, standing there IRL hits different. 📍
We hiked up before sunrise—my girlfriend was still jet-lagged and half-asleep, wrapped in a sarong because she didn’t pack anything warm. It was quietly misty, not cold, just enough to make your breath swirl a little. And then boom—the sun cracked over the mountains and lit up the mosaic rice fields below like a freaking quilt of greens and golds.
That was the moment. You know when you don't even say anything? You just turn to your travel buddy like “How is this REAL?” Total chill-down-your-spine moment.
Why it's going viral 🌀
Because Bukit Selong is the kinda place drone shots were made for—and people are starting to catch on. The patterns of the rice fields from above look surreal, borderline optical illusion-y. It's popping up all over TikTok and IG Reels right now, tagged under #TrendingLombok and #ViralLombokIndonesiaSpots. Expect it to be the next Tegalalang.
Insider Tip:
Everyone hikes up to the main viewpoint with the wooden star platform. Cute, but busy. Instead—head LEFT when you reach the top path and keep walking along the ridge. Within 5 minutes, you'll find your own quiet perch with even better views, minus the crowds. We had it literally to ourselves while watching 3 drones buzz around the main area like annoying mosquitoes.
The Funny Bit:
We almost missed it. No cap. Took the wrong turn from Sembalun village and ended up asking a goat herder for directions using a combo of Google Translate and interpretive dance. Huge shoutout to him though—he pointed us in the right direction while laughing with us (at us?).
Flash forward: we're sitting on that ridge, feet dangling, sipping kopi in bamboo mugs from some legends selling it at a makeshift stall halfway up. There were maybe 6 other people around. The air smelled like cloves and wet earth. My phone had no signal and I didn’t even care.
How it made me feel 🧡
Peaceful. Like stick-your-phone-in-your-pocket-and-just-be-here kind of peaceful. I’m telling you—there’s something magnetic about Lombok. It’s got that off-grid magic Bali USED to have years ago. Each sunset feels like it’s apologizing for how insanely gorgeous the sunrise was. And don’t even get me started on the people. Warm, welcoming, all smiles.
One last thing 👀
We later looked up the area on FlyLombok.id, and broooo—the aerial playback? MIND-BLOWING. From above, you can actually see the field boundaries lining up in geometric patterns. Stuff you’d never catch unless you were 200 meters in the air. The textures, the layers, even the tiny trails winding through—it all came together like a moving painting.
We’re now planning to circle back to Lombok after Sumatra, and maybe check out Tetebatu and South Lombok surf spots too. Honestly, I could spend a whole month here alone.
If you’re doing Indo from May to August like we are—DO NOT sleep on Lombok. It’s trending for a reason, and now’s the time before the tour buses find it.
Just trust me and throw it into your route. Catch it before it becomes the next Bali.
—Zach ✌️