Categories: Central Java

15 Top Things to Do in Magelang, Central Java Indonesia – Temples – Sunrise View

Magelang is one of main cities in Central Java. It’s literally located in the central of Java. It can be reached from Yogyakarta, about 43 km northward. Or alternatively from Semarang, about 75 km southward. FYI, the capital of Central Java is Semarang, not Magelang.

Buses are the most common transportation you can use to travel to Magelang, either from Yogyakarta or Semarang. From Yogyakarta, there are two departure terminals available for you. They are Giwangan Terminal for business class and Jombor Terminal for economy class. The bus fares from Giwangan Terminal are around Rp 15.000 – Rp 20.000 while from Jombor Terminal are around Rp 10.000. The trip will take about 2 hours.

From Semarang, you can depart from Terminal Terboyo. The buses vary from business to economy class. The fares for business class are around Rp 45.000. The trip will take about 2.5 hours.

Magelang has two regions, the City of Magelang and the Regency of Magelang. Both of them have many attractive places, from historical places to amazing scenery. A lot of things you can explore. Surely you won’t regret spending your time here. So, let’s find out what top things to do in Magelang are.

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1. Visiting Borobudur Temple
This is the number one must-do thing when you come to Magelang. Borobudur is the world’s largest Buddhist temple and listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Borobudur was built in the 9th century by Sailendra Dynasty. The temple has 504 Buddha statues and its central dome is surrounded by 72 perforated stupas. Inside every stupa, there is a Buddha statue performing sitting cross legged.

Visiting Borobudur temple is quite easy. You can get on the bus from Magelang Terminal. Many buses offer route from there to Borobudur. Or you can drive toward Yogyakarta and you will find street signs directing you to Borobudur.

The price of entrance ticket is affordable. Rp 30.000 for adults and Rp 12.500 for children. The site opens from 6.00 to 17.00

2. Visiting Pawon Temple

Pawon temple was built in the 9^th century, at the same era with Borobudur temple. The builder was also Sailendra Dynasty. The temple was allegedly built for king’s tomb. This hypothesis came from the name of temple. Pawon is derived from Javanese word, Per-awu-an, means a place that contains dust. It could be the dust of cremated king. The temple is also known as Bajranalan. The aka came from the name of village where the temple is located.

Because its architecture, researchers claimed Pawon temple as a jewel of Javanese temple. Pawon temple is only 1.75 km east from Borobudur temple. So it’s not too far. Make sure it’s on your list. Visiting Pawon temple is definitely worth it.

3. Visiting Mendut Temple

Mendut temple was built in the 9^th century by the same Sailendra Dynasty. The temple is just 3 km east from Borobudur. The interesting part is you can draw an imaginary straight line from Borobudur to Mendut, with Pawon right in the middle of them. This thing suggests there must be religious connection between these temples even though the process is still mystery for researchers.

During Vesak annual ritual, Buddhists walk from Mendut, passing Pawon, and end up at Borobudur. Javanese people who still follow Kejawen, a traditional Javanese mysticism, often pray here for their wishes such as prosperity, health or wealth. Visiting Mendut temple is a must for you as a closure of your journey to Borobudur.

4. See Sunrise at Punthuk Setumbu

Not far from Borobudur temple, located in Karangrejo Village, Borobudur Distric, Magelang Regency, there is a hill named Punthuk Setumbu where you can admire the view of sunrise. When the day is dawning, the mist is floating in the air with the background of Merapi and Merbabu mountain. Truly wonderful nature.

It’s easy to find Punthuk Setumbu. From Borobudur temple, just follow the signs directing you to Punthuk Setumbu. Don’t worry. You won’t get lost. You will meet people lining up to see sunrise at Punthuk Setumbu. The price of entrance ticket is Rp 15.000 / person.

5. Selfie at Camera House

Obviously it’s an instagramable spot you must pay a visit. The house resembles a DLSR camera. The body part is where the owner lives and the lens part is functioned as an art gallery. Visitors get in to the house through the flash part while the display and mode serve as windows. Surprisingly, visitors will see more paintings in this house instead of photographs. The paintings are amazingly beautiful with lots of details. It turns out the owner is an experienced painter. Every Sunday, the owner dedicates his time to teach anyone who comes to his house to learn painting. A lot of kids around his house learn to him.

The camera house is located near Borobudur temple. It’s only 5 minutes away by foot. You need to walk through Bodrowati Street to avoid traffic jam. The price of entrance ticket is extremely cheap, just Rp 5.000. When you selfie at camera house, give the world your best pose ever.

6. Selfie at Chicken Church

The Chicken Church, or Gereja Ayam, is a well known church in Magelang. Originally, the church was built in the shape of dove with crown on its head. But local people looked it as a hen. That’s how the name of Chicken Church came from.

Not just for worship purpose, the building is also used as a popular place to take wedding photograph or selfie. The building even appeared on the scene of Indonesia’s box office movie, Ada Apa Dengan Cinta 2 (AADC 2). The Chicken Church is located in Kembang Limus Village, Borobudur District, Magelang Regency. The price of entrance ticket is Rp 15.000. Just take your time here. Selfie at chicken church is not a sin.

7. Soaking in Hot Water Bath of Umbul Temple

A long time ago, this hot water bath was only for princesses. The hot water comes directly from hot water spring. Soaking in hot water bath may relax your mind. The sulphur contained by the water can help curing your skin problems. Nevertheless, the water is still odorless. There is also a water bath with regular temperature. The location of it is lower than the hot water bath. The ruins of Umbul temple are surrounding this water bath site.

The hot water bath of Umbul temple can be found in Kartoharjo Village, Grabag District, Magelang Regency. The price of entrance ticket is Rp 3.000.

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8. Visiting Sekar Langit Waterfall

There is a legend about this Sekar Langit waterfall. The legend of Jaka Tarub. It was said when the angels were taking a bath at this waterfall, a man named Jaka Tarub stole the shawl belonged to one of the angels. It made the unlucky angel named Nawang Wulan couldn’t back to heaven. So the angel stayed on earth and married to Jaka Tarub.

The nature around the waterfall is well preserved. On the rainy day, there will be restriction for visitors to avoid the danger of flood. The height of waterfall is about 30 meters from surface.

The Sekar Langit waterfall is located in Telogorejo Village, Grabag District, Magelang Regency. The price of entrance ticket is Rp 4.000. Also read: Waterfalls in Indonesia

9. Visiting Kedung Kayang Waterfall

The waterfall is on the hillside of Mount Merapi, which erupted in 2010. The eruption made the view around the waterfall even more beautiful. Big stones are decorating the site of waterfall. The beauty of nature is also well preserved.

The Kedung Kayang waterfall is 950 meters above sea level with the height of around 40 meters. Monkeys are frequently seen flocking above the waterfall. The access to this waterfall is quite easy. It’s near Ketep Pass, about 3 km.. Just follow the street signs. The road is well maintained, fits for cars or bikes. Near the waterfall, there is camping ground for visitors. It’s a good idea to spend the night here. The Kedung Kayang waterfall is located in Wonolelo Village, Sawangan District, Magelang Regency. The price of entrance ticket is Rp 5.000.

10. Visiting Ketep Pass

Ketep pass is situated between Mount Merapi and Mount Merbabu. It’s about 1,200 meters above sea level. From this site you can see the amazing view of both mountains. It has small cinema regularly playing documentary about Mount Merapi, binoculars, food stalls and Museum of Vulcanology. Panoramic view around Ketep pass is really breathtaking.

The ketep pass is located in Ketep Village, Sawangan District, Magelang Regency. The price of entrance ticket is Rp 7.500 for locals and Rp 39.000 for foreigners. It entitles visitor entry to cinema, museum, using binoculars and a non alcoholic drink.