Borobudur is located in Magelang and is known as one of the seven wonders of the world. Hence, it is no surprise that this place has become a popular tourist destination in Indonesia. Tourists from all over the world have been here not only from various cities in Indonesia but also from abroad.
But do you want to spend the entire holiday of yours visiting Borobudur Temple only? You will miss out on other interesting places! Especially when you have had to travel across provinces to get there, but do not like the tourist attractions as much. And if that is the case, there are some other attractive places that can be your alternative for you to visit and actually are not that far from Borobudur. Here are the five options you may want to take a look:
1. Ketep Pass
About 30 kilometers from Borobudur temple, you can visit a plateau area called Ketep Pass. The site is located on Sawangan Mountain at an altitude of 1200 meters (above sea level). From this top, visitors are able to see the landscape of Mount Merapi and Mount Merbabu. The amenities you can enjoy in Ketep pass also vary. For example, you can visit the Volcanology Museum or watch educational films in the mini cinema on the top of the mountain. There are also binoculars to observe the scenery of Mount Merbabu or Merapi up close. Moreover, there are some observation decks in tourist and leisure areas.
2. Camera House of Magelang
About ten minutes from the north of Borobudur Temple, there is a tourist attraction called Camera House. If there is an ‘upside-down world’ in some big cities, then Magelang has a so-called camera house which is no less instagramable than the others. Outside, you can try out to take photos with the building of the Camera House which has a shape looking like a DSLR Camera as the background. Meanwhile, inside, you will find some pictures of background paintings.
When you see this place, you might think that the owner is a photographer or an amateur photographer, but guess what? he is not. The owner of this ‘Camera House’ is a painter, and his name is Mr. Tanggol originally from Semarang but has lived in Bali for a quite long time. He is a very talented painter who has been painting for years now and has won several awards.
3. Bukit Rhema
Bukit Rhema, also known as the “Chicken Church,” is also a must-visit spot. If you miss this place, you will miss many experiences, especially when you went to Borobudur, because here was where one of the legendary Inonesian movie Ada Apa Dengan Cinta (AADC) 2‘ scenes took place. In addition, the unique and unusual design of this building also makes it an ideal place if you are hunting for photos for your Instagram posts. Bukit Rhema can also be an option for enjoying the beautiful sunrise nearby Borobudur area. You can feel the atmosphere of a private sunrise on this hill. Besides, the entrance to Bukit Rhema is not as expensive as watching the sunrise at Manohara Hotel — an exclusive place to see the said beautiful sunrise that cost around IDR 275,000 per person. Here, the ticket price is way more affordable, for local or Indonesian tourists only need to pay IDR15,000 per person and IDR 30,000 if you are foreign tourist.
4. Candirejo Tourist Village
Visiting Candirejo Tourist Village is also an interesting tourist activity that you can add on your must-go-to wishlists during the Borobudur tour. This tourist village is only 5.5 kilometers away from Borobudur Temple and can be reached within 15 minutes. Candirejo is a tourist village often visited by many domestic and foreign tourists because this tourist village is inseparable from the history of the greatest temple in Southeast Asia.
Tourists can do various activities in this tourist village. For example, you can try walking or horse riding around the village. In addition, you can also watch art performances by the locals and interact more closely with the surrounding communities by living in the residents’ homes. Here you can also see a wonderful performance of the traditional Nyadran ceremony, which is frequently held every “Ruwah” month according to the Javanese calendar.
- Hot water bath at Umbul Temple (Candi Umbul)
Finally, you can try out the heat in the hot water bath at Umbul Temple (Candi Umbul). This place is located in Kartoharjo Village, Grabag, Magelang District, not far from Borobudur, and residents’ silometers. Like Borobudur Temple, Umbul Temple is also a relic of the Sijarendra family that once controlled the region of Central Java. There you will find there are two ponds around the Umbul Temple area. The first one is located at the top and is a thermal pool and the ordinary cold temperature for another one at the same time. Old story said these two ponds are bathing places for noble princesses. Now, are you interested to take a look at these destinations we have recommended above? Please do not hesitate to make the time for it if you are planning the trip to Borobudur.
Are you planning to visit Borobudur soon? Find out more about Borobudur and Indonesia by visiting Wonderful Indonesia.
