Central Java Part 3

Indonesia Media

Central Java’s outstanding resort is approximately 14 km north of Purwokerto. It occupies a fine site on the slope of Mount Slamet, at an elevation of 650 m above sea level. It has remarkable weather with a cool mountain breeze. The temperature ranges from 18 degree C to 25 degree C.

The resort area is surrounded by nice gardens, hot springs, ponds and bungalow-style hotels. Other features include 200 ha of pine forest, a nearby market and marvelous views.

Tawangmangu

Located 40 km east of Solo. It lies on the slope of mount Lawu, at an elevation of 1300 m above sea level. It is a recreational resort offering fresh weather, scenic views, swimming pools, bungalow style hotels and restaurants. Other features include nearby temples in ruins, a national park and the 40 m high waterfall of Grojogan Sewu.

Taman Kyai Langgeng

Kyai Langgeng Park located at the western part of Magelang, and occupying land of about 19 hectares, with the tranquillity of a rural atmosphere, is easily accessible as it lies only about 1 km from the center of the town. Convenient public transport brings you there, leaving town life behind to go back to nature.

Built by the Local Government of the Magelang Municipality and opened its gate to the public in 1987, Kyai Langgeng Park now provides you with collection of many kinds of rare plants from all over Indonesia, collection of dinosaurs statues, fishing pond, traffic gardens, aquariums, green house, swimming pool, open air theater, large cages of various kinds of tropical birds, various kinds of animals from the bigger to the smaller ones, arena for go-carts, a river for canoeing and wild water surfing, restaurants, souvenir shops, tropical fruit market, indoor tennis court, hotel and many other things to see, to do and to enjoy.

This park is named after one of the followers of Prince Diponegoro, one of the Indonesian heroes who fought bravely against the Colonialists during Diponegoro’s war (1825-1830). The late Kyai Langgeng was buried in this area and his burial can still be found here.

For now and the future the Local Government of Magelang Municipality will move on to invest in new recreational facilities for all levels of the community.

Dieng Plateau

Four hours from Semarang is the Dieng Plateau. Here some of the oldest Hindu temples of Java are found.

These small monuments, which are not more than 50 feet high stand on a crater floor amidst sulfurous fumes and underlined by the presence of a few of the starkest Shivaite temples at an elevation of more than 6.000 feet, are impressive. The road to the Dieng Plateau passes through tobacco plantations and beautiful mountain scenery.

Mendut Temple

Located only three kilometers from Borobudur, Mendut is said to face toward Benares, India, where Buddha Gautama taught his five disciples the very first time. The smaller temple of Mendut, which houses the great statue of Buddha and the Pawon temple, form an integral part of the Borobudur complex. The three-meter tall Buddha together with the two Bodhisatva figures of Lokesvara and Vajrapani are in the view of some experts among the greatest manifestations of Buddhist thought and art. Through these smaller temple complexes the pilgrim must pass before ascending the great Borobudur monument

Borobudur Temple

The name “ Borobudur” is believed to have been derived from the Sanskrit words “Vihara Buddha Uhr” the Buddhist Monastery on the hill. The Borobudur Temple was built in the eighth century by the Cailendra dynasty and is located at Magelang, 90 km southeast of Semarang, or 42 km northwest of Yogyakarta. Visitors have the option of going by taxi or public bus to reach this temple. One of the world’s most famous temples, it stands majestically on a hilltop overlooking lush green fields and distant hills.

Borobudur is built of gray andesite stone. It rises to seven terraces, each smaller than the one below it. The top is the Great Stupa, standing 40 meters above the ground. The walls of the Borobudur are sculptured in bas-reliefs extending over a total length of six kilometers. It has been hailed as the largest and most complete ensemble of Buddhist relieves in the world, unsurpassed in artistic merit, each scene an individual masterpiece.

The monument has been completely restored and was officially opened by the President on 23rd February 1983. The restoration took eight years to complete, funded by the Government of Indonesia with aid from the UNESCO and donations from private citizens as well as from foreign governments.

The Borobudur was in danger of collapsing as its stone statues and bas-reliefs was affected by stone cancer, moss and lichen. A large parking area is available not far from the monument, so private cars and buses can park in this area. During the Buddhist festival of Waisak in May, processions start from Mendut temple. Public transportation is available from the bus terminal. From that point visitors can hire becaks or horse carts, or walk the rest of the way to the monument.

Shopping Hints

Batik cloths and garments, hand-woven fabrics, traditional and local jewelry, leather puppets, basketry, tortoise-shell accessories, trinkets, brass-ware and other decorative items, and all kinds of antiques are local specialties.

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