If we talk about Magelang, Borobudur Temple should be at the top of your mind. But Magelang is not only Borobudur. There are many other tourist destinations in Magelang that you shouldn’t miss!
Magelang is a city and regency in Central Java, Indonesia, near Yogyakarta. If you land and stay in Yogyakarta, you should only spend about an hour driving to Magelang. You can reach Magelang using a ride-hailing app available in Indonesia (such as GoJek and Grab) or by calling a conventional cab with the help of your hotel staff.
If you have one day to visit Central Java, here are the top destinations in Magelang that you shouldn’t miss.
Borobudur Temple
As the largest Buddhist temple in the world and acknowledged as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Borobudur should be at the top of your list while visiting Magelang. The best time to visit Borobudur is Vesak Day, which usually happens in May. On Vesak Day, you will not only experience the temple but also the Vesak Day worship tradition, including the release of 1,000 lamps at night.
Nowadays, you can also book a classic VW trip to Borobudur and other tourist destinations in Magelang, such as Puthuk Setumbu, Svargabumi rice fields, and the Chicken Church.
Address: Jl. Badrawati No.9, Kw. Candi Borobudur, Borobudur, Magelang Regency, Central Java 56553 (Maps)
Entrance ticket (buy online here):
- Regular ticket: IDR50,000 (domestic) / IDR400,000 (international, approx. US$25)
- Enter and climb the temple: IDR120.000 (domestic) / IDR455.000 (international, approx. US$28.5)
Punthuk Setumbu
Punthuk Setumbu is a special place because you can view the sunrise from a 400-metre hill above sea level. From this place, you can also enjoy the beautiful view of Borobudur from a distance.
To reach this place, you should park your car in the designated parking area in the foothills. Then, you should climb to the hill peak for around 20 minutes. If you want to enjoy the sunrise, make sure that you arrive at the foothill 30 minutes before the schedule. If you book a classic VW tour, they can also help you reach the foothills and enjoy Punthuk Setumbu.
Address: Kurahan, Karangrejo, Borobudur, Magelang Regency, Central Java 56553 (Maps)
Entrance ticket: IDR20,000 (domestic) / IDR50,000 (international, approx. US$3)
Bukit Rhema Chicken Church
The name “Chicken Church” or “Gereja Ayam” has a reason. This old church’s shape resembles that of a rooster with a comb ‘crown’ on its head. If you go inside the church, you can enjoy the scenery through the gaps in the wall.
You can climb to its crown to enjoy more beautiful scenery and fresh air. The crown itself can accommodate 5-7 people at a time. This building gained more popularity after being used as a filming location for one of Indonesia’s popular movies, AADC 2.
Address: Karangrejo Gombong, Kurahan, Kembanglimus, Borobudur, Magelang Regency, Central Java 56553 (Maps)
Entrance Ticket: IDR25,000 (domestic) / IDR50,000 (international, approx. US$3)
Ketep Pass
Ketep Pass is an educational destination. Besides the beautiful scenery, you can visit the Vulcanology Museum, enter the mini theatre that plays the history of Merapi Mountain, and rent a binocular to see the beautiful views of Merapi and Merbabu Mountain.
At the top of the Ketep Pass, you will find a place called Pelataran Pancaarga. There, you can view 5 beautiful mountains surrounding Magelang: Tidar, Andong, Pring, Menoreh and Telomoyo Hills.
Address: Ketep Pas, Ketep, Sawangan, Magelang Regency, Central Java 56481 (Maps)
Entrance Ticket: IDR10,500 – IDR12,500 (approx. US$1)
